What to Wear for a Couples Photoshoot: Outfit Ideas & Tips
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So many of my couples tell me that choosing outfits is the hardest part of their photoshoot experience, but guess what? It doesn’t have to be!
I’ve put together my best styling tips as a professional photographer into this guide on how to pick outfits for your couples photoshoot. As someone who’s been photographing couples and engagements for over six years, I’ve collected lots of helpful dos and don’ts along the way to help you choose the perfect outfits for your photoshoot with your partner.
Planning ahead to pick the right outfits for you and your person means on the day of the photoshoot, you can focus on having fun and being in the moment—while feeling confident that your outfits will look perfect on camera.
Keep reading to find out all the best styling tips from a professional photographer on what to wear when you take photos with your partner, including how to coordinate your outfits, what colors to wear, what to avoid, couples photoshoot outfit examples, and more!
A quick caveat before I dive in: these styling tips are applicable for any and all genders and sexual orientations! Feel free to follow the tips that align with how you want to present during your photoshoot.
Styling Tips from a Professional Photographer for Your Couples Photoshoot
Let’s start with some general styling tips and advice to keep in mind when choosing outfits for your photoshoot:
Best Colors to Wear for Couples Pictures
In my opinion (as a photographer who has photographed too many couples to count!), the best kinds of colors to wear for couples photos are soft, neutral, or pastel tones. For example, earthy colors (deep greens, rustic reds, etc.), white, cream, black, brown, grey and navy are all great options.
Stick to mostly solid colors and simple patterns. Small patterns are okay though (and can actually work well), as are plaid shirts (I love a good flannel!).
Remember that the bigger and bolder the pattern, the more the eye will be drawn to that, rather than you, your partner, and the location we’re shooting in—so it’s best to keep it simple!
Think Loose & Flowy Over Tight and Rigid
In general, try to opt for loose and flowy clothing over items that feel stiff or too tight. If you are a fan of long, flowing dresses or skirts, that’s a great outfit option for my feminine-presenting friends! Not only are they comfortable for the wearer, they also photograph well and are especially fun when we incorporate motion in a shot. (Picture how gorgeous a dress looks when twirling… I love it!!)
I also typically recommend long sleeves and pants over short sleeves and shorts when possible! You don’t want to be spending the whole photoshoot adjusting a short skirt or worrying about something riding up.
Dress for the Season
Don't be afraid to bundle up when it's cold out. Winter accessories can be really cute—I personally love fun beanies, a statement scarf, or cozy mittens on a winter shoot! Accessories like this not only add an extra prop to play around with during the photoshoot, they also help keep you warm and cozy so we can shoot any time of year.
For a great example of adding accessories for a winter photoshoot, check out Courtney & Meg’s engagement photos to see how they used beanies and coats for a winter look!
In general, don’t be afraid to add an accessory or two to your shoot no matter the season—just don’t go overboard. Keep it simple, but feel free to wear or bring items like hats, denim jackets, statement boots, etc. to add an extra element of fun to your outfit.
On the other hand, if we’re shooting in the summer heat, you want to prioritize lighter items (c’mon, you don’t want me to have to photoshop sweat stains out of your photos!). This might go without saying, but summer is not the time to wear a sweater, cardigan, or other heavy clothing items to your shoot. Instead, aim for lighter materials like linen and cotton to stay cool (and look good while doing it)!!
What About My Hair?
Ultimately, wear your hair how you like it—but if you have longer hair, I typically recommend trying to avoid ponytails. Typically, the looser and more flexible the style, the better it will photograph.
If you’re worried about your hair and don’t want to stress over doing it yourself, you can always hire a hairstylist to do your hair for your photoshoot!!
Stay True to Yourself
One of my most important pieces of advice is to dress nice, but don’t get so “dressed up” that you’re uncomfortable. At the end of the day, you want to still feel like yourself! If you feel confident and comfortable in what you’re wearing, that will show in the photos. The best advice you can follow is to wear something you love.
Additionally, there are always exceptions to the rules and tips I’ve mentioned! If a bold, bright color feels more you than earthy tones, then by all means, go for it! If your absolute favorite shirt that you feel the best in is tight and cropped instead of flowy, then wear it!
Plus, I’m always an email or Instagram message away for my clients if you want to ask my personal advice on your outfit :)
Things to Avoid When Choosing Couples Photoshoot Outfits
While I’m never going to say something is totallyyyy off limits—at the end of the day, it’s your photoshoot—there are some things I recommend avoiding when choosing outfits for your couples photoshoot:
Bright white matching shirts and khakis
Bold, distracting patterns
Neon colors
Tops with big logos or a lot of writing on them – keep it clean (plus, writing & logos tend to get cut off with certain angles)
Super short skirts
Exact matching outfits. Try to be coordinated rather than matching. Rather than just a matching white shirt and jeans, use your photoshoot to show your personality!
How To Coordinate Outfits For Couples Photos
You might be thinking—how do we coordinate outfits for our photoshoot without matching exactly? Well, I’m here to help!! Here’s how you can begin to plan outfits that look great together without being identical.
One way to start when coordinating outfits is to pick out one person’s outfit first. If one partner is a little more fashion-forward than the other, cares more about their outfit, or has an idea in mind of what they want to wear, it might be easier to have that person decide on the outfit first, and have the partner plan their outfit accordingly.
Another good starting point is to decide on a color palette and style/ theme for your outfits. For example, maybe you decide you want to lean into an earthy color palette because you’re taking photos in your favorite local park. Pick out a few colors that go well together, and incorporate those colors into both of your outfits. That way, your outfits feel intentional without being too matchy-matchy. Or maybe you want to lean into a coastal aesthetic because you plan to take engagement photos on the beach, so you find outfits for both you and your partner that fit that aesthetic without being identical.
Another example putting this into practice; let’s say you want to wear a cream colored sweater, so you find a flannel shirt for your partner with accents of the same cream color from your sweater.
It can help to create a moodboard incorporating colors, themes, or outfit ideas you want to incorporate for your photoshoot. Or, check out some of my favorite examples below for examples on how to coordinate your outfits!
Outfit Inspiration for Your Couples Photoshoot
Below are some of my favorite outfits that couples have worn to their photoshoots with Kayla Simon Photos. Take a look and see if you can get some inspiration for your own photoshoot, and read a little bit about why I feel each outfit choice worked so well!
Some of My Favorite Couples Photoshoot Outfits as a Photographer & Why
Cassy & Gabe
Cassy and Gabe absolutely nailed their outfit choice for their engagement photos. Their outfits fall within the same pastel color scheme; Gabe’s light blue shirt perfectly compliment Cassy’s skirt. They look clean and put together, but can still move around in their outfits and clearly feel comfortable. As you can see, these outfits photographed incredibly well and are great outfit inspiration for an engagement photoshoot!
Clara & Jason
Clara and Jason’s photoshoot outfits here are a great example of how to dress for a summer photoshoot. Clara’s dress is flowy and lightweight, meaning she was comfortable in the Nashville heat and we could have fun with some twirly poses. She and Jason look great together in these warm-toned outfits; the yellow rust color of her dress pairs well with Jason’s brown shirt.
Hannah & Matt
If you’re looking for inspiration for a fall photoshoot, Hannah and Matt did a great job of choosing their outfits to compliment the season and scenery we were shooting in. The deep blues, browns, and greys fit perfectly within the fall leaves and light grass. I love how both Hannah and Matt layered up to create extra interest in their outfits. Their outfits compliment each other perfectly without matching exactly!
Allie & Rob
Allie and Rob are a great example of how to dress for a winter engagement photoshoot. Sticking to a mostly black-and-white color palette makes coordinating outfits easy, and I love how Allie accessorized with a plaid scarf. It’s the perfect touch without going overboard!
Even More Couples Photoshoot Outfit Ideas
Still looking for outfit ideas? Feel free to scroll through my couples galleries or this Pinterest board!
And of course, if we have a session booked or you’re thinking about planning one, don't be afraid to reach out to me! I’m always more than happy to provide personalized advice for your couples photoshoot to help find outfits that work for you and your partner.
Final Thoughts from a Couples Photographer Before Your Photoshoot
While outfits are a big part of photoshoot planning, I also want to say that in terms of the actual shoot itself, don’t forget to relax! This is about you, your partner, and the love you share. You may not be used to having a photographer there too, but the goal is still to Interact with each other the way you normally would :) Don’t be afraid goof off, make faces, cuddle, laugh, and play—in short, try to have fun!
Rather than rigid posing, our session will be more prompted, allowing for creative freedom and a chance to capture the spirit of your relationship. My goal is to photograph you and your partner at your most authentic, so be yourself!
I can't wait to meet you!
