If you’re planning engagement photos in Big Sur, one of the first questions you might have is: What should we wear?

Big Sur already gives us so much to work with—the coastline, ocean, cliffs, sandy beaches, open fields, and incredible views. Your outfits should complement that scenery rather than compete with it. After photographing many couples throughout Big Sur, I’ve found that simple, neutral outfits consistently photograph best.

The goal isn’t to match the landscape. It’s to choose clothing that allows you to stand out while still feeling natural in the environment.

The Best Colors to Wear for Big Sur Photos

For Big Sur engagement photos, I almost always recommend neutral and earthy tones.

Some of my favorite colors include:

• Cream
• Off-white
• Ivory
• Beige
• Tan
• Camel
• Brown
• Black
• Soft gray
• Muted earthy tones

These colors work beautifully with Big Sur because they complement the natural surroundings without pulling attention away from you.

Creams, off-whites, and ivory are especially beautiful here. True bright white can also photograph well, but keep in mind that it can sometimes be more reflective in direct sunlight. A softer white or cream is often a little easier to photograph while still giving you that clean, elevated look.

And don’t worry about neutrals being boring. Against the blues, greens, golden grasses, cliffs, and sand found throughout Big Sur, neutral clothing can actually make you stand out more.

Colors I Recommend Avoiding for Big Sur Engagement Photos

There aren’t necessarily strict rules for what you can and can’t wear, but there are a few colors I generally recommend avoiding because of how they photograph against the Big Sur landscape.

Bright red is one of them. Strong reds can reflect color onto your skin, especially when you’re standing close together, which can create unwanted pink or red tones in photographs. Red can also become the first thing your eye notices in an image rather than your faces or the scenery.

I also usually recommend avoiding bright or bold blues. With so much blue already coming from the ocean and sky, blue clothing can either blend into the scenery or compete with it. I would rather use those gorgeous blues in the landscape to frame you than have your outfit fighting for attention.

Green is another color I typically recommend avoiding, especially during seasons when Big Sur is lush and green. Between the grass, trees, and surrounding landscape, green clothing can easily blend into the background instead of allowing you to stand out. Even during the drier months, there are often plenty of green tones throughout Big Sur, so neutrals tend to photograph much more beautifully against the scenery.

I also recommend staying away from neon colors or anything extremely bright and saturated. These colors tend to pull your eye immediately toward the clothing and away from your faces, your connection, and the landscape.

This doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate any color into your outfits. If one of you really wants to wear a color, I recommend keeping the other person’s outfit neutral. This creates balance and lets the color feel intentional without overwhelming the photographs.

Keep Patterns Simple

When choosing what to wear for your Big Sur photos, I recommend staying away from busy or distracting patterns.

Small, subtle patterns can work, but large prints, bold graphics, logos, and extremely busy patterns can quickly become distracting in photographs.

If one person is wearing a pattern, I usually recommend having the other person wear a solid color. This keeps your outfits coordinated without looking overly matched.

The same idea applies if one of you really wants to wear color. Let that person have the pop of color and keep the other outfit more neutral. This gives the photograph balance.

Coordinate Without Matching

You don’t need to wear matching outfits for your engagement session. In fact, I prefer when couples don’t.

Instead, think about choosing colors and styles that look like they belong together.

For example, if you’re wearing a cream dress, your partner might wear tan, brown, black, gray, or another neutral. If one of you chooses something darker, the other can wear something lighter to create contrast.

Your outfits should feel cohesive without looking like you intentionally bought matching clothes for your photos.

Think About Movement

Big Sur can be windy, and I actually love using that movement in photographs.

Flowy dresses, skirts, linen, and fabrics with a little movement photograph beautifully along the coast. A dress catching the wind can add so much dimension to an image without needing an elaborate outfit.

You’ll also want to consider the locations we’ll be exploring. Depending on your session, we may be walking along trails, across sand, or over uneven terrain. You don’t necessarily have to sacrifice style for comfort, but your outfit and shoes should allow you to move.

If you’re planning to wear heels, bringing a comfortable pair of shoes for walking between photo locations is always a good idea.

Dress Like Yourself, Just a Little More Intentional

Most importantly, you should still feel like yourself.

If you never wear dresses, you don’t need to wear one simply because you’re taking engagement photos. If you love dressing up, your session is a great excuse to go all out.

Think of your engagement session wardrobe as an elevated version of what you already feel good wearing.

You should be able to move, laugh, sit, walk, and interact with each other without constantly worrying about your clothing.

Can You Wear Color for Big Sur Photos?

Absolutely.

Neutral colors are my first recommendation because I know they photograph beautifully throughout Big Sur, but that doesn’t mean every single piece of clothing has to be beige.

If you have a color you absolutely love or an outfit that feels like you, we can make it work.

My biggest recommendation is to create balance. If one person is wearing a stronger color, keep the other person’s outfit neutral. That way, the color becomes an intentional accent rather than competing with the landscape.

Consider Bringing Two Outfits

If your engagement collection allows enough time, having two outfits can give your gallery more variety.

I love the combination of one slightly dressier outfit and one more relaxed outfit. For example, you might begin in a dress and suit or elevated separates and later change into something more casual for the beach.

This can make your gallery feel like two different looks while still keeping everything cohesive.

Just keep your specific session length and locations in mind when planning outfit changes. I always want your session to feel relaxed rather than spending too much of our time changing clothes.

What Should You Wear for Your Big Sur Engagement Session?

If you’re standing in front of your closet trying to decide, keep it simple:

Choose neutral or muted colors, avoid anything extremely bright or distracting, coordinate with each other without matching, and wear something that feels like you.

Big Sur is already one of the most beautiful backdrops you could choose for engagement photos. Your clothing doesn’t need to compete with it.

And if you’re one of my couples, you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. I’m happy to help you decide what will photograph best with the locations we’re planning. Feel free to send outfit options and I am always happy to share my input.

Planning Engagement Photos in Big Sur?

Big Sur is one of my favorite places to photograph couples in California, and I’ve spent years learning how different locations, lighting, weather, and seasons photograph along the coast.

If you’re planning a proposal, engagement session, or couples photos in Big Sur, I’d love to help you create something that feels like you while making the most of everything this incredible coastline has to offer.

You can explore more of my Big Sur engagement sessions on the blog for outfit inspiration and location ideas, or reach out through my contact page to start planning your own.