We know you may have a major question on your mind: what to wear for your engagement photo shoot in NYC?! Some people pick it out months in advance, while others decide the morning of. The best part: there’s no wrong answer. Whatever way you choose to do this is going to be the BEST way.

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Tips on How to Dress for Engagement Photos in NYC

That being said, we’ve put together some tips to help you get inspired for when you’re staring into the abyss of your closet. We’ve got some reference photos and we’re super excited to see what you come up with! When it comes to your engagement photos, you don’t have to be wedding day fancy – let’s go through some thoughts behind how to dress for engagement photos.

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Should You Dress for Your Iconic New York Location?

Like we said: there are no wrong answers. Some couples choose to dress to match the location of their photos. For some more “formal” locations like on the Brooklyn Bridge, at Bethesda Terrace, or Top of the Rock, we’ve had people dress up a little fancier-schmancier. On the other hand, there are some less “formal” feeling locations that couples are comfortable wearing jeans and tees to. Take a look at some of the different vibes below to see what feels best to you.

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Do We HAVE to Do an Outfit Change at Our Engagement Shoot?!

Nope, not at all! It’s totally optional and very common for people to just bring a single outfit. It’s about what makes you comfiest! We’ve also had many people bring a second outfit just in case but opt to stay in their original choice. You do what makes you the happiest!

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Color Coordinating with Your Location in NYC

Like we said: there are no wrong answers. Some couples decide to match their color palette with the landmarks around them. You can go matchy-matchy with it, or pop with some contrast! For example, in Central Park, we’ve had couples coordinate with the autumn leaves or beautiful blossoms. If you’re a person who loves to be thematic, this is a great choice for you.

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Comfort is Key for New York Engagement Photo Sessions

The goal of your shoot is to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera. If you’re feeling not-so-comfy in your outfit, that kiiiinda defeats the purpose of the whole session. We want you to feel your best in every possible way. If you’re not super into heels and dresses, or suits and ties, don’t do it! You should look and feel like yourself. You’ll want to look back on these photos someday to remember what you were actually like.

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Dress for the Weather for an Engagement Photoshoot

We do a lot of engagement shoots on chilly mornings, which can be… well, chilly! If you’re opting for one of these sessions, please remember to wear layers and dress appropriately. It all goes back to the whole comfort thing – if you’re not comfy, the photos won’t feel comfy. Some people fully lean into it and dress in hats and coats, while others jump in and out of their cool-weather attire.

Tip for Summer Engagement Sessions in New York City

If you’re wearing a button-up shirt, please consider bringing a backup shirt! On hot days it’s super easy to sweat through these shirts. Go for outfit ideas that are breathable and leave you some flexibility to stay in motion. We do a bit of movement here and there for our New York engagement sessions, and you’ll want to make sure that you don’t overheat.

Thoughts for Winter NYC Engagement Photos

For late fall/winter sessions, take a peek into HotHands hand warmers. You can get them at a lot of bodegas and they’re a game-changer to put in your gloves! What you choose to wear in the winter should be something that keeps you warm enough that you can survive the whole 60 to 90 minutes. Some couples even jump in and out of their coats to get the outfits they want in their NYC winter engagement photos.

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Add a Little Drama with Flowy Dresses/Skirts

If you’re into dresses or skirts, add some drama with something flowy. These add a little ~pizzaz~ to shots where you’re in motion. As NYC engagement photographers, we really love capturing motion in fun flowy things! When choosing engagement photo outfits, you can always see if there is a bit of motion to what you plan to wear.

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When is the Perfect Time for Engagement Photos in New York?

The perfect time is… always! When it comes to doing your engagement photoshoot in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens or more – any season is beautiful. It depends on if you’re looking for fall foliage, spring blossoms, summer sun, or a winter wonderland. Each season has their own distinctive features and pops of colors, so don’t be afraid to choose one that suits you best. Some couples also use engagement photos for save the dates, so you may want it to be in the same season that your wedding photos will be taken.

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Stuff You Might Need for Your Engagement Session

This is a good kit to pack for just-in-case moments. You never know what’s going to happen for your NYC engagement session! It’s always good to come prepared for possibilities.

• Tissues
• Lip balm/chapstick
• Hair brush
• Bobby pins
• Lint roller
• Bottle of water
• Blotting papers
• Backup shirt (hot weather)
• Sweat towel (hot weather)
• Hand warmers (cold weather)
• Walking/comfortable shoes (if wearing heels/uncomfy shoes)

What to Wear for Engagement Photos in New York

The bottom line is: comfort is key. We’re not going to tell you to dress in certain patterns or color palettes. The goal is to express your individuality and feel good about yourselves as a couple. Whether that’s in pastels or in your favorite t-shirts, there are no wrong answers. When thinking about what to wear for engagement photos in NYC, think about what you’ll want to see reflected for years to come.