What to Wear for Your Engagement Photos: A Film Photographer’s Advice

Your engagement session is a chance to slow down, be present with your person, and capture a chapter of your love story in a way that feels effortlessly you. As a film-inspired, documentary-style photographer, I want to help you look and feel incredible while keeping the focus on real connection and movement. The right outfit choices can enhance the mood, complement the setting, and ensure your photos feel timeless and true to your story. Here’s my best advice on what to wear for engagement photos that will shine on both film and digital.

Start with Your Location & Vision

The setting of your session plays a big role in what will look best on camera. Are we chasing waves at the Oregon Coast, hiking in the Columbia River Gorge, or strolling through the golden light of wine country? Think about colors and textures that complement the environment. Flowy fabrics work beautifully in breezy coastal settings, while earthy neutrals and layers suit moody mountain landscapes. If you have a specific vision—elevated editorial, cozy and intimate, playful and fun—we’ll lean into that when selecting outfits. Michelle and Alex wore a mix of linen layers for a fall day at the coast, and Michelle even stole Alex’s jacket for part of the session!

Prioritize Comfort & Movement

Since my approach to engagement photography is rooted in movement and genuine moments, your outfits should allow you to move freely. Flowy dresses, well-tailored suits, soft knit sweaters, and linen pieces all work beautifully on film, adding natural texture and movement. Avoid anything too stiff or restrictive—if you can’t comfortably walk, sit, spin, or lift an arm, it might not be the best choice. Sarah and Julian paired a linen button up shirt for him with a silk mini dress for her that was still fitted enough to withstand the wind on the coast.

Choose a Color Palette That Feels Like You

Soft neutrals, warm earth tones, and muted pastels tend to photograph beautifully on film, creating a dreamy and timeless aesthetic. If you love bolder colors, deep jewel tones can also look stunning. Try to avoid neon or overly saturated colors, which can cast unflattering hues onto the skin. If one of you wears a pattern, keep the other outfit solid or subtly textured to maintain balance. You can see in Brittany and Casey’s photos below how we paired the bolder colors with a darker backdrop, and the earthier tones with the lighter, golden backdrop.

Elevate with Layers & Textures

Layers and interesting textures bring depth and richness to your photos. Think cashmere sweaters, linen button-ups, corduroy jackets, or silk slip dresses. Layering also gives you flexibility—starting with a cozy sweater or jacket that can be removed for variety in your photos. If we’re shooting in cooler temps, consider wool coats, structured blazers, or knit scarves that add warmth without looking bulky. Lindsey wore a loose sweater over her black silk dress that she swapped for another jacket part way through, and Brian’s wool coat was warm enough for early spring in the gorge while providing a clean, structured silhouette.

Coordinate Without Matching

Rather than wearing identical colors, aim for a complementary palette. Soft variations of the same tones or mixing neutrals with subtle pops of color create cohesion without looking overly styled. If one of you is in a flowing dress, the other can balance the look with structured but relaxed pieces like a tailored jacket and boots. When Kate changed into her white dress, Ian wore lighter colored pants but picked a dark navy shirt that would provide some contrast between their two outfits.

Thoughtful Details & Accessories

The little things make a big impact! Classic jewelry, a wide-brimmed hat, or a meaningful heirloom piece can add personality without overwhelming the look. If we’re shooting somewhere windy, bringing hairpins or a scarf can help keep things effortlessly styled. Shoes matter, too—opt for pairs that make sense for the location (comfortable boots for the mountains, barefoot on the sand, timeless loafers or block heels for a city session). Ginger and Justice wanted to make sure to feature his grandpa’s rings and watch, as well as tattoos. If you have tattoos and want to make sure we can see them, choose sleeve lengths or other clothing options that will show them off!

Bring a Second Outfit (If You Want!)

Some couples love the idea of having two distinct looks—one more casual and cozy, another more elevated and editorial. This can be a great way to capture different sides of your personalities. If you do a second outfit, keep it cohesive with your first so the gallery still feels like a natural story. Michelle and Alex wanted to have casual photos at Ecola State Park, and Cannon Beach photos to look like they could’ve been eloping, switching to a light suit and a white silk slip with a hair ribbon.

Most Importantly—Wear What Feels Like You

At the end of the day, the best outfit is one that makes you feel like the most effortless, confident version of yourself. Your engagement session isn’t about following trends—it’s about capturing your love in a way that feels true to who you are.

If you’re not sure what to wear, I’m always happy to help you plan! Whether that means sending outfit ideas, mood boards, or looking through your options together, I want you to feel amazing in every frame. Reach out and let’s talk about your engagement session!