Maine & NH Wedding Photographer | Why I Don’t Style My Clients for Their Engagement Shoots

Here’s the thing — I’m not your personal stylist, and I don’t want to be. I’m your photographer. My job is to make you look damn good in photos, not to drag you through the mall telling you what to buy.

Now don’t get me wrong — I will absolutely give advice. I’ll help you choose colors that photograph well, and I’ll steer you away from stuff that’ll make you blend into the scenery like a chameleon. But I’m never going to tell you where to shop or what exact shirt to wear. That’s not my vibe, and honestly, you’ll look way better when your outfits feel like you.

When I do offer advice, it’s more about creating a cohesive look — not a carbon copy. I usually tell couples to pick a color scheme with neutrals and one accent color. Something that feels soft, timeless, and easy to live with — because these images are going up on your walls, and trust me, you don’t want your living room to clash with your engagement photos.

Start with two to three base colors and carry those through both of your outfits so everything goes together without matching perfectly. You’re not twins — you don’t need to look identical. Just coordinate in a way that makes sense.

Also, think about where your session is happening. If we’re shooting at the beach, don’t show up in high heels and a leather jacket. Keep it real — light clothes, bare feet, and something that moves with the breeze. If we’re in the woods, bring layers. A cardigan, jacket, scarf, or even a belt can add a little visual interest without overcomplicating things.

Patterns and textures? Yes, please. Just don’t go wild. Stick to smaller, softer patterns and skip the giant prints, logos, or that t-shirt with your favorite cartoon character (you’d be surprised how often I have to say that). Add textures like lace, crochet, or embroidery — they photograph beautifully and add depth.

But here’s the most important part: wear something that makes you feel like yourself. If you’re uncomfortable, it’ll show in your photos. If you feel confident, that’s what I’ll capture — and that’s what makes your images powerful.

So yeah, I’m not going to style you. But I will help you find the perfect balance between comfortable, confident, and camera-ready. Because when you look like yourself — relaxed, happy, and connected — that’s when the good stuff happens.