Best Engagement Photo Locations in Columbus, Ohio | Amanda Lauren Collective
Planning your engagement session and wondering where to take photos in Columbus? Choosing the right location can make all the difference in creating stunning, timeless images that feel like you. Whether you’re drawn to romantic gardens, historic charm, or modern cityscapes, Columbus offers incredible backdrops for every style. In this guide, I’ll share the best engagement session locations in Columbus—places that not only look beautiful but also provide the perfect lighting, seasonal appeal, and unique atmosphere to make your photos unforgettable.
As a bonus, I’m sharing some romantic date night spots near these incredible locations! You’re already dressed up—why not make the most of it? Treat yourselves to a night out, enjoy the moment, and let wedding planning take a backseat for the evening. Keep reading to find the perfect spot for your engagement session!
Top Engagement Session Locations in Columbus, Ohio
1. Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Why It’s Perfect: Franklin Park Conservatory is one of the most sought-after engagement photo locations in Columbus, offering lush greenery, stunning floral backdrops, and elegant architecture. The gardens feature a mix of romantic pathways and bright, open spaces that are perfect for golden-hour lighting.
Recommended Seasons: Spring and Summer for colorful blooms, Fall for warm foliage, and Winter for the indoor greenhouse option.
Pro Tip: A permit is required for indoor sessions, but the outdoor gardens are open to the public and provide a similar aesthetic with more scheduling flexibility. If you’re planning a winter session but still want greenery, the indoor conservatory is a great option! Keep in mind that sessions inside must be booked during operating hours, meaning winter sessions typically start by 3 p.m.
Date Night Suggestion:
2. German Village & Schiller Park
Why It’s Perfect: German Village is a dream for timeless and romantic engagement photos with its charming brick streets, historic homes, and tree-lined sidewalks. Schiller Park adds a touch of nature with open green spaces, a pond, and a picturesque footbridge, making it a versatile location for both summer and fall sessions.
Recommended Seasons: Fall for golden foliage, spring for fresh blooms, and summer for warm, glowing light.
Pro Tip: No two engagement sessions here look the same! The variety of streets, alleyways, and park spots means you’ll get a unique mix of city charm and natural beauty.
Date Night Suggestion:
3. Scioto Mile & Downtown Columbus
Why It’s Perfect: If you’re dreaming of modern, city-chic engagement photos, Scioto Mile is the perfect spot. This location features stunning skyline views, scenic bridges, and waterfront pathways, creating a mix of urban and natural elements.
Recommended Seasons: Spring, Summer and Fall. Sunset is ideal, as the city lights and river reflections create a soft, glowing backdrop.
Pro Tip: Dress up for a sleek, modern aesthetic! This location works beautifully for couples who want elegant, editorial-style engagement photos.
Date Night Suggestion:
4. The Ohio Statehouse
Why It’s Perfect: If you’re looking for a timeless, elegant setting, the Ohio Statehouse offers grand columns, historic architecture, and neutral stone tones that make couples stand out beautifully. The steps and archways provide a classic, sophisticated backdrop, making this a great year-round location.
Recommended Seasons: Anytime! Since the architecture is the main feature, you don’t have to worry about the trees being bare in winter.
Pro Tip: The Statehouse is a short walk from Scioto Mile, making it a great pairing for a second location if you want a mix of classic and modern engagement photos.
Date Night Suggestions:
5. Inniswood Metro Gardens
Why It’s Perfect: A hidden gem for nature lovers, this botanical garden features whimsical walking paths, charming bridges, and lush greenery. If you want bright and airy engagement photos with a fairytale feel, this location is perfect for you.
Recommended Seasons: Spring and summer for peak floral blooms, fall for warm tones.
Date Night Suggestions:
6. Whetstone Park of Roses
Why It’s Perfect: One of the most beautiful floral engagement locations in Columbus, featuring hundreds of blooming roses, a romantic pergola, and stunning open walkways.
Recommended Seasons: Peak bloom is late May through early June, but some roses rebloom in the fall, offering a second chance for a floral backdrop.
Pro Tip: This location is perfect for soft, romantic engagement photos with timeless, floral charm.
Date Night Suggestions:
Ready to Book Your Engagement Session?
The most beautiful engagement photos are the ones that truly reflect who you are as a couple—and the location you choose plays a big role in that! If you’re still deciding on the perfect spot, think about places that hold special meaning for you. Where was your first date? What activities do you love doing together? Where did he propose? Choosing a location with personal significance adds an extra layer of sentiment to your photos, making them even more meaningful. If you need inspiration, I’m happy to help you brainstorm and suggest other stunning locations throughout Ohio!
As a Columbus, Ohio wedding photographer, I help couples create stunning, natural engagement photos in beautiful locations. Let’s plan your perfect session!
If you enjoyed this, you may also enjoy:
A German Village Summer Engagement
A Fall Engagement at Inniswood Metro Garden
A Franklin Park Conservatory Wedding
Amanda is the lead photographer of Amanda Lauren Collective, a Columbus, Ohio, wedding photographer specializing in timeless, bright, and natural images for down-to-earth couples who value photography. If you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Columbus or beyond, I’d love to connect and hear all about your special day!
Wedding Details for the Perfect Photography Flatlay | Amanda Lauren Collective
If you are beginning to gather your items for your wedding day, I have created the perfect wedding details checklist. These items help create the perfect flat lay to reflect the intimate details of your wedding day. From paper items to jewelry and shoes, you are guaranteed not to forget any details from your big day!
Why should I have the small details photographed?
The details, such as your jewelry and invitations, help tell the full story of your wedding day. While they may seem small, you spent months picking the perfect items to complete your bridal look. The invitations were designed to give guests the first glimpse of your wedding. Photographing these small details is so important to help you remember everything from the day. While you may keep many of these items for years after the day, you may lose them over the years and a photograph will help keep the memory alive.
The Brides Details
Keep in mind you may not have all of these items. The details for each wedding are just as unique as you! Here are all the items I always ask the Bride to collect:
Engagement ring and wedding band, ring box, earrings, necklace, bracelet, hairpiece, garter, veil, shoes, perfume, and handkerchief.
The Groom
The Groom’s details tell the story as much as the Bride’s and are often overlooked. I recommend having the Groom’s details in the same box. This way they can be photographed together. When it is time to get pictures of him getting ready I can take all the details to him. Items for your Groom to collect:
Wedding band cufflinks, tie, watch, cologne, shoes, and boutonniere.
The Stationary
Stationary is the detail that helps the day come together. They can be seen from the moment your guests get their invitations and are sprinkled throughout the day, from the ceremony to the reception. These are all the paper items I suggest:
Save the dates, full invitation suite (two sets if available), ceremony program, vow books, custom menu, and extra placecard (with Bride & Grooms name).
Complete the Look
Now that you have gathered all of your personal items, there are a few other items you may have on hand that complete the look of your flat lay. These extra elements can elevate the pictures, making them look magazine-worthy! Pro tip: if you want your wedding published in magazines, this can make your images stand out and help get them published.
Loose florals from your florist, ribbons (that match your wedding colors), vintage stamps, wax seals, wooden hanger for your wedding dress (bonus if you grab extras for the bridesmaids), and a jewelry tray.
I hope you found this helpful! Check back for more wedding tips soon!
