Spring Into Your Massachusetts Engagement: Choosing an Ensemble
So you’ve picked out the perfect wedding photographer (and if you haven’t, then why haven’t you gotten in touch?) and you’re already planning your Boston engagement photography shoot. But what do you wear to your shoot? You’re not alone if finding the answer to this question is a bit of a struggle, not every couple has a perfectly clear vision of their engagement session, and as always Ryan Richardson Photography is here to help with a couple of basic guidelines to get you dressed right.
Consider Your Location and Theme:
Sometimes the right ensemble can inspire the session, but often you’re going to pair your outfit with the location and mood that you’re trying to set. If you’ve read some of the other entries in our series then let those earlier decisions help to guide you. If you’re going to the beach then light and playful ensembles are great (especially things you might not mind getting wet); if you’re going out into the woods them maybe the little black dress and the high heels aren’t a great fit. You’ll also want to consider what you’ll be doing during the session and make sure that it will be comfortable (a lot of engagement sessions involve a lot of walking). Though with that said, it can be fun to juxtapose your location with an unexpected ensemble.
What About Your Wedding:
A lot of couples use their Boston engagement photography for save-the-date cards and wedding websites to help get people hyped up for the wedding. If you’re considering something similar then maybe think about how you can connect your engagement photos to your wedding plans and make echoes of that in your session. For example, you might consider dressing in colors that match your wedding color story. You might also use those pictures to help set the tone for your wedding - so with a black tie wedding then you might want to wear something' that’s more stylish and sophisticated over a casual ensemble.
From the other side, it can also be fun to do something completely different from your wedding. After all, on your wedding day you’re going to have plenty of beautiful pictures taken of the two of you (especially if you’ve hired Ryan Richardson Photography as your Boston wedding photographer) and it can be wonderful to create additional variety.
With some of the broad strokes, what are some specific suggestions for putting together your ensemble for your Boston engagement photography session…
Don’t Be Afraid to Be Bold: Bright colors and patterns can help to keep you in the spotlight of all your photos, no matter how busy or dramatic the backdrop. There are limits of course, so it’s usually best to keep bold colors or busy patterns confined to one piece or accessory in your outfit.
Compliment, Don’t Match: You’ll want to be sure the two of you are on the same page when it comes to your attire - unless you’re going for a specific effect. Pick styles and colors that pair well together, but don’t match.
Layers: Layering your outfits can make it easy to get a lot of different looks into your pictures with minimal fuss (though it tends to be easier in the Spring and Fall when the weather isn’t at either extreme). This can be great during a shorter session where there may not be a place or time to change outfits.
Accessories/Props: These can be a great addition to any Boston engagement photography session, but you’ll want to keep it limited. Accessories and props can lend some extra interest and depth to a photo, but if you bring in too many extra elements it doesn’t give the eye a chance to rest and focus. With props and other items, you’ll also want to consider how much you want to carry around throughout your shoot.
Extra Outfits: If you’re looking at changing outfits during a session, consider the logistics of your location (where to get changed and how you’re going to bring that change with you). A typical session with Ryan Richardson Photography, your favorite Boston wedding photographer, is a single outfit but longer sessions might call for multiple outfits.
Hopefully these few suggestions can help inspire you to find the perfect outfit for your upcoming engagement session. If you’d like to set up your Boston engagement photography session (and find the best wedding photographer) then why don’t you send us a message?
Ryan Richardson is a wedding and engagement photographer serving Boston and beyond; including Cape Cod Weddings, New England Weddings, Massachusetts Weddings and Rhode Island Weddings.