FAQ - Choosing an e-session outfit

You two are in love, you have your own style, show it off! This is your chance to tell the world who you are as a couple. I love this style of engagement portraits.

There are no hard or fast rules for what to wear during your e-session, but there are definitely some outfits that will make the photographer's job more challenging. A good photographer will be able to work with you on this, but he may have to change locations to better suit your outfit.



Here are some do's and don'ts of what to wear during your engagement shoot:

Don't (or do if you want to put your photog to the test):

*Wear black or really dark colors. You'll blend with with the backgrounds and it will suck in all of the light. There is a reason wedding professionals wear black on your big day, they want to blend in and disappear in photos.
*Choose busy patterns. This could do one of two things. The first is take the eye away from looking at you. They are going to go right to the outfit in these photos and not see your faces. Depending on the outfit, it could also cause you two to get lost in the background.
*Wear the same color as your fiancee. Outfits that are the same color may sound cute, but will cause you two to become one in the photos.



Do:

*Go for what makes you feel comfortable. If you are laid back and always wear jeans, then go in that direction.



*Wear what represents the both of you. These photos are about you. Some people that you are inviting to the wedding may not have seen you in years and when the photos are on the internet there may be people who have never seen you before. Who do you want to tell the world you are?
*Be creative. If you love to get dressed up and go out, then throw on a ball gown and have him put on a tux. Maybe put on something with a vintage style or just go for a plain suit and nice evening dress.
*Express your fun-loving side. Toss on a costume! (And call me, because I love outside the box stuff like this).
*Choose figure-flattering ensembles. The camera can easily increase some of your shape. A photographer can work around this, but it may limit his or her creativity. You may want to take a few test shots at home to see how you look in an outfit. Those jeans that you loved may suddenly make your hips jump out. Dresses and skirts tend to flatter most bodies.



*Bring more than one! You can start with one style and then move to another. During my e-sessions, we will typically spend a couple hours shooting, so you could easily make an outfit change (or two). This will give you a lot of different options for photos.
*Make an easy change. If you have chosen a skirt/dress and a pants ensemble, begin the session in the skirt/dress. Also consider wearing layers which can make changing your look easier and faster. If you changing between two dresses, consider bringing a pair of shorts to put on in between.



*Don't forget the shoes! Colorful shoes make great photos.



*Wedding colors. A fun idea that a bride shared with me is to incorporate your wedding colors into your outfits.



For some more inspiration, check out some of Pilster Photography's e-session galleries.

For some more great advice for your e-session, here are a couple more great articles on the subject.

E-session - What to expect http://www.bridalbuds.com/2009/05/shots-in-the-city/#more-6672
What to wear - http://www.weddingbeepro.com/2009/03/27/engagement-photos/
More what to wear.