Stumped on what to wear?

Are you tearing through your closet wondering what the hell you’re going to wear for that upcoming engagement photoshoot? You are not alone.

I was still hunting for the perfect outfit while sitting in a makeup chair the morning of our session—right before Hunter and I drove an hour and a half to Trillium Lake at Mt. Hood for our February 2020 engagement photos.

In the snow.

Don’t be like me.

Your engagement photos are the first step in your journey toward married life. They’re the perfect chance to test out your makeup artist, get to know your photographer, learn how to pose and strut your stuff, and capture images that will live everywhere—save-the-dates, wedding invitations, your website, and framed all over your home.

I still have a gif of me throwing a snowball at the back of my now-husband’s head on my personal Instagram. No regrets.I still have the gif of me throwing a snowball at the back of my now-husband’s head on my personal instagram.

Dress for the weather.

This is something we tell all of our couples: we live in the Pacific Northwest. The wettest corner of the United States. Weather here can change on a dime.

June might be dreamy and warm… or the mother of all rainstorms could roll down from Alaska. October could be crisp and cozy—or 117 degrees while the West Coast is on fire. That one caught us off guard too.

Be prepared for the possibility of rain. Your photographer is probably checking the forecast every 24 hours leading up to your session and will keep you updated, but unless something truly wild is happening, light rain usually won’t cause a reschedule—especially during peak wedding season when weekends are booked months in advance.

Hunter and I both keep clear umbrellas in our kits for emergencies (and honestly, they make for gorgeous photos), but having a covered backup plan is always smart. When in doubt, reach out to your photographer a few days beforehand and ask what they think.

Wear Clothes That Feel Like You

If you’re a Carhartts-and-boots kind of couple, don’t feel like you suddenly need a tux and an evening gown. Engagement sessions are meant to be fun and relaxed. If hiking through the woods or splashing in puddles sounds like your version of a good time—perfect. That’s exactly what we’ll do.

The photos will be breathtaking either way. Our biggest piece of advice? Be comfortable.

If you do want to rock heels or a gown, bring flats or cozy shoes for walking between spots. We can work magic with height differences without sacrificing your ankles. Leggings under a dress are practically invisible and will keep you warm, and a good coat to toss on between shots is always a win.

Coordinate Your Outfits

This is hands-down the question we get most often:

“How do we coordinate what we’re wearing?”

Truthfully? There’s no magic formula.

We’ve photographed cozy coffee shop sessions, windswept beaches, mountain overlooks—couples in jeans and tees, couples in slacks and gowns. It all works. What matters most is that it feels like you.

Our most basic recommendation: avoid loud patterns that clash. Beyond that, anything goes.

And if you’re stuck and want some inspiration, here is a link to a pinterest board that we’ve created with some lovely {and comfortable) outfit choices!

Be Yourselves (and Have Some Fun)

Our ultimate goal is to make you feel like yourselves. If we’re doing our job right, you’ll forget there’s even a camera around—you’ll be too busy laughing, spinning each other around, chucking snowballs, or jumping into piles of leaves.

We might give you some slightly ridiculous prompts. Favorites include:

• “Can you pick him up?”
• “Walk toward us like you’ve had a little too much wine.”

They may feel silly in the moment, but trust us—the photos turn out so good.

These are memories you’ll have forever. Enjoy them.

Still Looking for Your Engagement Photographer?

Hunter and I love adventuring with our couples and scouting out gorgeous spots for engagement sessions around the PNW. We’re very casual photographers, and we’ll have you goofing around for an hour or two while we capture something truly special.

Head over to our contact page and give us a shout—we’d love to hear from you. 🤍