12 Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Chattanooga

      Engagements, Resources

      Yes, twelve locations! It may seem like overkill, but hear me out.

      Every couple’s engagement photos are different, even if they’re taken in a popular spot (looking at you, Walking Bridge!). And there’s no right or wrong way to go about your engagement session! I’ve shot couples in formalwear on mountaintops and buck naked in a river. At the end of the day, the images turn out beautiful and you get to make memories with your person.

       

      HOW TO CHOOSE AN ENGAGEMENT PHOTO LOCATION

      You can take engagement photos damn near anywhere (which doesn’t really help with narrowing down your options). Luckily, I’ve shot enough engagement sessions that I know how to make magic in any location.

      When choosing where to take engagement photos, take into account what makes you and your partner unique. Are you beer snobs? Art lovers? Avid hikers? Whatever your love story looks like, you should take the opportunity to capture it in your engagement photos. On your wedding day, you’ll be all dolled up and full of butterflies. Your engagement session is a chance to less loose and just be you.

      If you want to make your engagement session even more fun, treat it like a date! For many couples, their engagement photos are their first run-in with a professional photographer. To make the experience less spooky, grab a drink beforehand, jam out in the car on the way there, and treat yourselves to a nice dinner out afterwards. You deserve to enjoy your experience, not dread it. (And if you’re feeling nervous, no worries! I’m something of a pro at shooting for camera-shy couples.)

      Consider this list of engagement photo spots a jumping-off point. It’s only here for inspiration! If one of these locations speaks to you, great. If not, let me scout the perfect spot for you.

       

      12 ENGAGEMENT PHOTO LOCATIONS NEAR CHATTANOOGA

      1. SUNSET ROCK

      For breathtaking views and unforgettable light, you can’t go wrong with Sunset Rock. This is one of my ‘easy win’ locations for couples who want mountain vibes for their engagement photos. From this spot on Lookout Mountain, you can watch the river wind through green hills and past the city.

      Sunset Rock is especially beautiful at – you guessed it – sunset. It’s also very popular at sunset, but don’t worry! We can get great images here at just about any time of day. Plus, there are several other spots on Lookout Mountain that we can hit on the way there or back.

      Fair warning, though: This location isn’t the most accessible. There’s a 0.1 mile walk down stone stairs from the parking lot to Sunset Rock, so if stairs give you trouble, let’s find a different spot. Also, the parking lot is tiny (I sometimes have to wait for parking), so I recommend carpooling with your partner instead of meeting on-location.

      An engaged couple pops a bottle of champagne on Sunset Rock near Chattanooga, TN. An engaged couple holds hands on Sunset Rock during their engagement photo shoot. Engaged couple stands next to a puddle on Sunset Rock. The water reflects their image. A couple embraces facing one another during their engagement photo session on Sunset Rock near Chattanooga, TN. An engaged couple sits on a blue and white blanket on Sunset Rock. An engaged couple pops a bottle of champagne on top of Sunset Rock in Chattanooga. A couple sits together on a rock holding hands during their engagement photo session on Sunset Rock in Chattanooga.

      2. MIDDLE CREEK

      If you want woodsy vibes and are willing to hike for them, I highly recommend Middle Creek. The trail to this engagement photo location is only about a quarter of a mile long, and it’s relatively flat until you reach the creek itself. Then, we’ll have to scramble on some rocks, but it’s worth it!

      And if you’re feeling extra adventurous, we can hike even further! Past this part of Middle Creek, there’s a gorgeous waterfall and some real hidden gems of photo ops. Wear your hiking boots, pack your formalwear in a backpack, and let’s do it. I’m always down for the trek if you are!

      An engaged couple and their brown and white speckled dog poses atop a rock on a forest stream. An engaged couple sits together on a wide rock in Middle Creek near Chattanooga. A couple embraces and laughs during their engagement photos at Middle Creek near Chattanooga. An engaged couple poses with their brown and white speckled dog in front of Middle Creek. A close up photo of an engaged couple's hands - showing off her solitaire engagement ring - with two dog paws balanced on top of their hands.

      3. DOWNTOWN ROOFTOP

      My favorite way to make our little town feel like a big city is to shoot from a rooftop downtown. The skyline looks incredible from high up, and each rooftop offers a slightly different look. I have several go-to parking garages for these rooftops, so I can pick the one with the views you’re looking for.

      This is a great ‘bonus’ engagement photo location for couples who want to shoot downtown. At the end of your session, we’ll just hop in the car and drive to the top of one of a parking garage to snap a few sunset photos above the city. The buildings downtown create this super dynamic, modern backdrop that’s perfect for both dressed-up and casual shoots.

      A couple walks hand-in-hand on a rooftop in downtown Chattanooga during their engagement photo session. A man puts his arm around his fiance during their engagement session on a downtown Chattanooga rooftop. Woman giggles into her fiance's ear during their engagement photo session. Man and woman pose against a barrier on a rooftop in downtown Chattanooga. An engaged couple embraces and laughs on a rooftop in downtown Chattanooga. Man and woman dance together during their engagement photos in downtown Chattanooga. Man kisses his fiance's cheek. She's in a ruby satin dress, and he's wearing a simple white button-down shirt. Man pours champagne into his fiance's mouth on a rooftop in downtown Chattanooga. Man leads his fiance by the hand across a rooftop in downtown Chattanooga. Fiances embrace on a downtown Chattanooga rooftop. You can see her oval diamond engagement ring. Engaged couple in formalwear dances together on a rooftop in downtown Chattanooga. A close up shot of a woman with her fiance's arms around her. She holds his hands and shows off her engagement ring. A man in a charcoal suit and his fiance in a black gown on a Chattanooga rooftop at sunset. An engaged couple stands together on a street in Chattanooga at dusk. They smile and hold hands for a photo. An engaged couple embraces against a barrier on a downtown Chattanooga rooftop. A woman sitting on a concrete barrier wraps her legs around her fiance. She's in a white shirt with a teal tutu, and he's wearing leopard pants and a black suit jacket. A close up shot over a man's shoulder as he shares a kiss with his fiance. You can see her black and white nails and engagement ring on his shoulders.

      4. WALKING BRIDGE / HUNTER ART MUSEUM

      I know what you’re thinking: But Jaime, everybody does engagement photos on the Walking Bridge.

      You want to know why? Because it’s fucking fire!

      The Walking Bridge is a classic Chattanooga engagement photo location for a reason. Not only is the bridge itself beautiful, but it’s also right next to The Hunter Art Museum and surrounded by other gorgeous photo locations. I’ve shot engagement photos there in all kinds of weather and in all four seasons. They always turn out amazing.

      If you want a huge variety in your engagement photos, I’m a huge fan of The Walking Bridge. I can get you a ton of different vibes featuring several city landmarks – all within a five minute walk of one another.

      A couple smiles and poses together on the Walking Bridge in Chattanooga. A couple smiles and poses together on the Walking Bridge in Chattanooga. An engaged couple poses hand-in-hand and gaze at each other on the Walking Bridge in Chattanooga. A man and woman embrace against a stone wall at the Walking Bridge. A couple smiles and poses together underneath the Walking Bridge in Chattanooga. An engaged couple in formal black attire walk hand-in-hand on the Walking Bridge in Chattanooga. An engaged couple embraces during their engagement photos on the Walking Bridge in Chattanooga. The man kisses the woman's forehead as she laughs. An engaged couple walks hand-in-hand on the Walking Bridge during their Chattanooga engagement photos. A close up shot of an engaged couple's feet as they walk on the Walking Bridge during their Chattanooga engagement photos. A couple poses in front of a modern-looking building at sunset near the Walking Bridge in Chattanooga. A couple embraces and gazes into the sunset during their engagement photos on the Walking Bridge in Chattanooga. An engaged couple poses together in front of a building between two white columns. A close up of a man and woman pressing the sides of their faces together. You can see half of her face and half of his face. A man kisses his fiance's cheek in front of a reflective window at sunset. An engaged lesbian couple walks their white goldendoodle wearing a yellow raincoat in the rain on the Walking Bridge. An engaged lesbian couple poses under a clear umbrella on the Walking Bridge in Chattanooga. Their white goldendoodle stands next to them in a yellow raincoat. A lesbian couple hold hands and kiss over their white poodle, who's wearing a yellow raincoat. A couple kisses during their Walking Bridge engagement photos on a sunny day in Chattanooga. A couple embraces and laughs against the metal railing of the Walking Bridge in Chattanooga. A couple sits together, embracing and looking into each other's eyes, on the Walking Bridge in Chattanooga. A couple embrace and share a kiss on the stairs of the Walking Bridge during their Chattanooga engagement photos A couple kisses on the Walking Bridge in Chattanooga. A couple walks hand-in-hand in the sunshine on the concrete steps near Chattanooga's Walking Bridge. A couple poses against a brick wall, each with a hand on their hip. A couple wraps their arms around each other and smiles for the camera in front of a wall of white flowers. A close up image of a couple walking away from the camera hand-in-hand.

      5. YOUR FAVORITE MURAL

      Downtown Chattanooga is a goldmine of huge, colorful murals. If I’m shooting with a couple downtown, I always recommend we swing by their favorite mural for a few bonus shots. These images always turn out super fun, super dynamic, and totally one-of-a-kind.

      I have a lot of opinions about our local murals, so even if you don’t have a favorite, I’m more than happy to point you in the direction of one of mine.

      A couple in bright, funky clothes pops a bottle of champagne in front of a black and white geometric mural. A couple sits against a black and white mural in downtown Chattanooga. The woman is drinking champagne from the bottle. A close up of an engaged couple's lets while they sit against a black and white mural in downtown Chattanooga. He's wearing a white button-down, leopard pants, and teal socks with bananas on them. She's wearing a tie-die t-shirt, a teal tutu, and white Adidas sneakers. An engaged couple poses together sitting in front of a black and white mural in downtown Chattanooga.

      6. THE RIVER

      Did you know that 10 million gallons of water flow past Chattanooga every single day?

      The river is our city’s lifeline, and I love showcasing it in engagement photos. And there are a hundred different ways to do it! Some couples just want to wander the riverbanks and surrounding meadows, which make for some beautiful images in springtime.

      My favorite, though, is when my couples aren’t afraid to jump in! In summertime, the water’s warm, the sun’s hot, and the light on the river is just too pretty to pass up. What better way to end your engagement session than jumping off a dock hand-in-hand with your honey?

      Want to turn up the heat a little bit more? Go skinny dipping! When this couple asked to go skinny dipping for their engagement session, I couldn’t resist. The light played off the river and their skin so beautifully, and the resulting images were gorgeous and steamy.

      If you’re down to skinny dip, don’t hesitate to mention it. I’m not shy!

      If you’re not the skinny dipping type, that’s fine, too! One of my couples wanted to take engagement photos on their boat, so we popped some champagne and enjoyed a day on the water. However you’d prefer to spend your day on the river is exactly how we’ll capture it.

      An engaged lesbian couple walks hand-in-hand through a sunny glade on the Tennessee River. An engaged lesbian couple lays together in a field of wildflowers in Chattanooga. A lesbian couple walk hand-in-hand through a field of wildflowers near the Tennessee River. A lesbian couple lays in a field of white wildflowers with their heads against one another's. They're holding hands with their eyes closed. A lesbian couple walk hand-in-hand onto a dock on the Tennessee River at sunset. A lesbian couple cuddle up next to each other on a dock on the Tennessee River. A lesbian couple jumps off a dock into the Tennessee River at sunset. A lesbian couple embrace and kiss in the sunset while standing in the Tennessee River. An engaged couple holds hands in the Tennessee River during their Chattanooga engagement photos. An engaged couple sits together looking out over the Tennessee River. An engaged couple sits together looking out over the Tennessee River. An engaged couple laugh as they pop a bottle of champagne on the banks of the Tennessee River. A close up of a couple's hands (with the woman's engagement ring) in front of the Tennessee River. A man and woman holds their feet over the Tennessee River to show off their z-shaped Chaco tanlines. A man and woman embrace and gaze into each other's eyes on a dock on the Tennessee River. A man and woman jump off the end of a dock into the Tennessee River. A black and white image of an engaged couple laughing while swimming in the Tennessee River. An engaged couple kiss in the Tennessee River with only their heads above water. A man and woman stand embracing along the Tennessee River. A woman gives her fiance a piggy back ride on the banks of the Tennessee River. A man and woman skinny dip in the Tennessee River during their Chattanooga engagement photos. An image of a couple skinny dipping in the Tennessee River. A couple embraces and kisses in the Tennessee River. A couple stand naked in the Tennessee River, the water coming up to their thighs. The man grabs his fiance's butt. A close up shot of a man and woman dipping their bare feet into the Tennessee River. A man and woman snuggle in a blanket post-skinny dipping on the Tennessee River. A couple sit together on a dock overlooking the Tennessee River during golden hour. A couple walk hand-in-hand on a dock on the Tennessee River. A man wraps his arm around his fiance and smiles for the camera as they sit on a boat on the Tennessee River. A man wraps his arm around his fiance and smiles for the camera as they sit on a boat on the Tennessee River. A photo from behind a man and woman embracing and kissing on a boat at sunset.

      7. SCULPTURE FIELDS

      The Sculpture Fields at Montague Park is by far my favorite park for engagement photos in Chattanooga. As if the rolling fields of grass and view of Lookout Mountain weren’t enough, there are over 40 massive sculptures to visit. Whether or not you’re an art buff, these sculptures make for stunning backdrop.

      Like the other downtown locations, The Sculpture Fields are close enough to Main Street that we can have a take-out picnic, pop into your favorite bar for a drink, or just wander downtown for your engagement session. Plus, it’s dog-friendly, so you can (and should!) bring your pet along.

      Keep in mind that this park closes right at sunset, so we’ll have to be quick to snap those last-minute shots as the sun dips below Lookout Mountain. It’s totally worth it, though!

      An engaged couple standing arm-in-arm beneath a massive sculpture in a park. A couple kisses on a path in the Chattanooga Sculpture Fields. A couple sit together cuddling in the tall grass of the Chattanooga Sculpture Fields at sunset. A couple kiss between two white, grid-like sculptures in the Chattanooga Sculpture Fields. A couple sit together cuddling in the tall grass of the Chattanooga Sculpture Fields at sunset. A couple walk hand-in-hand across the Chattanooga Sculpture Fields at sunset. A couple sit together cuddling in the tall grass of the Chattanooga Sculpture Fields at sunset. A couple kiss between two white, grid-like sculptures in the Chattanooga Sculpture Fields. A couple hold hands between two white, grid-like sculptures in the Chattanooga Sculpture Fields. A couple crouch on a gravel path with their large, fluffy dog in the Chattanooga Sculpture Fields. A couple embrace facing one another in a grove of trees at sunset. A couple walk hand-in-hand between two white, grid-like sculptures in a field. A couple embrace in the background while their large, fluffy dog walks towards the camera with its tongue out. A couple pose in front of a white, grid-like sculpture with their large, fluffy dog lying at their feet. A large, fluffy dog chews on a tennis ball while their owners embrace in the background.

      8. YOUR FAVORITE BAR

      I invite all my couples to grab a drink at the beginning of their engagement session. I get a chance to meet you properly, we get to chat for a while, and you get to loosen up with a drink. What’s not to love?

      And since we’re already there, why not take a few photos? I love meeting a couple in their favorite bar and getting some candid shots in a booth or on the patio.

      Whether it’s just your usual haunt or the location of your first date, your favorite bar probably holds a lot of sentimental value. All your late night chats, after-work drinks, and just-because dates make the place special. By including it in your engagement photos, we get to capture the two of you as you really are in a place that feels like home. No matter where life takes you, you’ll always have those memories to look back on.

      A couple smile and cheers their drinks - an old fashioned and a glass of rosé - in their favorite bar. A couple kiss at a square table in their favorite bar. A couple sit together cuddling and drinking whiskey on a mustard couch in a bar. A couple sit together cuddling and drinking whiskey on a mustard couch in a bar. A couple sit together kissing and drinking whiskey on a mustard couch in a bar. A couple sit together cuddling and drinking whiskey on a mustard couch in a bar. A couple hold hands across a small, round table in their favorite bar. A couple hold hands across a small, round table in their favorite bar. A close up of an engaged couple's hands holding pint glasses of beer. A couple sit at a picnic table drinking beer and reading love letters from one another. A couple pose against a patio railing at sunset. An engaged couple's hands on a picnic table with glasses of beer and love letters to each other. A couple dance together and smile at one another in front of a large window in their favorite bar. A man dips and kisses his fiancé wearing an emerald gown on a street in downtown Chattanooga. A couple drink together at a large, bottle-filled bar. A couple drink together and laugh at a bar. A man gives his fiancé his coat to wear on the streets of downtown Chattanooga at night. An engaged couple embrace and laugh outside their favorite bar. A close-up of a man and woman holding hands in front of a sign that reads, "Enter as strangers, leave as friends." A couple walk hand-in-hand on a forested, paved path between engagement photo locations in Chattanooga. A couple embrace and pose for a photo outside the door of their favorite bar. A couple cheers their beers in their favorite bar. A close-up of an engaged couple holding hands atop paper bar menus. A woman feeds her fiancé pizza in front of a gooey cheese pizza mural in Chattanooga. A couple eats pizza in front of a pizza mural during their engagement photos in downtown Chattanooga. A couple sit together in a booth at a bar during their engagement photo session. A couple kiss in their favorite bar during their engagement photo session.

      9. THE FOUNDRY AT THE RIVERWALK

      If you don’t know, the Riverwalk is a 16-mile paved trail that runs along the banks of the Tennessee River and through the heart of Chattanooga. There are dozens of great engagement photo locations on the Riverwalk, but my favorite by far is the foundry.

      Located near the end of the trail, the foundry is a treasure trove of rugged textures and dynamic shapes. You get the heavy metal, the rust, and the overgrown foliage all in one location. I especially love it when couples wear formal attire to the foundry. The juxtaposition of a cocktail dress against the aging metal is to die for.

      This is another easily accessible location, as are most stops along the Riverwalk. If you’re concerned about parking or walking long distances, let’s find a spot along the Riverwalk that works for you.

      A couple pose and smile for the camera in an overgrown section of The Foundry in Chattanooga. A couple stand bumping foreheads as the woman kicks a heel up. Behind them is a vine-covered wall at the Chattanooga Foundry. A couple embrace and smile for the camera during their engagement photos at The Foundry in Chattanooga. A couple embrace and smile for the camera in front of a vine-covered wall during their Chattanooga engagement photo session at The Foundry. A man and woman laugh while standing hand-in-hand in front of a vine-covered wall. A man and woman pose together on a set of overgrown metal stairs at The Foundry in Chattanooga. An engaged couple laugh and walk together at The Foundry in Chattanooga. A couple stand and kiss in front of green foliage. The man wraps his arms around her waist, and she touches his face. A couple walk hand-in-hand down a path at The Foundry in Chattanooga. A woman leads her fiancé by the hand on a gravel path at The Foundry in Chattanooga. A couple smile and brush faces in the wind.

      10. UNDER THE MARKET STREET BRIDGE

      Under the Market Street bridge is as close to Venice as you can get here in Chattanooga. With its white stucco arches and the city’s reflection on the river, this is a great spot for more refined, upscale engagement photos.

      Fun fact: We can also shoot here in the rain! This may be the only weatherproof engagement photo location in Chattanooga with views of the aquarium, the Walking Bridge, and Lookout Mountain. It’s my go-to for couples who don’t have a ton of date flexibility and can’t risk getting rained out.

      A couple stand hand-in-hand gazing at one another under the Market Street Bridge. A man and woman embrace facing one another under the Market Street Bridge. A couple stand apart from each other gazing in opposite directions under the Market Street Bridge in Chattanooga. A man embraces his fiancé from behind during their engagement photos in Chattanooga. A couple pose arm-in-arm during their Chattanooga engagement photos under the Market Street Bridge. A couple stand far apart gazing in opposite directions under the Market Street Bridge. A woman bites her fiancé's ear while he laughs. A couple walk hand-in-hand and gaze at one another under the Market Street Bridge in Chattanooga. A lesbian couple bump foreheads and laugh under the Market Street Bridge. A lesbian couple kiss on a rainy day under the Market Street Bridge in Chattanooga. A couple hold hands under the Market Street Bridge in Chattanooga.

      11. UP AROUND THE OCOEE

      If you’re up for a drive, the Ocoee River offers plenty of beautiful engagement photo spots just an hour outside Chattanooga. For my adventurous couples, the Ocoee has it all: lush woods, rugged hikes, dazzling waterfalls, and breathtaking vistas. I have a few favorite locations, but you really can’t go wrong anywhere in this area.

      The Ocoee is especially beautiful in fall and early winter when the leaves start to turn and the hills really get to show off their colors. Benton Falls, about 20 minutes beyond the Ocoee, makes for a wonderfully secluded, Fern Gully-esque forest backdrop. The hike there is three miles round-trip, so bring hiking boots and a bottle of water!

      Sugarloaf Mountain Overlook, an hour outside Chattanooga, is another favorite of mine. With the sweeping view of the river and lake below, we can make it look like you’re a hundred miles from civilization.

      A couple embrace standing in the autumn woods near the Ocoee. A couple stand hand-in-hand and gaze into each other's eyes in the autumn woods. A couple kiss under falling leaves in the woods. An engaged couple walk hand-in-hand on a trail in the woods at sunset. An engaged couple embrace and kiss on a ridge at sunset. An engaged couple dance on a ridge at sunset. An engaged couple walk hand-in-hand onto a ridge at sunset. An engaged couple kiss in front of the Chattanooga sunset. Their features are shrouded, but you can see their outlines against the sky.

      12. AT YOUR HOUSE!

      My absolute favorite engagement photo spot is one you’re already familiar with!

      Your home doesn’t need to be Good Housekeeping material to serve as a great engagement photo location. I mean it when I say I can take great photos anywhere! Whether you spend a lazy day snuggled up in bed, make pancakes together in the morning light, or cozy up on the couch with your pets, taking engagement photos at home is incredibly intimate and special. You’ll be super comfortable in front of the camera (home court advantage!), and you’ll get to capture real life together. There’s nothing better.

      An engaged couple pose with their two dogs on their bed at home. An engaged couple embrace and smile on their bed for their at-home engagement photos in Chattanooga. An engaged couple pose with their two dogs on their bed at home. A dog licks their lips while staring at the camera and lying on a white bedspread. A couple share a drink on their patio in red and blue patio chairs. Their old dog sits between them. A couple stand facing one another in their backyard garden. Their old dog naps at their feet. An engaged couple cuddling on the ground between two raised garden boxes in their backyard. An engaged couple cuddling on the ground between two raised garden boxes in their backyard. An engaged couple cuddling on the ground between two raised garden boxes in their backyard. An old boxer dog sits in front of their owners. They wear a chalkboard sign that reads, "I loved her first." An engaged couple cuddling on the ground between two raised garden boxes in their backyard. An engaged couple cuddling together as they lean back on their bed. A close up shot of an engaged couple's bare legs entangled on their bed. A couple lay together in their bed at home during their engagement photos in Chattanooga. A close up photo of an engaged couple's bare feet on a wood floor. Her toes just barely overlap his. A couple cuddles up to one another on the floor of their house. An engaged couple lay backwards on their couch with their feet up on the wall. They snuggle up for their at-home engagement photos in Chattanooga. A couple embraces and laughs in the low light of sunset. A couple cuddles on the couch together during their engagement photos at home. A couple cuddles on the couch together during their engagement photos at home.

      Looking for the perfect engagement photo location near Chattanooga or beyond?

      Let’s chat! Your engagement photos are all about capturing you and your partner at a unique time in your life – no longer dating, not yet married – and it’s my priority to make sure you both feel great on the day of. The perfect place to take your engagement photos is where you feel most like yourselves.

      Head over to my contact page, and let’s grab a drink together!

      For more engagement photo inspiration, check out my blog.

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      COMMENTS
      Brooke
      July 30, 2021 at 11:25 pm

      Hi! I’m looking for places to take my engagement photos! I just looked through the 12 Places to Take Engagement Photos Near Chattanooga – could you tell me where the river location is for the pictures that you have that were in the flower field near the river and then on the dock?

      Thank you so much for any help!

      REPLY

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