Best Engagement Session Locations in Cincinnati
Here are a few of my favorite Cincinnati engagement session locations. All of these places are free and open to the public, so no additional fee is required to have your engagement photos taken there. They are also all pet-friendly, so you could bring along your furry friends to be a part of your engagement session at any of these locations as well. If you aren’t sure which is best for your dream engagement photos- send a quick message and tell me all of your ideas. I would love to help you.
Ault Park
This sophisticated garden park is an ideal location for engagement sessions and is probably my most requested Cincinnati photo spot. Its well-maintained gardens have a vibe that’s classy, but not too formal and there are lots of different garden backgrounds all within the one park. There is also a stone structure with cascading stairs and an impressive fountain. There are literally no bad angles here. It is important to note that this location is often crowded and on weekends or when events are going on, parking can be difficult. Not only is this a great place for engagement photos, but it is also a beautiful wedding venue. I definitely recommend checking out Ault Park.
Glenwood Gardens
This is another great park location. There is a main garden area with a small stone building. Creeping greenery surrounds the entryway, giving it a unique and dreamy kind of look. Beyond the central gardens are glowing grassy fields and trails through wooded areas. This is another very versatile location with lots of different natural landscapes to work with. The woodsy vibe can definitely be found here. I do recommend wearing comfortable shoes to have your photo taken at Glenwood Garden. There are lots of great things to use throughout the park, but some walking would be required to take advantage of all this location has to offer.
Winton Woods
Winton Woods is another location with lots of trails and wooded backgrounds. The thing that makes this location truly special, though, is the lake. Boat rental is very affordable. You can rent a boat for just an hour- perfect for getting some creative engagement photos out on the water. If you do opt for an adventurous vibe for your photo session, definitely check out the small island there. It is a really cool spot for photos. To get photos on the lake, you would need to keep the weather in mind. Boat rental is only available during certain times of the year, so plan accordingly and schedule your engagement session for when it’s warm.
Smale Riverfront Park
A park in Cincinnati’s most iconic area, the downtown riverfront, is definitely an ideal location for a photo session. Smale Riverfront Park is a great place to get photos right next to the river and at the Roebling suspension bridge. This park gets pretty crowded during the day but is virtually empty early in the morning. It’s definitely worth it to wake up early for your engagement session at Smale Riverfront Park. This is a great park to do a photo-walk style engagement session where you wander around the park taking photos at various locations. You could meander down towards Great American Ballpark and get a few photos with the stadium in the background as well.
Mt. Airy Forest
This location has lots of trails and wooded areas for photos with a more natural background. This would be an incredible location to have a picnic in the forest for your engagement session. Also in this park is a treehouse that is open to the public. Talk about a hidden gem! What a fun spot to stop for a few photos during your engagement session. There are also bridle trails, so engagement photos on horseback would definitely be a possibility at this location.
Sharon Woods
If you are looking for a photo location with lots of waterfalls, then Sharon Woods is definitely the place. There are many hiking trails and forest areas, creekside trails, and bridges. Beautiful natural backgrounds can be found throughout this Cincinnati park, making it an ideal location for engagement photos.
Eden Park
The view of Cincinnati from the hilltop at Eden Park is definitely a gorgeous background for engagement photos. There are lots of great little areas at this park to take advantage of, but one that stands out is the top of the hill that overlooks the city and the river down below. There is also a small vine-covered cottage with a pond and stone bridge there too. It truly is a location with so much to offer. Eden Park is especially beautiful during the spring when the greenery looks its best, or during the fall when the leaves begin to change. Be prepared for a little extra chill at this location since it is on top of a hill. Bring a sweater or layer your outfit if you have a spring or fall engagement session at Eden Park.
Over-the-Rhine
This downtown Cincinnati location has an urban feel that is updated and modern. There are so many colorful backgrounds in just a small area in Over-the-Rhine. You could do a photo-walk style engagement session, where you walk around and take advantage of all the great things this neighborhood has to offer. Or you could also do a more lifestyle type engagement session, where you stop to get coffee at your favorite place and take photos of your mini-date. Regardless of how you approach an engagement session in Over-the-Rhine, it’s a great location with endless possibilities.
Pro tip: if you know the location you want to use for your engagement photos is often crowded, try to schedule an early morning engagement session. The first light day is absolutely beautiful and you will usually enjoy a virtually empty location. Worth it to wake up early one day to enjoy the photos for a lifetime. The exact timing for this type of session varies throughout the year as sunrise time changes daily.