MY FAVORITE ENGAGEMENT SESSION LOCATIONS IN NYC

It is officially Spring, and wedding season is upon us!  This also means that couples are scheduling their Engagement Sessions.  The most important thing that I advise my clients of is that their location should reflect their personalities, and be of some significance to them, as a couple.  Your E-Session should be uniquely yours.  Are you an urban couple...or do you prefer the country?  Do you enjoy hiking, or do you spend your weekends taking in the sights...afterwards, enjoying coffee/drinks at your favorite coffee shop or restaurant?

Choosing a location that is special to the two of you, will have you more relaxed, and the photos will reflect this, along with your enthusiasm, and love for one another!  Whether you like vintage-inspired, a specific movie theme, camping, picnics, or the beach, simply ask your photographer to incorporate props, which have special meaning, as part of your session.

Although I can recommend many places in and around New York City, below are my favorites, in no particular order:

1.    Central Park :: Considered the “Oasis” of NY, this location is so vast, that it encompasses 834 acres, and stretches for 51 blocks!  There are so many features, and wonderful locations within the park to have your session, i.e., Belvedere Castle; Bethesda Fountain; Bethesda Terrace; Bow Bridge; Carousel; Great Lawn; Ramble, which has winding paths through lush greenery and woods; Zoo & Wildlife Center, and of course, there’s always the carriage rides.  Central Park is one of my favorite places to photograph, and I often go there just to hangout, with camera in hand.  I love to shoot the hustle & bustle of the people going about their day.  It’s a wonderful way to spend a beautiful day in NY!

2.  Times Square :: Where do you go when you want to have it all?  Times Square!  Located in the heart of NYC…the city that never sleeps.  If you want edginess, with the urban streets as your backdrop, this is the place!  And after your session, you can indulge in your choice of unending eateries, shopping, and entertainment.  Need I say more?

3.  Grand Central Terminal :: Referred to by many as Grand Central Station, if you’ve never experienced this location…it’s a MUST!  Watch as thousands of people traverse this location as they make their way to varying destinations.  As a previous “9 to 5”er, I worked at a CPA firm located 2.5 blocks from Grand Central.  This terminal is not for the faint of heart…you could literally get pushed aside by people scurrying to get from point A to point B.  I LOVE it!  Here, you can take advantage of numerous iconic locations, such as the huge marble clock on the main concourse level, the sky ceiling, and grand staircases.  There are also boutique shops and great eateries to discover after your session.

4.  Brooklyn Bridge :: You've heard the expression, "Have I got a bridge to sell you!"  Supposedly, it was started because of this bridge...when a grifter conned someone into believing that the bridge could be sold. Looking North from the bridge, you can see Midtown in the distance. The Empire State Building is about 2 miles away.  To the South, Pier 17 and the South Street Seaport are below at the base of lower Manhattan's financial district.  Also, from Pier 1 at the Fulton Ferry Landing, you can have a beautiful view of the bridge and downtown Manhattan.  Both bicyclists and pedestrians are free to use the wooden walkway on the bridge, which is elevated above the traffic below.

5.  South Street Seaport :: Here you’ll find cobblestone streets, with a maritime feel.  This area will take you back to the 1800’s when New York was considered a Port town.  You can board many of the magnificent boats, and walk along Pier 17, and enjoy the restaurants and shops in the 3-story Pavilion.  There are street performers known as “buskers”…jugglers, magicians, and bands to entertain you!  At the end of Pier 17, you will see a great view of the Brooklyn Bridge!

6.  Washington Square Park :: Modeled from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the Arc in Washington Square Park is a hub for politics, culture and entertainment. The movie, “I Am Legend”, featured Will Smith living across the street from the park, and at one time, Presidential candidate, Barack Obama held a rally in 2007 at the park, with over 20,000 people in attendance.  Here you can hang out with chess and scrabble players.

7.  Statue of Liberty :: Besides the flag, it is America's most famous symbol for freedom - an icon for the immigrant.  Castle Clinton is located on the tip of Battery Park in Manhattan, and this is where you begin your trip to the Statue of Liberty. The castle serves as the information center for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry rides.  While you wait to board the ferry, you are entertained by acrobats, who help pass the time.  When you debark the ferry at Liberty Island, you will see the image that you’ve seen in history books, on TV, and in movies.  To get to the top, you must take a corkscrew double staircase, and once you reach the end of the spiral staircase, you will see fantastic views of Manhattan!

8.  Intrepid Air & Space Museum :: The 900 foot long aircraft carrier is docked at Pier 86 in the Hudson River.  The decommissioned aircraft carrier is a symbol of America's proud military history. The flight deck of the Intrepid is one the most exciting features, where you will see fighter planes, rescue helicopters, and planes lined up as if they’re ready for take off!  As a former active duty Air Force girl for 6 years, and having grown up as an Air Force “military brat”, I enjoy this place, not to mention that the photographic opportunities here would definitely be a break from the norm!

9.  Top of the Rock | Rockefeller Center :: Named after the multi-millionaire, John D. Rockefeller, the building spans 70-stories tall.   Rockefeller Center covers 11 acres in midtown Manhattan.  30 Rockefeller Plaza is the centerpiece, and probably the best known building. From the “Top of the Rock”, the view is overwhelming. Unobstructed for 360 degree views from the 70th floor, the breathtaking landscape stretches for miles in every direction from Central Park, to the Chrysler Building, to Times Square, to the Hudson River, the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty!

10. Canal Street :: Canal Street is flooded with street vendors, as well as storefronts, where tourists and New Yorkers alike barter for the best deals.  Canal Street lies in the middle of several well-known landmarks:  North of SoHo, South of Wall Street, East of the Manhattan Bridge, and West of the Holland Tunnel, which leads to New Jersey.  If you want edgy backdrops using the rawness of the area, then this area is great for that!

11. Chinatown :: Some tourists visit the Eastside of NYC, but others want to see the “Far East” side.  The Chinese population makes up about 30% of New Yorkers.  If you love ethnic enclaves, along with a unique atmosphere, then Chinatown is for you!  One of the unique attractions is the statue of Confucius, which stands before Confucius Plaza.

12. Lincoln Center :: Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, between West 62nd and 65th Streets, and Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues, this location is fantastic because of the numerous locales within the center, such as Charles Benenson Grove, Hearst Plaza, Josie Robertson Plaza, the Grand Stairs, which light up, the Charles H. Revson Fountain, and the amazing architecture.

13. Empire State Building :: This iconic building is New York City’s most famous fixture, rising 1,453 feet in the air.  As the tallest skyscraper in NYC, it has starred in over 90 movies.  The spectacular view is revealed when you step outside onto the wrap-around terrace of the 86^th floor.  At night, its lights are a beacon for planes, and the beacon also changes colors to reflect the time of year.

Locations which embrace elements such bridges, exposed brick, graffiti, flowers,  

water, and old architecture make great backdrops for photos. 

If you would like to book an E-Session…or just want to have a fun, yet romantic session with the love of your life, then please reach out to me!  Of course, you may always choose an alternate location, if the above don’t appeal to you.  But, rather than remain in one location, I like to meander throughout NYC, taking advantage of  all that the City has to offer by utilizing various locations.  If you have the time, it's a great way to capture the excitiement of New York!  

Do you have a great location for an E-Session, please leave a comment, and let me know!

Ciao, until next time…