Happy #WeddingWednesday, lovers of love! We’re so excited to be back on the blog today sharing some advice from our (much beloved) resident photography guru and creative force behind the brand, Shayla.

(Have we mentioned before that Shayla has been shooting weddings in New Mexico for over a decade now?! Yes, we have? Well, that’s okay – it deserves repeating that this love-obsessed wedding photographer has been putting in the work at her 10,000 hours. Thank goodness she’s so open to sharing her expert advice with engaged couples in the Southwest and the rest of us, right?!)

If you missed our last blog on styling tips for your engagement session, then have no fear! You can catch up on what you missed right here, and further your photoshoot planning with the men’s style tips below.

Okay onto the fun part — let’s chat about how to style yourself (or your partner) for your engagement session! Because, here’s the thing, you definitely need to do an engagement session. Not only is it one of the best parts of planning a wedding in New Mexico, but especially during pandemic-times, you’ll thank yourself for having gorgeous photos to share with your loved ones.

(PSST – want the full low-down on engagement sessions? You can snag the Shayla Cristine Photography Engagement Guide for FREE right here.)

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STYLING FOR MEN: ENGAGEMENT SESSION EDITION

A WELL FITTED SUIT

Men look most striking in a well-tailored suit. If he doesn’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 of gray or navy are a strong complement to most women’s outfits, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye.

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 his 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, sandals and jeans 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.

PREP YOUR MAN!

Most men aren’t overly excited to take photos for one to two hours, because they don’t have an expectation of what’s to come and why it’s so important to you. Take fifteen minutes to educate and empower your guy. 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, 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, they can’t believe how fast it went and just how much fun they had!

Okay, you’ve got the styling tips for ladies, and now all the details you need to style your man – ready for the rest? You can get started planning your photoshoot and download your FREE copy of our Engagement Guide right here!