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As a wedding photographer, engagement sessions are one of the most important parts of the wedding day preparation process for me. These sessions give me a chance to get to know the two of you, learn how to photograph your personalities best, and capture those perfect “in-between” moments for unforgettable candid shots. But one of the questions I’m asked most frequently is “Where should we take our engagement photos in Fort Wayne?”
Most of my Fort Wayne engagement sessions that I photograph are in public parks or in a spot that is sentimental to the couple. I always encourage couples to consider these type of locations; when the location is meaningful to the two of you, it will enhance the engagement session and make it that much more special when you look back at your photos.
Perhaps you don’t have a sentimental location in mind… not a problem! Fort Wayne has some excellent options for engagement session locations. Some locations do require a fee, but they are well worth it! Either way, there are plenty of amazing options for choosing the location for your engagement photos in Fort Wayne!
1. Headwaters Park
One thing I love about Headwaters Park is that there is so much variety in landscaping across the entire park. Without having to travel across the city, your engagement photos will look so uniquely different throughout the entire session. There are two bridges available, along with beautiful walking path. No matter what season you choose for your engagement session, Headwaters Park would be a great choice.
Another bonus is that Headwaters Park is in the heart of Fort Wayne, so you are within walking distance or a short drive to some fabulous downtown locations if you are looking for a couple different locations.
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2. Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory is the perfect location for couples looking for an indoor location for their engagement session. I have used the Fort Wayne botanical gardens for indoor engagement session when the weather hasn’t cooperated for an outdoor session. I’ve also had couples book their engagement session for the gardens when they have wanted to have their session in the winter for a pop of color and greenery in their images instead of the dead foliage outside.
There is an admission fee for entering the conservatory, but they have been one of the best venues to work with in terms of photographing inside. So many venues have started to charge for shooting on their premises, but as photographers continue to be kind and courteous, the Conservatory has happily allowed photographers to continue to use the facility for no extra charge!
Using the Conservatory gives you a warm, dry venue to shoot your engagement session while adding some lush green to your images. Plus, it can double as a fun day date after your session, while you check out the botanical gardens together.
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3. Metea County Park
Metea County Park is a great place for an engagement session if you are looking for a more rustic feel for your engagement session. The park includes beautiful fields and wooded paths for couples looking for an opportunity to explore. I love shooting here, because it’s another type of location that allows for a wide variety of backdrops for your portraits… even spinning your future spouse in the middle of the road!
Metea County Park does charge a small park entrance fee (cash only), but it’s well worth it for the variety of images you’ll capture during your engagement session.
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4. Foster Park
Foster Park is the perfect spot if you are looking for a woodsy session. During your engagement session, you’d be able to adventure around to find a wide variety of locations to shoot. Wandering off the path, you will find at least one bridge that is perfect for some romantic couples shots. I loved getting to shoot here with Madison & Andrew for their late summer engagement session. With all the woods, depending on the time of year, you may want to make sure to bring bug spray to keep the mosquitoes away.
With all the trees, this is a perfect location for those couples who need to shoot their session earlier in the day while still having those soft, romantic lighting vibes in their images. The trees work as a great barrier with the sun for an earlier session time without the harsh light of the day.
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5. Lakeside Park
Lakeside Park is a great location near downtown Fort Wayne. The park offers two ponds with fountains and beautiful white terraces to shoot around. The walking path leads you through beautiful large trees you will find throughout the entire park. This location does serve as a Fort Wayne wedding venue, as well, so Saturdays can be a bit tough to shoot here while avoiding others in the park during the wedding season.
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Other Notable Places
Of course, there are many more locations that can be perfect for your Fort Wayne engagement session that I’d love to use for engagement sessions with couples in the future.
6. Downtown Fort Wayne
Downtown Fort Wayne offers so many different options for your engagement sessions, which is perfect for couples who are looking for a wide variety of image backgrounds during their session.
7. Grand Wayne Convention Center
Grand Wayne Convention Center is a great option for couples who are looking for a unique option for their engagement photos. As long as events are not taking place during your scheduled engagement session, the wonderful folks at Grand Wayne are open to photography inside their building… which makes it a great option for rainy engagement session days! Plus, it’s downtown, so you have lots of options for other locations to explore during your session.
8. Lincoln Bank Tower
The Lincoln Bank Tower is an iconic spot, with a gorgeous, eye-popping front entrance that makes for some dramatic Fort Wayne engagement photos. With the beautiful gold tones, this would make for an epic wedding portrait location in downtown Fort Wayne, too!
9. IPFW Campus
College campuses always have the best architecture and greenery for engagement sessions, and IPFW is no exception. For those engaged couples who graduate from IPFW and stay local, this is a great location choice to go back to your alma mater and capture that part of your love story.
10. Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve
Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve is the perfect engagement session location for the nature loving couple! With the open fields of tall grasses and beautiful wildflowers, this is a stunning location for any couple who is looking for a Fort Wayne engagement session location that is surrounded by greenery.
11. Promenade Park
Promenade Park is an amazing new park, finished in 2019, that sits along the three rivers in Fort Wayne. There is an incredible bridge within the park that makes for the most stunning images for couples looking for a neat bridge to photograph their engagement photos!
Mix & Match
With many of these locations being in close proximity to one another, you could choose a couple of locations to create the perfect engagement session for you and your future spouse! I usually encourage couples to bring two outfit choices for their session – one dressier outfit, then a more casual outfit. We work together to choose the perfect locations for you, and I always am available to help my couples coordinate their outfit choices prior to the session.
Ready to Book?
Like what you see here? I’d love to work with you to make your Fort Wayne engagement session a time you’ll never forget! Get in touch today to inquire about my availability for your session. My best dates go fast, so don’t wait!
