Stripes are such a fun element to incorporate in your engagement session outfit. If we are heading to the beach or ocean, it is an easy choice. I especially love the carefree and playful vibe we get including striped options. Guys, you have it easy. There are lots of great choices. Here is one of my favorite outfits for guys right now. The wooden sunglasses and hook wrap bracelet are so fun. Add a seersucker pant, casual hoodie and boat shoes and you have a fantastic outfit! 

For the girls, I think a stripe dress is always so classic. Stripes can also be really flattering and add curves in the right places, and hide areas you may feel self conscious about. The first dress below, by Gap, is one of my very favorites right now. I just ordered it for myself and can't wait to wear it this summer! 

Swimsuit sessions? Yes and please. I am pretty obsessed with one piece swimsuits and oversized hats. These sessions can be SO fun and can range from classic and editorial to super fun (donut floatie anyone?) Here are some favorite striped suits...

Next up, ROMPERS. Rompers are sort of my very favorite thing and I get so excited when a client wears one for a session. You can't get much more fun and trendy than that! Here are some of my very favorite striped rompers below...

If these stripes caught your eye and you want to incorporate it into your session just shoot me an e-mail and we can chat details!  

via Jose Villa

I am so excited to launch a new blog series here at Ashley Slater Photography where I can share engagement session style, trends, tips and more! Engagement sessions are always so much fun for me and I absolutely recommend them (and include them!) in all my wedding packages. If you want to read my in-depth reasons you can do that here, but to summarize: I don't want your wedding day to be the first day we work together (no pressure, right?!) and I also love using the engagement session time to see how you photograph and how your personality naturally plays to the camera.

I also really love that an engagement session can speak to your style as a couple. Adventurous? Let's go swimming in Lake Michigan for part of your session. Fun-loving? Let's grab some ice cream and hop around the city. Romantic? Let's put on a tulle skirt, suit and get super dreamy. That brings me to this edition of engagement session style: tulle skirts! You can take one look at my website and you know that classic romance is one of my very favorite things. I love adding that element of timelessness by encouraging my couples to pull out all the stops and really get fancy for part of their sessions. As a wedding film photographer, the way this medium captures movement and color is beyond words. Film almost begs for textures that move, breathing life into photos. Just take a look at some of my favorite tulle inspiration and you'll see what I mean...

See all of Maryal & Chris's Phoenix engagement session here. 

via Jana Williams

As you can see, a tulle skirt can be worn in a variety of ways to exude different moods. I love the black mini with the classic car and how it is just the right amount of edgy. I also love the whimsy of the lavender skirt with the floral element. And sunset on the beach in blush pink? Yes, please. Below are some of my favorite skirts and where to get them... if you have a session coming up with my shoot me an e-mail and we can brainstorm your engagement session vision together! 

Click the arrows to scroll some of my faves! 

1. Gold French Market Hanger

This French Market Hanger is one of my top suggestions for brides, BHLDN has a few options of really lovely hangers, but this antique gold one is my very favorite. When you've spent countless hours and time choosing the perfect dress for your wedding day, it is nice when the photograph for your album isn't marred by a plastic or ugly wire hanger. Your dress can be stored or hang on this hanger after the wedding is over, and becomes a really beautiful heirloom gift to pass down generationally!

2. A Beautiful Get-Ready Robe

Watercolor florals, delicate lace and romantic silk robes are in for getting ready in. Ditch the sequined bedazzled "BRIDE"  tank and opt for a soft, feminine frock to get your hair and makeup done in. With a range of colors, you can find one that pulls from your wedding day color palette to ensure your entire album looks seamless from start to finish. My current favorite is the Floraline Robe, but also am a huge fan of the Plum Pretty Sugar for BHLDN robes (pictured above).

3. A Stunning Ring Box

This might win as my favorite wedding day accessory for brides. These gorgeous velvet wrapped boxes by The Mrs Box are just too good. Options for a serif or calligraphy monogram in silver, gold or rose gold. Send this to your groom because every bride needs a beautiful place to store her most beautiful piece of jewelry!

4. Keepsake Vow Books

I love these books so much! What a sweet keepsake to write out your vows to one another in such beautifully gilded journals. With one for the bride, and one for the groom these sweet little books can easily be tucked into your wedding day heirloom box to keep this special memory and the sweet words you spoke to one another alive forever! 

5. Beautiful Shoes

Are beautiful shoes a splurge for wedding day? Sure. But you tell me when else in your life you will wear stunning beauties like these Badgley Mishka jewel-crusted pumps above? Treat yourself on your very special day and find shoes that speak to you and make you feel like the most beautiful woman in the room all the way down to your toes. Added details like this will photograph beautifully and add to your wedding day album, so it is a win win!