15 Places in Buffalo & western New York to take your Engagement Photos!
So you're engaged - how exciting!! It's time to show off your love (and that new bling) with some engagement photos! Stumped on where to go though? I've compiled a list of my top 15 favorite places to take engagement pics in the Buffalo and Western NY area.
Buffalo's Canalside area is truly, well - Buffalo! With views of downtown and Lake Erie, industrial bridges and gorgeous sunsets, it easily made its way onto this list of top places to take engagement photos in Buffalo.
E-ville is my favorite place to get some classic winter engagement photos. I love the variety of backdrops there are to use - the quaint shops in town, beautifully designed bars and restaurants and picture-perfect scenery at Holiday Valley and McCarthy Hill.
What could be sweeter than playing with your hunny in the streets of the cutest little town in America? Hit Elm Street Bakery or 42 North Brewing to start your photo adventure with a latte or a brew then explore all that Main St East Aurora has to offer!
If you're from Buffalo, odds are you've been visiting Delaware Park your entire life. So why not incorporate this iconic Olmsted park into your engagement photos? Granted, it can be busy at certain times of the year, but with 350 acres to play on it's easy to find some hidden corners for gorgeous photos.
It doesn't get much more "Buffalo" than this with Lake Erie sprawled before you and views of the city's skyline and iconic grain elevators. There's so many areas to choose from - Gallagher Pier, Tifft Nature Preserve, Wilkeson Pointe, Bell Slip and more.
THE BEACH
I know, I know... when you think Buffalo you don't usually think of "the beach". But boy do we have some pretty ones! In the summer the beach is one of my favorite places for playful engagement photos splashing around in the water. Check out Woodlawn Beach or Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island.
If your love for greenery is as strong as mine this place is the bees knees ;) I could spend hours exploring and taking photos in their different rooms - there's big palm trees, a room filled with cacti, a rainforest with a waterfall, koi ponds and more.
*Please check the garden's website for photo policies and hours of admission
Sunrise is my favorite time to visit Knox Farm - are you up for a sunrise engagement session?! Even if you're not an early bird, any time you visit this park filled with 400+ acres of stunning scenery is amazing!
Check out the colorful murals, great places to grab some grub or a cocktail, visit a landmark or two, or just check out the city views. Every time I photograph an engagement downtown I find new places to explore and shoot!
Yasss the industrial city vibes of the Cobblestone district is where it's at! Grab some drinks and explore the historic cobblestone streets of downtown Buffalo.
Looking for gorge-ous views? ;) Take a drive an hour outside of Buffalo to the gorges of Letchworth State Park! It's beautiful any time of year, but fall is my favorite time to visit and throw some leaves around!
Is hiking around the woods your idea of the perfect engagement session? Head to Chestnut Ridge for their miles of trails including the hike to the famous Eternal Flame Falls. Don't forget to hit this spot at the casino too - you can't beat this view!
Buffalo has so much great public art including the murals you can find in practically every town! My two favorite spots to go if you want to do a walking mural tour are Hertel Ave and downtown.
YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS ARENA
Our sports teams in Buffalo are like extended family. If cheering on the Bills, Sabres or Bisons is one of your favorite things to do with your sweety, head to one of our sports arenas for some engagement pics (make sure to pack your favorite jersey!).
YOUR FAVORITE BREWERY/ CAFE
Another thing Buffalonians love? Our great food and craft brews and cocktails. Start your engagement session at the place you had your first date or where you love spending your Friday evenings with your honey.
I hoped this helped spark some great ideas! One thing I always like to ask while planning an engagement session is what places are important to the two of you and your love story. When choosing location(s) for your engagement photos consider the following questions:
- where was your first date?
- your first kiss?
- where did he or she pop the question?
- is there a place you like to go frequently?
- or something you love doing together?
Don't forget to reach out to your photographer for suggestions as well!
Are you interested in working with Jaimie Ellis Photography for your wedding or engagement photos? Kindly fill out the form on my contact page to start a conversation!
Hey, I'm Jaimie! A Buffalo-based wedding & elopement photographer. Getting to know my clients on a personal level is my favorite party of my job... and so is helping you plan your day so it's picture perfect. That's why when you book with me you get the full star treatment - planning assistance, coupon codes, insider tips and even a complimentary engagement session to get some practice (and super cute pics) in before the big day!
