Best Virginia Engagement Session Locations
Virginia truly has it all when it comes to a location for your engagement session photos. From mountains, to city, all the way to the beach the possibilities are endless. With so many places to choose from, here are some of the best Virginia engagement session locations.
Maymont Park
This one is a classic spot for photos in Richmond. Maymont is a big park with so much variety. From the Italian gardens to the Japanese gardens, it’ll look like you went to entirely different locations. My absolute favorite time to shoot here is in the spring right when the flowers are blooming. It’s beautiful all year round but if you’re wanting gorgeous flowers and lots of nature, have your engagement session in the spring or summer.
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Entry Fee: N/A (donation optional)
Bell Isle
One of my favorite spots in Richmond. This shallow part of the James River allows you to walk right out onto the rocks, making such a unique spot for photos. To get here, you’ll park across the river and walk over the pedestrian bride (another cool spot for photos!) The walk across takes about 15 minutes so just make sure you plan accordingly for your session time!
Location: Richmond, VA
Entry Fee: N/A
Raven’s Roost Overlook
If you’re looking for stunning mountain views without the hike, raven’s roost is my go-to spot. Located off the Blue Ridge Parkway, all you have to do is pull up to the parking lot and you’re met with these stunning views. Because of these easy to access views, this is a pretty popular spot. I recommend having your engagement session here on a weekday.
Location: Blue Ridge Parkway, Lyndhurst VA
Entry Fee: N/A
Powhatan State Park
The perfect location for big open fields right outside of Richmond. I love this spot because no matter what time of year it is, your photos here will still be beautiful. From luscious greens and new blooms in the spring, to golden grass and orange leaves in the fall, you can’t go wrong with this location.
Location: Powhatan, VA
Entry Fee: $5 per vehicle
Cole Mountain
I think Cole Mountain might be my absolute favorite place in Virginia. After a short, moderate hike, you’ll come to an open meadow with the most amazing views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The last mile or so of the drive here is a rocky, unpaved road. If possible I’d recommend driving a higher clearance vehicle to this location. I drove my Honda Accord sedan here just fine but it was a bit nerve-wracking as there were a few times I scraped the bottom of my car. I’ll definitely be borrowing someone else’s car with higher clearance the next time I go.
Location: Buena Vista, VA
Entry Fee: N/A
Chatham Manor
Located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Chatham Manor is the perfect location in the spring and summer to get those enchanting garden vibes. Behind the main house is an open area overlooking the town, perfect for adding more scenic photos to your gallery!
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Entry Fee: N/A
Shenandoah National Park
Another mountain location for the more adventurous. With over 300 square miles, there are practically endless options for photo locations within Shenandoah. Whether you’re looking for a short to long hike, or just wanting to drive along skyline drive and stop at the different overlooks you’re sure to find the perfect mountain backdrop here.
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains/Appalachian Trail
Entry Fee: $30 per vehicle
Hopefully this guide was helpful in the process for planning your engagement session. Please remember no matter where you go, to always follow the leave no trace principal. We want to make sure these locations are able to be enjoyed by everyone for years to come! If you’re a photographer looking for locations to bring your clients to, I highly encourage you to visit these spots before bringing your clients there. Especially more remote locations that require a hike. Your clients trust you to be the expert and while you can get lots of information online, firsthand experience is the best research! And remember, if you hike up, you have to hike down! So make sure to plan accordingly if scheduling your session for sunset. Happy shooting!
Not sure what to wear to your engagement session? I have a entire page on how to choose your engagement session outfits
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Alla and John’s couples session at Bell Rock is one I will dream of literally forever. It was one of those shoots that was just TOO good. To give you an idea, a typical couples session lasts for about an hour to an hour and a half. We ended up running around Bell Rock together for TWO AND A HALF HOURS until we ran out of light. Literally.
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