The BEST NYC Engagement Photo Locations
When planning an engagement session, one of the first things to think about is where to take your engagement photos. ANNND if you’re reading this post, you’ve probably already decided you want your engagement session done in NYC. First off, CONGRATS on getting engaged and making a decision to have your photography session done in New York!! Whether you’re a NYC native or just visiting for the weekend, most of us know that NYC is HUGEEE, and there are so many spots in the city to have your photos taken.
As a NYC engagement photographer, I’ve photographed with couples all over Manhattan and Brooklyn. So I’m always recommending places for my couples to have their sessions, but I thought, why not share with more couples planning their engagement photos? So I decided to put together a list of the best engagement photo locations in NYC. Whether you’re looking for that downtown Manhattan city vibe or something more cute and trendy in Brooklyn, this list should give you a better idea of where you want to take your engagement photos in the big apple. Along with these top nyc engagement session spots, I’ve also recommended a handful of other locations that are nearby certain locations, for couples looking to add a little variety to their engagement session. So no need to keep researching and googling different spots in the city! I’ve got you covered.
Keep reading for my all-inclusive guide to the best locations for your nyc engagement photos:
The Best NYC Engagement Photo Locations:
Brooklyn Bridge
Being one of the most iconic bridges in the world, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the best places for your nyc engagement photos. I am on this bridge almost weekly in the summer and EVERY DANG TIME I am still in awe with its beauty. With the symmetrical steel wires, wooden floor boards and the NYC skyline in the background, you really can’t take a bad photo on this bridge. These photos will truly top all of your friends classic engagement photos in a field or at the beach.
The bridge is located right in the heart of DUMBO, so you can even add a variety of to your engagement photos with other cute photo spots in DUMBO (some of them listed below).
Related: Looking to plan a Brooklyn Bridge Engagement Session? Check out my Brooklyn Bridge Engagement Photo Guide here
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2. Top of the Rock
Personally, I think the Top of the Rock is by far one of the best engagement photos locations in NYC, like LOOK at these photos... you can’t get a better view of the NYC skyline. To take photos at the Top of the Rock you need to buy tickets and reserve a time slot, the tickets are $40, but I think it is well worth the views. Also, the Top of the Rock is located in the middle of Midtown Manhattan, so there are plenty of other spots to stop at during your engagement session. Some spots close by are Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Ice Skating Rink (in the winter), Times Square, Bryant Park, St. Patricks Cathedral, Tudor City Overpass, and the bottom of Central Park.
3. West Village
For some cute cobblestone streets lined with classic Federal townhouses, the West Village is a great nyc engagement photo location for couples looking for some trendy and fun street photos. This area is filled with picturesque blocks lined with cute coffee shops and restaurants. Think about adding some outdoor coffee shop photos to your session for a true West Village feel. Nearby you’ll find Washington Square Park and the High Line, another two great options for your nyc engagement session.
4. Washington Street, DUMBO
Apparently this is the second most photographed spot in the world after the Eiffel Tower- WHATTT?! This famous Brooklyn street can be a great location for your nyc engagement session, but here’s a piece of advice: make sure to get to this spot SUPER early in the morning (especially on weekends) to avoid the tourists & crowds. Otherwise, you might spend 10-20 minutes waiting for your turn to take a picture walking down this cobblestone street (with a bit of an audience). No need to worry though, get here within an hour or so of sunrise and you’ll basically have the whole place to yourself.
5. Jane’s Carousel, DUMBO
Jane’s Carousel is the CUTEST carousel located on the water in DUMBO Brooklyn, facing the Manhattan skyline. The carousel is surrounded by a glass box, but don’t let this deter you, it still creates a great backdrop for cute nyc engagement photos. If you go during dusk, the carousel lights turn on adding a golden glow to your photos.
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6. DUMBO Rocks
I honestly wasn’t sure what to call these, so I made up the name the DUMBO rocks 😂. These rocks are located right on the edge of Brooklyn Bridge Park but at the right angle, you have the lower Manhattan skyline AND Jane’s Carousel in the background as shown above. This is the perfect spot for sunset photos because the carousel will be lit up, the skyline lights will turn on AND the sun sets RIGHT behind the skyline- so you will have some dreamy glowy dusk vibes going on for a perfect nyc engagement session.
7. Bethesda Terrace, Central Park
Bethesda Terrace is well-known from different movies and TV shows, for example.. I just learned that this is the spot Blair and Chuck got married in Gossip Girl. (hopefully by now that wasn’t a spoiler for anyone...) Bethesda Terrace has some beautiful architecture and design elements to it, and if you love a good fountain- the Bethesda Fountain is unlike any other. ANNNND, in the summertime, a lot of people bring their dogs to this spot and the dogs will swim IN THE FOUNTAIN- it’s so dang cute.
8. The Lake, Central Park
YEP. This spot is literally called ‘The Lake’ in Central Park. Seriously, google ‘the lake’, it should be one of the first things that pops up. The Lake is a great backdrop for any nyc engagement photos. Bow Bridge is one of the most popular bridges in Central Park crossing over The Lake. This lake has plenty of photo spots with little trails bringing you to rocks you can sit on, with the skyline in the background. You can also rent row boats in the summer if you’re looking for a REALLY CUTE notebook moment.
9. Grand Central Station
For a more classic New York City feel, Grand Central Station is a great indoor nyc engagement photo location. If you want that ‘busy’ vibe surrounded by people, Grand Central Station is your spot. From taking photos on the stairs to going right down into the center of it all, there’s plenty of variety when visiting this New York classic. Head outside for part of your engagement session to capture the beauty of Grand Central’s architecture and famous bridge.
Did one of these places catch your eye? Looking to get started planning your NYC engagement session? As a NYC engagement, elopement, and wedding photographer, I specialize in working with couples to help plan and photograph their perfect NYC session.
Get in touch with me below to start talking about your NYC engagement photos!
Who Am I?
HEY!! I’M AMANDA VAELYNN.
A NYC couples photographer who captures authentic and candid moments, telling the story of your relationship. I’m not about those classic ‘posed’ photographs, but more about photographing those ‘in-between’ moments that show true emotion and laughter.
I specialize in photographing elopements, engagements, and proposals. Which basically means I specialize in all things related to COUPLES. I’m an expert at making couples comfortable in front of the camera- and creating a fun environment during your session.
