These Hudson Valley Scenes Are Perfect for an Engagement Shoot

Besides your many Instagram and Facebook posts, photos from your engagement shoot are often the first public display of your upcoming nuptials, so it’s important that they’re personal, memorable, and stunning. We asked local photographers to share their favorite e-shoot settings so you can impress your friends and family before your wedding day.

Minnewaska State Park
“My favorite location for engagement sessions in the Hudson Valley is Minnewaska State Park [in Ulster County] because it offers a variety of stunning landscapes as well as spectacular sunsets” —Nicole Wagner of Custom by Nicole
 

Onteora Mountain House
“We shot an engagement session at The Onteora Mountain House. It actually was where the couple later got married and they chose to also do their engagement shoot there. It was really intimate and the mountains made for a stunning backdrop.” —Kate Neal of Kate Neal Photo
 

Playland
“A unique location to shoot engagement photos would be Rye Playland. Not only is the park a lot of fun, but the beach and bird sanctuary offer some really awesome backdrops.” —Christopher Nealon of Christopher’s Studio
 

Overlook Mountain
“A unique take is heading up a mountain for a shoot. A couple of mine met in Colorado, and their first date was on a hike. They only had one day in New York for their engagement shoot, and the forecast did not look promising. We took a huge risk, hiked three miles in the rain to the top of Overlook Mountain [near Woodstock], and when we got to the top, the rain stopped, the sky opened up, coloring the clouds in the most incredible colors, and gave us a huge rainbow. The reward was very worth the risk.” —Andrew Franciosa of Andrew Franciosa Studio
 

Long Dock Park
“I love shooting at Long Dock Park in Beacon.  It has this romantic, tall, flowy grass that acts as an ethereal, organic backdrop.” —Cappy Hotchkiss of Cappy Hotchkiss Photography
 

Glen Island Park
“It’s on the water so I love that, and we can usually find shade, which I need. My favorite part of this particular shoot is that they brought their Frenchie; I love when couples bring their dog.” —Emily Main of Emily Main Photography
 

Related: This Wedding Has the Most Stunning Hudson River Views