Brooklyn Bridge Engagement Photos
Your Guide to Taking Epic Brooklyn Bridge Engagement Photos:
Looking for some iconic engagement photos on the Brooklyn Bridge?
You came to the right place.
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most iconic sites in NYC, as the first steel-wire suspension bridge in the world, this bridge connects Brooklyn to Manhattan over the East River. The Brooklyn Bridge has a walkway that runs over the highway underneath, making it a super aesthetic & pleasant bridge to walk across. When coming from the Brooklyn side of the bridge, you can see the lower Manhattan skyline, adding an extra piece of beauty to this scenic spot.
If you’re looking for unique locations for your engagement photographs, the Brooklyn Bridge should be at the top of your list. Whether you’re a NYC local or just visiting for a trip, this bridge is recognizable across the world, so everyone will be in awe that you had the opportunity to take your engagement photos at the Brooklyn Bridge.
As a Brooklyn & NYC couples photographer, I photograph dozens of couples each year on the Brooklyn Bridge. From steamy hot summer days to that random below 20 degree week in December- I’ve shot engagement sessions in all different types of conditions on the Brooklyn Bridge. So if you’re thinking about having your engagement photographs on the Brooklyn Bridge, this guide will give you everything you need to know about how to get the most epic photographs.
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Brooklyn Bridge Engagement Photos Step #1:
How to Get There
There are two ways to get onto the Brooklyn Bridge, either the Manhattan side or the Brooklyn side. If you are looking to capture the NYC skyline in the background of your photos, I HIGHLY recommend having your engagement photos done on the Brooklyn side of the bridge.
The Brooklyn entrance is located in DUMBO, Brooklyn, which is a neighborhood located right on the water facing Downtown Manhattan. The stairway that will take you to the Brooklyn Bridge walkway is located via the underpass on the corner of Washington Street and Prospect Street. If you are arriving by Uber, I always tell my couples to just type in the address for the DUMBO Bluestone Lane in Brooklyn, and it’s about a block from there.
Brooklyn Bridge Engagement Photos Step #2:
Time of Day for your Session
So you know you want to have your engagement session on the Brooklyn Bridge and now it’s time to start planning logistics. What time of day should your engagement session be? As a photographer who has worked in all kind of lights on the Brooklyn Bridge, I ALWAYS recommend couples consider having their engagement session at sunrise.
Sunrise is the best time for your Brooklyn Bridge engagement photographs for a few reasons:
The lighting will be best- there is minimal shade on the bridge, so in the middle of the day it is easy to have shadows on your faces
There will be less crowds, most tourists don’t make it out onto the bridge until 10am, making this the most optimal time to keep people out of your photos
You may feel more comfortable with PDA and kissing in front of the camera with less people around
Visiting the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise is a completely surreal experience, it’s something everyone should experience atleast once, so why not capture it on camera too?
Now don’t get me wrong- this is NOT a requirement and plenty of couples choose to have their sessions at other times of the day. Sunset is also a really beautiful time for photos on the bridge, but there is a higher risk for more crowds and people around. The sun sets behind the lower Manhattan skyline, making for a beautiful backdrop in your photographs.
If you work in the NYC area, one idea is to take your engagement photographs on the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise before work. This saves you time on the weekends, reduces crowds EVEN MORE (because it is a weekday), and it’s a really cool way to start off the day. I work with couples who choose to do this all the time, it’s a great option for busy couples!
Brooklyn Bridge Engagement Photos Step #3:
What to Wear
Shoe Choice: the Brooklyn Bridge walkway consists of wooden boards with small gaps in-between. Stiletto high-heels are VERY difficult to walk in on the bridge. If you still want to wear heels for your pictures, pick a block or thicker heel instead.
Clothing Colors: in general, muted and earthy tones tend to look best in engagement photos. Since the Brooklyn Bridge is primarily a brown backdrop, I would avoid wearing brown & grey tops.
For Women: Flowy dresses and skirts look AMAZING on camera, floral patterns also look great, but make sure not to clash patterns with your significant other. Try to coordinate color schemes, look for inspiration on Pinterest or even eyeshadow/makeup palettes, they tend to coordinate colors that go well together.
For Men: One thing I always recommend for men is to keep it simple. Suits, slacks, button-downs, jeans, or whatever feels more authentic to you is what will look best on camera. Avoid crazy patterns, neon shirts, or clothing with words on it- these can be distracting and take away from the photographs.
Outfit Change: If you’re looking for a variety in your photos, think about ways to switch up your outfit. As the Brooklyn Bridge is a very open space, there is limited privacy to change up there. Adding a jacket, sweater or other accessories are great ways to switch it up during your session.
Brooklyn Bridge Engagement Photos
Final Tips & Tricks
Now that you know what to how to get there, when to go, and what to wear to your engagement session, here are a few other tips I have related to your Brooklyn Bridge Engagement Session:
Tip #1 Take the Ferry for a unique view of the Brooklyn Bridge & Manhattan
Instead of walking 20 minutes to the nearest subway station from the Brooklyn Bridge entrance, take the Ferry to get to different places in Manhattan/Brooklyn such as Wall Street, Williamsburg, and East 34th Street. For the same price as a subway ticket, the ferry has an upper deck you can sit outside, or stay inside and have a drink at mini-bar or even go to the bathroom if you need it! The Ferry stop is about a 6 minute walk from the Brooklyn Bridge underpass (on the Brooklyn side, in DUMBO), find more info here.
Tip #3 Public Bathrooms & Outfit Changes
There are no bathrooms when you’re on the Brooklyn Bridge, so plan accordingly. Whether you need it for it’s actual use or to change your outfit, there are a few public bathrooms in the area! The closest public bathroom is down Washington Street (after you walk down the stairs and are at the underpass of the Bridge), all the way past the famous Manhattan Bridge spot at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Environmental Conservancy building. Other bathrooms are located further down Brooklyn Bridge Park on the water near Pier 1.
Tip #2 Prepare for the different weather elements
The Brooklyn Bridge tends to amplify whatever weather situation is happen in the city. In the summer, there is no shade, so prepare for direct sun beating down on you when you visit. Sunglasses, water and lightweight clothing can be helpful in this instance- also visiting at sunrise will reduce the heat!
In the colder months, prepare for wind. Bring an extra layer to throw on in-between your photos and when you’re walking on and off the bridge.
Tip #4 Factor in extra time for walking across the bridge
If you’re planning an engagement session and are trying to figure out how much time you need, make sure to factor in about 10 minutes each way to actually walk to and from the underpass up to the best photo spots on the bridge.
Tip #5 DUMBO, Brooklyn Engagement Session Spots
Make your engagement photos extra special by adding some extra time for photos down in DUMBO, Brooklyn. DUMBO has some beautiful cobblestone streets, skyline views on the water, and cute spots that will make perfect engagement photo backdrops. If you want to avoid crowds, I still recommend having your session in the morning before too many tourists populate these areas.
Looking for a Brooklyn Bridge Engagement Photographer?
I’d love to both help you plan and capture these special moments on the Brooklyn Bridge and maybe even in the DUMBO area!
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 and engagements. 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.
