engagement photoshoot locations in NYC

Engagement Photoshoot In NYC

Looking to book an unforgettable engagement photoshoot in NYC?

Searching for a professional NYC engagement photographer who can bring your love story to life through beautiful imagery?

Wanting stunning images you’ll be excited to print on your wedding save-the-dates and invitations?

You are SO in the right place!

Capture the essence of your love story against the breathtaking backdrop of New York City’s iconic skyline with our premium engagement photography packages.

At NYC Photo Journeys, we’ve been photographing couples around New York City since 2013. And now, we’d love to help you preserve your love in a cherished keepsake.

photographing a couple in front of the Manhattan skyline as they get engagement photos in NYC
Photographing a couple against the NYC skyline

What To Expect During An NYC Engagement Shoot

All of our private engagement photoshoots are led by NYC Photo Journeys founder, Jessie Festa.

Her love for photography began with the birth of her solo female travel blog, Jessie on a Journey, in 2011. As readers began asking her to show them around her home of New York, she decided to get licensed as a guide and start leading photo tours — which eventually led to also working with couples on these New York engagement shoots.

As a professional NYC photographer, licensed guide, and local New Yorker, Jessie also knows the best engagement photo shoot locations in NYC, including both popular and less-frequented places.

Not only that, but she knows how to take your engagement photoshoot ideas and transform them into a shoot that tells a story.

Here is how an NYC Engagement Shoot works:

Once you book, your engagement photoshoot in NYC begins with a pre-shoot planning call to go over your vision for the session. You’ll also be able to send over sample images and mood boards.

From there, you’ll work with Jessie to plan out the locations and looks for the shoot.

On the day of the shoot, expect a relaxed vibe that feels like exploring New York with a friend (who also happens to be a whiz with a camera).

After the engagement shoot, you’ll receive a digital downloadable folder of beautiful high-resolution images.

couple posing in front of the Brooklyn Bridge during an NYC engagement shoot
Photographing a couple in DUMBO, Brooklyn

NYC Engagement Photo Shoot Packages:

When you book an engagement shoot in NYC, you’ll have two package options. Both include a pre-shoot planning call or email chat (your choice!) to go over your goals for the shoot.

Prices are for groups of up to 3 people, with additional people costing a flat fee of $50 per shoot.

Package #1: $475 per shoot

A 2-hour private engagement shoot with individually edited photos included. You can show Jessie sample images to give her a feel of the style you’d like the NYC engagement photos edited in. Otherwise, they will be edited for light, color, and composition to look natural and clean.

Package #2: $290 per shoot 

A 2-hour private NYC photo shoot with unedited (but still stunning!) New York City engagement photos. In fact, this is the package that gets you the maximum amount of photos — typically hundreds!

You’ll supply the SD card — or purchase one from us for $15 at checkout — and we’ll give you the SD card at the end of the shoot to take home. Jessie typically shoots in RAW for the best editing capabilities, which requires an editing program like Lightroom or Photoshop; however, if you’d prefer JPG images just let her know.

*MULTI-SHOOT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE*:

  • Pay for multiple sessions upfront and receive a 10% discount

Note that to receive the discount all shoots must be paid for upfront, though the photo shoot calendar slots can be booked whenever you’d like. To book multiple shoots, please call us at (929) 266-9248 so we can process your payment by phone and apply the discount. To book a one session shoot, you can call or use the booking link here:

Professional Photoshoot In NYC

Why Book Us As Your New York Engagement Photographer

Here are just a few reasons to hire Jessie as your engagement photographer in NYC:

Experience. Jessie is a native New Yorker and professional photographer. In fact, she has been photographing couples around New York City for over 10 years!

100% Custom. Every couple has their own unique love story. Your NYC engagement photographer will work with you to create a shoot concept that brings this to life.

Affordable Premium Packages. Of course, getting engagement photos in NYC is an investment; however, we’ve worked hard to create packages that include more than what you’re paying for. If you’re looking for affordable engagement photos in NYC, know that our base package includes 2 hours (instead of the standard 30-60 minutes), multiple locations, and unlimited photos.

Testimonials. Looking for the best engagement photographers in NYC? One of the best ways to gauge the quality of an engagement photographer in New York is to read reviews. NYC Photo Journeys has over 150 5-star reviews, which you can read here.

Commitment. NYC Photo Journeys is dedicated to creating stunning imagery that beautifully encapsulates the emotions and intimacy of your special bond. From the picturesque settings of Central Park to the vibrant streets of Manhattan, we offer a diverse range of locations to ensure your engagement session is as extraordinary as your love.

couple posing on the Brooklyn Bridge during a New York City engagement photo shoot
Enjoying skylines and architectural beauty from the Brooklyn Bridge

Best New York Engagement Photography Locations

There are so many romantic spots to take New York City engagement photos. Two of Jessie’s favorite itineraries include:

  • Central Park / Upper East Side / Brooklyn Bridge
  • World Trade Center (murals) / Brooklyn Bridge / DUMBO

Some couples also choose to focus on only one or two locations, such as a Central Park and Upper East Side shoot or a Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO shoot.

Keep in mind, your engagement photoshoot in NYC is 100% customizable, and you can let Jessie know on the booking form if you’d like other places. As a professional New York City engagement photographer, she can also make recommendations based on your vision:

Professional Photoshoot In NYC

New York Engagement Photography Testimonials

See what past couples we’ve worked with are saying:

This was a first-class experience end to end. Jesse was absolutely fabulous. This was to capture our 1st wedding anniversary and was worth every penny. The photos are first class and we thoroughly enjoyed the photoshoot. This is a must to do in NYC. Thank you, Jessie!

Dawn A.

We really wanted to have some couple photos to mark the holiday and we couldn’t be happier with the result. We have even more shots than we thought we would and had a great experience on the day. Jessie gave us direction without it feeling forced and made the whole tour enjoyable. It’s a great way to see different parts of the city and get around, all the while creating beautiful memories. We can’t thank you enough. Highly recommend doing this if you are visiting NYC!!! 10/10

Aisling K.

The entire experience with Jessie was outstanding, she was so friendly and bubbly and really made you feel at ease. She was great at directing posing and just made the entire 3 hours enjoyable. The photos are amazing as well and we have memories to cherish forever! It was honestly worth every penny! I’m so glad I booked with Jessie, she is an exceptional photographer and a lovely person! Jessie was also very knowledgeable and shared facts about New York and was great on the subway and giving advice. Honestly could not thank Jessie enough!

Rea H.

Love love!! Jessie was amazing! We are not photogenic at all and we have gorgeous photos. I don’t know how she did it, we are truly surprised by the photos. There’s too many great pictures of us! Highly recommend!

Debbie F.

This was our first time to NYC (and we were celebrating an anniversary) so we wanted to learn about the city and have pictures taken of us for the first time in forever (basically since our wedding 22 years ago!). Jessie delivered on ALL the things! She is a total sweetheart, knows the city and the subway like the back of her hand, and taught us a TON. I am a pro photographer, so I know quality work when I see it. Jessie has true talent, knows her art, and created artistic images that are not only beautiful, but SO fun! I have no idea how she delivers images so quickly, but within 48 hours she had an amazing gallery put together. Jessie is your girl ~ she is one in a million! 🙂

Beth O.

Click here to read more reviews from happy guests on TripAdvisor.

Then head here to book:

Professional Photoshoot In NYC

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if we want to add more time to our NYC engagement shoot?

Not a problem! When booking your shoot, there is an option under “add ons” to add an additional hour of shooting time for $145 (unedited shoots) or $237.50 (edited shoots).

Q: Will you help us pose?

Yes, absolutely! Don’t stress about posing, as we will help you look comfortable, relaxed, and natural in your NYC engagement photos.

Q: What do you wear to an engagement photoshoot in NYC?

For engagement photos, couples should consider wearing outfits that complement each other in terms of style and color palette, ensuring they feel comfortable and confident.

Coordinating rather than matching outfits, choosing solid colors or subtle patterns, and incorporating accessories or layers can add depth and visual interest to the photos while reflecting their personal style and the chosen photo shoot location’s vibe.

Q: What should I avoid in my NYC engagement photos?

During your NYC engagement shoot, it’s recommended to avoid overly trendy outfits or clothing with large logos or distracting patterns that could overshadow their connection.

Additionally, wearing uncomfortable attire or new shoes that might cause discomfort can affect their ease and natural expressions, so it’s best to opt for clothes that allow them to move freely and feel relaxed throughout the session.

Q: Can I see examples of your work?

Of course! The best places to see examples are on Instagram here and on TripAdvisor here. Here is also a quick gallery with a few examples from our couples photoshoots:

Q: Do we get to choose which photos you edit?

With the Edited Package, we will cull the photos taken and choose the best ones to send you. If you’d prefer to see all of the photos taken, you’ll need to book the Unedited Package, which gives you access to the entire SD card.

Q: How many photos are included in our engagement photoshoot in NYC?

While there isn’t a guaranteed amount as it depends on the distance between locations, amount of outfit changes, and shoot pace, most 2-hour New York City photo shoots end with about 100 shots — or more, depending on the shoot! Unedited Package photoshoots end up with even more since you get every single photo taken.

Q: When will I receive my photos and in what format?

You’ll typically receive your photos within 7 business days of the shoot ending. They’ll be sent via a downloadable digital folder. Note: If you need the photos sooner you’ll have the option to purchase a rush-order upsell at checkout.

Q: Do you ever post client photos on social media?

We often share photos from our shoots in our blog and social content, mainly on Instagram and Facebook, to give other potential clients a sense of our work. If you’d prefer not to have any images from your shoot shared, please just let us know after you book so we can mark your album as one not to share photos from.

couple posing for photos against the Manhattan skyline on an engagement photoshoot in New York City
Enjoying the beauty of the Manhattan skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge

Q: What is the difference between the NYC Engagement Shoot and your Private Photo Journeys, which also include photos?

We understand how important pre-wedding photography is. When you book one of our NYC engagement photography packages, you are getting a fully customized shoot where we are working together to bring your unique vision to life.

On the other hand, the NYC Photo Journeys experience is a tour. It’s for tourists looking to explore New York and leave with fun photo memories to keep, though the experience isn’t customized.

Keep in mind, the New York City Engagement Shoots also come with more photos and are individually edited vs batch edited (if you choose the Edited package).

Professional Photoshoot In NYC

Q: When is the best time to do the shoot?

Earlier in the day will have better light and will be less crowded. We recommend 10am or earlier if possible.

Note that while we can shoot after 4pm during the summer, it gets dark too early in other seasons.

Q: Who owns the copyright of the photos? Can we sell these photos or use them for commercial purposes?

The photographer retains the copyright of the photos, so you are not able to sell these photos for profit. Also note that photos cannot be used for commercial purposes. Please get in touch to discuss if you have a different usage request.

Q: What is your cancellation policy?

Our cancellation policy is as follows:

  • Cancellations made at least 30 days in advance receive a 90% refund
  • Cancellations made between 73 hours and 29 days out from the photoshoot departure receive a 50% refund
  • Cancellations made within 72 hours of the photoshoot departure are non-refundable

Please keep in mind that NYC engagement photographers block their schedules when a booking is made, turning away other bookings to be available for yours. To effectively run our business while ensuring photographers are always compensated, we do not provide 100% refunds.

Also keep in mind that all of our experiences are private, meaning that if you cancel we don’t have other people making up that cost.

If you need to reschedule your engagement photoshoot in NYC, please email us at [email protected] and we can try to accommodate as best as we can. As long as your scheduled guide can accommodate your request, we’re happy to reschedule at no charge.

This being said, we do offer a 100% refund if a shoot is canceled due to inclement weather.

Please see our Terms & Conditions for full information (section 3).

Q: We still have questions about your NYC engagement photography packages. How can we contact you?

Our team is most responsive via email, so please send your message to [email protected]. You can expect a response within 24 hours, usually much sooner.

Ready for stunning engagement photos in NYC? Then make your booking here:

Professional Photoshoot In NYC