Engagement Picture Advice

Some Tips to Make You Less Nervous
By Kara Schultz
Wedding Photographer, Kara Schultz – Storyteller
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Are you panicking about your engagement pictures? What to wear? How will this work? Are you just generally nervous? Well, first, we’re glad you decided not to skip your engagement session as we’ve covered before but now lets talk more about the session.

1. Clothing: wear what you are comfortable in and what you want your pictures to look like. Are you really casual? Then jeans and a nice shirt will do. Do you want them more dressy? I suggest a nice casual dress or skirt and at least a button down shirt for guys.
2. More on clothing: I suggest not to wear anything with big logos, you don’t want to look like an advertisement! Try to wear complementary items but not too matchy-matchy, so you don’t both have to wear black polo shirts. Try and bring out your personality with your clothing. Large prints aren’t always good on both people, but if everything else is pretty simple, go for the print! You can always bring a change of clothing or email what you’re thinking so I can help you decide. If one person is wearing a big print, the other needs to wear something solid.
3. Clothing for the boys: I suggest either a polo shirt or a button down shirt or a sweater (depending on the season, you could layer these items!). They look sharp whether you’re wearing jeans or dress pants. I highly suggest nice shoes for the boys, usually casual dress, in some cases tennis shoes work but not always.
4. Clothing for girls: beware too much cleavage! I know the pains but just make sure the goods aren’t out like you’re hitting up the clubs later, you’ll probably be giving these pictures as gifts or on save the dates and you don’t want your mom commenting on it (or worse, your mother in law!). Wear something you’re comfortable in like I said before, your engagement pictures are not a time to decide to try a new trendy fashion statement. Make those statements with jewelry instead.
5. Shoes: wear something comfortable, we’ll be walking anywhere from 1-3 miles during your engagement session! If you want to wear heels in your pictures, make sure they’re comfortable or bring an extra change of shoes that are easy to get on and off (flip flops, slides, ballet slipper type shoes). You have time to slip them off and on before I set up the shots
6. Make up: Even if you don’t wear makeup, wear a little for your shoot. I suggest these key items: mascara, lip gloss with a small tint (do this to define your lips and not have them blend with your face, doesn’t have to be bold, just subtle!), and finally blush (give those cheeks a small amount of red! Unless it’s going to be cold out when we do this, then you get it naturally!). Ideally, you want your make up a touch darker than what you wear day to day, but not over the top for engagement pictures (boudoir is a different story!).
7. Accessories are your friend: maybe that’s a bright shirt under your black shirt or with some funky color shoes with simple black or brown tops, or even some chunky jewelry that you want to wear to spice it up. Your accessories are probably going to be the thing that may make your outfit a little more special, try on your outfits and look in the mirror to see if you need something more, if you’re questioning it, you’re probably right. But remember you can always email your photographer for advice
8. How this is going to work: your photographer may set up some shots for you that are nice and pretty standard, there will be other times that your photographer may tell you just to have fun or do something crazy. Just relax, photographers try and make this pretty enjoyable (and most of the people say it’s painless!).
9. RELAX. Your photographer there to make sure that you get good pictures, you don’t have to worry about that, just smile and laugh during your session to get feeling natural, at first it’s a bit tough, I know, but we’ll get there! Just don’t worry about the shots, that’s your photographers job
10. And lastly, some things that are always welcomed: shots you like (can be brought up at the session), props (always fun!), clothing changes (as long as there’s a bathroom it’s fine with me!), any questions you have, location advice (I’m happy to pick if you’re willing to drive anywhere!).
And finally, please call if you’re running behind! We’re usually there early and just hoping everything is fine, but after 15 minutes we get a bit weary, we completely understand if traffic is bad or parking is an issue but communication is the key to avoiding any issues! So don’t be afraid to call. Also, check your photographers contract for any restrictions that are on the engagement session.