So you’re engaged, congratulations!! Chances are you’re in the middle of planning your wedding and engagement session, and one of the most common questions I receive is if I can recommend a unique location in the NY/NJ area that is a perfect setting for engagement photos.
There are the common locations in NYC like Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park in Dumbo, South Street Seaport, and more. While beautiful and special each in their own way, these spots have become incredibly popular for sessions which unfortunately makes it increasingly difficult to create something completely unique and different after having photographed at each of them dozens of times.
I’m always on the lookout for new spots within driving distance of NYC that offer a completely different experience and beautifully well manicured grounds. As they are further away from the city, we also don’t need to worry about working around crowds of people as is often the case when photographing in some of the popular locations I listed before.
Below you will find some amazing areas I encourage all my couples to consider!
August 2019 Promotion
Understandably the majority of the locations below require a permit fee, generally in the range of $100-300 as the organizations that care for and manage these spots need funds to continue doing so.
For any couple that schedules a meeting about their wedding before the end of August 2019 and books a full day collection with an engagement session, I will cover the permit fee for any of the locations listed below up to $200!
Simply fill out the form below and let’s start a conversation about your wedding day, discuss ideas for the session, and get to know each other 🙂
This offer is valid only for new clients that are booking their wedding in the month of August 2019 for weddings taking place in 2019 or 2020. Engagement sessions can take place any time before the wedding given availability – typically weekdays with very limited weekend availability.
Full day collections that include an engagement session start at $3000. Cannot be combined with any other promotions.
Deep Cut Gardens
Deep Cut Gardens – 152 Red Hill Rd, Middletown, NJ 07748
Permit Fee: $65/hour
Private Indoor Location
Located in Red Hook, Brooklyn
Permit Fee:
- 1.5 hours – $300
- 2 hours – $355
Planting Fields Arboretum
Planting Fields Arboretum – 1395 Planting Fields Rd, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
Permit Fee: $100 for entire grounds or $300 if including the inside of the Camellia House
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ 08544
Skylands Manor
Skylands Manor – 5 Morris Rd, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Bartow-Pell Mansion
Bartow-Pell Mansion – 895 Shore Rd, The Bronx, NY 10464
Permit Fee:
- Interior and Exterior: 1.5 hours, $300
- Exterior: 1 hour, $200
Jamaica Bay Riding Academy
Jamaica Bay Riding Academy – 7000 Shore Parkway Brooklyn, New York 11234
Permit Fee: $250/1 hour session with a horse
Untermyer Park and Gardens
Untermyer Park and Gardens – 945 N Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701
Permit fee: $200 for Yonkers residents, $400 for non-residents.
Lyndhurst Mansion
Lyndhurst Mansion – 635 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591
Permit Fee: $350 first hour +$300 additional hours
Mill Neck House
Mill Neck House – 40 Frost Mill Rd, Mill Neck, NY 11765
Permit fee:
- $300 outdoors
- $450 outdoors/indoors.
Engagement Session Planning Guide
There are so many things to consider beyond just choosing a location when planning your engagement session! I’ve put together a super helpful resource to help you in choosing a style, location, wardrobe, tips on hair and makeup, ideas for using your images after the session, and more!
Enter your name and email below and you’ll receive the guide in your inbox within a few minutes 🙂
