General Rules to Follow

1. Don't match, coordinate. In order to look the most natural and cohesive in your photos, it is best to coordinate between the two of you on what you want to wear. Create a color palette with your partner, starting with a color you both feel confident in and continuing from there. Or to make it easier, choose a color palette that I've listed below that both of you like and create outfits based on that color scheme.
2. Stick to neutral colors. Bold colors tend to distract from people's faces which is exactly what we don't want. We want you and your partner to shine, not just your outfits. Pairing neutral colors throughout your outfit will guarantee that the focus will be on you and your partner, highlighting the unique connection you have with one another.
3. Comfort over style. Yes, of course, you'll want to wear something stylish and chic to make your photos pop but if you aren't comfortable in your outfit while we're shooting you won't be able to genuinely be in the moment which may make your photos look uncomfortable. This is the last thing you want, so make sure to wear something you'll be fine twirling, skipping, and running around in - we want you to be able to have fun!
4. Think about the location. Are we shooting at the beach or up in the mountains? When you match your outfit to go with the vibe of the location you'll look like you belong where you are which will make your photos look natural and pleasing to the eye. For example, if we're shooting at the beach a nice formal dress will look stiff and uncomfortable whereas a light and flowy dress will look natural and like you were already out and about exploring the beach.
5. Consider the mood you want to be portrayed throughout your photo gallery. Are you more of a fun, playful, couple or an intimate, romantic, couple? Think about how you want your photos to be portrayed as well as how you naturally are together. If you're more of a fun, playful, couple I would highly recommend wearing something that you'll be able to run around and have fun in. And, if you're more of an intimate, romantic, couple feel free to put on a flowy dress and add some elegant touches.
6. Don't worry about what others are thinking: be yourself! While this may be the last tip it is hands down the most important one. At the end of the day, we want these photos to represent who you truly are. It's all about sharing who you are and therefore it's so incredibly important to show up feeling like yourself!

Choosing Your Color Palette

Now that we've gotten past the general rules, it's time for the fun: choosing your color palette! You'll want to choose a color palette that goes best with your vibe/style so that these photos truly represent who you are. Below are a few different options that can never go wrong, but recognize that you always have the option to mix and match between different colors and patterns.

A few examples of outfits with these color palettes

*note that these color palettes can easily be applied to differing locations

Adding Accessories and Props

Accessories and props add a personal touch that will make your photos truly one of a kind. Adding accessories like a hair scarf, tasteful jewelry, a cute belt, stylish shoes like docs or platforms, a brimmed hat, a light cardigan, or fun earrings adds a unique touch that will make your photos feel even more special and true to you.

When adding props, think about what you and your partner enjoy doing together. Do you go out on picnics and do you possibly have a favorite bottle of wine? Bring a blanket, your picnic basket, and that bottle of wine with you! Or, do you enjoy surfing and spending time together at the beach? Let me know and we can plan to have your shoot by the beach with your board! Your options are endless and when it comes down to it we're here to capture your love story so bring anything you think would add to the visual storyline. I'm down for hiking, biking, or anything you can think of - I'm here to capture your unique story and anything that may help represent it.

Staying True to Your Style

As mentioned earlier, the most important tip of all is to stay true to your style. This doesn't mean you can't reach outside of your comfort zone. In fact, I actually recommend reaching out of your comfort zone, just not too much. If you do decide to reach out of your comfort zone, make sure you test the outfit out by wearing it out on a date or around the house for a while. My general rule of thumb is, if you don't put it on and immediately want to take a mirror selfie or dance around your room in it, it's probably not the one.

So, how do you stay true to your style? One easy way is to put on your favorite shirt, pair of pants, or skirt that you feel confident in. Then, match it with something you might wear out with your partner if you were to go out on a date near our location (ie a flowy, peachy, dress for a date by the beach or on the contrary denim pants with a cute, light, sweater if you exploring a small town up in the mountains). Keeping our location in mind is also essential when choosing which shoes you want to wear. If we're shooting at the beach, you're probably going to want to be barefoot but its always nice to bring a pair of sandals just incase. And, if we're shooting in a field or up in the mountains you'll definitely want a closed-toed pair of shoes to ensure that you'll be comfortable.

And, lastly, put your outfit on, look in the mirror, and ask yourself: do I feel like myself? Do I feel confident? And, would I want this outfit displayed around my house? This last question may seem odd, but it's likely that you'll print your photos and display them around the house so you'll want to make sure it matches the vibe of your home. If you answered yes to all of these questions, great! You've found your outfit! If not, keep searching and pairing different pieces together. I get it, getting your photos taken can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. At the end of the day, your love is destined to shine through your photos no matter what you choose to wear.