New York City is full of endless picture-perfect spots for couples sessions. Whether you want the high class vibe of the Metropolitan Museum of Art or a low-key eclectic style of a Brooklyn stoop, everyone can feel at home in NYC. Engagement sessions are a very special time for couples and one of my favorite things to capture as a wedding photographer in New York! Keep reading to learn all about how the top photo locations for your New York City engagement session.
The Best Spots for Photos in NYC
We’ve compiled a list of the best locations for your New York City engagement session. From the top of the Rockefeller Center to the Brooklyn Bridge, these are so many stunning areas in New York City that you’ll want to put on your list for your engagement session locations.
Top of the Rock – Rockefeller Center
Not only is it one of the most iconic buildings in the city, but Rockefeller Center is also one of the best spots for photos in NYC! Although the Rock offers many unique photo locations, my favorite is the Rockefeller Center’s top. From stunning cityscape visuals to the legendary wind that will beautifully blow your hair to provide you with a Beyonce moment, the top of Rockefeller Center is an excellent option for your New York City engagement session!
Pro Tips for Engagement Sessions at the Top of Rockefeller Center
Make sure to buy the VIP tickets that allow you to bypass the long lines you’re bound to experience, regardless of the time of year. And remember, VIP tickets for the Rockefeller Center allow you to use a private elevator that brings you right to the top in only a few minutes!
The Met – The Metropolitan Museum of Art
There’s a reason the first Monday in May is iconic, and it’s not just because of the celebrities and glamour of the Met Gala! The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a legendary spot in the city that I adore for New York City engagement sessions. Whether you’re having your Gossip Girl moment on the stairs outside or want to admire your lover alongside incredible art inside the museum, The Met is a fantastic option for engagement photos.
If you want to have your engagement sessions inside The Met, you’ll need to pay the entry price (which is a donation to the museum) to enter the galleries. Luckily, once inside The Met it’s a highly convenient location for engagement session photos – plenty of restrooms will allow for quick and easy outfit changes.
Below is one of my favorite rooms in The Met, and one I highly recommend if you want breathtaking, light-filled photos. The room is a large space with ample light coming through and has some unique features like the pool!
Pro Tips for Engagement Sessions at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Walk to The Met in casual attire and change into fancier outfits when you’re there! Walking through security in your fancy clothes can feel awkward on a casual weekday afternoon, and who wants to take the subway in a suit and tie? Come in your comfy commuter clothes – we’ll make sure you look stunning once we’re inside The Met!
Secondly, keep your eye out for some cool art and walk around while your photographer captures you as you gaze upon all the iconic displays!
Lastly, be patient! I know what you’re thinking – this scene looks easy and flawless. What if I told you it was pretty tricky? The truth behind these images is that we had to wait for enough people to walk by, and in the end, I STILL had to edit out crowds of people in the back. The waiting and extra editing time were worth it, resulting in some truly epic photos. If you’re dreaming of a shot like this, just come prepared! It may take a few minutes of standing in position.
Central Park
Let’s go for a stroll, shall we? Every corner of Central Park is stunning during the spring and summer seasons – it’s incredibly gorgeous! However, the park is also stunning in the fall when the leaves change or in the winter with a light dusting of snow. It’s impossible to go wrong with holding your New York City engagement session at Central Park. I adore capturing couples as they wander through the park’s winding paths or cuddle up on a cute cozy bench. Central Park is perfect for engagement sessions and portraits with your person.
Want to know a secret? Inside Central Park are several hidden gems that deserve their own spot on our list of top locations! Keep reading to check out where they are and what their official names are, trust me when I say you’re going to want to write these down!
The Mall
First up, we have The Mall. This is a tree-lined promenade located in Central Park. When the park is in full bloom in the spring and summer, you’ll find a beautiful canopy of vibrant green trees, tons of park benches, and some fun street vendors! I love taking my couples to The Mall and seeing their faces light up when they see the promenade!
Pro Tips for Engagement Sessions at The Mall in Central Park
To find The Mall, you’ll want to enter from Terrace Drive at 5th & 72nd (this will be the easiest and most convenient way to get there!) Walk toward Bethesda Terrace (which, is next on our list!), and take a left once you see the Terrace. Soon you’ll see the promenade of trees!
Bethesda Terrace
Bethesda Terrace is one of my favorite settings in Central Park, and even the city! There are three large staircases at the entrance of the Terrace that are so fun to play with and utilize during your session. People obsess over Bethesda Terrace in Central Park for a good reason! The engagement photos I have taken at Bethesda Terrace have always been some of my favorites.
Pro Tips for Engagement Sessions at Bethesda Terrace in Central Park
Go early in the morning to avoid crowds. But at the end of the day, you’re in the city, and people in the background can be a total “NYC” vibe!
Secondly, make sure to utilize the gorgeous architecture within the terrace! From large staircases to stunning murals and historic designs, Bethesda Terrace is a truly stunning spot in Central Park. Utilizing the architecture within the Terrace is a fan-favorite for many reasons. I love how it provides shade and a moody look during the engagement session in Central Park.
Another tip is to check out the fountain! I ADORE this spot. It’s a beloved area within the park and a spot people obsess over. The stunning architecture we find within the Terrace is incorporated on the fountain, and the grand size of this structure makes for some legendary photos.
Bow Bridge
Not far from the Bethesda Fountain, you’ll find the Bow Bridge. Often filled with families, tourists, couples, and puppies taking walks on busy days, the Bow Bridge is busy but worth it! If you’re planning a New York City engagement session that mimics a romantic old-time style movie, Bow Bridge is the perfect spot in Central Park to explore. I love the Bow Bridge in the summer and seeing how the sun reflects off the water and bounces off the trees.
Pro Tips for Engagement Sessions at Bow Bridge in Central Park
Go early in the mornings or later in the day for fewer crowds and perfect lighting, and consider taking photos just a few steps from Bow Bridge. Check out these views!
Conservative Garden
To wrap up our list of engagement session spots in Central Park, we have the Conservatory Garden. This breathtaking public landscape is one of the city’s most significant gardens! With English-style gardens on the South side to French-style gardens in the North, you can customize your New York City engagement session in the Conservatory Gardens to fit your style and vibe perfectly.
Pro Tips for Engagement Sessions at the Conservatory Garden in Central Park
Enter on the East Side between 104th & 106th, and make sure you check in with their hours of operation – they close earlier in the winter months, so if you’re dreaming of a wintery wonderland engagement session in the gardens, consider going in the morning!
Brooklyn Bridge
As one of the most iconic bridges in New York City, the Brooklyn Bridge is a beautiful spot for engagement photos in the city. Although the Brooklyn Bridge is a beautiful spot for photos, it is BUSY, so timing your photos is essential. If you’re using Brooklyn Bridge as your engagement session location, you’ll need to be okay with the fact that there will be people in the background. But that’s NYC for you, right?
DUMBO
When you don’t want the chaos of the Brooklyn Bridge but want the authentic ambiance of Brooklyn, hit up DUMBO! We can head to the iconic alleyway with a perfect view of the Brooklyn Bridge in the background and visit the other incredible locations, like the carousel.
The Waterfront at Brooklyn Bridge
Looking for fantastic views of the Brooklyn Bridge, East River, and Manhattan skyline? Check out the Waterfront at Brooklyn Bridge. The Waterfront is one of the city’s most beautiful and quaint locations. I love exploring different areas on the water, it makes it feel like we’re miles away from downtown Brooklyn but we are right in it! Plus, these views?! They don’t get any better than this!
Pro Tips for Engagement Sessions On The Waterfront at Brooklyn Bridge
Check out Pebble Beach and the local piers nearby!
New York Public Library
Looking for a location that features historic architecture, beautiful lighting, and feels more private than most spots in New York? The New York Public Library would be perfect for you. This location made its way to our list of top New York City engagement session locations because it is breathtaking. The Greek-inspired architecture, grand staircase, and ample space are the perfect setting for photos in New York City.
The Edge
Step outside and embrace the city skyline on the Edge NYC. Located in Hudson Yards, the Edge is an incredible outdoor sky deck and is the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere! The Edge isn’t for the faint of heart; it’s HIGH. But the result is worth it.
Prospect Park
Located in Brooklyn, Prospect Park is a quaint park perfect for engagement photos. With unique architecture, Prospect Park is a great way to experience the heart of New York City. The park is open to all and is an inviting environment that will make you feel right at home. You may be familiar with some of the architecture within Prospect Park, like the Soldiers and Sailor’s Arch and the Boathouse and Audubon Center. Like Central Park in Manhattan, Prospect Park offers endless backdrops with various vibes to capture your engagement photos.
Pro Tips for Engagement Sessions On The Waterfront at Prospect Park
Keep in mind that you may need to obtain a permit to capture your engagement photos in Prospect Park. Make sure you check their website for any details and information you may need to know!
Any Stoop in Brooklyn
Is anyone else absolutely obsessed with the character the Brooklyn Brownstone stoops have?! Seriously, ANY stoop in Brooklyn is the perfect setting for a New York City engagement session. Walk the streets of Brooklyn and watch for stoops dressed up with plants and flowers; these will elevate your engagement photos at 0 cost to you! Just ensure you’re mindful of any residents entering or leaving through the stoops.
From Manhattan to Brooklyn, there are endless locations in the city for you to capture your dream engagement photos. Hopefully, this guide to NYC engagement session locations provides you with a few ideas, and note the pro tips and tricks to make your experience even better!
Looking for a photographer to capture your New York City engagement session? Submit an inquiry on my website, and let’s chat!
