Your Couples Session Style Guide

Hooray!

I’m so excited for your couples session! For engagement photos, it isn’t just about getting images for your save the date cards. These photos will be timeless, because they will capture you and your honey in a more natural, relaxed setting. Plus, engagement sessions are a fantastic way for us to get to know each other a little better before your big day. We’ll test out some poses and I’ll get to know your personalities a little more, which will make your wedding day photos go a whole lot smoother.

And if you’re just getting a couples session done for your honeymoon, special occasion, or just for fun, those are even more fun and relaxing and are a great way to keep your memories! I’ve created this guide to help you get the most out of your photos, and by the time you’ve read through this, you'll have all your questions answered and feel more than ready and prepared for your session. Your only job is to be yourself, laugh a lot and let me create photos you’ll love forever. I can’t wait to get you in front of my camera!

I photograph most couples sessions using only natural light. I do this because this type of light makes for some stunning photographs! Most of my couples portrait sessions approximately two-three hours before the scheduled sunset during “the golden hour” when the light is the dreamiest. To get the most out of your session, please plan a buffer when getting ready so you can arrive a few minutes early to your session and be ready to start on time. I’m only able to shoot when natural light is still in the sky, so I’ll want to take advantage of every minute we have together before the sun goes down. If you’re wearing two outfits, save your favorite one for the second half, and if you’re wearing one, arrive wearing your first outfit, unless we’re going on a hike to start.

Depending on the location, sunrise or early morning can be another time to consider. This soft morning light is similar to the gorgeous light you’ll get at golden hour, and if we’re at the beach there are always far fewer crowds at sunrise than sunset.

Props and Extras

Want your images to look more editorial? Bring a little extra something with you! A freshly-picked bouquet for you to hold, a haku-lei (flower crown), or fresh flowers to put on something else, like a bicycle basket, tree swing, picnic basket, car bumper or rowboat. You can even bring a bottle of champagne and some glasses to sip on. This is a fun way bring a little extra romance to your session.

Tips For Her

DON’T BE AFRAID TO DRESS UP

Have you thought about rocking a romantic gown, tulle skirt or flower crown but just never had an occasion for it? This is your chance to do it up! You can always do one casual look and then change into a more glam outfit. Remember: There is no such thing as “too dressed up” when it comes to your couples session, so don’t be afraid to have some fun! If you don’t want to add a new permanent piece to your collection, a lot of my clients love Rent the Runway for their session because it’s such an affordable way to feel like a million bucks. Other clients love having a great excuse to bring a new permanent piece (or two!) into their closet!

SAY YES TO THE DRESS

Long, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos. Especially when juxtaposed with nature.  Cute, shorter-length dresses photograph beautifully as well. Dresses and skirts tend to look most stunning on camera because they really flatter the female body — which is probably why the red carpet is always full of so many dresses and not very many pantsuits! We recommend avoiding pants and shorts for your session, and saying yes to a dress or two. If it’s totally not your vibe, no worries, rock a pant suit or whatever will make you feel your best. Of course if you have a long enough session multiple outfits are totally great, we can take photos in more casual clothing, and we can even take some fun swimsuit shots in the water!

MAKE A STATEMENT

Pairing an accessory or two with your outfit can really help bring some extra dimension to your images. Big statement necklaces bring a lot of pop to the photos, while the smaller, delicate ones are not be as noticeable on camera. Belts, bracelets and earrings bring great visual interest, so choose one or two that don’t compete for attention. Fresh florals in a crown or bouquet can be a really romantic touch as well.

FLATTERING YOUR FEATURES

In my experience, every person, regardless of their shape has an area of their body that they are self-conscious about, so recognizing what area that is in advance is key. Choosing flattering silhouettes and colors that complement your natural features is the best way to ensure you’ll love the way you look in your photos.

Three-quarter length sleeves create an awesome slimming effect on all arms, so be on the lookout for an option with a longer length sleeve. You could also bring a cute jacket, blazer or cardigan along, too. Skinny straps or strapless dresses have the opposite effect on arms on camera, so I recommend avoiding those whenever possible if your goal is a set of slimmer-looking arms.

Heels elongate women’s legs, making them look fabulous. Closed-toed heels in particular look great on camera because they carry out the line of your leg all the way down to your toe. If your toes are showing in a peep-toe heel, you might want to schedule a pedicure before your session so you don’t regret letting your feet show. These little tricks make all the difference! Of course, if you’re opting for a beach session, don’t be afraid to go barefoot altogether, or have some fun with a beaded barefoot sandal! If we’re hiking to your location, don’t forget a pair of sturdy hiking boots to avoid any injuries on the way to your location!

Quick Tip: Bring a pair of easy-to-kick-off flats to wear when moving from place to place in between photos if wearing heels. Your feet will thank you later!

CHOOSING COLORS

When choosing colors for your outfits, we recommend selecting lighter tones and more muted shades. By avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors, it will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about each other. The camera loves shades of soft pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather brown and white. That softer color palette fits beautifully into almost all natural outdoor environments. Of course this doesn’t mean color is off limits at all, if you have a bright piece you love feel free to bring it along with you as an option so you have a variety of looks for your session!

COORDINATING THE LOOKS 

As you’re coordinating your outfit with your partner’s, keep in mind that your outfits will look the most cohesive on camera when the color palettes coordinate, but don’t necessarily “match.” You should each aim to wear a different dominant color, but stay within a similar color palette family. So if you’re wearing a blush dress, soft blue earrings and nude heels (blush being your dominant color), then he could wear a navy coat with gray pants, paired with brown leather shoes and maybe even a blush pocket square. Now he has his own dominant color (navy) while still incorporating a few touches of your color palette. Most of the women I work with choose their dress first, and then put together their partner’s outfit based on that. That’s why we have a section for each of you.

GO PRO: HAIR & MAKEUP 

Professional hair and makeup is on the top of most of my clients’ checklists because it looks amazing and removes the stress of getting ready on your own. Whether it’s lash extensions or blown-out hair, professional hair and makeup will give you an extra boost of confidence in front of the camera, and it always photographs like a dream.  This also can be the perfect opportunity to have your trial with YOUR own make up artist for the wedding day if you’re getting married locally. If you’re working with a makeup artist, have her apply your makeup in natural light, if possible, so that it looks fresh and not too heavy. Plus, that’s the type of light we’ll be shooting in, so it’ll give you the best expectation of how it will translate on camera. Most of our clients feel like their makeup is “too much” at first, since it’s more than you would wear on a normal day, so if you feel that way at the beginning, don’t worry! Good makeup artists know how to get it just right for the camera — and our clients always love the final result. 

SKIP THE SPRAY TAN

Although it might seem counter-intuitive, I recommend that you do not get a spray tan before your session, even a few days prior, because it tends to photograph orange even when it’s applied subtly and by a professional. Your actual skin tone will photograph the most beautifully and naturally. Also AVOID getting sunburnt before your session! Sunburns aren’t easily photoshopped out of your session, so make sure you wear sunscreen if you’re planning on being out in the sun before your session- the sun in Hawai’i is brutal and you’ll probably burn much quicker than you are used to.

SHOW OFF THE RING

I will always try to get a shot of the ring on its own and on your hand during your couples session. Your ring will be center stage, so give yourself permission to get it cleaned and your nails done, too! To make your ring really sparkle in photos, have it professionally cleaned by your jeweler (They will clean it for free!) or use appropriate jewelry cleaner before your session.

Styling for Him

A GOOD SUIT

Men look most striking in a well-tailored suit. If you don’t have one, now’s the perfect time to invest in something he’ll wear for the rest of his life! The best part? It’s a lot less expensive than you might think! While custom suits can cost thousands of dollars, some of the most well-known brands have off-the-rack suits in their stores for a fraction of the price. Solid shades such as gray or navy are a great compliment to most colors, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye. For the heat in Hawaii, consider a short sleeve button-up underneath the jacket or foregoing a jacket altogether for a nice button-up.

LAYERED LOOKS

Next time you walk by a store like J. Crew, you’ll notice the male mannequins and models are always wearing several layers at once. Layers on men look great on camera, so even when it’s hot outside, trust us when we say that it’s worth an hour or two of discomfort for photos that will last you both a lifetime. Adding another layer will bring extra dimension and visual interest to your photos. Blazers, vests and coats up the level of any look. If the temperature permits, he could even consider adding a v-neck sweater with a pop of color from a long-sleeved collared shirt and tie underneath. Don’t be afraid to get a little creative with layers!

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS 

Long pants and closed-toed shoes are the most sophisticated and masculine looks for men. They draw attention away from legs and feet and place it where you want it: on the face you fell in love with. So, for your session, it’s best to leave the shorts, and foam sandals at home, too. Suit pants, dress pants or colored pants work best. Brown leather dress shoes complement almost every look, whether he’s wearing a full suit or a blazer and colored pants. Ties, bowties, pocket squares, colored socks, belts, tie clips, suspenders, vests and watches are sharp complements to any suit. If you bring two suits to the session, you can start with a traditional necktie and belt, then switch to suspenders and a bow tie for your second look. If two suits are too stressful, no problem! One look will do the trick! You can still mix and match accessories to complement both of her dresses without doing a full change during the session. So, either way, you win. For photos on the beach, I recommend pants that look good rolled up at the bottom, so they don’t get soggy in the waves!

HOW TO PREP

Sometimes men aren’t overly excited to take photos because they don’t have an expectation of what’s to come and why it’s so important to you. If this sounds familiar, take fifteen minutes to educate and empower your partner. Tell him why you chose me and my style of photography. Show him your three favorite images that I’ve taken, explain why you love them and express to him how much it means to you. Trust me, once he knows it’s important to you, he’ll light up the camera for you! The most common thing I hear from guys before photo sessions is this: because of a bad experience in the past, they don’t like taking photos or don’t think they’ll be good at it. By the time I’m done, though, they can’t believe how fast it went and just how much fun they had!

Splish Splash

One of my favorite ways to end a session is by slipping into bathing suits and diving into the water. I’ve even begun offering underwater sessions- ask me about it! So if you’re planning on a beach shoot be sure to ask me if it’s a great spot to get into the water or not, if it is, I highly recommend at least a few shots in the water. Most of the time you don’t even have to get wet from the waist up if you’re concerned about swimming ability. The water in Hawaii is most calm in summer, but there are certain locations where it is still safe to get in during the winter. Water photos are so playful and unique, and can even end up being your favorite photos from the session!

After Your Session

Don’t forget to plan a dinner date. You’re already going to be all dressed up! Why not take advantage of it? We know the wedding planning process can feel all-consuming, so take some time after the session just for the two of you to relax and have some fun together.

Another fantastic option is to purchase a longer package or a day-after session! If you have a nice dinner planned after your session you may not want to get all salty sandy from the ocean, which is totally understandable! Many of my clients opt in this case to use an hour of their session time toward a day-after adventure session where we hike to a beautiful location or shoot some photos in the water!

ONE FINAL NOTE

I know I just gave you a lot to think about. I created this guide to help make your couples photo session experience something you’ll look back fondly on for years and years to come. At the end of the day, though, the location you choose and the outfits you select won’t matter nearly as much as the memories you make together. Your relationship is the most important thing to me, and I want your session to be a time for you to just be yourselves and enjoy it. Have fun together. Laugh a lot. And I’ll take care of the rest!

Couples Session Checklist

• Set date, time, and location with Bre

• Review guide for style tips 

• Schedule hair and makeup appointments 

• Choose your outfits 

• Get your nails done 

• Clean your ring 

• Pick a fun post-session date night (or date brunch!) spot
  

  Pack a bag with: 

• Flats or flip-flops for walking between photo spots
  Hiking boots for adventure sessions or sessions with hiking.

• (Optional) A second outfit (including shoes and accessories) 

• Swimsuits & towels for water photos (if doing)

• Touch-up makeup

• Water bottle

• Sunscreen & chapstick 

• Coat (for colder sessions such as Mauna Kea and Haleakala)