Your engagement photos are something you'll treasure always, and choosing the perfect location can be a tricky task, so we visited some of our favorite places to take engagement photos around Hampton Roads to help with your decision!
Whether you're aiming for a classic session or something edgy and unique, you're sure to find inspiration in our top picks!
Christopher Newport University
CNU's campus is picture perfect for a classic or casual engagement session. The sprawling great lawn is perfect to kick off your shoes or lay down a blanket for some laid back shots! The stunning architecture with columns and grand staircases, especially on the newly constructed Christopher Newport Hall, makes a great backdrop for elegant photos.
The Noland Trail
The Noland Trail in Newport News is a beautiful location for an outdoor session! Miles of trails wind through the wooded landcape that circles a sparkling lake. Charming bridges span the lake and lead to a quiet outlook with a quaint dock and benches underneath a large oak tree.
Fort Monroe
Quarters I
Parade Grounds
Fort Monroe is the ultimate location for engagement photos. There are a variety of backdrops including historic brick buildings, picturesque tree-lined sidewalks, sprawling fields, stone walls, and old homes and buildings with gorgeous architectural details to name a few! The fort is inactive, so it is a relatively quiet place for distraction-free engagement photos to accomodate any style.
Local Beaches
Yorktown Beach
Yorktown Beach
Fort Monroe
Chick's Beach
The beach is always a fun location to take your engagement pictures. The gentle waves and warm breeze add flowing movement to your photos that you won't find in other locations! Bring a blanket to sit in the sand for casual photos and splash in the water for fun shots! Many local beaches feature piers and other fun structures to add variety to your session.
Downtown Hampton
Downtown Hampton is a charming area with a vintage vibe. Colorful storefronts look out on the quiet tree-lined street dotted with old brick buildings and interesting architectural details. A delicate mural decorates the entrance to the street with a vibrant, picture-perfect cherry blossom tree. This location is perfect for a nostalgic engagement session that can be casual or elegant!
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg's historic buildings make a gorgeous backdrop for engagement photos! The grand homes and 18th century architecture line the streets of colonial Williamsburg creating an elegant, timeless style. White picket fences, beautiful greenery, and brick walkways are a few of the charming details that contribute to the style of your photos.
Downtown Smithfield
Main Street in downtown Smithfield is a charming little area with a lot to offer for an engagement shoot. The brick sidewalks are lined with historic buildings and homes to compliment your classic engagement session. A hidden walkway called Hayden's Lane connects Main Street and Thomas Street, featuring picturesque trees, lamp posts, and benches that look stunning in the evening light. Other charming details include brick architecture, white picket fences, colorful storefronts, trees that arch over the sidewalks, and even a vintage telephone booth!
Windsor Castle Park
Windsor Castle Park is just minutes from downtown Smithfield and is a favorite for photo sessions of all kinds! The main attractions are the rustic, original barns that are currently being restored. The park features an elegant manor house with a beautiful staircase that is perfect for a classic photoshoot. The estate now boasts a small vineyard behind the manor house and has a sloping hill that leads down to the Pagan River. Wooded trails wind throughout the park for another scenic setting!
The NEON District
The NEON (New Energy Of Norfolk) District in downtown Norfolk features over a dozen vivid murals and sculptures commissioned by local artists. These enourmous murals are a relatively new backdrop perfect for artsy and edgy engagement photos! The subject matters feature vivid color blocks, a neon picket fence, the word "love", bumblebees, roses, and much more! The murals span a few blocks and it's best to explore on foot to avoid hunting for parking.
The Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens in Norfolk are stunning to say the least! The gardens go on for miles, so it's best to pick out your ideal spots ahead of time. They feature nearly every type of flower and plant imaginable, ranging from rose gardens to orchids. Each section of the gardens features picture perfect details including fountains, decorative fencing, statues, bridges, and more! This location is a top pick for elegant engagement photos that you can make unique.
Love the photos featured in our project? Find information on each photographer at their website listed below; they've all been a pleasure to work with!