A sweet June morning at the Upper West Side was exactly what I needed in the middle of my busiest season of the year. The summer is usually a blur (in the best way), so having a fun and laid back session this felt like a breath of fresh air.


Because I live in NYC, I’m always recommending early morning engagement sessions. It’s the easiest way to beat the crowds and keep things feeling relaxed and unrushed.  Plus, you have to respect the heat in NYC. It gets hot fast, so going early isn’t just about avoiding people, it’s about being comfortable. No one wants to spend their engagement session sweating through their outfit or fighting the sun.


A few quick things to know if you’re planning NYC engagement photos:


  • Morning is the move. The streets and Central Park are quieter, the light is soft, and you’ll feel way better than you will at midday.
  • Wear something breathable. Even when it’s “nice out,” the city likes to surprise you. Light fabrics are your friend.
  • Give yourself a little buffer time. Parking, walking in, fixing hair, grabbing water. It all goes smoother when you’re not rushing.


Click here to see more tips on preparing for your engagement session


The Upper West Side is one of those locations that always looks good, no matter what. It’s iconic, it’s timeless, and it somehow manages to feel both elegant and laid-back at the same time, which is exactly what you want for engagement photos.


Carrie and Jonathon wanted an engagement session that felt like a true love letter to their life in NYC, and their morning was nothing short of a cinematic dream. We started our day at their favorite diner and grabbed a couple of coffees. It felt like I was just following them on their daily routine! We stopped at their local subway stop, and later at the entrance of their apartment building. We wrapped up our time together at Central Park where their new puppy Ruby joined in and definitely showed her crazy side! Couples including their furry friends are my absolute favorite session!

Couple sharing an intimate moment in a cozy restaurant booth near a window, with warm pendant lights above.
Two people sharing coffee at a wooden cafe table, holding mugs with sugar cubes nearby in a cozy setting.
Couple sharing a romantic moment at a restaurant window table, smiling and holding hands on a city street backdrop.
Couple sharing a romantic kiss under NYC subway sign for Uptown and The Bronx lines 1, 2, and 3.
Couple kissing romantically in a subway station with a blurred train passing behind them.
Couple holding hands on NYC subway platform watching a train pass by in motion blur.
Couple sharing a romantic kiss on a busy New York City crosswalk, woman in white dress and man in gray blazer.
Black and white photo of a couple walking on a sidewalk, woman in white dress and heels, man in dark suit pants.
Couple posing together in front of ornate blue and gold architectural columns in an elegant urban setting.
Couple sitting on brownstone steps in NYC, smiling at each other, man in blazer, woman in white dress.
Couple smiling at each other outside a NYC brownstone, man in blazer holding hat, woman in white dress.
A smiling couple walks arm-in-arm past brownstone buildings on a sunny city street.
Couple sharing a romantic kiss on a sunny urban sidewalk, woman in white dress holding hands with man in gray blazer.
Couple embracing and dancing on Bethesda Terrace in Central Park, surrounded by lush green trees.
A happy Corgi puppy in a red harness being held by a couple in formal wedding attire.
A happy couple laughs together while holding an adorable Corgi dog in a park.
Couple posing on Bow Bridge in Central Park, surrounded by lush green trees in summer.
Happy Corgi dog on red leash standing between two people outdoors on a sunny day.
Couple petting a Corgi dog on a bridge railing in Central Park on a sunny day.
Smiling blonde woman hugging a man outdoors, showing off her engagement ring with green trees in the background.
Joyful woman in white dress laughing as a dog playfully licks her face outdoors.
A happy Corgi dog wearing a red harness sits between a couple on a wooden deck outdoors.
Smiling couple holding an adorable Corgi dog on Bow Bridge in Central Park, NYC.
Smiling bride and groom in wedding attire joyfully holding an adorable corgi dog outdoors.
Couple embracing in a romantic stone archway with colorful mosaic tile artwork in Central Park NYC.
Couple in elegant attire sharing a romantic moment in an ornate architectural arcade with arched ceilings.
Couple in white dress and gray suit kissing a Corgi dog inside an ornate stone archway.
Couple sitting on stone steps with a corgi dog beside a decorative monument in a park, black and white photo.
Couple holding hands walking down stone steps beside a decorative stone structure surrounded by lush green trees.
Romantic couple sharing a dip kiss on lush green grass in a sunlit park with trees in the background.
A happy Corgi puppy on a red leash sits in green grass, tongue out, in a sunny park setting.
Happy couple sharing a tender moment with their smiling Corgi dog at an outdoor wedding celebration.
Happy couple kissing their smiling Corgi dog outdoors with green trees in the background.
Couple in wedding attire posing on an ornate stone balustrade surrounded by lush green trees in a park.

 

Planning your NYC engagement photos?


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