The Do’s and Don’ts of NYC Engagement Photos — Plus Our Favorite Spots for a Unique Shoot

Imagine it: 

A photographer is taking your engagement photo while kissing under a flowering tree in Central Park, but PDA isn’t your thing, and you’re left feeling uncomfortable.  

You wish your photographer would capture you candidly as you’re hand-in-hand with your loved one strolling down the Brooklyn Bridge, laughing at her corny jokes that always seem to catch you off guard. 

The ideas for New York City engagement photos are endless, from cozy nooks to rooftops of the city’s tallest skyscrapers.

Engagement photos taken in one of the most romantic cities in the world are a dream for many, but there are some do’s and don’ts to be aware of before booking your photographer and selecting outfits. 

Keep reading, and we will discuss why there’s hype surrounding NYC engagement photos and some location suggestions to make your engagement photos stand out from the rest.  

Table of Contents

What’s All the Hype Surrounding NYC Engagement Photos?

New York City is home to many iconic locations known around the world. If captured by the right proposal photographer, NYC is the perfect place to document this exciting time in your life. 

Engagement Photos Aren’t for Everyone — Start by Deciding if Engagement Photos Will Benefit You

When done correctly, engagement photos can certainly be worth the investment. Some people, however, may find engagement photos uncomfortable and awkward. 

Remember Monica and Chandler having their engagement photos taken in Friends? Yeah, engagement photos are not for everyone. 

Let’s take a closer look at some do’s and don’ts to help you decide if NYC engagement photos are worth it.

Do’s and Don’ts To Help You Decide if NYC Engagement Photos Are Worth the Investment

DO: Book Engagement Photos if You’re Trying To Tell Your Love Story

Do you want to share your love story with others? Then engagement photos might be perfect for you. 

The best engagement photographs tell a story — it’s important to find a photographer who can do this. 

Of course, anyone can pose and have a photographer snap pictures, but the best engagement photographs are those that showcase you and your partner’s passion and story. 

Don’t: Book Engagement Photos Because “Everyone Else Is Doing It”

Just because your friends had engagement photos taken does not mean you need engagement photos taken. Your engagement and wedding are about you, your loved one, and what you both want. 

If you and your fiancée do not feel engagement photos are a worthwhile investment, do not do it. Instead, put that money towards wedding photographs or a memorable honeymoon. 

DO: Book an NYC Engagement Photographer if You Want to Build Chemistry With That Photographer

Another reason for taking engagement photos is to see how you connect with the photographer. Do you have an instant rapport with them? Do they make you comfortable posing in front of them? 

It’s important to note having a rapport with your photographer is beneficial, but you still want to get to know — and love — their photography style and determine your comfort levels.  

The engagement photography session is one of the best ways to:  

  • Practice being in front of a camera
  • Learn how to look your best while being photographed; and
  • Build camaraderie with the photographer

It also allows you to prepare for your wedding day and get to know your photographer better. 

When done well, the engagement photo shoot will allow for zero stress regarding everything photography related once your wedding day arrives.

Soho engagement session mc 0591 scaled

Don’t: Book NYC Engagement Photos as a Way of Seeing if Your Photographer Can Capture Great Photos

Engagement photos are often viewed as a way to evaluate the photographer’s skills. However, this is not necessarily true because engagement sessions are usually posed, and wedding photographs are captured in moments. 

A good portrait photographer may not be a good wedding photographer — wedding photography, and portrait photography are very different. You want a wedding photographer that has a keen eye for those special moments. 

Engagement photos are not the best way to judge a photographer’s quality, but they can help you get to know them better. 

If you are looking for a great pre-wedding photographer in NYC, look no further than Julian Ribinik Wedding Photography. 

With years of experience — and a keen eye for unique, captivating images — we know how to make your wildest NYC photoshoot dreams a reality.   

Your results will be beautiful and unique. 

Get in touch with us today to schedule your pre-wedding photoshoot in NYC.

Discover the Magic of NYC Engagement Photo Shoots at Five of Our Favorite Locations

It is common to see various photography sessions happening all over New York City —some people travel worldwide to take pictures.

You will find a different angle and style whenever you visit one of the various New York City engagement photo locations. Likewise, your perfect backdrop can be found in a variety of locations. 

Let’s look closely at five of the top photography spots in NYC. 

#1: DUMBO

In Brooklyn, the Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass (DUMBO) has endless backdrops and views.

At DUMBO, there are many romantic places where you can get perfect engagement photo views in Manhattan, including: 

  • Views of the Manhattan skyline 
  • Pictures of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges in the background
  • Beautiful cobblestone streets; 

DUMBO is only seven miles from the Manhattan Bridge, but it’s nice and quiet because the tourists tend to head to the busier parts near the carousel and Brooklyn Bridge. 

DUMBO is a beautiful location to capture the New York City skyline. 

The Dumbo neighborhood may be ideal if you are looking for a location with: 

  • Water
  • No permit required
  • Gorgeous views
  • Greenery; and
  • Cobblestone streets

#2: Washington Mews

You will find a quaint, private street in Greenwich Village, just a block from Washington Square Park. This street is Washington Mews — a gated street open to the public for walking. 

This private street is lined with cobblestones and beautiful townhomes, making it an ideal setting for engagement photos.

Washington Mews is one of New York’s best-kept secrets. If you weren’t aware of its existence, you’d probably walk past it without even noticing. 

When open to the public, this gated street looks like a block in a small European town. 

New York University faculty offices are along the street, so it’s not always accessible. But, when it is, the colorful buildings and doorways make it a magical location for romantic New York City engagement photos.

#3: West Village

Looking for a place away from Times Square or most NYC tourist traps? Consider West Village

There is something magical about New York City’s West Village. Here you will find: 

  • Colonial brownstones
  • Towering trees; and
  • Stylish residents 

Its 19th-century townhouses and cobblestone streets contribute to West Village’s charm. It looks much the same as when the neighborhood was the center of some of history’s most influential social movements

Natural light, sweeping architecture, and beautiful and charming greenery offer many options for stunning photography.  

The West Village Townhouse is also famous for engagement shoots because this building used to belong to celebrity photographer Annie Lebowitz.

#4: South Street

New York City’s South Street Seaport is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved areas. 

South Street is home to …

  • Alehouses
  • Pubs; and
  • Museums 

… that all scream New York City, but it has a European feel.   

This neighborhood, where Fulton Street meets the East River, is filled with many monuments. Additionally, it’s located near the Brooklyn Bridge and Wall Street and has views of many iconic old trading buildings. 

Do you want water as a backdrop in your photos? At South Street, you get gorgeous views of the water, which make this area different from other popular city spots.

Want views of the Brooklyn Bridge in your engagement photos? South Street provides excellent views of the bridge.

#5: Cloisters Park

There is a peaceful oasis not far from midtown Manhattan — Cloisters Park

Cloisters Park is four acres of beautiful land on the opposite side of Manhattan. Views of the George Washington Bridge and Hudson River are available from this location.

Cloisters Park also contains The Met Cloisters, one of the world’s most famous museums. 

Cloisters Park is home to old European architecture, which is not easy to find in New York City. So if you are looking for a different style of architecture for the background of your engagement photos, this might be an excellent choice.   

Cloisters Park breaks all expectations of city architecture with its: 

  • Medieval European columns
  • High arches; and 
  • Breathtaking stone walkways along the river.

When there, you feel as if you have escaped the busy, modernized streets of Manhattan.  

Central Park engagement session CM 0153 scaled

Looking for a Photographer Who Can Capture Your Love Story? Book Julian Ribinik for Your NYC Engagement Photos

Are you planning a wedding and deciding if you need engagement photos? 

Maybe you’re trying to find a photographer with experience shooting engagement photos. 

There is a reason Julian Ribinik is the top wedding photographer in New York City. Our customer service is unmatched, and we pay meticulous attention to every detail. 

Our goal is to tell your story with your engagement photos, and we strive to make your wedding day as memorable as possible. 

With the perfect angles and lighting, we will capture every special moment. 

Choosing Julian Ribinik Photography for your NYC engagement photos ensures that your memories will last for generations.

Let’s discuss what we can do to make this season of your life even more perfect.

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