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What to Wear for Engagement Photos in San Francisco

By Kristen Philipkoski

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  • Photo via Tomas Mikula/Shutterstock
  • 1. Beach Outfit: Both Valdes and Kohn say for a beach shoot, simple is better. A white tee and jeans are a great option for both bride and groom. 7 For All Mankind Jeans, The Skinny in Rue De Lille
  • Topshop lace camisole, $96
  • Outdoor City Outfit: Kohn says bright colors show up well in city portraits. He likes red, but anything with high contrast with photograph well in an urban setting. This bright top and skirt combo from Zara looks put together and doesn't show too m
  • Combined top with necklace and pocket, $50 at Zara, 250 Post Street, San Francisco.
  • Outdoor Park or Garden Outfit: For outdoor shoots in a park or other natural environment, go for light and soft colors that won't compete with the setting. This pastel blue dress has an airy feel which makes it perfect for a nature shoot Flowy D
  • Indoor Outfit: Inside shoots, Kohn says, tend to be a bit more formal. A clean silhouette without too many details are a good option for indoors. This champagne colored lace overlay dress is dressy and has a bridal feel. Nookie Lovelace racer fr


It's only slightly less stressful than choosing your wedding gown—your engagement photos, after all, will be a permanent record of how you looked at one of the happiest times in your life. And who would know better what types of outfits look best in such photos than the photographers who take them?

So we tapped two local wedding photogs to get their expert opinions. "The most important advice I could give is to wear an outfit that reflects your personality," says Robert Valdes of Robert Valdes Photo Cinema. Joseph Kohn of IQ Photo agrees, and adds that it can be a good idea to ask someone who's sartorial opinion you trust for "feedback on whether the outfit truly flatters." This especially holds true for the heels vs. flats dilemma, he says. If you don't normally wear heels, they may look awkward instead of flattering. Better to stick with what makes you comfortable. Read on for more tips from Valdes and Kohn below.

· 14 Stunning San Francisco Spots for Engagement Photos [Racked SF]
· All Weddings Week Posts [Racked SF]