Favorite Engagement session locations
Favorite engagement session locations
I love engagement sessions so much! It’s such a great time to get to know my couples and for them to get comfortable in front of the camera. One of the most common questions I get about engagement sessions has to do with locations. I’m always happy to give recommendations, but I always ask my couple a few questions first.
Is there a specific place that is special or has significance to you and your relationship? I love when the engagement sessions is a sweet and fun day for my couples.
Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park in Atlanta is a popular choice for engagement photos due to its size, variety of locations, and dog-friendly atmosphere, offering a unique and memorable experience for couples.
Ponce City Market
For a change of pace from a park, check out Ponce City Market! Just be sure to go in the morning when it isn’t crowded!
Cator Woolford Gardens
A stunning 1920’s Italian-estate and gardens in Atlanta, which is a popular location for engagement and wedding photos, and does require a reservation fee for photo shoots.
Jackson Street Bridge
If you’re looking for the skyline & the prettiest sunsets… this is the place!
Winn Park
Little ponds, stone paths… sunlight coming through the trees. This tiny park in the middle of Atlanta is a true gem!
Toccoa Falls
Who doesn’t love waterfalls right? I absolutely love the haze that falling water particles provide in my pictures. It is located on the campus of Toccoa Falls College and is a very short like 3 minutes flat surface hike to the actual falls. The water is a about 6 ish feet deep towards the falls and so if you plan on getting in the water for some photos, you totally can!
Pro Tip: The falls now close at 5 PM so plan to go before that. You would go all the way to the back to the white building and enter through the store. Also watch out for snakes during summer.
Arabia Mountains
If you want a mountain feel with not too terrible of a hike then Arabia Mountains is the place to be. It’s located in Lithonia, Georgia. It’s a very easy few minutes hike to the mountain part. You can see various plants and colorful vegetation here in the fall and if you go early morning in winter, there is a gorgeous fog that surrounds the place and it even has a beautiful sunrise and sunset!
Pro tip #1. To avoid GPS issues at Arabia Mountains, park at the wildlife center instead of the main parking lot and then drive about a mile or two to the wildlife center, which will be on your left after passing a white barn on your right. Communicate with anyone you need to before turning onto Klondike Road, as there's no cell service until the top of the mountain.
Pro tip #2. If you plan to shoot at the barn, you need to take permission of the owner prior to the shoot since it’s private property and now closed off to outsiders.
Cloudland Canyon
If you don’t mind a little bit of a hike and by little I mean about a 100 steps or so to get to the actual waterfall then you will love it here. Cloudland Canyon is located in Rising Fawn, GA. Not only does it have gorgeous views of the Canyon but also few waterfalls that you can shoot at. The first one called the Cherokee Falls is the quickest one to get to. I believe it’s a 2 mile hike round trip and those stairs are a workout but once you get there, it’s so worth all the effort. Going down is not bad at all, it’s coming back up is what takes the most out of you.
Pro tip: Be sure to take most of your photos before you head back up because the hike back up will definitely make you sweaty. There is a hidden rock “lookout point” on the trail before you get to the stairs. I highly recommend you get to it and take some pictures over looking the stunning mountains. Also, be on the lookout on where you step because of the snakes.
Marietta Square
Downtown Marietta has seriously some of the cutest nooks and beautiful murals everywhere you turn. You can start at one street and walk two blocks and I guarantee you, you will find 10 places to take pictures. And if afterwards you still want some nature shots, head over to Kennesaw Mountain and frolic a little bit in the field.
Pro tip: If you want to take full advantage of most of the cute spots, aim to take your photos at sunrise or close to sunset so that there won’t be sun everywhere in your photos or too many people.
Atlanta Rooftops
If you don’t like the hustle and bustle but yet want the urban look, you may opt for one of the roof tops of the many parking decks in Atlanta that can provide a view of the amazing skyline as well as the ferris wheel. Another one of the amazing locations that provides a great view of the skyline even at night is the rooftop of Ventanas. Do keep in mind that Ventanas charge a fee to utilize their place for photo sessions but the view from their helipad is truly one of the BEST!
Prospect Farms
This is one of my favorite spots! I use this for families and seasonal photo sessions (like for fall and Christmas mini’s). It is located in Lawrenceville. Big land to take a walk in the beautiful sunset. They have different sections that you can use like sunflower field, greenhouse, studio.
McDaniel Farm Park
Another one of my favorite spots and also hold a special meaning in my heart. This is where my husband and I got married. McDaniel FarmPark situated on a 1930s-era cotton farm with historic structures & equipment amid multi-use trails. It has a beautiful white house with a porch and swings. You can sit with your soul mate on the swing or on the front steps. There’s other spots to take your engagement session out on the open field of grass or by the barn (there’s a little bridge right by the barn.)
Think outside of the box:
Looking for something non-traditional and super fun that’s unique to you guys, how about do your photos at one of these places below or a lifestyle session doing something you both enjoy doing together such a baking, painting etc.
Local Airbnbs. Want to have a lifestyle session but don’t want to do it at your own house? Get on airbnb. There are tons of adorable places on there that can be rented for your photo session. Think about how cute it would be. Just make sure to clear with the host that you will be taking pictures. Most don’t mind but it’s nice to let them know. You can get really creative with these sessions and include some of your hobbies into the photos such as baking, playing video games. You get the idea!
Other fun places. You can also use are arcades, mini golf. (Or Target riding around in buggies.)
Local fast food places. You can go to Varsity or Chick-fil-a or anyplace you have in mind. Order a milkshake to share with two straws.
