Caroline and Ryan love traveling to NYC, where Caroline is from. So, when we began to plan their engagement session, it seemed like an obvious choice to photograph an engagement session in New York City. Their destination engagement session commemorated their favorite places in the city before their Herrington on the Bay wedding day in Maryland. We opted for a springtime engagement session in New York City, to capture some of the early blooms, and I’m so happy we did! 

DUMBO Engagement Portraits in Brooklyn 

Our first stop was DUMBO in Brooklyn just before sunrise. This location offered sweeping views of the NYC skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s such a dreamy spot for engagement portraits – with its historic cobblestone streets and the waterfront view. Caroline and Ryan looked stylish in their chic outfits, a perfect fit for this iconic spot in Brooklyn. I’m still obsessed with Caroline’s long jacket. It was gorgeous for spring morning in the city!

Spring Engagement Photos in Central Park 

After stopping in DUMBO, we headed to Central Park. Unbeknownst to us, a marathon was taking place. Thankfully I’m a seasoned Washington DC photographer who’s used to crowd management, so we were able to work around the massive crowds and still get a full gallery of stunning images. You’d never know the park was crawling with people! Early April is the season for NYC cherry blossom bloom, which looked stunning in the park, too.

Caroline, Ryan, and I explored the most iconic spots in the park, including the Bethesda Fountain and Terrace. Caroline and Ryan took off some layers, which helped create the illusion of new outfits – still stylish and perfect for the city. But it’s amazing how simply removing a jacket or sweater brings tons of variety into your portraits so easily!

Tips for Your Engagement Session in New York City

When planning engagement photos in NYC, timing is key to avoiding crowds and getting the best lighting. Consider scheduling your shoot during golden hour—either early morning or late afternoon—when the city’s skyline is bathed in warm, soft light. It’s also helpful to choose a location that reflects your style and personalities, whether it’s the iconic streets of DUMBO, the greenery of Central Park, or the urban vibe of downtown. As you can see from Caroline and Ryan’s session, the options are endless – and classic! Make sure to allow enough time for travel between locations, as NYC can be bustling, and flexibility is crucial for capturing those perfect moments!

Caroline and Ryan, thank you for trusting me to capture this special springtime engagement session in New York City for you. I loved traveling to NYC and enjoying some of the most well-known spots in this beautiful city with you both! This session was so much fun and I loved creating such timeless and classic engagement portraits to celebrate your upcoming wedding day!