Amazing Places to Take Engagement and Wedding Photos in Atlanta
Published August 8, 2023
Atlanta abounds with groovy locations for engagement and wedding photos. The city is a great place for engagement and wedding photos year-round, but the warmer months mean “wedding season” is heating up. Near the top of any wedding agenda is finding the perfect photographer and location for your engagement session and wedding photos in Atlanta. We’re sharing our favorite beautiful and unique locations throughout the city. If you’re looking for great warm-weather photo locales, we’ve got you covered with these picturesque places.
Atlanta BeltLine
The Atlanta BeltLine is a combination of rail, trail, green space, housing and art. The Eastside Trail connects Piedmont Park, Historic Fourth Ward Park and the Freedom Park Trail, and along it you’ll find both expansive greenery and vibrant murals. If you’re an active couple you might enjoy a fun photo session, biking the trail or striking a pose in front of one of the murals.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Located adjacent to Piedmont Park in Midtown, Atlanta Botanical Garden offers 30-acres of breathtaking botanicals and art installations. Take some “couple time” to tour the gardens, schedule an appointment to visit the garden’s many beautiful private rentals in consideration of your wedding venue and then have your photo shoot. Finish your visit by grabbing a meal at Longleaf restaurant or the Quick Café.
Atlanta Botanical Garden requires a reservation for photo sessions. The two-hour fee is $500 for up to 10 people. Additional charges apply for additional people/time. Sessions must be confirmed at least two weeks in advance.
Where: 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE
Atlanta History Center
Located in Buckhead, the Swan House at Atlanta History Center is an elegant, classically styled mansion built in 1928. If you’re looking for photos straight out of your favorite fairy tale then this iconic location is for you. The beautifully restored historic house offers pure old Southern charm with elegant staircases, a majestic lawn, gardens, fountains and stunning views. You might enjoy the fact that it was also one of many Georgia set locations for “The Hunger Games.” In addition to the Swan House, the Atlanta History Center is home to Olguita’s Garden and other beautiful and unique locations to capture gorgeous photos.
A permit is required for any photo sessions (aside from cell phone). Schedule an appointment for photography at Atlanta History Center at least three weeks prior to your shoot date. The center is open to photography during normal business operating hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5:30 p.m. The cost is $500 for up to two hours (up to 10 people) and $200 for each hour after that. More guidelines apply. Please visit the website for details.
Where: 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW
Candler Park
Dating back to the 1800s, the Candler Park neighborhood is chock full of history, established trees and unique architecture offering a plethora of beautiful and more traditional photography backdrops. Shoot in the whimsical and historic downtown with brick and vibrantly painted buildings, use the park’s old growth trees for a natural touch and explore the neighborhood for unique settings. Check with DeKalb County regarding permits for photo shoots in parks.
Where: 585 Candler Park Drive NE
Centennial Olympic Park
There are few locations that say “Atlanta” more than Centennial Olympic Park and the surrounding neighborhood. The park itself is a legacy of the 1996 Olympic Games, with open green space, colorful gardens and the iconic Fountain of Rings. Consider riding SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel for a panoramic view of downtown Atlanta and fun photo op. Explore the neighborhood and discover building-high murals for colorful urban backdrops, and get creative for photos that capture the famous skyline. Apply for a photo permit through the Georgia World Congress Center Authority website.
Where: 265 Park Ave. W NW
Downtown Decatur
Located in the heart of Decatur, near both the old DeKalb County Courthouse and the current building and just outside the Decatur MARTA stop, is Decatur Square. This charming location is in the heart of DeKalb County, with lots of niche shops and restaurants. There is an open pavilion, mural, old buildings and gazebo, all of which offer unique backdrops. Many couples who choose a courthouse wedding or elopement love taking wedding photos on the old courthouse steps.
Fox Theatre
The fabulous Fox Theatre is a restored movie palace turned cultural gem. A National Historic Landmark, the Fox Theatre Atlanta welcomes 750,000 visitors a year to more than 300 performances and events. Its classic marquee and ornate architecture make a favorite traditional photo backdrop. The theater also offers private rentals for weddings and engagements.
Where: 660 Peachtree St. NE
High Museum of Art
Art lovers might like to have their special event photos taken on the grounds of The Woodruff Arts Center and High Museum of Art. The modern buildings and green space offer unique backdrops for engagement and wedding photos. Certain restrictions apply and reservations/fees are required for interior sessions. Please familiarize yourself with these details found on the website.
Where: 1280 Peachtree St. NE
Historic Oakland Cemetery
As Atlanta’s oldest public park Oakland Cemetery is bursting with lush greenery, ancient oaks and magnolia trees, architecture and history. The cemetery would be a goth couples’ dream spot to shoot engagement or wedding photos but great for any couple looking for a unique photography location filled with beautiful architecture and gardens.
Where: 248 Oakland Ave. SE
Historic Old Fourth Ward Park
This 17-acre park has a lot to offer, from a small pond and plenty of greenery to a cool amphitheater. which provides ample settings for engagement photos. Into skateboarding? Bring your board and catch a few action shots at the skate park. Pack a blanket and lunch and have your photographer capture a romantic meal on the grass of Historic Old Fourth Ward Park.
Where: 680 Dallas St. NE
Jackson Street Bridge
If a skyline shot is your desired photo backdrop, try hitting the Jackson Street Bridge for some gorgeous and unique photos. This iconic bridge made a cameo in the hit series, “The Walking Dead” and offers unobstructed views of Atlanta’s skyline. Visit the bridge at sunset for stellar shots.
Insider Tip: Park for free at 434 John Wesley Dobbs Ave. NE — a two-block walk to the bridge.
Where: 433 Freedom Park Trail
Little Five Points
This iconic neighborhood in Atlanta offers up a variety of hip and urban backdrops that are perfect for photo sessions. With colorful wall art, brick walls and a bustling artistic vibe, Little Five Points is great for vibrant couples that like to color outside the lines.
Where: Intersection of Euclid and Moreland avenues
Millennium Gate Museum
Designed in the tradition of classical Roman triumphal arches, the Millennium Gate Museum offers an extraordinary setting for engagement and wedding photos located right in the heart of Atlanta. The Millennium Gate Museum is the perfect venue for those looking for a romantic, unique and picturesque backdrop. Rates start at $100 an hour, with a two-hour minimum. Visit the website to inquire about bookings and availability.
Where: 395 Seventeenth St. NW
Morgan Falls Overlook Park
Located between Sandy Springs and Roswell, Morgan Falls Park offers terrific views of the Chattahoochee River, providing a stunning backdrop for nature lovers. The expansive park features greenery, trees, a cool brick fireplace and plenty of romantic spots to take engagement photos. Get a photo permit through the Sandy Springs government page. The cost is $50 for up to two hours; $100 for the day.
Where: 200 Morgan Falls Road, Sandy Springs
Piedmont Park
Located in the heart of the Midtown, Piedmont Park offers both beautiful greenery and views of the Atlanta skyline. Couples love posing in the gazebo and on the bridge over Lake Clara Meer. With 189 acres available, there is no shortage of beautiful vistas and backdrops. Please note that photographers must obtain a permit from Atlanta’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Where: 1071 Piedmont Ave.
Roswell Mill/Vickery Creek Waterfall
Lace up your hiking shoes for a unique photo session at Roswell Mill and Vickery Creek Waterfall. The stunning park offers gorgeous creek-side views, lush greenery and large trees plus historic building ruins and the coolest covered bridge. For classic, romantic engagement and wedding photos, you won’t want to miss checking out this location. Your photographer can secure a one-time permit. which covers your photo session for up to two hours. The cost is $50, payable to the Community Development Department at City Hall in Roswell.
Where: 95 Mill St., Roswell
Skyline Park at Ponce City Market
For fun and whimsical engagement photos, you might want to consider a visit to Skyline Park on The Roof of Ponce City Market. In addition to jaw-dropping skyline views, Skyline Park offers carnival-style games and vintage amusements for a playful feature you can add to your photos. Be sure to arrange your photo shoot through the events team at The Roof.
Where: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
The Goat Farm Arts Center
This 10-acre location is home to a visual and performing arts center which is housed in a 19th-century complex of industrial buildings and contains the studio space of more than 300 artists. The buildings feature an array of brick, metal and vintage glass textures providing a unique, rustic backdrop perfect for wedding and engagement and other special event photography. Contact shoot@goatfarmartscenter.org to make a reservation.
Where: 1200 Foster St. NW
The Works
Much like Atlanta’s Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market, The Works is a food hall and retail space housed in one of Atlanta’s historic industrial buildings. Blending modern design with the rustic, industrial finishes of these old buildings, The Works offers a variety of backdrops that are perfect for special event photography. Have your photo shoot and then stay and dine, shop and enjoy the entertainment. Contact the property manager to request written consent to photograph on site.
Where: 1295 Chattahoochee Ave. NW
Truist Park/ The Battery
Baseball lovers? Or maybe a Braves game was one of your first dates? Commemorate with a casual and fun engagement session at Truist Park. Bring your photographer to catch the game with you or explore the park or The Battery during the day for a romantic sporty session. Schedule a session through Truist’s special events department.
Where: 755 Battery Ave. SE
Atlanta Photo Session Insider Tips
Bring an umbrella. If you live in Atlanta you know that a storm can roll in at any time, no matter the season. Don’t let the prospect of rain ruin your photography session plans. Embrace it by dancing in the rain or pose with matching or coordinating umbrellas for a fun photo prop.
Most public parts require a permit for professional photography. Make sure to check with the parks and recreation or county websites.
Joleen Pete lives outside Atlanta with her husband and their son. On the weekends they enjoy going into the city for family fun and exploration. Joleen is the family travel and lifestyle blogger behind Love, Joleen.
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