Engagement sessions are usually the first time most couples have ever been professionally photographed together. The outfit question is real and stressful. Here is the practical guide to what works in LA, based on 200+ engagement sessions we have shot.
01.Pick Two Outfits, Not Three
Most sessions run 90 minutes. That is enough time for two looks with a quick change in between, but trying to fit a third compresses everything and makes the session feel rushed. Pick a casual look and a more elevated look, or two different vibes that show different sides of who you are together.
02.Coordinate, Do Not Match
Matching outfits look dated within a year. Coordinating outfits look intentional forever. Pick a color palette of 2 to 3 colors and let each of you pull from it. If one person is wearing cream and beige, the other can wear olive or terracotta. The eye reads it as a unified frame without screaming about it.
03.Think About Texture
Texture photographs better than pattern. Linen, knit, suede, denim, and silk all add visual interest without overwhelming the frame. Loud patterns like big florals or geometric prints can date the photo and pull focus from your faces.
04.Color Notes for LA Light
LA light is warm. Warm earth tones (rust, terracotta, cream, olive, dusty pink) photograph beautifully against most LA backdrops. Cool jewel tones (deep teal, burgundy, navy) work great in shaded urban environments and at golden hour. Pure white tends to blow out, and bright neon shifts skin tones in unflattering ways.
05.Footwear Matters
If we are shooting at a beach, in a park, or on uneven terrain, wear shoes you can actually walk in. Heels look great in 30 percent of shots and ruin the other 70 percent because you cannot move naturally. Bring backup flats, or wear your nice shoes only for the parts of the session where you will be stationary.
06.Best LA Engagement Locations
Our most-photographed LA engagement locations are El Matador Beach in Malibu, the Griffith Observatory at sunset, the Arts District for urban editorial vibes, the Huntington Library for garden formality, and Bronson Caves for moody and cinematic. Each of these has a sweet light window we can walk you through when we plan the session.
If you are booking with us for your wedding, your engagement session is included in most packages. We will help you pick locations, coordinate outfits, and plan the session for the best light. If you have specific questions about what to wear or where to shoot, reach out and we will walk you through it.