Best Engagement Session Locations in Massachusetts + Rhode Island
A few years ago, we wrote a blog post about our favorite places to take engagement photos in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It was a popular post with couples and photographers alike, and we were excited to see that it was helpful. Since then, we’ve found even better spots to share, so we decided to update the old list. Here’s our updated version of best locations for engagement sessions in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island area.
1. Borderland State Park in Easton, MA
This park is a photographer’s dream: old stone mansions, carriage houses, foliage tunnels, flower gardens, boxwood walls, and more. It’s a beautiful spot to take engagement photos when the grass is green and the flowers are in bloom (think May - September), especially if you’re into old architecture and history. Beware of its popularity, however — this park is exceedingly busy on warm weekend evenings, which means you’ll have to compete for the best photo locations. Your best bet is to visit on a weekday.
2. Brenton Point in Newport, RI
At the Western tip of Newport’s Ocean Drive is a windy place called Brenton Point. Famous for its summer kite festivals, Brenton Point is a gorgeous spot for cliffside portraits and lush greenery in the summertime. Its wide, expansive field also makes it a great place to bring dogs, with plenty of space to roam around safely. As mentioned, it can be a pretty windy location, so try to wear your hair up or braided (if windswept hair isn’t your thing) and avoid short, flowy skirts. There’s plenty of parking and spots to hide away for portraits, but it does get a little busy on summer weekends. It is Newport, after all.
3. Chase Farm in Lincoln, RI
We’re partial to this location for a few reasons: it’s very quintessential New England, it’s beautiful in the summer and fall, and it’s only about 12 minutes from our house. Chase Farm rarely gets visitors beyond the lone hiker or dogwalker, making this the perfect spot for a summer weekend or peak fall session. Its wide mowed fields, stone walls, and towering oak trees give portraits a rustic, romantic vibe. Make sure you bring bug spray!
4. Fan Pier in Boston, MA
You just can’t beat the views at Fan Pier in Boston. This is an excellent winter location, and we highly recommend going on a Sunday. The Seaport area is a ghost town on Sundays, especially during the winter, and the scenery doesn’t change regardless of the season. Parking can be annoying, so give yourselves extra time to get settled before your session.
5. Moore State Park in Paxton, MA
Look who’s back! It’s true, this spot has made our list twice because it’s just that good. If you’re looking for a tall wheat field with picturesque paths, an adjacent tree-lined pathway, a waterfall, a mill, and a bridge, here you go. Moore State Park in Paxton is beautiful engagement session location year-round. Bring some bug spray and prepare to share the space with other photographers + their clients, but you shouldn’t have any trouble getting the perfect shots. One thing to note is that this location requires a permit and doesn’t allow weekend sessions as of March 2024.
6. Narragansett Town Beach in Narragansett, RI
Off-season clients rejoice: Narragansett Town Beach is completely deserted from October through April. Park where you want (but we suggest close to The Towers) and use the gazebo as a landmark for meeting up, then hit the beach for some beautiful coastal portraits. The water will be cold, but if you can stand to go in for a few moments, the photos will be incredible. We don’t recommend hitting up this spot during the summer unless it’s a sunrise session — it’s crawling with tourists and residents from 9am-8pm, and parking can be really tough.
7. Castle Island in Boston, MA
Avoid the tourists at the Public Garden and head to Castle Island for sunset views of the city (don’t mind the misnomer — no ferry needed). A windy but very pretty spot, Castle Island has tree-lined paved walkways, a rocky cliff face, and a viewing meadow dotted with benches aimed at the skyline. Bring a cozy blanket for a fall session — it can get chilly!
8. Bailey’s Point in Nahant, MA
On the North Shore of MA, a secret little spot called Bailey’s Point boasts skyline views of Boston and a cute seaside park. Set your GPS to Oceanview of Nahant and park in the public spots just before the Oceanview lot, then walk over to the park from there. Don’t try to park on resident-only streets — parking enforcement is ruthless. Bailey’s Point features a gazebo, a small park, hiking trails, rocky cliffs, and a gorgeous view of the Boston skyline. Since this spot isn’t very well known, it’s a good option for summer weekends, but be prepared to share the skyline spot with a few hikers (or even newlyweds from Oceanview).
9. Providence Pedestrian Bridge in Providence, RI
Can’t quite swing a sunset session? The Providence Pedestrian Bridge is blue hour heaven, with its footlights illuminating the walkways and an incredible view of the Providence skyline. Honestly, this is a great spot for any time of day, as the surrounding buildings and waterways help reflect direct sunlight. It’s a large bridge with different levels, so plan to spend a bit of time here. If you’re going during the summer, be patient with tourists, as it’s a popular sightseeing spot.
10. Town Neck Beach in Sandwich, MA
It wouldn't be a true Massachsuetts-area list without including at least one spot on Cape Cod. Town Neck Beach in Sandwich is easy to get to, even during the summer (but plan on extra drive time) since it’s not too far down the Cape. Like most Cape beaches, this spot features soft white sand, sea grass, driftwood, and rolling Atlantic waves. Go during the off season and get the whole beach to yourselves, or schedule a sunrise session during the summer.
