Did you recently get engaged? You’re in luck – this post is all about the best places to go to get Harrisburg engagement photos.
I’m a photographer based in Pennsylvania, and I consistently shoot in Harrisburg. I have visited each of these engagement photo locations firsthand. I know it can be hard to envision what engagement photos can look like in a place without visuals, so these are also all places where I’ve photographed an engagement so you can get that visual!
Before we dive in, here’s an overview of the 5 spots for Harrisburg engagement photos:
- Fort Hunter Mansion and Park
- Boyd Big Tree Preserve
- Harrisburg Capitol Building
- Parking garages
- Riverfront Park
Harrisburg Engagement Photos: Best Locations
Fort Hunter Mansion and Park
Fort Hunter Mansion and Park is easily one of my favorite spots in Harrisburg, PA, to get engagement photos. With 40 acres of land and tons of intimate spots throughout, it’s easy to see why this is at the top of my list.
One of the most beautiful features here is the Everhart Covered Bridge, which was rebuilt in 2006. There are also many trails that you can walk along (which are great for photos) and even a breathtaking river with beautiful views.
As you can imagine, there are lots of great photo spots throughout Fort Hunter Mansion and Park, depending on the vibe that you want. You can walk along the trails, go down to the river, have the photo in the background, or even walk through the more “foresty” areas filled with trees.
I’ve photographed a couple here, Tyler and Naomi, in springtime. We went back and forth initially with a few different engagement session locations as we wanted it to mix both urban and nature, so we ended up going to a parking garage, Harrisburg Capitol Building (more on that later), and Fort Hunter Mansion and Park.
We laughed and had so much fun during this engagement session, which you can really easily see throughout the photos. They absolutely loved this spot, and I love recommending it to couples who want a more nature-filled vibe for their engagement photos.
Boyd Big Tree Preserve
Another of the best spots for Harrisburg engagement photos is Boyd Big Tree Preserve. This area has more than 1000 acres of beautiful natural spaces that are perfect for engagement pictures.
The park is open year-round and has some incredible trails that are perfect for giving a more intimate feel to your engagement photos. It’s really easy to walk even part of one of the trails and be alone. Because of how large it is, you can also get a few different nature aesthetics throughout the park, from more foresty areas to those with rolling mountains in the background. There are even some lakes throughout the park, too.
This is one of the spots that is more of a local favorite, too, so it’s a bit more under the radar and isn’t usually super crowded. It’s especially beautiful for sunrise (if you’re an early riser, that is) but can be truly breathtaking all day long.
Unlike other spots on this list, Boyd Big Tree Preserve also really showcases the beauty that each season in Pennsylvania brings. In the fall, you can witness the beautiful changing of the leaves, while you can see everything coming alive again after winter in the spring. Speaking of winter… it looks gorgeous covered in snow, too.
The most popular trails here are the Janie Trail via Pond Loop and Lower Spring Trail (again, this is a beautiful one in the fall), the Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area Creek Trail, and the Boyd Big Tree Preserve Loop via Darlington Trail.
Harrisburg Capitol Building
Next is the Harrisburg Capitol Building. This is one of the best engagement photo spots in all of Pennsylvania. The capitol building has the perfect ambiance if you want something a little more urban, and, believe it or not, it is possible to get photos here without lots of people around.
One side of the building here has a huge staircase that is perfect for engagement photos. Plus, if you take some photos at the fountain, you can get some intimate photos, too. City views can also be seen from the capitol’s front steps. Really, this entire location is breathtaking, so I love to recommend it to couples who want a more city-ish vibe.
After taking photos at the parking garage for Tyler and Naomi, we ended up over at the Harrisburg Capitol Building for photos. The building is one of my favorites because of the unique spots and architecture throughout that look incredible in photos. One of my absolute favorites is the doorway.
Oh, and did I mention that Fort Hunter Mansion and Park is only a short drive away from here, too? So it’s definitely doable to get photos at both spots during a session!
Parking garages
Believe it or not, but you can get some seriously epic photos on top of parking garages throughout Harrisburg. Not only can you get beautiful views of the city in your backdrop, but you also get the sky looking its most breathtaking, especially at sunrise or sunset.
Luckily, most parking garages are fairly easy to get into, and often, people don’t park up on the rooftop, making for a great intimate photo between you and your partner. It allows you to really be yourself and gives you a fun, urban experience.
In fact, as I mentioned earlier, I did photograph Tyler and Noami up on a parking garage. They had so much fun doing this, and the photos came out absolutely amazing!
Riverfront Park
Last but certainly not least is Riverfront Park. This is another green area in Harrisburg, but it makes for a great engagement photo backdrop. This park is right along the Susquehanna River, hence the name. This isn’t that far from the capitol and allows you to get more beautiful riverside photographs with a bridge in the background.
This is another of those spots that is great all day long and really changes depending on the lighting. Sunrise casts a nice, golden glow, while there are soft hues at night during sunset. The lighting really can make a huge difference in the way that the photos turn out.
Similar to the capitol, there are some great architectural spots throughout the park, too, that are quite historical. For instance, there’s the 19th-century Walnut Street Bridge, which connects Riverfront Park to nearby City Island.
For couples wanting an urban chic vibe for their engagement session that also involves nature, Riverfront Park can be an incredible option. It’s a great blend of beauty, charm, history, and elegance that makes it great for engagement photos. Plus, the location makes it easy to jump around to other spots throughout the city as needed.
Are engagement photos worth it?
In my opinion, yes, engagement photos are worth it. This is for a few reasons.
First of all, it will give you an opportunity to work with your photographer before your wedding, allowing you to get to know each other better. You’ll have first-hand experience of what it is like to be photographed by your photographer, which will put you at ease on your wedding day since you will know what to expect.
It’s also worth it because you’ll for sure want to remember this time in your life, while you’re engaged, and before you’re married. Engagement photos can be used in your save the dates and honestly look absolutely beautiful framed, too. Truthfully, the serene greenery and flowing river really help to create a timeless yet romantic setting.
Final Thoughts: Engagement Photos in Harrisburg PA
I hope you enjoyed this post about where to get Harrisburg engagement photos! There are so many incredible photo spots throughout this city, and I love sharing them with couples like you. If you are still looking for a photographer to capture this big moment in your life, I’d love for you to get in touch. You can click here to do that!
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