Top Engagement Session Locations in the SF Bay Area and Pennsylvania

Just engaged and looking for breathtaking engagement session locations in the SF Bay Area or planning engagement photos in PA? I think the San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and I’ve shot hundreds of engagement sessions across the Keystone State to put together a list of my all-time fav outdoor photo locations. My goal is to capture the essence of your wedding day, all the little things that come together to paint the big picture. Whether your backdrop is a lush garden, a woodsy park, a romantic historical site, or a concrete jungle, you can’t go wrong with any of these spots! The potential for photos with a stunning backdrop is endless.

5 Breathtaking Engagement Session Locations in the SF Bay Area

I love that we have everything from sweeping golden hills to dreamy beaches and gorgeous redwood forests, all within an hour or so of each other!

1. Sutro Baths, San Francisco

Sutro Baths and Lands End are definitely a classic for engagement photos here in the Bay Area… well, for any type of photos really! I love starting up in the trees at the beginning of the session and making my way down to the baths right around sunset for the best possible light! It definitely takes some patience (and sometimes some cloning) to get photos at the iconic spots right at the baths, but there are so many other beautiful spots, that it’s never a big problem!

2. Rodeo Beach, Marin County

With the quintessential succulent covered California coast hills and a beautiful beach, it’s no wonder Rodeo Beach has become my favorite spot for engagement photos lately! The light is always so dreamy and it’s less crowded than Sutro Baths is. I often start the session by hiking up the hill to get the sweeping view and tend to leave the beach for the last 15 minutes or so before sunset for the most beautiful, golden light.

3. Russian Ridge, Woodside

Russian Ridge is a beautiful open space preserve up in the hills behind Stanford. The view is absolutely stunning though, and I particular love the beautiful layers of hills in the background. One note of warning, I don’t like going to Russian Ridge in the summer after the grasses have dried because there can be a lot of ticks and mosquitoes!

4. Foothills Park, Los Altos

Despite being in Los Altos, Foothills Park is actually only open to Palo Alto residents! There’s a lovely grassy hill that gets beautiful light, as well as a lake with a fun dock. It’s also much less walking than the majority of my engagement session locations, because you can drive very close to the best locations.

5. Point Montara, Half Moon Bay

The gorgeous succulent covered cliffs overlooking the ocean just scream Northern California to me and have such a wild charm. I particularly love the rocky shoreline right at sunset. Also, it takes a bit of scrambling to get around, so high heels might not be the best choice to walk around in here!

Top 10 Best Outdoor Engagement Photoshoot Locations in PA

Below I’m sharing the top best outdoor engagement photoshoot locations in Pennsylvania, ranging from architectural backdrops to enchanted gardens.

Architectural Photo Session Backdrops

F&M College Campus: I loved the architectural aspect of the campus buildings, walkways, and stairs that we were able to incorporate into the photos. This is such a serene and versatile location, especially for couples whose love story began at F&M in Lancaster!

Hershey Theater: The historic Hershey Theater offers breathtaking architecture and timeless charm. The venue’s inspiring décor and manicured grounds are perfect for couples who want a clean and modern look for their photos while still giving a nod to the past.

Woodsy and Field Sessions

Overlook Park: Overlook Park in Lancaster County is one of the best outdoor engagement photoshoot locations for capturing blue skies, hills, woods, and picturesque trails. This location also offers panoramic views, perfect for catching that golden hour light.

Valley Forge Park: This location is perfect to capture romantic engagement photos in a field of flowers. So romantic, so timeless, so whimsy.

Best Garden Engagement Session Locations

• Longwood Gardens: There are a whopping 1,077 acres of gardens to explore, from flower-filled meadows to elegant fountains. Every corner you turn is a photographer’s dream!
• Tyler Gardens: Classical architecture and dramatic stairways are surrounded by formal English gardens and ponds. It’s no surprise that Tyler Gardens is also a wedding venue!
• Conestoga House & Gardens: The brick-paved walkway, gorgeous florals, and live hedges are what dreams are made of! The gardens surrounding this historic mansion are an enchanting place to capture your love story.

Urban Engagement Session Locations

If you want an urban vibe for your PA engagement photos, consider Downtown Manayunk in Philadelphia, Downtown Lititz, or the Philadelphia Naval Yard. These spots provide a concrete jungle feel that contrasts beautifully with more traditional nature shots.