So, you don’t want to venture too far outside of Boston for your engagement photos. BUT, you still want them to have more of an outdoorsy vibe than an urban vibe—similar to the aesthetic you’re envisioning for your actual wedding day! Fear not. The areas surrounding Boston are chock-full of beautiful natural backdrops & settings that suit your adventurous style. That’s one of the most awesome perks of living in New England—you can experience both the convenience of the city and the serenity of nature within a 45-minute drive. To make your life—and the task of getting those save-the-dates out—a little easier, I’ve put together a list of my favorite locations for Boston engagement photos. Each of these places feels like a nice little oasis or escape from the hustle and bustle—yes, even the one that’s located right in the heart of the city. Check ‘em out!
1. Arnold Arboretum
This somewhat hidden gem sits at the top of the list for a reason—it is truly one of the most stunning locations for engagement photos in Boston and in the entire state of Massachusetts. No matter what season you decide to schedule your session in, you are guaranteed a gorgeous natural backdrop. Visit in early spring, and you’ll get to be surrounded by colorful blooms. Plan an October engagement session, and you’ll get peak New England fall foliage. I can’t recommend this place highly enough.
The Arnold Arboretum is part of Harvard University and is also designed to be an educational/research center, so definitely arrive early or stick around after your session to check out the super-cool plant life around the park!
Distance from Boston: Located right in the city – in Jamaica Plain
Parking: Free, on-site, somewhat easy to find
2. F. Gilbert Hills State Forest
Located a little further outside of Boston are tons of seriously awesome Massachusetts state parks. F. Gilbert Hills State Forest is one of them. This is a perfect Boston engagement photo location for couples who want a really rustic or woodsy wedding aesthetic. As with all of the other places mentioned so far, golden hour (just before sunset) would be the perfect time to schedule your engagement session here—the light pouring through the trees will be stunning.
Distance from Boston: ~40 minutes – in Foxboro, MA
Parking: Free, on-site, easy to find
3. deCordova Sculpture Park
Doubling as a very unique and creative wedding venue, the deCordova Sculpture Park, as the name implies, is full of awesome, large-scale, man-made artwork as well as lovely scenery. The sculptures can serve as fun and unexpected visual elements in your Boston engagement photos to make them that much more unique!
If you want your engagement photos to have an especially artsy vibe to them, this is 100% the place to go for your session.
Distance from Boston: ~30 minutes – in Lincoln, MA
Parking: $14 admission, free on-site parking, easy to find
4. Borderland State Park
Another great Massachusetts state park that offers beautiful greenery as well as super-cool stone architecture. Borderland is a large and popular park for a wide range of activities—including engagement photo shoots. It can get a bit crowded in the summertime, but the good news is, there are plenty of beautiful areas within the park to explore, so you’ll likely get some seclusion during your session.
Distance from Boston: ~40 minutes – in North Easton, MA
Parking: $5 admission for MA residents, free on-site parking, somewhat easy to find
5. Hingham Bathing Beach
Okay, hard-core New Englanders. This one’s for you. What better place could there be for couples who LOVE coastal living to take engagement photos than the beach? This particular beach is open to the public, also features a grassy area, has plenty of charm, and is still relatively close to Boston. You’ll get some gorgeous engagement photos here at sunset *or* sunrise.
Distance from Boston: ~40 minutes – In Hingham
Parking: Free, on-site, easy to find
6. Boston Public Garden
Yup, you’ve probably heard it before, and you’re hearing it again now. The Public Garden is one of the absolute best and most beloved spots in Boston for engagement photos. With a quick ride on the T, you can be transported to a beautiful park with trees and shrubbery you’ll wish you had in your own backyard. This type of landscape makes for a really fun and diverse engagement session gallery—the only challenge will be choosing your favorites!
Oh, and if you do want a little touch of the urban aesthetic mixed in, the park also offers a perfect view of the Boston skyline.
Distance from Boston: Located right in the city
Parking: Metered street parking, sometimes a bit difficult to find; easily accessible via public transit
Looking for a Boston photographer to capture fun, candid, true-to-you engagement photos that you’ll cherish forever? I’d love to chat! Feel free to drop me a line & see if I’m available on your desired session date! ❤️
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