Weddingbee
I love and watch What Not To Wear all the time, but why do Stacey and Clinton always have to be so negative, focusing on what not to wear? I say we devote some time to thinking about what we should be wearing, specifically in regards to engagement shoots. Laura Novak, an amazing photographer, wrote about it once on Weddingbee, now it’s time for an official photography blog-stalker’s opinion.
I read all of the photography blogs. When I say all of them, I mean that every single time I come across a link to a photography blog, I subscribe to it. I have been able to find some beautiful photos and discover lots of gorgeous inspiration, and want to share with you what I’ve found to be successful when choosing outfits for e-pics.
1. Find out if your photographer allows for outfit changes. If so, think about wearing one “everyday” and one “dressy” outfit.
Photo by Duston Todd
From American Gothic to American Chic.
2. Coordinate your outfits, but don’t wear the exact same thing.
Photo by Sarah Rhoads
Blue/gray color palette with a shot of red from her funky heels. These two just look like they belong together.
3. Think about wearing an outfit that matches your surroundings.
Photo by Duston Todd
So if you are going to be taking your photo with a donkey, you might want to look into purchasing that sombrero you’ve had your eye on.
4. Give your shoes as much attention as your shirt. The photographer will want to capture them at some point.
Photo by Shaylene Rene
Mr. and Miss Avocado, what were you thinking when you got dressed that day. High heels and big clunky sneakers?
5. Wear something that you feel defines your personal style.
Photo by Johnathan Canlas
How many “rules” that photographers give about what to wear are this couple breaking? Baggy gauchos on the lady? Check. Trendy graphic tees? Check. Ultra casual flip-flops? Check. But I am going to guess that this is what this couple really dresses like. They walked away from their engagement session with some beautiful images that really captured who they are.
6. Wear something you can run, jump, kick, and spin in.
Photo by Ksenija Savic
Because in many ways, this is how I feel when I am around Mr. Avocado.
What dos and don’ts would you recommend be added to the list?
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DO: …be risky….the Adam + Eve pictures…nothing but the couple + 2-3 big fig leaves…OR…. DO: daring picture….how about smooching your partner in crime in the middle of a Main street on the center island with the cars whizzing past you.
Yeah the shoe thing. Sarah captured the BOTTOM of our feet in one shot. I was horrified because my heels were all worn out under there! She stated that she loved worn in shoes because they tell a story of where you’ve been. Aw.
Haha…good post! I, too, am a blogstalker. What are some of your faves, Miss Avocado? I already have about 100 on my blogroll, what’s a few more…?
I wholeheartedly agree with all of your dos and don’ts! I also feel relieved, because I just had my e-pics taken over the Fourth, and thankfully, followed your suggestions!
One suggestion my photographer gave me that I am glad I did not follow: wear neutral colors like black, tan or white. I chose to wear my favorite color - pink, and a vibrant one at that - and I am glad I did, because it captured my personality! I never wear neutral colors - why do so for my engagement pictures? And since I chose to have my photos taken in a garden, the vibrant pink looked really pretty against all of the deep greens and colorful flowers.
So in the end, be true to yourself, and wear what makes you feel beautiful.
Good post, Avocado 
I’m a photographer blog junkie too
Really good tips! While we won’t be doing engagement photos, I’m planning on gifting my parents with a family portrait session. This advice will come in handy, particularly when we bring out the donkey 
PS - the photo in the chair is so sweet!
Great advice! I’ll be using your advice for our engagment shoot!
i love this pic of you gys….so sweet!
i really regret that LR and I won’t be able to do e-pics. no budget…..hopefully, we’ll get some great snapshots together at the rehearsal dinner or something.
I wish I would have put a little more thought into this. I asked my photographer about what to wear and he said don’t worry about the bottoms since they’ll be taking mostly torso up shots…yeah, right. I listened to my instincts, but I wish I would have been more careful with the outfits.
And two…ask your photographer to be on wrinkly shirt check…we had to pass up a few photo because my shirt was all over the place. I didn’t realize it, but it wouldn’t have hurt the photographer to say something.
Great post Avocado! I was just about to do one very similar, but now- I’m just going to sit back and enjoy yours
Thank you for writing about this today! My FI and I are doing our e-pics tomorrow and my photog “recommends we wear the same colors ie. khaki pants with brown shirts”. UGH! No thanks! We are definitely doing our own thing and NOT dressing matchy, matchy. Thanks for your advice!
Wear something that makes you feel great. If you are not confident about how you look, it WILL show up on camera - the discomfort and tension will show all over your face and in your body language. Wear the outfit that you save for occasions when you need to knock ‘em dead with your confidence!
Don’t be afraid to highlight the distinctions in each of your personalities. My fiance is a jeans and tee kind of guy, and he is a pro driver. I’m a total girlie girl, and a writer, photographer and model. We took our engagement pics on his motorcross bike with him in his jeans and tee shirt and me in a variety of stunning, fashionable outfits - including, in one, a floor length, red strapless gown holding The Complete Works of Jane Austen, and another in a hot little green number, perched on his handlebars, flinging a bouquet into the air!
Our photos turned out amazingly well, considering what we were up against during our April e-photo shoot at Cannon Beach, Oregon: howling wind and sleeting rain. However, I wish we had done the following:
1. Checked the weather and dressed appropriately (even if that meant a wool sweater, slicker and wellies - I was freezing in my flip flops and thin sweater).
2. Taken all indoor photos first, before heading out into the yucky weather (my hair was a wreck within one minute of walking out the door).
3. Taken a small mirror, makeup and comb/brush for any touch ups.
Some things that I’m glad we did:
1. Took photos in a place meaningful to us (in our case, our engagement spot).
2. Included an activity of some sort (we rented an old tandem bike and rode it around, getting some really fun shots, I wish we’d also played around in the surf though).
3. Had several umbrellas to choose from.
4. Had a blast doing it, even though we were soaked to the bone and freezing!
5. Bought a package that included a DVD of all photo files.
Just a few suggestions:
White can often make pale people look more washed out. If you are not on the tan side, give your white top a test run before rocking it the day of the shoot.
If you aren’t comfortable in what you are wearing, it will show on the camera. If your fiance’ is not the shirt and tie guy, don’t make him be for pictures - or if you have to have that type of dress, do it for a couple shots and then get him in his favorite jeans.
If you do go buy new shoes - make sure to break them in first! Lots of enagement sessions are spent running around various areas.
I also second all of Shannon’s suggestions.
This is a great post. Thanks, Miss Avocado!
As a photographer, we always tell our couples to wear clothes that make them feel good. If you feel good, you look good. Automatic bonus.
A lot of the rest is up to you.
Though we generally recommend staying away from loud or conflicting print patterns. We ask our couples to bring two outfits- one more casual and one a little dressier. And always bring comfortable shoes- sometimes, if the couple is up for it, we like to go to pretty out of the way spots.
And usually we ask the guy to bring a blazer. It’s a great prop and gets some awesome GQ shots.
Here’s an example of how clothes can really make a shoot- she wore killer red heals with a blue dress for part of the shoot. And the dressy look was tons of fun in the fountain.
http://www.allegrophotography.com/clients/2008/shosh_jon/index.htm
@groomzillaisme: Groomzilla, you reminded me of
this wedding photobooth shot that I love. I can’t wait to see your engagement photos, it sounds like they will be killer!
@Miss Pomegranate: Pom that is so sweet. I’ve been wearing my wedding shoes around the house to break them in and the bottoms already look kind of trashed. So sad.
@Megan: I think that advice is a little bit outdated. You don’t see many of the absolute best wedding photographers shooting engagements with the couples wearing outfits like that. I’m so happy that things seem to be moving towards the engagements being viewed as an opportunity to showcase who you really are as a couple.
@Angel: She’ll be the official cleavage/wrinkler watcher for me
@Shannon: Great thoughts Shannon, if anyone reads this, take Shannon’s advice because she is a smart one.
@Katharine: I’m not doing links, but here is the list of my current favorites, just google search their names with the word “blog” afterwards and it should be really easy to track them down!
* AltF
* Anne Ruthman
* Apertura
* Bartosz Jastal
* Chriselda
* Cory Parris
* Esther Ju*lee
* Gabriel Ryan
* Heather Waraksa
* Jasmine Star
* Jenna Walker
* Jennifer Skog
* jesh de rox
* Jessica Claire
* Jonathan Canlas
* Joy Mari
* ksenija savic
* Marie Labbancz
* Mark Brooke
* Natalie Moser
* One Love Photo
* Our Labor of Love
* Punam Bean
* Sarah Rhoads
* Susan Stripling
* the image is found
* Timwill
The wedding photobooth shot I love is by the image is found and you can see it here, I don’t know why that link didn’t work!
I just wrote up a blog post using your fabulous advice! A really great compilation from you and your readers. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts from the other side of the lens!
Clothing changes are great! So are location changes. BUT you don’t want to overdo it, especially if light or time is limited in some way… you don’t want to have less time for actual photos just so you can get all four of your cute outfits in.
My favorite photo sessions have been with clients who dressed up more. There’s something about the hipster formality and going into the city or burb (I’m city-based) that speaks to me every time.
@Rachel: Excellent point. My e-session was broken up into segments throughout the day and so I was able to change outfits and refresh my hair and makeup, but most brides aren’t so lucky. I would say it is better to have more photos to choose from then outfits
Mrs. Avocado
Mrs. Avocado, Seattle
Age and Occupation: 23, Student
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Consultant
Engagement Date: July 27, 2008
Wedding Date: October, 2008
Blogging Since: June 30, 2008
Venue: LDS Seattle Temple & Hotel 1000
About Me: Somehow this little farm girl found herself a genuine Pole to fall in love and eventually move away to Poland with. I am an LDS bride attempting to plan a private religious ceremony, ring ceremony, seated reception for 100, and an open house while coordinating for guests flying in from across the United States and as far away as Poland. I try to avoid fads, excess waste, and saturated fat. I strongly endorse photography, DDR, calorie counting, rss feeds, cooking, and utilizing your resources.
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