NEW YORK CITY ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS

I Live and Love New York City…

Jainé Kershner Photography has been capturing weddings and engagement photos in NYC for over 14 years. Jainé photographs luxury and destination weddings at the best wedding venues located on the East Coast.

As a proud native New Yorker, she called Brooklyn home long before it was considered “cool”. Jainé Kershner is very familiar with NYC and all of the special locations for your engagement photos. She gets excited and creates new types of imagery at some of her favorite engagement session locations around New York City.

A few of her favorite engagement locations include Central Park, West Village, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Heights, New York City Public Library, and many more.

Whenever she is out scouting for upcoming engagement photos, she is always looking for ways to incorporate her client’s style along with her artistic vision.

Engagement sessions happen after you’ve popped the question and they have said “Yes!”.
So, what are Engagement Photos, and why should you do them?

Engagement photos are perfect to take once you have already proposed to your future spouse. Engagement sessions are a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding day. There are a myriad of reasons why engagement photos are always a good idea and I wanted to share my top 5 reasons why you should always have your engagement photos taken by your wedding photographer.

1 - Relax Your Nerves - I’m guessing that this might be your very first professional photo shoot and you and your fiancé might be a tad nervous? If this is you, then having your engagement photos taken prior to your wedding day is going to benefit you the most. You’ll be able to get all your nerves out with your wedding photographer and being to relax when taking your engagement photos. Most of my clients fall into this category where they are very nervous in the beginning, don’t know what to do, act, or “pose” but I always start off each session by saying “don’t worry, there is no way you can mess it up!”. We all have a laugh and I give them my tips before we get started and sure enough, within 30 minutes, my couple is calm, having a great time, and most importantly themselves.

2 - Get Comfortable in Front of the Camera - If this is your first photo session, hearing the camera click might through you off. Having someone talk to you behind the lens will get some getting used too but if you have chosen to work with a great wedding photographer, it will become very easy and almost second nature by the time you are done with your photos.

3 - Find Your Best Angles - I cannot count the number of times I meet my clients and one of them says “I like this side of my face/body better” and that for me as your wedding photographer is priceless. I won’t waste anytime putting you in poses or scenes that you are not going to like and therefore not like the photos. What if you don’t know what angles are your favorite or flattering? Taking your engagement photos before your wedding day is so helpful for you and your wedding photographer to clearly see where your sweet spots when you are being photographed. Wouldn’t you want to know prior to one of the most important days of your lives (ie. YOUR WEDDING!) that your photographer already knows how to pose and photograph you so you look your best? I would think so!

4 - Build Trust & Connection with Your Wedding Photographer - This is by far my favorite benefit to having your engagement photos taken by the person you’ve hired to be your wedding photographer. I love this because we start to build our relationship, friendship, and trust all during your engagement photos. You’ll see how I work with you and behind the camera and I’ll see how you two interact as a couple. Are you affectionate with one another or do you prefer to keep that side of your relationship private? Without having an engagement photos first, I would never know and I could avoid asking you do something awkward on your wedding day.

5 - Your Wedding Day will be Easy - After your engagement photos have been taken you know exactly how your wedding photographer and you get along and work together. This is CRUCIAL for your wedding day success. Why? Because you will NOT be nervous (well, at least not about your wedding photos ;) and you will be relaxed knowing that you’ve made the right decision with your wedding photographer to capture your wedding the best they can and to make all your wedding photography dreams come true.

Engagement sessions happen after you’ve already proposed and are reserved for our full wedding clients.
If you are interested in learning more about our photography services, we’d love to hear from you!

Best Time of Year for Your Engagement Photos in New York City

In New York City, there are a few times of the year that are ideal for taking your engagement photos. These are my picks for perfect weather to get the best engagement photos possible so once you have already popped the question, and have an official “YES!” these would be the best time of the year to take your photos in and around New York.

Spring

I think we can agree that after a long winter, Spring is a welcomed sign to everyone including us here in the northeast. Our winters can be brutal with tons of snow and fridged weather and as soon as I see one left start to bloom, I begin to get excited. Not only for warmer weather but because Spring Engagement Photos are only a few short weeks away. Spring is one of the best times to take full advantage of New York City’s beautiful and lush gardens, parks, and streets. My favorite time season in Spring is to catch the peak of Cherry Blossoms season usually at the end of April and beginning of May. But you have to act fast, they are only here for two weeks!

Summer

I know that summer in the city can be unpleasant. The hot and humid eastern temperatures can make anyone sweat but the secret is to go out very EARLY in the morning not only to catch the prettiest light but all empty streets. NYC almost becomes a desert oasis because most New Yorkers travel to the Hamptons or other beach destinations to escape the heat making it one of the perfect times for empty cobblestone streets and parks in the background.

Fall

One of my favorite movies is “When Harry Met Sally” because not only is it an iconic romantic comedy (“I’ll have what she’s having!” but you can see New York City at the peak of its Fall Season. The beauty of the Fall Foliage is truly breathtaking. The air is crisp which means you can wear a light sweater, jeans, and/or a pretty dress for your engagement photos. Central Park is my favorite engagement photo location during the Fall season because of how pretty the leaves and scenery are which creates the perfect New York City backdrop for your engagement photos. If you can take your photos in the Fall, I would highly recommend it.

Favorite Engagement Photo Locations in NYC

Central Park

One of my most requested (and iconic!) New York City engagement photo locations of all time. Everyone wants to take their NYC engagement photos inside Central Park. Either at the Bethesda Terrace, Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, The Ladies Pavillion, Oak Bridge, the Central Park Boathouse, or even renting one of the paddle boats on the lake. It’s one of the best places to catch the cherry blossoms and fall foliage!

West Village

Have you dreamed of having your engagement photos on the classic cobblestone streets that still exist in the West Village of NYC? Well, there are still a few locations where we can go to make that happen. The Highline is also another great location for photos and it’s just a short walk from the west village.

Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center

I don’t think it gets any more ICONIC than being on the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. You should plan to arrive first thing when they open (usually around 8 am) to ensure you get the place and the view, to yourselves. There will be tourists waiting in line but you should still be able to create a bit of New York City magic overlooking the city.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (aka The Met)

One of the most popular steps in all of NYC is found right outside The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Arriving before sunrise is the best time of day to get the steps all to yourselves.

New York City Public Library

Now, you cannot take photos inside the library without a proper permit, but you can take photos outside the library on the steps. They have beautiful archways and details that make you feel as if you are in Paris vs. New York City.

Gramercy Park

This tucked-away neighborhood has some of the best ivy walls and gardens in New York City. There are quaint shops and storefronts to use for the perfect background and the light in the morning is just perfect for your engagement photos. BONUS if you live in Gramercy Park and have a key to the very beautiful and private park just for residents.

The High Line& Meatpacking District

It’s hard to imagine that the High Line was once an abandoned raised rail road track because it’s a new city icon if you ask me. It’s full of lush gardens, hidden spots, and lots of amazing views which are perfect for your engagement session photos in the city.

Brooklyn Heights

There is a reason why one of Brooklyn’s most expensive and sought-after neighborhoods is the perfect location for your engagement photos. The New York City skyline in the background is in the background. Need I say more? The Heights are filled with perfect brownstones, carriage houses, and special spots that you just cannot find anywhere else in the city.

DUMBO

Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass - or better known as DUMBO - is one of the best places for your engagement photos. You have water views, the iconic New York City Skyline in your background, Jane’s Carousel, Pier One with lots of greenery, and the ferry terminal. Oh and don’t forget the Brooklyn Ice Cream shop which is a great location too!

Engagement sessions happen after you’ve already proposed and are reserved for our full wedding clients.
If you are interested in learning more about our photography services, we’d love to hear from you!

Favorite New York City Engagement Photo Sessions

Here are several of my favorite engagement photos from my previous real wedding clients in NYC.
click on an image to view more photos from real engagement sessions.

Engagement sessions happen after you’ve already proposed and are reserved for our full wedding clients.
If you are interested in learning more about our photography services, we’d love to hear from you!