We know we aren’t the first to say this, but we’ll definitely say it with a ton of enthusiasm and excitement… Congratulations on getting engaged, you two! We love that you’re considering NYC engagement photo locations. Whether you’re a lifelong local or an excited visitor to our city, we know you’ll love having an engagement shoot here.

As experienced NYC engagement photographers, we’ve definitely seen some gorgeous spots. From Bethesda Terrace and Bow Bridge to Marsha P Johnson State Park, there are endless possibilities. Some couples even choose to take photos outside of the bars and restaurants they had their first date at!

Whatever vibe you’re going for, New York City has it all. We might not be from here, but we kinda consider ourselves New York locals these days. So, we’re going to show you some of the best locations around the city that we know for your engagement photos. Read on for your complete guide to all the best locations for NYC engagement photos!

Understanding Where in New York City to Take Engagement Photos

So you’ve decided you want to hit the streets of New York for your engagement photos. But let’s get a little more specific here because NYC is a pretty huge city! Spread out over more than 300 square miles, it’s situated in one of the world’s largest natural harbors. It has five boroughs – Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. Not to mention a whole lot of bridges and waterways. 

Truthfully, there are hundreds or thousands of places we could tell you about. But we’ve fine-tuned this list down to our absolute top 10 picks. 

Whether you want greenery and nature, rivers, lakes and open spaces, modern luxury or gritty cityscapes, New York City has it all. It’s just a matter of choosing what works for you!

Have Your Engagement Photo Session in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Sitting on the East River’s Brooklyn side in New York City, Brooklyn Bridge Park spans a little over a mile of coastline and covers more than 80 acres. The park sits between Atlantic Avenue at the southernmost end, travels along the river and under Brooklyn Bridge and finishes at Manhattan Bridge at the northern end.

The land the park is now situated on was previously owned by the Port Authority. That’s why you’ll find six piers there, as well as a series of smaller parks, a multitude of bike paths and the historic Tobacco Warehouse.

Brooklyn Bridge Park is a contained entity all its own for an NYC engagement shoot. You can spend hours wandering around this great location getting so many beautiful photographs with the city and Brooklyn Bridge behind. We have to say, it’s definitely a favorite of ours.

Iconic New York Engagement Photos in Central Park

From one epic park to another! Central Park has to be the most infamous park in New York City, maybe even the world. Made famous by many appearances in romantic movies, we bet you’re already familiar with some of the things to see and do here.

At almost 850 acres, this park is vast. With various romantic bridges, lookouts over the Lake, gorgeous walkways, historical buildings and even a castle (!), there’s nothing that Central Park doesn’t have. We think it’s the perfect location for you to have your When Harry Met Sally moment. 

It’s also one of those places that looks different every single day of the year. So choosing to come here for your engagement photos is not just about location. It’s also about which season to pick for your NYC engagement photos!

Classic NYC Engagement Photos in SoHo

SoHo, or South of Houston Street, is one of those classic NYC neighborhoods in Lower Manhattan.

With 26 blocks in SoHo, there are a whole bunch of places we can wander to get some fun and romantic engagement photos of the two of you. It’s a neighborhood with so much personality, from luxury stores and boutiques, right through to those famous brownstones where you can rest your feet for a minute. We’ll find endless possibilities to get some beautiful photos of the two of you together.

SoHo is perfect for wandering around and doing some fun stuff while we chat and photograph you. You can pick up coffee, stop to buy flowers or wander some of the more interesting stores if you’d like to. There’s an eclectic mix of modern city and “old world” cobblestoned streets here in SoHo. In particular, we love Mercer Street for a more vintage vibe, and Spring Street is bursting with classic New York personality. If you want engagement photos that capture the Big Apple’s true essence, then this is a great spot to visit.

Totally Underrated Engagement Photography Location at South Street Seaport

Would you like an alternative view of the Brooklyn Bridge, with Brooklyn as your engagement photos backdrop? Well, that’s precisely what you’ll get from the South Street Seaport. Close to downtown Manhattan, this is an area full of life and personality. And it’s steeped in history too.

This area of NYC goes way back to the 17th century! As a bustling commercial port and, later, a fish market, this place has many stories to tell. We love the idea that you’re wandering through so much history. So, if that appeals to you, this might be the spot for your NYC engagement photos!

Pier 17 is also at the seaport, and there are some lovely spots here to get epic photos. A beautiful rooftop overlooks Brooklyn Bridge and the borough behind. It’s definitely a bit of a hidden gem of a place for engagement photos.

Taking Gorgeous Engagement Photos in the Meatpacking District

The Meatpacking District, named for the meatpacking plants and slaughterhouses that once filled this neighborhood, might not sound like the most romantic of places for engagement photos. But, with its wide streets and beautiful brickwork, there’s a warm and romantic feel here that we love so much.

As an added bonus, the Meatpacking District sits at the southern end of the High Line. This stunning old train line sits above the street and has since been turned into a beautiful park. It has gorgeous views over Lower Manhattan, the Hudson River and the quirky Vessel at Hudson Yards.

Romantic NYC Engagement Photos at the Top of the Rock

We can’t think of anywhere better to capture that iconic Manhattan skyline for your NYC engagement photos than from the ‘Top of the Rock’, the Rockefeller Center’s observation deck. For one thing, it’s the best spot to get a shot with the Empire State Building in the background. 

Top of the Rock is a very popular tourist attraction, though. You’ll need to buy tickets to go up, and you need to book them for a set time. Also, the likelihood of avoiding the crowds is much more difficult due to the limited space.

Sunset slots get booked up fast, so look at booking well in advance if that time of day is important to you. Otherwise, consider booking your visit at the start of the day when it’ll be much quieter.

Cinematic Engagement Photography in NYC’s Times Square

It’s said that Times Square is actually one of the world’s most visited attractions. Anywhere between 330,000 and 450,000 people pass through every single day! But if you don’t mind the crowds, it’s a great place to visit for your NYC engagement session. The area has a real atmosphere and buzz about it. 

And where else can you replicate that famous photo of the nurse and sailor kissing than right where the original photograph was taken?

As busy as it is, we recommend sunset or early evening if you want to get some Times Square engagement photos with those bright neon lights.

Stunning Architecture at the New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is a building that stands out from the modern high-rise architecture most people are familiar with. It’s a grand, ornate building with those three giant arches at its entrance. And you can definitely have some fun on those steps leading up to the arches too. 

The light stone of the building and classic architecture make this an absolute dream to photograph. Early morning is best to visit for the most beautiful light and fewer people.

Nearby is Bryant Park, which is a lovely contrast to the stone facade of the library. So this is a fantastic spot to choose for a little variety with your NYC engagement photos.

Romantic Seasonal Engagement Photos at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

We absolutely love this beautiful garden, squeezed in next to Prospect Park in Brooklyn. On this triangular slip of land, you’ll find 52 acres and more than 14,000 types of plants. There’s a fee to get into the gardens, but it’s well worth it. There are so many different areas and backdrops to choose from. It even has stunning greenhouses and undercover options for when the weather has other plans!

We’re pretty sure we’re not alone in thinking it’s one of the best places in all New York City to see the cherry blossoms when they’re in bloom, too. Now that’s what we call romantic engagement shoot surroundings!

Beautiful Engagement Photography in Prospect Park, Brooklyn

For something beautiful but a little less obvious than Central Park, you can’t go wrong with Prospect Park. From the incredibly grand entrance, Grand Army Plaza, to the Prospect Park Boathouse’s stunning architecture, there are plenty of areas to wander around. You’ll have as much variety in your NYC engagement photos as any other park in the city!

Wherever You Had Your First Date

From the West Village to Smorgasburg, we’ve seen it all. Choosing the special place where your relationship started is a great way to spend your engagement session. Think about places that are special to your relationship, whether that’s where you were proposed to or where you spent your early days together.

Other New York Engagement Photo Locations

• Riverside Park
• Coney Island
• Astoria Park
• Gantry Plaza State Park
• Brooklyn Heights Promenade
• Conservatory Garden
• Bushwick Collective
• Washington Square Park
• Marsha P Johnson State Park

Booking NYC Engagement Photography

No matter what kind of couple you are or whatever type of environment you prefer, New York City has it all and even more besides. We’d love to plan your NYC engagement photos with you, so get in touch and let’s get started!