21 Awesome Engagement Session Locations in Dayton, Ohio
Dayton Art Institute
Choosing the perfect engagement session location can be difficult. Google no further. Here is the ultimate guide to all the best places in Dayton to have your engagement photos taken. To schedule your engagement session, send me a quick message. I would love to help you get amazing engagement photos at the location of your choice! I maintain permits for many of the options listed below and would be happy to make specific recommendations based on what you have in mind for your photo session.
The Oregon District
This urban landscape is a great place to take some engagement photos. If there is a place you particularly love to go together, consider getting some photos taken there as well. The more personal details you include in your photos the better. You will fill your images with lots of great memories. Years down the road when you look back at your photos you’ll say ‘Oh! We loved that place! Remember when…’
Carillon Park
Not only is Carillon Park a beautiful wedding venue, but it is also a great place to take engagement photos. Prepare to pay the price of entry for yourselves and your photographer if you choose this location. There are great photo opportunities inside and outside, so this is also a great option for a winter engagement session.
Riverscape Metropark
A permit is required to photograph here. Located in downtown Dayton along the river, this Metropark is a great option for engagement photos. The landscape is well kept and there is a pedestrian bridge located at Deeds Point (which is also a great spot for photos). If you plan to go early in the morning, there is great light and the park isn’t crowded. Even during peak season, I haven’t found this area to be so over-crowded that it’s difficult to use. There are lots of interesting backgrounds here. Urban landscaping sets this downtown park apart from the rest. In the winter you could even get some adorable photos while ice-skating (additional fees apply to ice skate).
Deeds Metropark
A permit is required to photograph here. This park may be small, but it’s amazing views and proximity to other great locations make it an awesome choice for engagement photos. Located just across the river from Riverscape Metropark, the view of the river with the city behind it is amazing. It is connected to the other side of the river and Riverscape Metropark by a pedestrian bridge. It’s an easy walk to this location from Riverscape and is usually less crowded, so it’s a great backup location on busy days.
Dayton Art Institute
Additional fee applies. There are some restrictions when it comes to having your engagement session at the Dayton Art Instute, but it truly is a great location. You just have to pay their commercial photography fee and schedule your time in advance. No flash is allowed in the galleries because of the art. The Dayton Art Institute is also a beautiful wedding venue. If you want to avoid the fee- you are able to use the grounds of the museum free of charge!
Cox Arboretum
A permit is required to photograph here. This is easily one of my favorite engagement session locations and I often recommend it to couples looking for a great place for photos in Dayton. This unique landscape has a pond with a darling footbridge and the gardens that are always well maintained. Huge rocks line the paths in the central portion of this park, and just a short walk will take you to woods or grassy fields. I am all about variety, and this park is ideal for getting a variety of natural backgrounds in engagement photos. Cox Arboretum is also a wedding venue with a beautiful outdoor ceremony space.
Aullwood Gardens Metropark
A permit is required to photograph here. A little bit of everything outdoors exists at Aullwood Gardens. If you want to use a variety of natural backgrounds, this is a great option for your engagement session location. You could get photos with woods, gardens, and prairies on a simple photo walk through this park. Schedule your photos for spring or summer to take advantage of the lush greenery. Fall engagement sessions here will have lots of great colors when the leaves change. For photos with a nature-inspired vibe, this is a great choice.
Carriage Hill Metropark
A permit is required to photograph here. Go back in time with your engagement session at Carriage Hill Metropark. This historic farm is a unique location with lots of great places for gorgeous engagement photos. Even if you didn’t use any of the historic farm buildings for your photos, the natural landscapes here are great. There is a lake, wetlands, grassy fields and trails. Over 7 miles of bridle trails make photos on horseback a possibility at this location.
Englewood Metropark
A permit is required to photograph here. Great natural backgrounds can be found in this park. There is a lake, three waterfalls, and a swamp forest with a boardwalk running through it that makes this an interesting location. Engagement photos on a boat or canoe would be possible here.
Wegerzyn Gardens
A permit is required to photograph here. Formal landscaped gardens and with archways covered in lush greenery fill this gorgeous Metropark. This space is always well-kept and makes a great background for photos with a garden vibe with lots of greenery and florals. It’s fancy in the best way. It does get crowded during spring and fall during peak photography times.
Something Old Dayton
Studio rental fees apply to use this space. Located in downtown Dayton on Linden Ave, Something Old is a natural light studio with so much style. You can use anything in the studio and can even view what is currently in the studio online before you go. Additional rentals are available at additional cost. There are two different studio options here. It’s a great indoor option for winter photos, but the building is 150 years old and the studio does not control the heat, so some times are better than others to make sure the space is comfortable. I love that you can check availability and book this studio online. It makes it super easy!
Third Street
Downtown Dayton is a great place for engagement photos, especially on Third Street. If you are going for an urban look, this is definitely an area to consider. There are so many interesting spots to use in a small area. A photo walk around the block would yield great results and lots of variety.
Grant Park
A permit is required to photograph here. Grant Park is enormous. There are multiple entrances, so definitely decide your meeting point in advance. There is a large white barn that is a great background for photos in addition to the natural landscape.
Benham’s Grove
Located in Centerville, this historic location has beautiful grounds. Since Benham’s Grove is also a wedding and event venue, it’s always best to call first to make sure it’s ok to take photos on their property. There is a pond, gazebo and brick path at this location that make it ideal for photos.
Bill Yeck Park
A permit is required to photograph here. Also located in Centerville, this park is loaded with wildflowers during the warmer months. You could take photos outside of the historic home located near the main parking lot at this park. This is a huge park with multiple entrances and determining a starting point in advance is a great idea.
Smith Gardens
Quiant is probably the best word to describe this Oakwood garden. There are brick paths, landscaped gardens, a pond, and a darling cottage. It is secluded and dreamy. A picnic in the garden would be a great idea for an engagement session at this park.
Sugarcreek Metropark
A permit is required to photograph here. Extensive natural backgrounds and bridle trails make this an ideal location for engagement photography. Photos of the two of you riding on horseback through the woods to your picnic by the stream would be a possibility at this location. You bring the horses and I’ll pack the picnic.
Ceasar’s Creek State Park
This ‘creek’ is actually an expansive lake complete with docks and boating areas. There is a sandy section along one section of the lake that is a popular swimming area during the summer but is virtually empty in the offseason. A late spring engagement session here would give you the closest thing to beach vibes that we have in southern Ohio. There are also hiking trails and lots of great natural backgrounds here.
Yellow Springs
Colorful and unique photo spots abound in the village of Yellow Springs. A huge variety of backgrounds can be found between the town and the surrounding natural landscapes. Just a short hike will bring you to multiple waterfalls at Glen Helen Nature Preserve. This is easily one of my favorite places to take engagement photos. It’s such a fun place with a great vibe.
Youngs Jersey Dairy
Also located in Yellow Springs, just down the road from the village is Young’s Jersey Dairy, a farm that is a great place to take engagement photos. During October, they let you pick your own pumpkins from the field, which would make a great fall-themed engagement session. There is also a Christmas tree farm- great for photos in winter. No matter what season, grab a couple of ice cream cones for a fun photo at the very end! You won’t regret it- the ice cream there is the best.
Do you know a great photography location that didnt make the list? Drop it in the comments below!