
New York City and Brooklyn have so many amazing landmarks to have engagement session photographed. Most couples I work with want a Brooklyn engagement session that feels more like a date than a photoshoot. Less posing, more moving. Like something out of a movie. Brooklyn is perfect for that kind of energy. It’s lived in (literally) and not overly crowded like you get in other parts of Manhattan.
One of my favorite ways to approach a Brooklyn engagement session is to let it unfold the way a normal day together would. A lot of my couples have places they like to spend time together during the week. That might mean wandering for a bit, grabbing coffee or a beer, bowling, live music, getting tattoos together, hopping on the subway at a nearby stop, or even taking the train into the city if that’s your jam. The movement, the in-between moments, the way you exist together in real life. That’s what I want to capture.
I once heard a photographer say “If I can look at an image and hear what the photographer is prompting. I can’t feel the photo” and that stuck with me ever since.
Williamsburg is a go to for couples who love texture and rhythm. Brick buildings, side streets, vintage storefronts, unique businesses and hangouts right next to Greenpoint. It’s a trendy place to move about without feeling watched. We can walk, pause when something feels right, and let the city do its thing while you love on one another.
DUMBO is classic. It has a reputation and is cinematic in the best way. Early mornings or quieter weekdays are best for this location. There’s cobblestone streets and dramatic light. Let’s not forget the iconic view of Manhattan bridge from Washington street. It’s cinematically perfect for a documentary style Brooklyn engagement session. It’s not overdone.
Brooklyn Heights and Brooklyn Bridge Park is a mix of BK and a bigger city feel. Tree-lined streets, skyline views. You’re near the ferry, the park and Jane’s Carousel that’s made an appearance in some movies.
For softer neighborhood vibes, Fort Greene has Brownstones, wide sidewalks, and Fort Greene Park itself. It’s a really relaxed for a Brooklyn engagement session.
If green space matters to you, Prospect Park is where it’s at. It’s big enough to disappear into, which means your Brooklyn engagement session can feel private even in the middle of the city. It’s like a mini Central Park without all of the tourism. Nearby Park Slope has the best for trees and brownstones with a community feel.
And if you’re up for a little adventure, hopping on the subway into the Lower East Side adds a completely different perspective to your photos. The LES photographs beautifully for couples who love more grit and character. Orchard Street, Ludlow Street, Allen Street have fire escapes, old buildings, immigrant culture and it feels so real. Mornings are generally better.
The best Brooklyn engagement session locations aren’t about iconic backdrops. They’re about choosing places that let you move, connect, and exist together.
If you’re dreaming up a Brooklyn engagement session or a session that feels honest, intentional, joyful and cinematic. Reach out and let’s make some magic!