Where to Take Engagement Photos in Birmingham, AL

 

Finding the Right Location for Your Birmingham Engagement Session

This is such an exciting moment & it deserves to be captured in a way that reflects your love, your personality, your styles, your values, your interests. Finding the “right” spot can feel like a big decision when these photos play a part in telling your story. With so many options in and around Birmingham, it can be hard to narrow them down and find a location that encompasses who you are & sets the right atmosphere for your photos. Together, we’ll make sure to find something that does just that.

Note: All of these locations are within 20 miles of downtown Birmingham.

 

Downtown Birmingham & Nearby

 

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

A dreamy oasis with vibrant flowers, lush greenery, and winding pathways—perfect for a romantic, nature-filled backdrop.

A couple poses amidst vibrant flowers and lush greenery at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during their engagement session.
 

Birmingham Museum of Art

For couples who love art and architecture, this venue offers a more sophisticated setting with stunning sculptures, modern design, and elegant indoor and outdoor spaces.

An engaged couple enjoys the artistic backdrop of the Birmingham Museum of Art, showcasing modern sculptures and elegant architecture.
 

Crest Road South Overlook

This is one of the best skyline views in Birmingham. You can catch the sunrise, sunset, & get beautiful cityscape shots overlooking the Magic City.

A stunning skyline view of Birmingham from Crest Road South Overlook, featuring a couple embracing as the sun sets behind them.
 

Federal Building US Courthouse

The grandeur of this historic building provides a timeless, elegant aesthetic with its grand columns and classic architecture.

A couple stands in front of the grand Federal Building in Birmingham, capturing the timeless elegance of its classic architecture during their engagement session.
 

Highland Park & Forest Park

Charming, historic neighborhoods with tree-lined streets, picturesque parks, and stunning old-world homes—for a cozy and intimate feel.

An intimate engagement session in Highland Park, featuring tree-lined streets and charming historic homes as a backdrop for the couple's photos.
 

Historic District

Step back in time with Birmingham’s rich history as your backdrop. Towering buildings, alleys, & sidewalks for that industrial aesthetic.

A couple walks through Birmingham's Historic District, surrounded by towering buildings and charming alleys that reflect the city's rich history.
 

Jefferson County Courthouse

For a more polished look, the courthouse offers bronze doors, granite steps, clean lines, & a sense of grandeur.

An engaged couple poses on the grand steps of the Jefferson County Courthouse, highlighting the building's impressive architecture and polished aesthetic.
 

Morris Avenue

A Birmingham staple! The cobblestone streets, the ivy wall, historic brick buildings, & restaurants. Just go ahead and make a date out of your engagement session, k?

A romantic engagement session on Morris Avenue, showcasing cobblestone streets and historic brick buildings as the couple shares a joyful moment.
 

Pepper Place Entertainment District

This artsy area offers colorful murals, chic buildings, string lights, and a lively atmosphere, & some of the best little nooks for photos.

A couple enjoys the vibrant atmosphere of the Pepper Place Entertainment District, with colorful murals and lively streets providing a unique backdrop for their engagement photos.
 

Railroad Park

A beautiful mix of nature and urban design, this park features open green spaces, water features, and stunning views of the Birmingham skyline.

A couple embraces in Railroad Park, surrounded by open green spaces and views of the Birmingham skyline, blending nature and urban design beautifully.
 

Rotary Trail

Take a stroll down this scenic pedestrian walkway. It was formerly a railroad corridor, revitalized for the public to enjoy. This is where you’ll also see the iconic "Rotary Trail in the Magic City" sign. Love & history intertwined.

A couple strolls along the Rotary Trail in Birmingham, with the iconic "Rotary Trail in the Magic City" sign in the background, capturing a moment of love and history.
 

Shoppe

This sweet little boutique garden shop offers a cozy, organic, and intimate backdrop with plant life and rustic charm.

A cozy engagement session at a boutique garden shop, featuring rustic charm and lush plant life that creates an intimate atmosphere for the couple.
 

The Bridges from North Side to the South Side

These dramatic bridges invite you to pause and soak in the serene beauty of the city. The most popular of these is the Rainbow Bridge, (AKA Pedestrian Bridge), but there are others that link both sides of Birmingham.

couple enjoys the serene beauty of Birmingham's bridges, with the Rainbow Bridge in the background, capturing a moment of connection and tranquility.
 

Alternatives

Don’t forget that some of the local coffee shops, eateries, galleries, record stores, book stores, & other businesses you frequent could make for beautiful photos too!

An engaged couple shares a cozy moment at their favorite coffee shop, surrounded by warm decor and inviting ambiance for their engagement session.
 
 

Outside of the City

 

Aldridge Gardens

A stunning garden setting with a tranquil lake, gorgeous seasonal flowers, and a peaceful, romantic atmosphere.

A couple poses by the tranquil lake at Aldridge Gardens, surrounded by seasonal flowers and a peaceful setting that enhances their romantic engagement photos.
 

Altadena Valley Park

This old golf club was turned into a park with wooded trails, open fields, and a lake + creek—perfect for couples who love the outdoors & love open space.

An adventurous couple enjoys an outdoor engagement session at Altadena Valley Park, featuring wooded trails and open fields as their backdrop.
 

Moss Rock Preserve

If you are an adventurous couple, this is the one for you. Boulder formations, waterfalls, dense forests, a limestone area. Every corner you turn, there’s something beautiful to see & it adds such incredible variety to your photos.

A couple explores the boulder formations and waterfalls at Moss Rock Preserve, capturing the adventurous spirit of their engagement session in nature.
 

Oak Mountain State Park

Oak Mountain has lakes, a few overlooks, waterfalls, & miles of trails. It full encompasses Alabama’s beauty & is one of my favorite places to get lost.

A couple embraces in the scenic landscape of Oak Mountain State Park, with views of lakes and trails showcasing Alabama's natural beauty during their engagement session.
 

Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve

This park provides canopied trails, rolling hills, rocky outcroppings, & a couple of scenic vistas.

An engaged couple enjoys a romantic moment at Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, surrounded by rolling hills and picturesque trails that enhance their photos.
 

Sicard Hollow Sports Complex Trail

This gem is right off of a sports complex. Who would have thought? Beautiful walking trails, tall grass, pines. It feels like a softer landscape and has the most beautiful like at any time of day. Another fave.

A couple walks along the scenic trails of Sicard Hollow Sports Complex, featuring tall grass and pines that create a soft and beautiful engagement backdrop.
 
 

Things to Consider

 

Season

Be sure to consider the season when choosing your engagement session location. Each season offers distinct backdrops and weather conditions. Spring features beautiful blooms, while summer showcases rich greenery, but be prepared for heat and humidity. Fall offers stunning foliage, and winter presents tranquil landscapes, often with mild temperatures. Remember, spring, summer, and fall typically see the most rainfall, while winter is generally drier. In Alabama, it only feels like spring or fall for a few weeks each year.

Day

Weekends are often considered the most ideal for engagement sessions due to convenient scheduling, but keep in mind that many locations and businesses tend to see increased foot traffic on those days. If you value intimacy and privacy during your session, opting for a weekday might be the better choice.

Hours of Operation, Permits, & Fees

Make to check the hours of operation, any specific requirements, and whether the location will require permission, permits, or fees beforehand. This will help ensure a smooth and hassle-free engagement session, allowing you to focus on capturing beautiful moments without any unexpected interruptions.

Parking

Parking can be tight around Birmingham at some locations, and if you find it, you may be required to pay through a mobile app. If parking becomes an issue, we can meet at a safe, public location and carpool to make travel easier, or you can follow behind me. This way, we can ensure a smoother experience and minimize any parking stress!

Leave No Trace

It’s essential to respect the environment by minimizing our impact. This includes staying on designated paths, avoiding picking plants or disturbing wildlife, and properly disposing of any waste. Even in urban locations, we should strive to leave the area better than we found it. By following these principles, we can enjoy our session while preserving the beauty of our location for future visitors.

Have Fun

More than locations, this experience is about the memories you are making together. Soak it all up, take it all in. Remember how it feels. It will translate beautifully into your photos.

Ask Your Photographer for Help

These locations are just a handful on my locations guide. If you need help finding the perfect location to be the backdrop for your photos, let me know & we will find something that fits your vision, friend!

 
 
Dakota ArgoComment