This blog post is meant to help you find the perfect Hudson Valley engagement session locations, and throughout the Northeast. That ring is secured on your finger, vendors are being booked left and right and you are getting to the good parts of wedding planning. Your engagement session is a CRUCIAL step to wedding images that are joyful, romantic, and organic. As a wedding photographer my aim is to educate my clients and make the wedding planning process as easy as possible and our first big step is choosing an engagement session location!

Below is a list of some of my favorite engagement session locations in the Hudson Valley. I photograph weddings all over the Northeast ( and beyond truthfully) but the bulk of these locations can be found in the Hudson Valley,NY. Whether you are one of my couples or not this engagement inspiration blog post is sure to be helpful!

Engagement Session Locations in the Hudson Valley, NY

Vanderbilt Mansion and Historic Site

Allow me to introduce you to Vanderbilt mansion. Located in Hyde Park, NY this stunning mansion boasts incredible architecture, lush gardens in the spring and summer and plenty of greenery. Vanderbilt has been undergoing a restoration for some years now and it was well worth the wait.

Important FAQs about Vanderbilt:

1. No permit required.
2. Bathrooms are available during office hours.
3. Is subject to photographers travel fees.
4. Parking is available and there is easy access.

OLANA STATE HISTORIC SITE, HUDSON NY

Olana was built by a very wealthy man as a gift for his wife, he created the entire property to capture everything she loved. Indian architecture, a heart shaped man made pond, stunning views and a perfectly curated garden. Its a dream, a glowy dream.

Important FAQS for Olana:

1. There is a permit required for photography.
2. There are no bathrooms on the premises.
3. Parking is easy.
4. Travel fee for photographer is very small ( close to home).
5. To see more from this engagement session click here! 
6. 

POETS WALK PARK, Rhinebeck NY

This park has the most sweeping views and lush greenery. A stunning view of the Mid hudson bridge and my FAVORITE tree where the sunsets right beyond its leaves. This park is open dawn until dusk and it beautiful year round.

Important FAQs about Poets walk

1.  No permit fee
2. Easy parking
3. Bathrooms *sometimes* available
4. Very minimal travel fee
5.  To see a blogpost from Poets Walk click here! 

MOODNA VIADUCT,  WASHINGTONVILLE NY

Oh the Viaduct, this little retreat on top of the hill. This location is famous for its train trestle high in the sky that creates such great leading lines. My second favorite tree to photograph is here as well, plus they have fields of sun kissed tall grass.

Important FAQs

1. No permit required
2.   Easy parking
3.  No bathroom access
4. No travel fee for photographer

 

Tarrywile Mansion

Tarrywile is also a wedding venue so the photo ops are abounding. There is a green shrub arch which is gorgeous, wide open fields where the sunsets through tall grass and roses that tuck themselves around a gazebo. Its also not a ton of walking which is always an added plus. Hudson Valley Engagement Session Locations are certainly not hard to come by as you can see!

Important FAQs about Tarrywile

1. I think there is a small fee, I did’nt see anything on their website so we can do more digging
2. There are no bathrooms
3. Parking is very easy
4. Subject to travel fees
5.  To see more from this engagement session click here!

ORANGE COUNTY ARBORETUM

Located about 10 minutes from my house this is truly one of the most splendid arboretums in NY. With incredible landscaping year round and Wisteria vines in the spring this place is magical. There is also a near by open field where the sunsets that is the perfect way to end the session!

Important FAQS about the Arboretum:

1. No permit required

2. Very easy parking

3. Port a potty on premise

4. No travel fee for the photographer.

LAKE MINNEWASKA, KERHONKSON NY

I am here a TON! It is about 25 minutes from my house and It is breathtaking. A blue lake sits nestled in craggy soaring cliffs, a waterfall roars at the bottom of the park and plenty of greenery abounds in between. You get a few different “vibes” from Lake Minnewaska, all are amazing.

Important FAQs:

1. Parking fee required ( 10$)

2. Bathrooms are present

3. Parking is easy

4. No travel fee for photographer.

THE GATEHOUSE Mohonk, NY

This pretty stone gatehouse is also right around the corner from Minnewaska. It boasts the same vibe but in a more country setting. Open fields and willow trees tuck themselves around this trailhead.

Important FAQs

1. Parking fee required

2. No bathrooms

3. Easy parking scenario

4. No travel fee for photographer

The Mohonk Mountainhouse

This beautiful resort Is about 15 minutes from Lake Minnewaska! Visit their website for more information! Learn more

1. Spectacular views of the mountain house itself. Manicured gardens in the spring, lake views, stone faced buildings all of it.
2. It IS pricey, my best advice is to make a weekend of it and stay at the hotel. It is somewhere around 350.00 if you do not stay at the resort.
3. Once you are on the grounds everything is relatively a walk away so you get a lot of variety.
4. There is no travel fee for me to go there.

ROCKERFELLER PARK

Rockerfeller State Park is a *little* tricky because it is a HUGE park with lots of different trails in Westchester, NY. The following images are from an area called ” The Foundations”. Pro’s and Con’s…

1. Lots of different visual aesthetics. Views of the river, tall grass fields, big mature trees and stone structures a plenty.
2. There is some walking but its not going to make you break a sweat.
3. No permit fee, there is a 50$ travel fee for me to go there.

 

The Cross Estate and Gardens

The Cross Estate and Gardens is in Bernardsville, NJ and is truly a beautiful little spot. Here is a quick run down:

1. Well manicured gardens with covered walkways and stone steps. There is also a beautiful building on the grounds that photographs like a dream. Lots of variety.
2. It is not a massive sprawling estate so once again we will not be breaking a sweat.
3. There is a 75$ travel fee for me BUT there are no permits required so its a break even.

Little Stony Point, Cold Spring

Little Stony Point is a hidden gem right in the precious little  town of Cold Spring.  It is also right around the corner from the Cold Spring Foundry, another great location. To see that blog post click here! 

1. Amazing views within a VERY short hike. Once you get to the top and we do the whole cliffs thing we can head to the bottom and there is a cute little beach.
2. No travel fees for me and no permit fees so completely free!
3. This location would be for you if you want dramatic views not necessarily if you want a ton of variety.

Boscobel State Historic Site

Oh Boscobel, I feel like I am in Pride and Prejudice every time I am here. As far as Hudson Valley Engagement Session Locations go Boscobel is tops for me. Boscobel is in Garrison, NY. Some quick pro’s and con’s.

1. An incomparable view of the Hudson River with a tree placed their as if it was painted in.
2. Tree lined pathways, the historic house itself and a precious little garden all make this a perfect location with a ton of variety.
3. The only down side is that it is a little pricey to get the permit. About 350/hr and I recommend about an hour and a half.
4. On the upside there is no travel fee for me.

SAUGERTIES LIGHTHOUSE, SAUGERTIES NY

A stunning trail leads to this incredibly beautiful brick lighthouse. The lighthouse is actually a place that you can stay overnight so I recommend making a whole experience of it! The trail boasts tall grass, beachy open coves, driftwood and a stunning backdrop.

Important FAQs

1. Written permission is required

2. Parking is easy

3. The walk can be a little wet so dress accordingly

4. Minimal travel fee for photographer .

 

BLITHEWOOD GARDENS, Bard College Campus

Easily one of my favorite gardens in this state. This garden is actually taken care of by the agricultural society at Bard college. They are stunning, well manicured, and picutre perfect.

Important FAQs

1. No permit required

2. No bathrooms available

3. Parking is easy but its a bit of a walk to the gardens.

4. Small fee for photographer.

COLDSPRING FOUNDRY, COLDSPRING NY

This location was a foundry back during one of these wars ( Ill brush up on my history later) so the results its lots of pretty brick structures. The foundry sits near the water and has beautiful narrow pathways draped in greenery.  There is also a beautiful waterfall that photographs like a dream!

Important FAQs

1.No permit fee

2. Easy parking

3. No bathrooms

4. Small fee for photographer

 

5. To see a blogpost from Coldspring click here!

 

NYC ENGAGEMENT SESSION LOCATIONS

If you don’t mind a little bit of traveling to get something a little unique that the next section of this bog post is for you! While some of these spots still fit into the category of Hudson Valley Engagement Session LocationsEverything from NYC all the way to Maine, Vermont and Rhode Island!

Central Park, NYC

Truthfully I have HUNDREDS of images from Central park. If you are looking for incredible architecture, a classy vibe and if you don’t mind waking up a little early Central park may be it for you. I recommend a sunrise session when shooting at central park. These images were not photoshopped, we really had this place to ourselves. I know that a 4am wake up call is not on everyones list, but Central park will be a much more enjoyable experience early in the morning than attempting to find an “open” spot before sunset.

Important FAQs about central park:

1. No permit required

2. Bathrooms are available and open until dusk.

3. Is subject to photographers travel fees.

4. Parking is not easily accessible, a garage might be easiest.

 

 

Prospect Park Brooklyn , NY

 

A precious little boathouse, cream and teal buildings, and lush walkways mark Prospect park in Brooklyn NY. It has the benefits of that NYC architecture BUT with a slightly less crowded atmosphere. I would still recommend a sunrise session here, it gives us some freedom.

Important FAQs about Prospect Park:

1. No permit required
2. No bathrooms that are easily accessible.
3. Is subject to travel fees.
4. Parking not easily accessible.
5.  To see a blog post from Prospect Park click here!

 

 

DUMBO BROOKLYN

If I could live in New York City I would live I Brooklyn. Dumbo is one of the most photographed locations in the US and for good reason. The Brooklyn bridge is perfection and the skyline is just magical as a back drop. The color tones when I photograph here are an absolute dream. There are a few cons. This is definitely a sunrise session (as a matter of fact pretty much everything in NYC is a sunrise session recommendation). One of the biggest cons for me is that there is not much variety. There are little  kind of cute streets below but nothing amazing. The view of the bridge is remarkable and on its own very impressive but you wont get the balance of architecture with greenery. Still absolutely worth using as an engagement location.

Important FAQs about Dumbo Bridge:

1. No permit required
2. No bathroom access
3. Parking is far away so there will be a walk.
4. Rather crowded and impossible if you are not at sunrise.
5. Subject to travel fees.

JANES CAROUSEL BROOKLYN, NY

If you are wanting that Brooklyn bridge vibe but want the balance of a little more variety than Janes Carousel is probably for you.This park is located right underneath Brooklyn bridge so you can get Brooklyn bridge in the background of these images. Right on the water, the famous city skyline, creamy steps and charming brick stores all within 5 minute walks of one another. You are probably thinking ” Why cant I do both?” The thing is we would loose a lot of time trying to get from the top to the bottom, I don’t want to kind of get two locations, I would rather spend a good amount of time at one location than a half hour at both.

 

Important FAQS about Janes Carousel

1. No permit required
2. bathroom access (sometimes lol)
3. Parking is easy enough for the city, especially at sunrise.
4.  A little more space so if we MUST shoot at sunset might be doable.
5. Subject to travel fees.

FORT TRYON PARK

Located In northern Manhattan Fort Tryon is one of my favorites, and I have only been here once. The Cloisters are literally right there so that Monastary-like architecture runs through. There are also well manicured gardens within walking distance and an open field over looking the river, it has everything!

Important FAQs

1. No permit required ( but you cannot actually photograph the cloisters, this is not a 2 for 1 deal)
2. Parking is relatively accessible
3. There are no bathrooms
4. Subject to travel fees

Skylands Manor Ringwood, NJ

I have photographed weddings and engagement sessions at Skylands Manor. I cannot get over this beautiful location!

1. There is a permit fee required.
2. The variety is amazing. You have the huge castle itself with beautiful wooden doors, the gardens, the open fields, the mirror reflecting pools I mean goodness it doest stop.
3. There is a small travel fee for me.
4. Not a ton of walking and relatively not crowded.

 

 

 

LONG WOOD GARDENS, Kennet square PA

Moving out of NYC and closer to Philly is the FABULOUS Longwood gardens. If I could be here every day I would. Incredible fountains, lush gardens and restaurants on site make this the ultimate destination for an engagement session, you could make a weekend of it! There is not a permit fee but you do have to purchase admission tickets in advance (between 25-50$ per person depending on season) but it is well worth it for this stunning location.

Important FAQs about Long Wood Gardens:

1. Tickets required for admission, selected time slots.
2. Bathrooms are available.
3. Parking is easy.
4. Subject to travel fees.

 

COVE ISLAND, STAMFORD CT

I LOVE Cove Island! It has all of the benefits of a beach session with the greenery of a park. It is a huge park so there is a lot of variety. You do need a permit ( which is cheaper if you are a Stamford resident) which will run you a little over a hundred dollars per car. There is also a perfect view of the sunset! It probably still falls into the category of Hudson Valley Engagement Session Locations.

Important FAQs about Cove Island

1. Entrance fee required
2. Bathrooms are available
3. Parking is easy
4. Subject to parking fees
5.  To see more from a Cove Island engagement session click here!

 

ASBURY PARK AND BOARDWALK, NJ

This boardwalk might be my favorite to photograph. A large boardwalk with light colors planks, gorgeous buildings, a beach, and colorful booths and shops make this the ideal beach location.  There is a small rate to gain entrance to the beach but hey, why not stay and relax on the beach and get your monies worth?

 

Important FAQs for Asbury Park

1. There will be a small fee to get on the boardwalk
2. Bathrooms are available
3. Parking is easy
4. Subject to travel fees

 

 

HARKNESS MEMORIAL STATE PARK in WATERFORD CT

I finally got to shoot at this dream location this past summer. I think it might fit into the category of Hudson Valley Engagement Session Locations but  it truly lived up to what I hoped it would be. The locations are endless, you get classic, mansion style buildings, green ivy, beaches and open fields all in one. It does tend to get quite crowded so I would recommend a sunrise session so we can ensure that we grab the good spots. If you have a CT registered vehicle you no longer have to pay the parking fee for admission.

Important FAQs about Harkness

1. Parking fee required ( 7-15$ per car)
2. Bathrooms are available
3. Parking is easy
4. Subject to travel fees
5. 

 

 

Appalachian Trail Boardwalk, Vernon NJ

Walking this boardwalk is like walking through another country, tall grasses meet you on either side and the light is just perfect everywhere. There is a tall linear bridge which creates the most beautiful lead lines, definitely a great place to stop!

Important FAQs

1. No permit fee

2. No bathrooms

3. Parking can be complicated, sometimes you have to walk a little ways.

4. Very small fee for me to travel there.

 

OGONQUITE MAINE

I was fortunate enough to shoot a wedding in Ogonquite Maine and than return the next summer for an engagement session. Hands down the most amazing cliffs I have seen up close in person, the quaint town is “so” New England and I would love to go back!

Important FAQs

1. The location you see below did not require a permit, but Maine is a big place.

2. Parking for this specific spot was easy enough, we parked at a beach entrance

3. There are bathrooms sporadically in hotels along the coast.

4. This would be a destination session so mileage and a one night stay would be required ( Its about 5 hours from me so one night will do).

5. To see my wedding from Ogonquit click here! 

To see more of this engagement session click here!

 

VERMONT

I fell in love with this quaint state. The New England vibes are strong with this one, for the epitome of fall foliage heading back to Vermont is a GRAND idea! I wont post any FAQs regarding Vermont because there are so many different options. Just like Maine I would require a one nights stay and mileage, so here is to thinking outside of the box!

Rhode Island

I have weddings and engagement sessions already booked for Rhode Island for the year 2024. I recently went with Shelby and Rob to Rhode Island and just fell in LOVE with that beautiful, beautiful place! Here are some images from Rhode Island! Believe it or not the travel fees are not insane but it does depend on where you go in Rhode Island.

 

Believe it or not, these are just SOME of my favorites! If nothing on here does it for you let me know and we will start the hunt! I am going to link last years blog post below as well, a lot of these locations are on there again but I have listed some “want to” shoot destinations in the prior list! Dont forget, this blog post serves as engagement session inspiration, so allow it to get your wheels turning, I cant wait to create some magic with you!

 

 

 

 

Hudson Valley Wedding Photographer

Nidya Lloyd

If you are getting married and find yourself scrolling through this blog post but you DONT have a wedding photographer yet, well allow me to introduce myself. My name is Nidya and I am a wedding photographer based out of the Hudson Valley, NY specializing in romantic, bright and organic imagery, My couples are over the top in love, focused on having the time of their LIFE at their wedding and they see their wedding images as a top priority! If this is you than lets chat!

I am getting married!