The 15 BEST Nashville Locations for your Engagement Photos

Are you looking for the best spots for your Nashville engagement session? Here are my 15 best Nashville engagement photo locations I have found as a Tennessee elopement and wedding photographer!

Let me be the first to congratulate you on your engagement!!

 It is the most exciting season to be in! I know everything can become so overwhelming quickly as you are starting to look into planning your elopement or wedding, but it doesn’t have to be. I will guide you below in my top locations for your engagement session.

When it comes to engagement photos, I always advise couples to think about how they want to feel when they look back at them. Any spots that are special to them as a couple, or places that feel inspiring. Maybe you love going for coffee together at Barista Parlor or you take evening walks around Centennial Park? Or maybe you went to the Great Smoky Mountains one time for a vacation, and it left you both feeling your happiest being surrounded by mountains. Any ideas like these will make for great engagement photos. 

My philosophy is to make your engagement feel like anything but a posed photoshoot. It should be a fun experience and date night for you all! I will direct you as much or as little as you need together to ensure you always know what to do with your hands, but what is most important to me is that you receive photos that both look AND feel like you as a couple.

As a traveling elopement and wedding photographer based out of Nashville, I have photographed a LOT of engagements in and around Nashville. Here are my 15 best Nashville engagement photo locations so you can have the perfect backdrop for your session!

Best Downtown Nashville Engagement Photo Locations

1. War Memorial

The historic War Memorial is a monument dedicated to Tennesseans who served in various wars located in Downtown Nashville. It has long cascading stairs leading up to a beautiful open monument with columns made from Tennessee limestone. The War Memorial is a beautiful place for couples who want editorial, classy looking engagement photos in Nashville. 

2. Dream Nashville

If there is one thing, Nashville is known for its nightlife. Lots of couples have been really  liking the look of bar engagement photos with direct flash. Dream Nashville downtown is a beautiful hotel, featuring multiple bars, my favorite is the one in the back! You will need to reach out to the hotel in order to be able to photograph here, but I love doing this and taking clients here for their engagement photos! Especially if they want a private hotel bar look in downtown Nashville.

3. Cumberland Park

Cumberland Park is located on the east side of Nashville along a river bank by the Tennessee Titans stadium. This park is a beautiful green space with full views of the Nashville skyline. I like to take couples here at night for their engagement session and do flash photography, as the lights of the city reflect beautifully in the river.

4. Pedestrian Bridge

The Pedestrian Bridge in downtown Nashville is so scenic to walk across, giving you a great view of all of the downtown buildings. Lots of couples will actually get engaged here along the Pedestrian Bridge. I would recommend going for a sunrise at this location because it can get so busy during the day.

5. Printers Alley

Historic Printers Alley is an all time favorite of mine for city engagement sessions. The alley was originally a hub of printing and publishing companies, but now it is a hidden destination for bars and clubs. It’s tucked away in the city with gorgeous string lights and old brick buildings. Printers Alley is a gorgeous spot for engagement photos.

6. Broadway and other Nashville City Streets

There are a few other historic buildings and crosswalks in downtown Nashville that I have found I love to take couples to for their engagement photos. Broadway is a place I recommend only at sunrise due to the amount of tourism. Check out this engagement session for more Downtown Nashville engagement photo spots!

Best Nature Engagement Photo Locations in Nashville

7. Bells Bend

Bells Bend just outside of Nashville is an amazing location for engagement photos. I love it because it looks like you are in the mountains, when you are really in Nashville! Bells Bend always has tall fields which look so beautiful during golden hour. There is even a small wooded forest here if you are willing to hike to it. You can view a full Bells Bend engagement session here!

8. Shelby Park

Shelby Park located in East Nashville is a huge recreational area, covering over 336 acres. It features a small fishing pond, access to go down to the Cumberland River, and more. In the summer little yellow flowers will fill the fields. It is so gorgeous, I love meeting clients at Shelby Park!

9. Centennial Park

Centennial Park is an iconic Nashville park, featuring The Parthenon replica. I love going here at golden hour and photographing around the lake that is there. In the fall, all the colors are golden and orange, and in the spring there are flowers covering the entire park. It’s a simple, beautiful location. Taylor Swift even wrote a song about it!!

10. Harlinsdale Farm

Harlinsdale Farm is located closer to Franklin, about 20-30 minutes outside of Nashville. It is a protected recreational area featuring walking trails, a rushing creek, hills, and horse stables. I like coming to Harlinsdale Farm in the summer for engagement photos, as everything is so green and beautiful. You can view Molly & Jake’s summer engagement session at Harlinsdale Farm for more information!

11. Harpeth River State Park

Harpeth River State Park is the perfect place for couples who are outdoorsy and want to hike for their engagement photos! It is located roughly 30 minutes outside of the city, and is gorgeous year round featuring a rocky bluff line, small waterfall, and in the summer there are sunflower fields. Engagement photos taken at Harpeth River turn out best at sunrise because of the way the sun rises over the main rock formation, if you can wake up early to make the hike it will be worth it!

12. Long Hunter State Park

Long Hunter State Park features a large lake with tons of rocks to go walk along for engagement photos. This park is really private location and rarely busy, perfect for couples who want a low-key engagement session close to the city. I love coming here for winter engagement sessions because Long Hunter has lots of evergreens that keep the green color year round, as well as sage brushes which photograph so beautifully. You can view Hayley & Adam’s winter engagement session at Long Hunter where it started to snow!

Best Unique Engagement Photo Locations outside of Nashville

13. Bee Rock Overlook

Bee Rock Overlook is a 1.5 hour drive from Nashville out in Monterey, Tennessee. I have yet to photograph there at the time of this journal post but it has been on my list for some time! This location is best in the fall and summer at sunset time. I think this location is incredibly cinematic and is perfect for showcasing the landscape of Tennessee.

14. Fall Creek Falls State Park

Fall Creek Falls is 2.5 hours away from Nashville, it is located in Spencer, Tennessee. It has 5 total waterfalls and is so fun to visit in the summer, especially if you guys want to get in the water for a few photos! This is perfect for the couple who wants to have a bigger hiking adventure for their engagement session! Here are more photos of Fall Creek Falls for Sydnie & Austin’s summer engagement session.

15. Great Smoky Mountains

Finally, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park located 3-4 hours from Nashville is hands down one of the best landscapes for engagement imagery. There are so many perfect locations like Cades Cove, Chimney Tops, Foothills Parkway, and Spence Cabin, just to name a few. Engagement sessions in the smokies are some of my favorites of all time, but it can be tricky depending on the season with permits for the National Park. Don’t worry I will help you with all this if this is the location you choose!

I also photograph a lot of Smoky Mountain elopements and intimate weddings! You can see more helpful information on the Smoky Mountains by clicking that link. If you are considering eloping or having your wedding in Great Smoky Mountain National Park definitely reach out as I can help guide you in your planning journey!

Nashville Engagement Session Packages, Pricing, and Details

In conclusion, there are so many amazing locations in the Nashville area for your engagement session, beyond just this list! I even have a few secret spots depending on the season of year that I save just for my clients 😉 You can view more engagement session resources, like outfit planning, sample galleries, and more here.

Currently, I include an engagement session in every one of my local wedding packages. That time is so important to me not just so you have pretty photos for your save the dates! I truly care so much to have the time during the engagement session to really get to know you as a couple. I want you to feel so comfortable with me (and in front of my camera!) as it helps so much when it is time for your big wedding day! 

Fill out the inquiry form below to inquire for you and your love for my current rates and availability. I can’t wait to meet you both and help you plan the perfect engagement session!