New York City is a magical place - and whether you’re a local or you’re traveling for your session, it’s an amazing place for some engagement photos with an urban backdrop! This guide will give you some tips for engagement photos in NYC - potential locations, choosing a date, and more.
The Best Time for Engagement Photos in NYC
One of the first things you’ll need to do as you start planning your engagement session is set a date! New York definitely sees all four seasons, and your experience will be really different depending on when you get your photos taken.
Winter Engagement Photos in NYC
Winter isn’t a lot of couples’ first choice - but it can be a really amazing time for engagement photos in NYC! It’ll definitely be cold (daytime temperatures are usually in the 30s or 40s, while night time gets below freezing), but if you get some fresh snow, taking photos in a winter wonderland can be a really magical experience. There are also usually fewer people out and about, so in a lot of places, you’ll be able to have your engagement session without an audience. Just make sure to bundle up!
Spring Engagement Photos in NYC
Spring is one of the best times for engagement photos in NYC! Temperatures are mild - and it isn’t too hot, so it’s a perfect time for outdoor photos. March can still be a little unpredictable, with cold days and occasional snow, but by April and May, the city comes back to life, flowers start blooming, and there are also a lot of festivals and events this time of year.
Summer Engagement Photos in NYC
Summer is beautiful in NYC - you’ll usually see people hanging out at the parks, or flocking out of the city and to the beach! The days are usually hot and sunny, so it’s best to schedule your engagement session for sunrise or sunset, when it’s not too toasty and the humidity isn’t as strong. You’ll also have amazing lighting during these times!
Fall Engagement Photos in NYC
Fall is my absolute fav! When the leaves change, it can be a really amazing time for engagement photos - and in the fall, New York’s parks are a gorgeous display of orange and yellow. The weather is usually still warm and comfortable during the day, cooling down a little from the heat of summer, so it’s a great time to explore outdoors!
Where to Take Engagement Photos in NYC
A big part of planning your engagement session is deciding where to do it. New York is a big place - and there are countless options for photos! Here are a few ideas for where to take engagement photos in NYC.
Central Park
Central Park is a classic - one of the most iconic places in the city! Located between the Upper West and Upper East Sides of Manhattan, this park is one of the best places to find a little bit of nature in the city. There are a few different spots around the park, so spend some time exploring during your session!
Brooklyn Bridge
Another amazing place for engagement photos in NYC is the Brooklyn Bridge - a suspension bridge across the East River. Sunrise is a great time for photos on the bridge, when there aren’t a lot of people around! Nearby, on the Brooklyn side, is Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is another great place to go.
Coney Island
Coney Island is on the outskirts of the city, but it’s an amazing place for engagement photos! You can get ice cream, ride the ferris wheel, walk along the boardwalk, and enjoy the beach.
Just Walk Around!
When you take your engagement photos in NYC, you can also just wander the city and stop for photos! If you have a few favorite spots, like cool architecture, cute coffee shops, or little parks that you like, all of these make for a great place to take photos. Engagement photos are a way to celebrate this time in your life, and it should be fun! So we can go for a little adventure and explore the city.
Tips for Engagement Photos in NYC
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you prepare for your engagement session, and on the day of!
What to Wear
Collaborating on what to wear is one of my favorite things to do as a photographer! I love working with you when figuring out a style and vibe. When you pick out outfits for your engagement photos, you want to look your best! But it’s also just as - if not more - important that you’re comfortable wearing the clothes you have picked out. Choose clothes that fit well and let you move freely, and make sure there’s no poking or pinching.
Most importantly, even if your outfits that you picked out are edgy or a little different than what you normally wear, that's okay! As long as you love them and feel confident wearing them, that's all that matters. Your photos will be best when you’re having a good time and enjoying yourselves, and part of that is finding clothes that you feel amazing in! Consider the season too - you don’t want to be shivering in the snow or sweating in the sun, so dress for the weather during your engagement session.
Since we’ll likely be walking around a little for your engagement photos, make sure that your shoes are comfortable too - if you want to wear heels, it’s a good idea to bring an extra pair of shoes to change into!
A lot of couples do two outfits for their engagement photos - one more casual one and one dressy outfit. Make sure to consult with your photographer about how much time you have and how many outfits you can do!
Schedule Your Engagement Session for a Weekday
When you book your engagement photos in NYC, it’s a good idea to schedule them for a weekday, if possible. Wherever you go, weekends are busier, so taking your photos during the week can be a good way to avoid some of the crowds and allow you to relax without feeling like you have an audience. New York is often busy - but there are some places where you can get away!
Schedule Your Engagement Session for Sunrise or Sunset
During sunrise and sunset, the lighting is amazing - you don’t have those harsh shadows from the sun. But, another great reason to schedule your session for close to these times is that it’s another way to avoid crowds. Sunrise is especially good for this, as very few people are out and about in the morning, but sunset is usually less popular than the middle of the day too!
Book a Photographer for Engagement Photos in NYC
If you want to schedule your engagement photos (or some “just because” couples photos) in NYC, you’ll need a photographer! Documenting this time in your life is so important, and you should have photos that reflect your personality - so if you’re ready to book a session, contact me!
