Pre Engagement Preparation
Items to Avoid:
Glitter makeup/clothing
Avoid loose “tendril” strands—they cast shadows, blow in the wind, and need constant fixing. Keep hair out of your face; wearing it down is fine, just skip the tendrils.
Avoid tanning/Sun 3-5 days before your wedding. It is not a bad idea to add color to your complexion by sun tanning, avoid sunburn.
Avoid spray tans, as they often create orange tones and uneven skin color in photos. If you’re considering one, do a trial at least 1 month in advance since they cannot be removed easily.
Tan lines that will be evident. (Shoulders, sunglass lines, legs, wrist from wearing a watch etc.)
Dry skin and chapped lips
Avoid wearing shorts as well as avoid wearing tank/tube tops (The more covered the skin, the better the focus will be on the couples faces in the portrait. Exposed skin deters away from the face. The main focal point of portraits are the peoples faces). Avoid bare legs! Bare legs can distract from the main subject of the photograph. Instead of drawing attention to the person or scene being captured, bare legs might stand out unnecessarily. This applies to both men and women. Often times bare legs have bruises, scratches, veins, mosquito bites, sock tan lines etc. If dresses or skirts are being worn I suggest wearing stockings/leggings with the dress.
Steer clear of vivid red lipstick as cameras struggle to capture the intensity of red tones. If wearing lipstick keep it subtle.
Avoid pastels (especially pink and orange), neon colors, and red, as they typically don’t photograph well. The exception is darker skin tones, where these colors can work nicely.
General Suggestions:
Pick simple, classic styles that won’t look dated in a few years. This applies to clothing, hair-styles and jewelry. Avoid large branding on clothing. Small brands such as the Ralph Lauren Pony, Lacoste Alligator etc. are acceptable.
Manicured nails, shaped brows for women.
Trimmed fingernails, ear and nose hair for men. Men, also pay attention to your eyebrows and if they need to be trimmed.
Women, spray down all fly away hairs prior to your portrait session. Bring hairspray.
Bring eye drops and moisturizer. Apply before the session.
Men, cut your hair 2-5 days before the portrait session. Cut to the length you want it to be in the photos. Neckline should be neatly shaped and clean.
Beards and stubble are great—just make sure they’re neatly trimmed beforehand. If you’re clean-shaven, take your time and shave carefully to avoid nicks or cuts, and double-check to make sure you didn’t miss any spots. If you’re prone to razor burn, shave slowly and methodically to help minimize irritation.
Teeth clean and flossed. Optional whitening a couple weeks prior.
Factor traffic and rush hour into your travel. Check your gas tank in advance before your commute.
Layered clothing looks aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Be mindful that long, heavy eyelash extensions can hide your eyes—the most important feature in a portrait—and reduce catchlights. If you tend to squint when you smile, consider shorter, lighter lashes to keep your eyes clear and visible.
Women, remember to wear your engagement wedding ring.
Use Google Image search to help coordinate outfit colors.
Arrive early and change at the location to prevent your seatbelt from wrinkling your shirt.
For cold-weather sessions, consider bringing a coat, large blanket, gloves, and snow boots.
Classic watches photograph best. If you’re wearing an Apple Watch, opt for a metal band instead of silicone. If you choose to go without a watch, make sure there isn’t a visible tan line.
Clothing Suggestions:
The most important part of a portrait are the people. Clothing is secondary and should accentuate the person, not overpower.
Opt for darker, solid colors as they are most flattering. Darker clothing has a slimming effect. Consider wearing long sleeves to enhance your image, and avoid showing too much bare skin, as it can distract from the face. Ensure your outfit is well put-together from head to toe for a polished and refined look. Earth tones are recommended.
A scarf loosely tied around the neck helps frame a face beautifully when a collarless blouse or sweater is worn (more for autumn/winter months). The most flattering neckline for anyone is something that comes up close to the neck. A wide-open neckline tends to thicken the neck in a photograph.
Eyeglasses can be worn. Non-reflective lenses are highly recommended, and it’s best to avoid transitional lenses.
Avoid a drastic hair change as you may not be happy with the results. If you color your hair be sure that the roots of your hair and touched up prior to photos.
Professional Hair and Makeup: For an extra touch of elegance, consider hiring a professional hair and/or makeup artist. If hiring a hair and or makeup stylist I highly suggest doing a trial run beforehand. If hiring a stylist make sure your hair is done well in advance to ensure you are on time.
Coordinate Outfits: Consider coordinating your outfits to complement each other. While you don't need to match exactly, choosing colors and styles that harmonize can enhance the overall look of your photos.
Lay out your clothing together to review how it all looks as a whole and catch any issues. Feel free to send me your outfit—I’m happy to give feedback.
Winter Season Suggestions:
Avoid wearing the color white at all costs. Stick with darker colors. Lighter colors will not create contrast between you and the snow thus making you blend in.
Avoid wearing coats/jackets with collars that ride high up end up covering half of your face.
If you choose a high altitude mountain location for your winter photos dress very warm and wear proper footwear for walking through snow.
© Brandon Burk Photography
