10 Best Engagement Photo Locations on Long Island

Whether you’re after classic coastal views, woodsy vibes, or something totally unexpected, there’s no shortage of incredible engagement photo locations on Long Island. I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite spots, including a few hidden gems most people don’t even know about. (Don’t worry, ya girl’s got you covered.)

As a Long Island engagement photographer who has captured countless local weddings and engagements, I’ve photographed couples in nearly every corner of this island — from sandy beaches to secret trails to tucked-away spots with the kind of light that just takes your breath away.

If you're down to laugh, explore, and maybe run around barefoot, this list is for you.

Walking into the Vanderbilt Museum & Planetarium feels like stepping onto a European estate. You’ve got old-world architecture, quiet gardens, and water views that stretch out over the Long Island Sound. 



It’s luxe…but it never feels like it’s trying too hard. It’s the kind of place where every backdrop adds its own taste of drama. Think stone archways, staircases, and gardens that give big Italian villa energy. If you're aiming for elevated and effortlessly editorial, this one's a no-brainer.

Best for: Couples who want a luxury, European-inspired feel with elegant architecture, manicured gardens, and water views — all in one spot.

• Address: 180 Little Neck Rd, Centerport, NY 11721
• Phone: (631) 854-5579

Robert Moses State Park

OK, this Long Island engagement photo location delivers on variety. Robert Moses State Park has it all: Walk the long boardwalk to the lighthouse for those moody, adventurous shots, or hang back by the quiet beach for soft, golden portraits with room to breathe.

As the sun drops, the whole shoreline glows — golden light on tall grass, soft waves, and the kind of quiet that makes you just stop for a second. Fewer crowds, more freedom? Sign me up.

And the sunsets here? Absolute bangers. Every. Single. Time. It’s an iconic Long Island location that gives you way more than just your average “beach pics.”

Best for: Couples who want a mix of scenic settings with epic sunsets and a quiet, tucked-away beachy feel.



• Address: 600 Robert Moses State Parkway, Babylon, NY 11702
• Phone: (631) 669-0449

Peconic River Herb Farm

If you’re into that overgrown garden, flowers-everywhere, rustic-but-still-refined style, this place is it. Peconic River Herb Farm is bursting with charm: vine-covered greenhouses, winding garden paths, vintage touches, and colorful blooms literally everywhere. 

It’s easy to book with a low site fee, and the greenhouse makes for a gorgeous rain plan (or just a dreamy vibe in general). There are so many nooks to explore, and I know exactly where to find the magic. Here, your engagement session will feel unique, personal, and ohhh so full of character — just one of the many unforgettable engagement photo locations on Long Island.

Best for: Couples who want a whimsical, flower-forward backdrop with a totally relaxed, off-the-beaten-path feel.

• Address: 2749 River Road, Calverton, NY 11933
• Phone: (631) 369-0058

Montauk Point State Park

Not gonna lie — this one straight up feels like a movie set. Wind whipping through your hair, cliffs that drop off into the ocean, and a lighthouse standing in the background like it’s been waiting for your engagement session this whole time. 

Montauk Point State Park is raw and rugged in the best way. There’s no soft and sweet here — it’s all about big skies, crashing waves, and that feeling like you’ve just run off together into the sunset. Whether we’re down by the water or up on the bluffs, this location definitely brings the drama.

Best for: Couples who want incredible views and wild energy for an engagement session they’ll never forget.

• Address: 2000 Montauk Highway, Montauk, NY 11954
• Phone: (631) 668-3781

Lily Pad Acres

This spot is basically a rom-com fever dream, and I say that with SO much love. Lily Pad Acres has sprawling fields, a lily pad-covered pond, and—I swear I’m not making this up—a canoe so you roleplay Allie and Noah and have your Notebook moment.

Plus, there are chickens that love to eat ticks, which means you get to run through the grass without worrying about a thing. And there’s a HORSE. (I mean, hello!!) 

It’s peaceful here, like the wind moves slower and the flowers are conspiring together. Plus, your booking comes with a mini picnic, fresh fruit, and a bouquet made from Jenny’s garden. It’s giving cottagecore, and I love it so much (in case you couldn’t tell).

Best for: Couples who want laid-back, romantic vibes with tons of wildflowers, and also don’t mind a few farm animal cameos. (It’s a selling point in my book!)

• Address: 22445 Main Rd Unit 1, Cutchogue, NY 11935
• Phone: (631) 741-4171

Planting Fields Arboretum

Planting Fields Arboretum is what happens when garden magic meets historic grandeur. Stretching across 400+ acres, it offers rolling lawns, woodlands, grand stone architecture (hello Coe Hall), iron gates, and greenhouses that feel straight out of a fairytale. 

It’s the kind of place where you can wander for hours and still find new corners with twisty paths, hidden garden nooks, and stonework that adds so much texture to every shot. You get historic mansion vibes and lush romance, all in one place.

Best for: Couples who want a classic, garden-to-mansion feel complete with flower gardens and historic architecture.

• Address: 1395 Planting Fields Rd, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
• Phone: (516) 922-8605

Hempstead House at Sands Point Preserve

There’s something so cinematic about this place. Maybe it’s the towering stone mansion that looks like it belongs in a period drama, or the way the light filters through the windows like it’s been waiting for your close-up. (I know I am.)

Hempstead House at Sands Point Reserve brings that signature Gold Coast Glamour — grand, elegant, but still full of warmth and charm.

Outside, you’ve got gardens, wide lawns, and views of the Long Island Sound that honestly don’t get enough credit. Inside? It’s rich, moody, and full of texture. *chef’s kiss*

Best for: Couples who want timeless elegance with a little edge and a lot of old-world romance.

• Address: 127 Middle Neck Rd, Sands Point, NY 11050
• Phone: (516) 570-2281

Heckscher State Park

Golden hour here? Pure deliciousness. Field 3 gives you tall grass, twisty trees, and soft, glowy light that wraps around everything. Then hop over to Field 6 (literally a 1-minute drive) and boom: beachy sunset shots with soft sand and glowy skies — perfect for catching that last light of the day. 

It’s like getting two totally different locations in one session without having to stress logistics. If you want variety but still want to keep it chill, Heckscher State Park hits the sweet spot.

Best for: Couples craving both wild nature and dreamy golden hour shots with your feet in the sand.

• Address: Heckscher Parkway, East Islip, NY 11730
• Phone: (631) 581-2100

Sunken Meadow State Park

Sunken Meadow State Park might trick you into thinking you’ve been transported upstate. One minute you’re walking along the marshy edge of the Nissequogue River, and the next you’re standing on a beach with rolling hills behind you that feel straight out of the Catskills.

It’s unbelievable how peaceful it is out here. No crowds, no chaos, just the sound of water and the kind of views that don’t feel like Long Island at all. If you’re into a cozy, outdoorsy aesthetic without driving 3 hours north, this little gem is a solid yes.

Best for: Couples who want a woodsy, mountain-meets-coast aesthetic for engagement photos that feel totally different from your typical beach session.

• Address: Rte. 25A and Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park, NY 11754
• Phone: (631) 269-4333

Prosser Pines Nature Reserve

Tucked away on the east end, this spot feels like a total escape from the usual Long Island energy. Prosser Pines Nature Reserve is one of the rare places where you can get those tall, towering trees and forest light that makes everything feel a little softer.

It’s gorgeous in every season — lush and green in the summer, then slowly turning into golden yellows and deep oranges as fall rolls in. If you want quiet, intimate, and a bit moody in the best way, this is your place.

Best for: Couples who want earthy forest vibes on Long Island at any time of the year.

• Address: 73 Yaphank Middle Island Road, Middle Island, New York 11953
• Phone: (631) 854-4949