Whether its your first time in New York City, or you are a born and bread New Yorker, Central Park is one of the must-visit places to put on your list. It truly is an oasis inside of the city that never sleeps with tons of special spots, gorgeous locations, and venues to visit. It’s also one of my most photographed locations that my clients request.
I wanted to share a few of my favorite locations and helpful tips for planning your engagement photos inside Central Park. Each location varies from season to season but if whenever you visit, you are sure to be delighted each and every time!
Best Locations for Engagement Photos in Central Park
Looking for the perfect location inside Central Park for you engagement photos? I’ve grown to prefer a few spots to visit with my clients year after and year and I bet you’d like them too!
No.1 - Bethesda Terrace & Bethesda Fountain: Enter Propsect Park along East or West 72nd Street and walk along Central Park Drive. You’ll soon come to the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain which are located directly in the middle of the park. You’ll see the grand staircase with all of its intricate details and unsurpassed beauty. From the steps, to the covered walkway, stone pathway to the iconic Bethesda Fountain. You simply cannot go wrong with making this your very first stop when visiting Central Park.
No. 2 - The Ladies Pavilion - Located on West Side at 57th street, this tucked away structure is a true gem. It’s perfect for your engagement photos, elopements, or for having a picnic lunch with your special someone. I love the blue tone and grey roof which stands out among all of the green inside the park. You’ll also enjoy looking at the pond while enjoying your summer rosé!
No. 3 - The Bow Bridge - I’m not sure there is a more photographic location inside Central Park than the Bow Bridge. Located mid park at 74th street, the bow bridge resembles a bow of a violin and you can sometimes find musicians playing by the bridge during the day. It’s so romantic!
No. 4 - The Loeb Boathouse - If you’ve ever seen When Harry Met Sally, then you are pretty familiar with The Loeb Boathouse. Clients can host their weddings and events inside the event space but if you just want to have it in the background of your photos, you can do that easily from the Bethesda Terrace. Also, couples can rent out row boats when they are available which makes for the sweetest engagement photos.
No. 5 - Oak Bridge - A hidden bridge off the beaten path, I stumbled on to this hidden gem during one of my engagement sessions at Central Park. It’s brown which is a stark contrast from the Bow Bridge but I love the detailing on the side and that it leads you into the heart of the park.
No. 6 - Shakespears’s Garden - Located on the West Side at 79th street, it’s a hidden garden right inside Central Park. It’s planted with flowers and herbs mentioned from Shakespears plays and poems. Spring is always my favorite time of year to go and sometimes you can even hear the live events happening right next door.
No. 7 - The Conservatory Gardens - At the tippy top of Central Park, you’ll find one of my favorite spots to visit, The Conservatory Gardens. Photography is permitted for engagement and family photos, but for wedding party’s, you will need to apply for a permit. This perfectly manicured garden is meticulous kept and when in full bloom, idealic. It’s a bit of hike to get there but the 2/3 subways stops are very close and it’s just a short walk to the iron gates to enter the Conservatory Gardens.
No. 8 - The Mall - Located at the top of the Bethesda Terrace is The Mall inside Central Park. This location is full of street vendors, local artists, and performers but if you go early enough, you can get this majestic tree covered row all to yourself for some pretty incredible engagement photos. Oh, and in the Fall, it’s absolutely stunning with the foliage!
4 Tips for Great Photos in Central Park
Want to ensure you have the best time during your engagement photos? Yes, of course you do so, I’ve put together my 4 tips best to make sure that you have great photo session while you are visiting Central Park.
No. 1 - Arrive Early - I recommend visiting the park early to avoid crowds during your engagement photos. I know not everyone is an early riser but the benefits of no random people in the background of your engagement photos is going to be worth it in the end.
No. 2 - Pick One or Two Spots - It can be overwhelming at first deciding where to visit, put choose at least one to two locations you must visit during your photos. Most of my couples pick locations that are meaningful to them and then I scout a few days beforehand to ensure it’s going to work for our vision for the session.
No. 3 - Dress for the Season - I always recommend wearing clothing that fits well and something that you feel amazing in however, you also want to make sure that you are dressing appropriately for the season and temperature inside the park. It can be chilly before sunrise so make sure to bring a cardigan or light jacket to wear if you are wearing a dress. Men can bring jackets and blazers to keep themselves warm during photos and even wear them if they work with their attire.
No. 4 - Get a Permit - If you are having your photographer and videographer come with you for your engagement photos, you might need a permit. Also, so special locations, such as the Namburg Bandshell require a permit to use them during a specific period of time. Most permits are free (unless it’s a commercial shoot) but you simply need to apply online to get one.
Central Park Photos Throughout The Seasons
I mentioned it early, but you really can’t go wrong with any time of year you decide to visit Central Park for your engagement photos. I will admit that I prefer Spring and Fall simply for the blooms and foliage but Summer is probably my third favorite season there too. The sunsets inside the park on the Great Lawn are simply magical.
You might be wondering where is Winter in my list, well, I actually do not photograph engagement sessions in the Winter in New York City. It’s simply too cold (in my opinion) for couples to open up and relax when they are freezing and bundled in 100 layers! Of course, if any of my couples want to visit a warm destination for their engagement photos during the cold Winter months, I’m always open to the possibilities of new places to photograph.
Here are a few of my favorite engagement photos throughout Central Park from Spring, Summer, and Fall.
My Favorite Engagement Session Photos in Central Park
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