All photos in this post were taken by Michael Hara Photography. Check him out on instagram! http://www.instagram.com/michael.hara.photo
Central Park is a beautiful destination for engagement photos whether you are a local, or you are visiting NYC after a recent engagement. Below are some engagement photoshoot ideas and tips to help the experience go as smoothly as possible!
1) Arrive Early
Central Park gets very crowded during the day. If you want to easily get photos without other people in the background, arrive as early as possible. We started taking our photos at 9:00 a.m. on a Sunday, and the park was already PACKED. I would suggest going to Central Park as close to sunrise as possible in order to avoid the crowds (and to also get the best light!)
2) Begin Near the Bethesda Fountain
This area is really scenic with several iconic spots for photos nearby, such as the Bow Bridge, The Lake, The Mall, and the Bethesda Terrace. There are restrooms located here as well so that you can easily change outfits and freshen up for photos.
3) Plan Your Locations Ahead of Time
Central Park is gorgeous and really photogenic. You will be tempted to stop and take photos at every turn, which can become really time consuming. If there are any specific locations/shots that you would like to get, start with those shots so that you do not run out of time. If you have extra time after, then you can have fun exploring and finding new photo locations.
4) Take Close Up Portraits First
If you would like some close up portraits, be sure to take these photos first while you are feeling fresh and energetic. I took my engagement photos in November, and it was very windy and cold. By the end of the photo shoot my face was definitely looking like a hot mess, and I was happy that I got the close up shots early!
5) Bring a Blanket
Picnic photos are super cute, and a blanket will also come in handy if you are taking photos in the fall or winter when it is cold!
6) Kiss!
It can be a little awkward in front of the camera! When in doubt, add some movement to your photos… kiss, dance, and laugh to make your photos seem more natural. We began several photos by fake laughing in order to get more authentic looking smiles on our faces, but then the fake laugh would turn into a real laugh because we felt so silly. Those photos ended up becoming some of my favorites from the shoot!
7) Bring a Hairbrush and Some Makeup
You will be outside for a good length of time and might want to freshen up!
8) Ignore the People Staring At You
People will most likely stop and watch you take photos. Be confident and do not worry about who might be watching!
9) Have Fun and Do Not Stress!
Central park is so gorgeous and photogenic. It is very easy to get beautiful photos here. Have fun and enjoy the day! After taking photos, celebrate with a nice brunch on the Upper East or Upper West Side!
