An engagement photo session is a truly special event for couples to enjoy as they approach their big day. As a photographer, it is important to find the best locations to capture these moments and treasure them for a lifetime. Fortunately, we have a wide variety of places to select from here at the Jersey Shore.
If you are a photographer looking for exciting locations to wow your couples this year, this article is for you. We will show you some of the best locations in New Jersey to consider for your upcoming engagement photo session. Let’s dive in.
Spring Lake
If you want your engagement photos to have a beach and a park as the backdrop, look no further than Spring Lake. Spring Lake is a very calm beachfront and doesn’t have a boisterous boardwalk like other beaches along Jersey Shore. I mean, this charming little beach town has everything. It is a short distance from the beach and features a wonderful park, a lake, and charming bridges.
Speaking of bridges, the two wooden bridges and the lake’s surrounding vegetation make the ideal backdrop and a great place to start an engagement photo shoot. Divine Park surrounding the lake is usually a favorite site for wedding photographs and engagement sessions due to its convenient location in Monmouth County and its stunning surroundings.
Spring and fall are the greatest seasons for engagement photography images at Spring Lake. You’ll get awesome photos with a magnificent backdrop of blooming trees.
Engagement Photos with Variety at Sayen Gardens
Sayen Gardens Park in Hamilton, New Jersey, provides a rustic and natural setting for an engagement photo shoot. As you go around the beautifully maintained park, you’ll notice that the greenery is all in full bloom, giving you a peaceful, secluded atmosphere. Couples glow as they waltz and feel each other’s warmth amid nature as the sun sets behind trees.
Sayen Gardens has so much variety crammed into a comparatively small area that you nearly wouldn’t know it was one place. Its natural surroundings make for the ideal setting for an authentic and laid-back engagement session that is primarily focused on the interactions between couples.
There are no entrance fees or photography licenses needed when visiting Sayen Gardens. It is open from sunrise to sunset, allowing you to organize sessions when the lighting is at its best. It is breathtaking both in the spring and summer when the flowers are flowering in various hues, and there is a sea of green as far as the eye can see.
When autumn arrives, the trees and the ground’s leaves change into a stunning combination of yellow, orange, and red. It is one of our top recommendations for visiting during the height of the autumn foliage. Even in the winter, when it snows, the numerous terraces and walks transform into stunning, one-of-a-kind white sculptures.
Asbury Park Boardwalk
Asbury Park Boardwalk is definitely a location to consider if you want your images to have an artsy, unique, or slightly off-beat aesthetic. Everybody may find a little something to enjoy at Asbury Park Boardwalk. This trendy neighborhood and beachside promenade offer an astounding range of venues for couples to practice being intimate in front of the camera, from architecturally intriguing buildings to seaside eateries and unique stores to accessible beach access.
Engagement photo sessions do not require any permits and parking is easy to find both off-season and during the summer. While it is a fantastic location to take pictures year-round, the weekends during the summer beach season can get crowded.
Evening photoshoot sessions can take you all the way down the boardwalk, past the ancient casino and carousel structures, to the Paramount Theater. The many interesting works of art and murals that adorn the walls are always a lot of fun and provide an excellent backdrop.
As the sun drops, you may also get on the beach and venture out onto the rock jetty for a few more pictures. In our opinion, no other location in NJ has the same potential to be utilized in so many diverse photographic contexts.
Sunset Engagement Photos at Hoboken
Hoboken is a fantastic site to get various shots because of the shoreline, train station, and nearby parks. It has a unique ambiance and offers vistas of New York City. Everybody who desires an urban vibe will find something to like along the seaside.
We recommend starting the engagement photo shoot sessions earlier in the evening as it is the best time to capture the New York City skyline at sunset during the lovely golden hour. The Hudson River-facing pier parks are a good place to start your photography. They offer unhindered views of the New York City skyline while maintaining a typical park atmosphere with walkways, seats, and other features. Then you can travel uptown to the Stevens Institute and down the streets dotted with eye-catching brownstones.
Another well-known location nearby is Court Street, which is still covered in the city’s original cobblestones from when it was first constructed. The picturesque gardens and structures there provide the ideal backdrop. Returning to the waterfront to wrap up the session, you’ll find the Lackawant to Terminal tower wonderfully lit up for a few final pictures while the sun still emits the day’s last rays!
Adventurous Engagement Photo Session at Your Home
Conducting home engagement photo sessions is always incredibly humbling for a wedding photographer. Being welcomed inside a couple’s home to capture their love in all of its natural beauty is a great experience — almost giving you a glimpse of what life will be like once they are married. And when you reflect, you’ll find that these are the days that stick with you the most.
Shooting engagement photos of a couple at their childhood or current residence makes the photos even more intimate. The pictures you’ll take represent a place that holds many particular memories they will cherish for a long time, especially after they leave their first house or apartment. They will have even greater significance when they use them to explain how their love began for their family or children.
Engagement photography is fast adopting at-home picture sessions as the new fashion. They are uncomplicated, cozy, and authentic — a true reflection of each couple. The photographs you take will surely charm them with their understated beauty, something they will treasure for a lifetime.
Ending the Session
There you have it. These are some of the best locations to have a blast at your upcoming engagement photo session. We’ve barely scratched the surface of what to expect in these locations, so be on the lookout for the subtle touches. Additionally, these locations can also give you ideas on possible themes for your big day.
If you are looking for some inspiration or ideas to spruce up your photography, consider perusing our featured photo section or contact us today for more tips on how to up your game.
