Are you newly engaged? CONGRATULATIONS!! It is such an exciting time in your life and you should celebrate! An engagement session is the perfect way to document this amazing time in your lives. If you’re thinking about doing your engagement session in or around New York City, get excited because today I’m sharing some of my favorite New York engagement session locations! With just a little planning, you can have the engagement session of your dreams!
New York City Engagement Session Locations
Bethesda Terrace
Bethesda Terrace is a perfect choice for your engagement photos if you love architecture, and still want to incorporate the natural beauty of Central Park. There are so many amazing photo opportunities with breathtaking views of central park, the large fountain at the bottom of the gorgeous stairs descending from the terrace, which features mosaic walls and exquisite architectural detail that make for a perfect backdrop.
Central Park Conservatory Garden
The Central Park Conservatory Garden is the only photo location in all of Central Park that requires a permit to shoot there – with good reason, because it’s beautiful! It’s so well-maintained and there are beautiful gardens and ponds with lily pads. It’s truly a hidden gem in Central Park. You want to make sure you have a permit to shoot there because you’ll likely get stopped several times to show you have a valid permit. Check out an engagement session at this lovely location here: Central Park Conservatory Garden Engagement.
Bow Bridge
The iconic Bow Bridge is a beautiful romantic setting with stunning scenery. Plan for a morning session to avoid the crowds as it gets very busy during the day. Seeing the sunrise reflect off the water is a sight to see!
Loeb Boathouse
Who doesn’t want a romantic boat ride in Central Park? This is an idyllic setting for your engagement photos. Relax on the boat as you and your fiancé take in the gorgeous natural scenery of the lake and greenery below the midtown skyline.
Tribeca
If you’re love Tribeca, I have good news – it’s absolutely perfect for photos. From charming cobblestones to unique buildings to the waterfront, it has so much to offer. Check out a Tribeca engagement session here: Tribeca engagement photos.
The Top of the Rock
Experience NYC in a whole different way–at The Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. This is one of my favorites! The views are truly indescribable and must be experienced to fully enjoy and appreciate. With views like that, it does get very busy, so I highly recommend you secure VIP access to avoid the lines.
Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is a great location for engagement photos year round. Take a stroll through the lovely cobblestone streets of the surrounding historic neighborhoods for additional photo ops. With its iconic attractions, such as the Washington Square Arch and the fountain, along with the surrounding scenic neighborhoods, Washington Square Park truly has something for everyone.
West Village
If you love brownstones and buildings with character, the West Village is for you. This Lower Manhattan neighborhood is well known for its artistic flare, boutiques and trendy restaurants. In this culture rich area, you will find quaint, cobblestone streets for a romantic and charming engagement session.
Gramercy Park Neighborhood
The buildings around Gramercy Park are full of history and charm. It is a high-end neighborhood in downtown Manhattan. As you walk down the historic tree-lined streets you’ll see delightful brownstone buildings and lush greenery.
Fort Tryon Park
This park is such a gem! It will make you feel like you’ve escaped to Paris for a couple of hours. It features rolling hills, breathtaking views of the Hudson River, and lovely bridges and architecture that are perfect for engagement photos. If you’re looking for a dreamy location in the city, Fort Tryon Park is the spot!
DUMBO
Head to Brooklyn for a waterfront engagement session that highlights picturesque views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. It’s seriously gorgeous!
Gantry Plaza State Park
Head to Long Island City and walk through the Gantry Plaza State Park for your engagement photos and enjoy the beautiful views of the cityscape and the most gorgeous light in the late afternoon and evening hours.
If you want a NYC vibe and view, you might not need to travel to the Big Apple for your engagement photos. There are a few amazing options outside of NYC in the great state of New Jersey that will provide you with the same gorgeous scenery and city skyline.
Liberty State Park
Liberty State Park in Jersey City is perfect for couples who want to combine a natural backdrop with an urban cityscape. It is a big green space with the Manhattan Skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island in the background.
Pier A Park, Hoboken
If you’re looking for great views of New York City, but you also want to get some urban textures in your backdrops, Hoboken may be the perfect spot for your session. Pier A Park provides gorgeous views of Manhattan and it’s also right next to the Lackawanna Terminal and some cool abandoned buildings with lots of textures and urban decay. Plus it’s near the charming Court Street for romantic photos on a cobblestone street.
Hoboken Waterfront Rooftops
If you have access to a rooftop in Hoboken, take advantage! It’ll make for such unique photos! You’ll get the high rise view, city skyline, and waterfront views all in one!
I hope you find this post useful when planning your New York Engagement Session! New York is so diverse with a variety of settings from–bustling urban metropolis to green oasis, trendy and artistic to historical and industrial, or dreamy, romantic parks and waterscapes tucked away to busy city streets and picturesque piers– there really is something for everyone!
Engagement Session Planning Guide
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