Spring & Summer Outfit Inspiration for Engagement Photos

Spring is right around the corner, which means lots of beautiful, colorful, spring engagement sessions! But, let’s be honest, here - one of the best and toughest parts of any engagement session is figuring out what to wear - especially when you have to coordinate outfits for not one, but TWO people. While an upcoming engagement session may be a good excuse to head to your favorite local boutique, it can be frustrating not knowing what to wear with so many different options!

Today, I want to share some styling tips specific to spring and summer sessions for engagement photos. Below, you’ll find a few ideas to say “yes” to, and a few you might want to consider passing on. Below these two categories, you’ll find a link to my engagement spring & summer inspiration board (which I update on the regular!), as well as some inspiration from past JHP couples. But above any of these ideas, make sure you feel comfortable in whatever you choose to wear for your engagement session. Confidence in front of the camera can be hampered whenever you’re not fully sold on (or comfortable in) what you’re wearing! And trust me… you’ll be moving around a lot for your engagement photos, so you’ll want to make sure you feel comfortable!

Without further ado, here are my top styling tips for engaged couples!

SAY YES TO…

• Bright colors - I LOVE bright colors for spring engagement sessions! Whether you choose a bright top or colorful sundress, your brightly colored outfit will most likely compliment the new spring blooms beautifully! 🌷

• Neutrals - As much as I love bright colors, there’s something sophisticated about some well coordinated neutrals. For example - white dresses and a neutral blazer are both classic and pretty much never go out of style!

• A Light Button Down (for Him) - I’m a big fan of guys in blazers for engagement sessions, especially if the lady is wearing a sun dress, maxi dress, or skirt! They’re SO classy and immediately “upscale” an outfit (and they’re flattering for guys!), but if it’s TOO hot for a blazer, I recommend a nice button down shirt - whether short sleeve or long sleeve (but rolled up, of course, for some breathing room!)

• Three Quarter Length Sleeves - Did you know that three quarter length sleeves are the most flattering type of sleeve length for both men and women? They’re also the perfect length for those temperate spring mornings and evenings!

• Floral (for Her) or Other Patterns (for Him) - Floral patterns for the spring are always a hit! Whether you go with a top, sundress, or maxi dress (my personal fave!), floral patterns (and even other patterns) work well to make someone “pop” off of the background of an image with a simple background. If you’re working on styling your guy, a shirt or tie/bowtie with a slight pattern can add some extra visual interest and make your outfits pop!

• Accessories - Watches, tie clips, bowties, or ties for him, and hats, kimonos, watches, and jewelry for her. Both can go a long way and add a lot of visual interest to your photos!

• Maxi Dresses/Skirts - Maxi dresses and skirts are oh-so beautiful in the spring and summer! They’re light and breezy and do a wonderful job of naturally elongating the body in photos! Plus… they’re fun to twirl! 💃 Which, for an engagement session, is always so dreamy!

• White Jeans - White jeans are a great compliment to a brightly colored or patterned top, and can be nice to throw into the mix if your S.O. is wearing jeans. White jeans are sleek and give a bit of an upscale look!

CONSIDER PASSING ON…

• Fluorescent Colors - Neon colors don’t tend to photograph quite so well, so pass on any colors that are a bit too fluorescent (not to be confused with the aforementioned bright colors - examples in the photos below!).

• Shirts with Logos - Shirts with logos don’t usually look that nice. Try opting for a shirt without a logo to keep your photos classic!

• Being too Matchy Matchy - Focus on coordinating your outfits, not matching them. Coordinating outfits means choosing complimentary colors, patterns, and textures between the two of you - not wearing the exact same thing! (i.e., both of you in a white shirt and jeans)

• Super Short Shorts and Dresses - Shorts and dresses are totally fine (and encouraged!), but sometimes when they get way too short, they’re tough to move around in, especially for engagement photos (you’ll be moving around/sitting on the ground quite a bit!)

• Too Many Heavy Layers - There are few things more uncomfortable then being bundled up in 90 degree weather for an hour and a half while getting your photo taken! Wearing too many layers in the summer particularly can result in lots of sweaty portraits - so be careful how many layers you and your S.O. add particularly for really hot days!

A FEW MORE RESOURCES:

If you’re looking for some more help preparing for your engagement session, check out the posts below!

• 4 Tips for Preparing Your Groom for Your Engagement Session

• 5 Ways to Pamper Yourself for Your Engagement Photos

• How to Choose Outfits for Your Engagement Session

• 3 Must Read Tips for Bringing Your Dog to Your Engagement Session

• Creative Outfit Ideas for Your Engagement Photos

4 Reasons to Hire a Proposal Photographer

The day my now-husband proposed to me was a BLUR. From start to finish, I could hardly remember the whole ordeal (it was a lip-dub proposal, so it lasted a bit longer than a typical proposal!). Two of the things I am most thankful for from that day are this video, and the photos that were taken by our photographer. To look back on that video and on those photos and see the raw emotion makes me cry every. Single. Time. I couldn’t be more thankful for that gift and that Nick thought through not only hiring a photographer, but also a videographer!

 If you are planning on proposing – first, congratulations! And second: consider hiring a professional photographer. From the perspective of someone who was proposed to and from someone who talks to many engaged couples, here are a few reasons why you might want to consider hiring a professional proposal photographer:

1.  Your soon-to-be fiancé will thank you!

One of the BIGGEST comments I hear from my brides who don’t have photos of their proposal is “I wish we had photos of when it happened!” And the second biggest? “I wish we had GOOD photos of when he proposed!” Trust me: your fiancé will thank you! There’s nothing like being able to go back and revisit that raw, candid emotion!

2.  You’ll have photos from the moment to share with your friends and family!

If you’re planning on having the moment between just the two of you, you’ll be able to share the emotion and excitement with your friends and family who didn’t get to witness!

3.  A professional photographer can help you plan and give you tips!

A professional photographer will be able to help you find a great spot, give you tips on the best time of day to shoot, and are pros at remaining inconspicuous and maneuvering in crowded locations with unforeseen disruptions. These photos are SO important. Make sure you find someone who will do whatever they possibly can to get the shot!

4.  You can use the photos for your wedding!

What’s better than having the very beginning of this new adventure captured to use as Save the Dates, in a guest book, or as décor at the wedding itself?!

Looking for a proposal photographer for your engagement? Reach out using the contact tab above!

Amanda & Chris: McConnell's Mill Winter Engagement Photos

You’ve gotta love Pittsburgh, where temperatures can go from 4 degrees to 40 degrees in less than 12 hours! We rescheduled Amanda and Chris’s engagement session twice due to the freezing temps, which ended up being a great choice with the “real feel” and wind temps dipping below zero both times ❄️And in turn, we were rewarded with an almost 40 DEGREE winter afternoon for their winter afternoon session at McConnell’s Mill! And let me tell you - these two totally rocked it!!

ABOUT AMANDA & CHRIS

Amanda and Chris met over the phone, when Chris was working as a tech support rep. Chris quickly became Amanda’s go-to teach support guy, and as they say - the rest is history! But that first call was a pretty significant one, because when I asked these two when they knew each other was ‘the one,’ Chris said: “The first support phone call I had with her. I never wanted to stop talking to her.” Cue the happy tears!

I have a lot of questions I love to ask couples, but one of my favorites is: “What do you admire most about your significant other?” And because Chris and Amanda’s answers to this question are just so sweet (and so telling of how much they love each other!), I just have to share!

Chris: “Her ability to always make me smile or laugh. She managed to do it on our very first phone call, every call after that, and even every day since."

Amanda: “His determination to teach himself anything he puts his mind to. It’s quite wonderful to watch him figure something out that he’s never done before and then successful (with some trial and error) accomplish what he set out to do. It makes me want to learn from him everyday.”

THE SESSION

One of my very favorite things about Amanda and Chris’s entire session is how much they laughed together! They literally laughed through the entire session - which, I know, sounds so simple. But it made my job so easy! It’s always so fun to see two people who are truly and genuinely best friends loving their time together!

We started off their session at the main park section of McConnell’s Mill, and did a little bit of perilous hiking throughout the snow-covered trails, then headed over to one of my favorite sections of McConnell’s Mill - Cleland Rock! It’s about a 12 minute drive from the main Mill section - but SO worth the drive, especially when it’s covered in snow 😍

Without further ado - I am so excited to share some of my favorite images from Amanda and Chris’s engagement session! 💛

Best of Engagement Photos 2018

One of the best parts about engagement sessions is getting to know my wedding couples beforehand, and this year I’ve had the pleasure of photographing so many amazing couples in so many picturesque places! The very first engagement session of the year was in JANUARY, with the sweetest couple who had the most perfect January day! (It was like, 50 degrees and sunny - it doesn’t get much better than that in January in Pittsburgh!). The very last engagement session was with a couple who braved the rain and cold for some unique shots in some of my new favorite locations! All and all, this year was a blessing from start to finish.

To all of the couples who trusted me with their engagement photos: You are the BEST! I am so thankful to be the one you’ve trusted with these precious memories!

Chrissy & Chris: Cozy Pittsburgh In Home Couples Session

I had the pleasure of photographing Chrissy and Chris’s wedding day nearly three years ago (to see their wedding, click here!), and I was so excited when they recently invited me to their new home for a couples session! I had a great time hanging out with these two first time home buyers, along with their adopted dog, Edda! Chrissy and Chris - thank you for the pleasure of taking these photos for you and for showing me around your new home! 💛

Rebecca + Yeddie: Oakland Engagement Photos

Novembers in Pittsburgh can be hit or miss. I remember last year, November was almost summer-like just until the end - and then we went straight from “summer” to winter, seemingly almost overnight! This year we’ve seen some crazy cold temps and LOTS of rainy weather. But Rebecca and Yeddie were completely unfazed! When I mentioned moving their session to a different day/time with the looming forecast of all day rain before us, they decided they wanted to go for it anyways - which I so admire! So I pulled out the bubble umbrellas and my rain jacket and met up with them on a cold (and wet!) November afternoon!

Their session took place in Oakland in some of my favorite locations! We started off at the Mellon Institute, so they could get the hang of being in front of the camera without having to worry about posing/moving with an umbrella, or with the surrounding rain! Then, we hopped over to the Frick Fine Arts Building, utilizing the Schenley fountain (with umbrellas in tow!), and the interior of the building - which has so much beautiful, natural light! It also just so happens that Yeddie spent a large majority of his college career taking classes inside that very building, providing the perfect personal touch!

About 20 minutes before their session ended, the rain stopped, giving us the perfect window of time to finish out their session outside of the Cathedral of Learning!

Rebecca and Yeddie, you two are such a joy to work with, and I can’t wait for your wedding in 2020! 💛 Thank you for an awesome afternoon!

Erica + Rio: Hartwood Acres Engagement Photos

The day of Erica and Rio’s session was BRIGHT and SUNNY. This might sound like a strange thing to say if you’re not from Pittsburgh, but if you’re a Pittsburgher heading into December, you know that we don’t get very many non-gray days once winter hits! In fact, I read a statistic that said we have about 306 cloudy days a year, which means about 84% of our year is cloudy (via this source). To give some perspective - Seattle only beats us by two days. TWO days!

So when the sun came out towards the end of November for Erica and Rio’s session, I was FLOORED! These two came all the way up from Virginia, so I was so thankful they had a beautiful day for their engagement session!

Erica and Rio are goofy and in love, and are both teachers in Virginia! They met at freshman orientation at Clarion University and started dating in December of 2013, and Rio popped the question this past April on the golf course Erica grew up playing on.

It was such an honor to photograph this incredibly fun couple, and I cannot wait for their wedding in 2020! 🎉

Cait + Brian: North Side & North Shore Engagement Photos

Cait and Brian met in high school and started dating in the summer of 2011, and are tying the knot at the White Barn next year! These two were such troopers with the rain and cold during their session - I couldn't have asked for two kinder people to photograph! Congratulations on your engagement, Cait and Brian! 💛

Krista + Brent: North Shore & Point State Park Engagement Photos

Krista + Brent live in Chicago, got engaged in Delaware, and are tying the knot in the 'Burgh next year! We had THE perfect fall evening for their engagement session, and I even got to meet their adorable Golden Retriever pup named Phil! And after their engagement photos, these two headed straight over to the Steelers game - talk about a great night!! 💛

Thank you so much for the honor of taking these photos for you, Krista and Brent!

Valerie + Matt: Hartwood Acres Engagement Photos

Hartwood in the fall... I'm not sure it gets much better, except for maybe pairing it with Valerie and Matt! These two met at Robert Morris University (my alma mater!), but didn't start dating until they reconnected a few years later! Both are graphic designers, love tacos, and are just all around wonderful, easy going people. So thankful to know you both, Valerie and Matt!

PS - Valerie's engagement ring is emerald and an heirloom from Matt's family! 💍