The Top 17 St. Louis Engagement Session Locations

If you’re engaged in the St. Louis area, it’s inevitable that a big part of the planning process for the big day includes an engagement session with your St. Louis wedding photographer. Before we get into my top St. Louis engagement session locations I think it might be useful to define what exactly an engagement session is, as I occasionally hear some confusion about the concept when working with my couples.

An engagement session is a short photography session, typically between 45 minutes and 2 hours, that’s planned 9 to 12 months before the wedding date or soon after the couple books their wedding photographer - whichever comes first. They are NOT a “requirement” in the wedding photography industry, but many photographers do often include them in their collections. When my couples ask me about the benefits of an engagement session, I tell them that there are 3 main reasons that they might want to book a session like this:

1. Couples get amazing photos for save-the-dates or invites.

2. Engagement photos can look great as wedding-day decor at the ceremony or reception.

3. It allows the couple and the photographer to get acquainted with a camera in the mix, all before the wedding day.

Point #3 is, without a question, the biggest reason why I LOVE doing engagement sessions with my wedding couples. It gives us that quality time together where they can learn about my creative process, let down their guard, and truly realize just how fun it can be to make art together! This makes showing up on the wedding day that much easier for the photographer and couple alike.

With that out of the way, let me walk you through some of my top favorite engagement session locations and why I think they ROCK!

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Tower Grove

St. Louis is home to so many amazing, sprawling, and diverse parks - it’s absolutely one of my favorite parts of this city! That said, Tower Grove park is an amazing, centrally located spot to have your engagement session. Like many parks in town, Tower Grove can be sectioned off into many of its main attractions. I’m partial to the Music Stand and Fountain Pond, but amazing light can be found right off of its many beautiful walking paths. Because it’s so spacious, you and your photographer will easily be able to find a nice quiet spot to make some amazing photos.

City Garden

City Garden is the perfect engagement session location for anyone looking for a single location that can satisfy both the architectural and nature look. With beautiful sculptures, ample greenery, and surrounded by a stunning city skyline, it’s really tough to beat City Garden in downtown St. Louis.

Pro Tip: Parking at City Garden can be tough, so make sure to check for any events going on downtown and plan ahead if you’re planning on driving yourselves to your session!

Lafayette Park

In my opinion, Lafayette Park is the most gorgeous park in the city. It’s a lovely, mid-sized park surrounded by beautiful wrought-iron fencing and St. Louis’ historic Lafayette Square. If you’re having your session here, take a lap with your photographer around the outside of the park to capture some of that amazing architecture, then head into the actual park to see some amazing features. The “Grotto” is a very popular spot in the park, with a beautiful bridge overlooking a peaceful, swan-filled pond. I’ve done countless sessions (and weddings) at Lafayette Park, and we come away with unique images every time.

Pro tip: This park is popular for good reason, so plan your session during a weekday evening to get a bit more wiggle room. Want to dodge all the people? Ask your photographer about a sunrise session!

Laclede’s Landing

Lacledes Landing is a fantastic choice if you’re wanting a warmer, architectural feeling. The brick buildings and cobblestone streets at Laclede’s Landing make it a unique and striking place to get some really unique photos. Lots of work and restoration has gone into this area after the flooding in 2019, so consider this a top-tier engagement session spot. It’s right next to the Arch Grounds (Gateway Arch National Park), so Lacledes Landing offers a perfect visual contrast to the lush greens you’ll find over at the Arch.

Pro tip: If you get hungry after your session here, hit up Kimchi Guys for some dope Korean BBQ and bowls.

Forest Park

Even if you’ve never been to St. Louis, you’ve probably heard of Forest Park! Forest Park is a cornerstone of what makes St. Louis such an amazing city. At 1,300 acres, it's larger than New York’s Central Park (under 850 acres) and is bustling with gorgeous natural and manmade features. This is an obvious win if you’d like to get your engagement photos done here, and you’ll likely be overwhelmed trying to just choose one or two locations out of the limitless possibilities!

If you need some help finding a location, I’m partial to starting with the Muny, the Jewel Box, Art Hill, Missouri History Museum, or Worlds Fair Pavilion. Be flexible, though! These are key locations, so there are often events happening at these spots, especially in seasons of good weather. Every one of the spots I mentioned has great scenery all around them, so use them as a starting point and trust your photographer!

Arch Grounds

Now called Gateway Arch National Park, the Arch Grounds have received massive renovations since 2018. At the Arch Grounds, you can find a wide variety of greenery, walking paths, and architecture - not to mention the actual Gateway Arch itself! A lot of couples are worried that having their session here will produce photos that feel overly “touristy” because of the huge attraction in the background, but there are so many great photo spots here that don’t include the arch if that’s not what you’re looking for! The Arch Grounds are really accessible from almost any other session location downtown. For parking, I’d consider the lots just West of Laclede’s Landing.

Missouri Botanical Gardens

While larger wedding parties may have some trouble finding privacy at the Missouri Botanical Gardens, this is a perfect location for engagement sessions! There is SO much variety at this location, amazing architecture, and, of course, impeccably maintained plants and gardens.

There is a small entrance fee but, once that’s out of the way, you and the photographer basically have unlimited options - as long as you’re super respectful of the other guests. Especially indoors, be careful not to block any paths or hold up the progression of guests through the exhibits. If you’re willing to stick to those basic guidelines, the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of my all-time favorite spots for engagement sessions!

Central West End

St. Louis’ Central West End is right near Forest Park and offers some really classy architecture, sidewalk cafes, and a warm atmosphere. Neighborhood-feeling city streets, sidewalks lined with brick and stone, outdoor seating, and tucked-away alleys are some key features of the Central West End. If there’s a business or shop that you love, make sure to call ahead before your session! You’d be surprised by the photos you can get if you call ahead and buy a drink from your fave spot!

Pro tip: This is another location that absolutely works for a sunrise session. You’ll virtually have the run of the place!

Washington University (WashU)

On top of being one of the best schools in the midwest, its campus is a gorgeous mix of timeless architecture and stunning colors throughout every season. There is a big line of ginkgo trees on campus that totally explodes with color in late October and early November! If your session is planned for late fall, give WashU a look.

Kiener Plaza

Another stellar downtown session location, Kiener Plaza offers views of the Arch, a stunning skyline, stone pathways, and beautiful sculptures and benches. Whenever I have a session here, I just like to meet my couples wherever they park their car and walk a lap around the plaza making magic along the way! The landscaping here is perfect, and the view of the Old Courthouse is unmatched. Similar to City Garden, be mindful of big events and parking here. This is a popular downtown spot, so creativity and flexibility are key to squeezing everything you can out of your session here.

Malcolm Martin Park

Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park is a fantastic park on the Illinois side of the river, with its main feature being its striking view of the St. Louis skyline! Ample parking and wide open spaces make this a fantastic option for the tail-end of your session. The open views at this park make for amazing light at sunset!

Mural Mile (Mural Wall)

While I wouldn’t spend an entire 2-hour session at the Mural Mile, I love stopping by here for a few minutes for some really striking shots. Take a stroll down this stretch of amazing, vibrant art and embrace the chaos of the scenery! Parking is sporadic here, so arrive a few minutes before you need to so you can secure a spot and meet your photographer.

City Foundry

A relatively new development near downtown STL, there are so many amazing nooks with awesome light at the City Foundry. All the shops and vibrant architecture offer unique and interesting compositions from a photography perspective! Make sure to use the entire area to its fullest - from the parking garage to the main sidewalks to the second-level balconies.

Contemporary Art Museum

The St. Louis Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) is a perfect spot if you want a non-traditional engagement session! Embrace the funky architecture, geometry, and minimalist look. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor spots, but if you call ahead CAM will allow you to take photos inside!

Castlewood State Park

If you’re down for a short hike and incredible views, Castlewood has you covered! The main overlook is a short hike up with multiple spots along the way for sweeping vistas, and the walk back down is equally stunning. It may go without saying, but make sure to wear shoes that are appropriate for outdoor activities. If there has been rain in the area over the last few days, be mindful of the mud. If you have a dog that likes to hike as much as its owners, this is the perfect spot to fit the whole family in a few photos.

Need tips for bringing your dog to your engagement session? I’ve got you covered! Check out my in-depth guide HERE.

Klondike Park

While it’s a decent drive from downtown St. Louis, the change in scenery and unique rock formations make Klondike Park a fantastic option for your engagement session! When I say this place is unique, I mean it. It’s an old quarry, so sand-covered beaches on the shores of the pond transition into sheer white rocky bluffs with stellar views. Highly recommend!

Laumeier Sculpture Park

If you like the art and sculptures found in the city, but want a little more space to run around, Laumeier Sculpture Park might work perfectly for your engagement session! This location works well in all seasons, with beautiful leaves in the fall, and plenty of visual interest in the winter thanks to all the sculptures.

While these aren’t the only options for your engagement session in St. Louis, these are some of my favorites! If you want your photos taken at one of these spots or anywhere else, I’d love to help out!