10 May 2023
Photography
· Tips & Technique
A Toronto Photographer’s Tips on What to Wear to Your Engagement Shoot
ONE OF the number one questions i get as a toronto engagement photographer before an engagement shoot is… what the eff do I wear? if you’re wondering the same, look no further! keep reading this bloggy blog to get some hot tips, dos, don’ts, and maybe’s.
When you’re at a place in your life where you’re booking an engagement shoot, CHANCES ARE it might be your first time ever being professionally photographed (unless you’re one of those cool cats who grew up going to Sears Portrait Studio with your parents every year). It’s super difficult, if you’re not familiar with photoshoots, to prepare arguably the most important thing… your ENGAGEMENT. PHOTOSHOOT OUTFITS.
Should I match with my partner? Are white t-shirts and jeans not cool anymore? Should I wear a gown? A Halloween costume? Should I match with my photographer? So many questions… so little answers.
As a wedding photographer based in Toronto, my NUMBER 1 tip always, without a doubt, is to wear what makes you comfortable. “Comfortable” covers a lot of bases. I want you to feel mentally comfortable (feeling confident, and not over-thinking how you look), and physically comfortable (asking yourself if you can move and sit comfortably in the outfit). These two, I believe, are non-negotiables. You feeling beautiful really translates to the way that you pose and the way that you photograph, so WE NEED YOU FEELING CONFIDENT, BABY!
As for the rest (colours/contrast/what photographs well)… look no further! I compiled some tips for you to make this super easy! Obviously, at the end of the day, I don’t know what your personal style is, so if you actually are the type of person who’d want to rock last year’s Halloween costume for your engagement shoot, DON’T LET ME RAIN ON YOUR PARADE. But the following is a good checklist for you if you’re looking for some guidance!
aS YOUR TORONTO ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER, I’M HERE TO REMIND YOU tHAT feeling like yourselves DURING your engagement shoot is most important.
Don’t be afraid to show those personalities! I would recommend wearing clothes you already own, or perhaps an outfit you’ve already broken in. I want you to be able to look back at these photos and think “YES, this feels like us, this looks like us, and wow… we’re hot”.
Contrast: COOL OPTION OR NOT FOR AN ENGAGEMENT SESSION?
For one reason or another (I blame the 80s), people tend to immediately think they should MATCH in photos. I can’t drive this point home enough… you absolutely do not need to match! Contrast not only photographs beautifully, but also gives you an opportunity to wear what you like.
Nothing would be worse than being forced to wear a white blouse, even though it’s not your colour, just because your partner really wants you to. Obviously, be mindful of what colours look good together. If you’re a ‘play it safe’ kinda gal, black & white always photograph beautifully together.
BEING MINDFUL OF MOVEMENT FOR YOUR TORONTO ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
When photographing with me, you will be anything but still. I mean I won’t make you drop and give me 100 (unless you don’t listen to me), but I definitely will be asking you to sit, lay down, walk, run, dance, and twirl! Keeping that in mind, clothing that has some movement always photographs really beautifully.
Again, I don’t want to tread the line of telling you what to wear as it’s super important that you wear what you like, but some examples of clothes that have good movement are: loose blouses, long skirts / dresses, scarves, loose pants, etc!
DRESSING FOR COMFORT DURING YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION
I bring this point back up again because it really is the most important. Comfort doesn’t necessarily encompass just loose clothing and sweatpants. Some peeps are super comfortable in a tux and a wedding gown, so again, DON’T LET ME STOP YOU! But when I say comfort I mean something you feel and look comfortable in.
Absolutely NO to outfits you can only stand in (you know the ones I’m talking about), and absolutely NO to outfits that you look good in but don’t *feel* like you (i.e. you don’t FEEL comfortable in them). This really translates in images – the best photoshoots are the ones where the couple feels incredibly confident, and clothing can really make or break this!
WEARING PATTERNS DURING YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION
Let’s talk PATTERNS! This is a tricky one. If I were to give one piece of advice about this, it would be to limit the patterned outfit to only one person. Once you’re both in a pattern, the photographs can read a little busy. Having one person in a pattern brings a little pop, and some texture to the images, and that’s always great!
Be mindful of the types of patterns. Plaids and fun patterns always photograph well, but I’d stay away from really intricate and detailed patterns (really small patterns, intense paisley, etc).
pops of colour for engagement photos
Do – not – shy – away – from – colour! Pops of colour always photograph so beautifully, and inject so much personality into your images! When choosing what colours to rock, consider the location, the season, and what your partner is wearing. If you’re doing a shoot in the midst of winter, and the background will likely be all white, consider a bright colour!
If we’re doing a shoot in the Distillery District with mostly red brick in the background, consider a bright yellow, or something that will really stand out amongst the background!
going matchy matchy with your partner
I know I might’ve started this off by saying you don’t have to match, which is totally true… but IT’S SO CUTE IF YOU DO TOO! BUT, let’s make something clear, I’m *not* saying you have to wear THE SAME THING, I’m strictly talking about the same colour. The same black t-shirt + jeans for you both? Don’t do it. Different black tops and jeans for you both? YES! So fun and so cute.
feel confident inside and out during your engagement photoshoot
As your Toronto wedding photographer (and engagement photographer), I’m always here for you. When we work together, we will go through, in detail, what your outfits will be, how they’ll look together, and what the vibe is. Don’t stress – this is the fun part!
Are you looking for a photographer to capture your just-engaged bliss, now that you know EXACTLY WHAT TO WEAR? Let’s chat about what you have in mind! I can’t wait to talk to you.
With love,
Yasmin
for the wildly in love –
for the authentic souls –
for the small gestures –
for the big moments –
for love, with love.
© by YASMIN AL-SAMARRAI photography