What to Wear for Your Engagement Session in NYC
A guide that's less about rules and more about feeling like yourself
Let me be upfront about something: I am a photographer, not a stylist. And wardrobe is personal. Your style is yours, and the last thing I want is for you to show up to your engagement session wearing an outfit you found on a Pinterest board that has nothing to do with who you actually are.
That said, a few things genuinely matter when it comes to what you wear. Not because of arbitrary rules, but because the wrong outfit can quietly work against you in photos without you ever realizing why.
Here's what I actually tell my couples.
Start with how you want to feel, not how you want to look
Confidence reads on camera more than almost anything else. If you're tugging at something, second-guessing a neckline, or wearing shoes that are destroying your feet by frame three, it shows.
Wear something you've worn before. Something that makes you feel like the best version of yourself on a normal day. That energy is exactly what I'm looking for.
A few things that genuinely help:
Avoid busy patterns. Bold stripes, large florals, loud graphics — they pull focus away from your faces and can feel visually chaotic in photos. Solid colors and simple textures tend to photograph beautifully.
Think about your location. If we're shooting in Central Park or Prospect Park, avoid wearing green. You will blend into every single background. Earth tones, neutrals, soft colors — all great. Camouflage, not so much.
Coordinate, don't match. You don't need to be wearing the same color family or a his-and-hers moment. But wildly clashing outfits can be distracting. Think about whether your looks feel like they belong in the same photo together. That's really all you need.
Bring a change of shoes. If we're walking through a neighborhood your feet will thank you. I always build in time to walk, grab a coffee, wander a favorite block. Wear the beautiful shoes for portraits, switch into something comfortable for the rest.
I'm always open to an outfit change
Seriously. If you want to start the session in something casual and change into something dressier for portraits, let's do it. An outfit change naturally creates variety in your gallery — softer and relaxed alongside something a little more polished. It takes five minutes and makes a real difference.
Think about what you're actually using these photos for
This is the question I always ask couples and it genuinely changes everything.
Save the dates: If your wedding has a specific aesthetic (e.g., black tie, garden party, bohemian) your engagement photos will feel most cohesive if your outfits gesture toward that vibe. Not a costume, just a nod.
Wedding website or Instagram: Wear whatever makes you feel best. Full stop. These photos are for you and your people, not a formal announcement. This is the session where you have the most creative freedom. Use it!
Both: Bring two outfits and we'll cover all of it.
The only real rule
Wear something you'd actually wear on your favorite date. Just you — on a good day, in a city you love, with the person you're marrying.
That's genuinely all you need.
📸 If you're thinking about booking an engagement session in NYC and want to talk through locations, timing, or yes, what to wear, I'd love to hear from you.