Our Favorite Central MA Engagement Photography Locations & Ideas
Central MA Engagement Photography Locations
I have put together a list of our favorite Central MA engagement photography locations and session ideas, which you can find below. But first, you might be wondering if engagement photos are the right fit for you.
Updated 11/2024
Should I do an engagement photography session?
If there’s one thing I could go back and do over when I got married, it’d be to do an engagement session together before my wedding. We strongly regret not doing this.
While I have beautiful photos that captured our wedding day, I don’t have professional quality photos that really show who we were as a couple at that stage in our lives. If we had them, our children and grandchildren could have a better glimpse into our lives at that time. That way we could more easily look back and re-live the memories of our younger, pre-wedding days.
How can I use my engagement photos?
Not only do engagement photos capture joyful memories of who you are as a couple now, they allow you to create fun images for wall portraits, a wedding guest book and thank you cards. If we shoot early enough, I can also provide the images for your save the date cards and wedding websites. Engagement sessions are a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera and also see how I work behind the camera. I always say it’s best for me to learn the most I can about you before your wedding day.
I’m nervous for an engagement session and I feel awkward! I need engagement photo ideas!
Don’t worry! Engagement photos don’t have to be stuffy and posed. It’s ok to have a laid back attitude and focus on an activity you both love. Think about this session as just for you two, no one else. We promise it will be much different than your wedding photos – all the more reason to do an engagement session!
Best of all, this is a fun time for you. With my relaxed and natural approach, you’ll feel like you’re on a date together, where I just happen to be taking photos. This time is for you. Enjoy it! Need ideas? I have put together an extensive engagement photography idea list below.
Engagement Photo Ideas
- Places where you spend lots of time together: You’ll look back at these photos in future years and smile thinking of all the memories you created in these places.
- The proposal location: Why not go back to where it all started!
- With your favorite furry friends: You both enjoy hiking with your dogs. What better way to capture your personality than tromping through the woods with your pups?
- Embracing the weather: Rainy day! Winter wonderland. Don’t worry. See Jessica and Mike’s Rainy Day Engagement Session here.
- Doing your favorite activity: Maybe you both bonded over an activity. Or you love playing a sport together? A friendly game never hurt!
- In the Kitchen: Do you love cooking together? We can use your kitchen for a little session making your favorite romantic dinner.
- Your favorite farm: There is nothing like getting back to the basics of the earth. From a red barn, to an old stone wall. Rustic and natural backdrops always please.
- Where you first met each other: Going back to the days of nervous hellos and giggles can bring back the excitement of when you first fell in love.
- Your favorite skyline: This could be your city or your favorite mountain or lake. Big sky views are always in season.
- A downtown urban session: What’s your favorite neighborhood? Fun and funky, pictures in alleyways or in otherwise undiscovered locations. Your favorite spots can make for a more intimate view of the city.
- A local historical site: Calling all history buffs! We live in New England after all. Take advantage of it!
- Have a picnic: Include your favorite app and beverages.
- The long views of a beach: In the morning or evening, the sea meets an endless sky for a feeling of romance.
- Seasonal: Catch the nuances of the seasons, including everything from a winter wonderland, to fall leaves, flowers in spring, to the lush green summers and nearby beautiful fields and gardens.
- At Home: It’s where the heart is, and where you’re probably most comfortable. Maybe you just bought your first home and want to celebrate. Love your backyard gardens? There are beautiful backdrops everywhere.
- Let’s go get your favorite treat: Ice cream? Pizza? Taco truck? …Beer garden anyone? See Julie and Maureen’s Super Sweet Ice Cream Engagement Session Here.
- With your Kids: Many of my clients already have a family. I love kids, please don’t be shy about asking if they can be in a few photos. I usually suggest bringing a family member or friend to help out with the kiddos. That way I can be sure to get just the two of you alone too, without distractions. 😉
- The Orchard: Very fall. Very New England. Let’s go pick your favorite fruit or search for the perfect pumpkin.
- Your favorite Hiking Trail: If it’s something you do for fun, let’s incorporate it into your session.
- Your Venue: REALLY in love with your venue? I’m totally down! Maybe your venue has an extensive landscape and allows couples access for sessions. Think about capturing your venue in a different season than your wedding date.
- Christmas Tree Farm: It’s always green, year round!
- Your Local Farm Stand: Support your local farms! Just be sure to ask permission first 😉
- At your favorite, cute coffee shop: Quirky and cozy, local mom and pop shops are a great way to take a quick break to refuel and to catch some local, architectural shots with you in the process. As always, be sure to ask permission first.
- An amusement park: There is nothing like winning a new pet fish for your bestie or taking a ride on the ferris wheel.
- The Gym: Calling all gym buffs! Let’s go work out.
- The Stadium: Grandstands and fly balls. Popcorn and peanuts.
Where are the best locations to shoot engagement photos in Worcester County and Central MA?
Some of our favorite Central MA Engagement Photography Locations …
- Crystal Brook Farm – Sterling, MA – Please see my Exclusive Farm Sessions here. This is private property and I am excited to offer sessions in an exclusive and private location.
- Wachusett Meadow – Princeton, MA – See Elizabeth and Dan’s Wachusett Meadow Sunset Engagement Session here. There is now a $5 cash fee for photographing here. Please be respectful. This is a natural wildlife and habitat sanctuary. Stay on paths and do not go into fenced or roped off areas, ever. It is a privilege that photographers are still allowed here.
- Old North Bridge – Concord, MA
- Stillwater Interpretive Farm Site – Sterling, MA – See Nina and Glenn’s Summertime Engagement Session at Stillwater Interpretive Farm here.
- Purgatory Chasm – Sutton, MA
- Wachusett Reservoir Dam – Clinton, MA – See Danielle & Jay’s sweet engagement session at Wachusett Reservoir Dam here.
- New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill – Boylston, MA – See Kristin and Chris’ Tower Hill Botanic Garden Engagement Session here. See Siobhan & Bobby’s engagement session here.
- (There are photo policies and fee’s. Please see NEBG website linked above.)
- Doyle Center – Leominster, MA
- Moore State Park – Paxton, MA – See Steph and Matt’s Moore State Park Engagement Session here.
- Old Stone Church – West Boylston, MA
- Canal District – Worcester, MA – See Molly and Marc’s Canal District Engagement Session here.
- Tour Worcester’s Murals – Worcester, MA – Lets have some fun! Google map here.
- Spencer State Forest – Spencer, MA – Woodsy. Take a hike around the pond to find many cute spots.
- Higgins House at WPI – Worcester, MA – So, so many nooks and cozy spaces to discover here.
- Acton Arboretum – Acton, MA – Beautiful all year round. See Sydney & David’s Acton Arboretum engagement here.
- Wachusett Mountain – Princeton, MA– If you want to drive to the top, there is a small fee per vehicle.
- Saint Joseph’s Abbey – Spencer, MA – Absolutely stunning at the end of a sunny day.
Central MA Engagement Photography Locations by Audrey Cutler Photography
Audrey offers engagement photo sessions in Worcester & Central Massachusetts, but are happy to discuss traveling to other favorite New England photo locations. Contact us below for more information about engagement photography.
Click below to see real client engagement sessions that are featured above.
This is part of The Ultimate Wedding Planning Guide you can find here.