It's no secret that I love working with couples. Don't get me wrong-- I love working with seniors and families too, but my heart overflows whenever I get to work with couples. Engagement photos are so special and it's important that you and your fiance talk about the perfect place to take them. There are no shortage of gorgeous locations to take your engagement photos on the Emerald Coast, but I've narrowed it down to my top eight favorites.
Whether you're looking for something dramatic like the jetties or something full of European charm like Rosemary Beach, I've got you covered. Plus, if you don't see what you're looking for on this list, feel free to reach out to me and we can brainstorm together to find the perfect spot to capture your engagement session.
1. The Jetties
The Jetties are one of my favorite places to shoot in Destin and it's the most popular place my couples choose to go. There are so many different landscapes to work with, which makes the opportunities truly endless. There's a pathway that leads you through sand dunes, rocks you can climb up on, a little cove with almost no waves perfect for taking in-water photos, and the Gulf on the other side with turquoise water and dancing waves. This beach does involve a lot of walking, but I promise the photos are always worth it.
Check out Jake & Elizabeth's full gallery to see more of the jetties.
2. Eden Gardens State Park
Eden Gardens is another one of my favorite locations in the area. There's a beautiful historic mansion on the property, a gorgeous fountain, live oak trees, the bay, and so much more. If you're not a fan of beach photos, but want something with a sprinkle of southern charm, Eden Gardens is the place for you.
Check out Steven & Kristi's full gallery to see more shots at Eden Gardens.
3. Baytowne Wharf
There's a lot to love about Baytowne Wharf. If you're looking for a flirty and fun location, Baytowne Wharf might be the place for you. Located in Miramar Beach, just outside of Destin, Baytowne Wharf has a little bit of everything. There's a beautiful carousel in the center, a nature walk, ice cream shops, and a New Orleans aesthetic throughout the entire town.
Check out Ben and Jodie's full gallery for more shots at Baytowne Wharf.
4. Grayton Beach State Park
If you're getting photos taken in the off-season, I highly recommend Grayton Beach. In the summer, Grayton Beach is packed, but in the winter, it's breathtaking. Located about 30 minutes from Destin, off of 30A, Grayton Beach has sugar white sand, sparkling water, and spectacular sand dunes (which we will not climb on, but we will take photos with them in the background like you see pictured above). There aren't any high-rises nearby, which makes Grayton Beach feel really remote and romantic.
Check out the Matushevskiy Family's full gallery for more shots at Grayton Beach.
5. Rosemary Beach
Wish you were taking photos in Europe, but the travel ban has you stuck in the states? No worries, Rosemary Beach looks like it's straight out of a travel brochure for Germany. I love Rosemary Beach because the architecture is truly phenomenal. It's about an hour away from Destin, but it's as close as you'll get to Germany at the moment.
Check out the Trenton and Julia's full gallery to see more shots in Rosemary Beach.
6. Seaside
Love small town charm? Seaside is the place for you. About 45 minutes from Destin, Seaside is actually where they filmed "The Truman Show." With picturesque architecture, and pristine beaches, I love shooting at Seaside.
Check out Missy's full gallery for more shots at Seaside.
7. Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola is one of my favorite places to shoot. I'm originally from Milwaukee and I lived in NYC for a little bit, so I'm definitely a city girl. Shooting in cities is so much fun because there are so many different elements you can add to the session. Pensacola is about an hour away from Destin, but if you're after some city vibes, Pensacola is the place to go.
Check out Derek & Nicole's gallery for more shots in downtown Pensacola. We took their couples portraits there on their wedding day back in June.
8. Fred Gannon State Park
Located right on the other side of the Mid-Bay Bridge in Niceville, Fred Gannon State Park is one of the most underrated photo spots. I love how there are nature trails, plenty of greenery, and even a small beach area right on the bayou. It's a super romantic place to take couples photos at.
Check out the Horvath Family's full gallery for more shots at Fred Gannon State Park.
As you can see, there are so many amazing options to choose from when it comes to picking your engagement session location, but hopefully this list gave you some inspiration. If you're ready to book your couples session, click here to check out my pricing guide and contact info. Like I said in the beginning, working with couples is my all-time favorite thing.