Top 3 Locations for Engagement Pictures in NYC.

So your significant other just popped the question! Now, the exciting planning process finally begins! If you’re a bride looking to do engagement photos in NYC, you’re likely overwhelmed by the endless possibilities. We’re professional photographers who have vetted all of the locations you can think of — so we’d like to make your lives easier by sharing three of the top places for engagement pictures in NYC:

In addition, for more suggestions on how to plan the best engagement session experience and helpful tips for timing, outfits, and makeup, visit our engagement session guide

1. Botanical Gardens

If you’re looking to take pictures in the concrete jungle without a background that consists of buildings and street lights, the botanical garden is the perfect location for you. With over 250 acres of a gorgeous landscape filled with over one million flowers, it’s a location that offers various unique spots.

Background Information

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) was inspired by the Royal Botanic Gardens when Nathaniel Lord Britton and his wife, Elizabeth, visited the lush gardens and felt that NYC should offer a similar place for people to escape to and learn about plants. Subsequently, NYBG is now the largest botanical garden in the United States. You would never know that you’re right in the heart of the Bronx just by looking around.

Prime Spots

One of the appealing features of this location is that you can find a fantastic spot year-round. The seasons heavily affect the shooting locations since various shrubs and flowers bloom at different times of the year. The New York Botanical Garden’s website offers a beneficial tool that allows you to browse the different gardens and see why this made our list of best places to take engagement pictures in NYC.

Below is a list of our favorite locations sorted by season:

Spring: The Native Plant Garden is stunning in the spring because the flowers are in full bloom. As a result, this lovely couple decided to shoot their engagement photos in this garden during springtime. Can you even tell they’re in NYC? This garden makes the location feel like it’s somewhere far away from the city.

Summer: The Rose Garden and Lilac Collection are great locations during the spring & summer season. Above all they provide a pop of color amongst the backdrop of endless greenery.

Fall: The Seasonal Walk, Magnolias, and Maple Collection have vibrant autumn colors that will enhance the photo.

Winter: The Rock Garden and Ornamental Conifers will make for a backdrop that looks like you’ve just stepped into a winter wonderland.

In Conclusion

The Botanical Gardens is one of the best places to shoot your engagement photos in NYC because you can have several different shots that look like they were taken in completely different locations. We love shooting engagement sessions here because it feels private and secluded for everyone. Most importantly, the pictures turn out unique every single time.

2. Central Park

If you’re looking for the best of both worlds — a mix of the city backdrop and nature — then you should consider Central Park. Central Park is a trendy place to shoot engagement pictures in NYC because of its convenient location in the center of Manhattan and distinctive background.

Background Information

Central Park was created in 1853 when New York State Legislature enacted a law to set aside 775 acres of land in Manhattan. Central Park became the United State’s first major landscaped public park. It has become an iconic location for couples to take their engagement photos.

Seasonal Attributes

Central Park is breathtaking in the fall as the trees’ colors are bright and vibrant. The spring and summertime are also popular times to shoot engagement photos because the greenery is flourishing during these seasons. Winter is not nearly as popular as the other seasons, mainly because it’s frigid, and many of the trees have lost their leaves. We find that the snow-covered pathways and bridges throughout the park make shooting your engagement session in Central Park during the winter months worthwhile.

Prime Spots

The Rocks: We love shooting around the rocks because the vantage point is incredible from the top. The rocks provide a clear shot of just you, your sweetheart, and a remarkable backdrop of NYC.

The Lake: Water front pictures in NYC make for a stunning background year-round, but it’s best during the warmer months. The Pond & Bethesda Fountain are beautiful on a bright sunny day and definitely hot spots for pictures. You can also visit the Loeb Boathouse when it’s warm — making it possible to catch some shots of you and your partner on a rowboat. ‘Lovers on a rowboat in Central Park’ is a classic concept that everyone seems to love.

The Bridges & Arches: Central Park is filled with bridges & fun little archways throughout. Bow Bridge or Gapstow Bridge are some of the more popular locations and provide an interesting element to any engagement session. The photo below is one of our favorite shots in Central Park — this bridge acts as a romantic background while the couple shine because they’re having fun. The contrast between the two is really unique and quite special.

A few other fun locations in Central Park:

Ending Note

Central Park is a very popular place to shoot engagement photos in New York City (and for a good reason). While it’s fun to take pictures in some of the iconic locations seen in television shows and films, we believe in taking a creative approach to all of our photoshoots to ensure that you and your fiancé have a set of engagement photos that are special and meaningful to you.

3. DUMBO

Now that we’ve covered a location filled with nature and one with a nice mix of city and nature elements, it’s time to discuss one of the best spots to shoot for a city backdrop. Dumbo is known for its unique art scene — and it’s perfect for you if you’re looking for an edgy-vibe with your engagement pictures in NYC.

Dumbo Brooklyn — Washington and Water Streets in Dumbo, Brooklyn.

Background Information

DUMBO (a.k.a. Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is a neighborhood in Brooklyn that became popular within the last decade or so. The flourishing art scene and rustic buildings are accompanied by a pristine view of Manhattan across the river.

Seasonal Attributes

Since DUMBO is immersed in the cityscape, there’s no ideal time to shoot here like there are for the other two listed locations.

As seen in the photo below, seasons do not significantly impact images if the background is composed of buildings.

People often opt to shoot outdoors when the temperate is comfortable in NYC, but besides that, there are not many seasonal attributes to this location. Suppose you’re looking to shoot in DUMBO because of the view of the famous Manhattan Bridge. In that case, you may want to consider shooting in warmer weather if you’re near the water (or wearing appropriate attire for the cold waterfront).

Prime Spots

The Manhattan Bridge: This is a popular place to shoot engagement photos because the bridge is an iconic landmark in NYC. The image below is a playful shot taken on the waterfront. The shot’s focus is on the couple (of course), but the Manhattan Bridge looks majestic in the background.

Jane’s Carousel: This location is incredibly unique to DUMBO — and makes for the cutest engagement photos. The carousel is right on the waterfront, making this location look like a dream when paired with you and your honey.

Washington Street: People often think of this cobblestone street when they hear the word ‘DUMBO’ because it’s a popular location to take photos. The cobblestone street is lined with rustic and modern-looking buildings and a view of the Manhattan Bridge in the background.

A few other fun locations in Dumbo, Brooklyn

Ending Note

DUMBO is a beautiful place to shoot your engagement pictures in NYC if you feel in love in the New York and would like to capture the city’s energy. It could also be a great place to photograph your engagement photos if you’re from the suburbs and would like to include the iconic Manhattan Bridge.