Choosing a location for your engagement photos can seem like an overwhelming task. You deserve engagement photos that reflect you and that you love, and a large part of that is the engagement session location. You are in luck because as a Tampa wedding photographer, I have scouted out the best engagement photo locations in Tampa! 

I want you to keep in mind that you and your honey are the stars of the engagement photoshoot and the location will only serve as a complementing background. That being said, it is still so important to choose the right location for your engagement and wedding photos that best compliments your personality as a couple

And I truly believe that incorporating a good mix of nature and architecture is the key to a great engagement session location! 

Here are some of the best engagement photo locations in Tampa and Central Florida:

Downtown Tampa Area

Having your engagement photos in Downtown Tampa is such a fun and lively way to capture your love! Downtown Tampa is full of a variety of locations that are perfect to showcase your love and excitement for your wedding. You will find street art, history and elegance all in a single location, trust me when I say that downtown Tampa is THE place for engagement photos.

University of Tampa

University of Tampa’s beautiful Moorish architectural design, brick walls and romantic vibe make it a top engagement session location in Tampa! It has such unique buildings that will make you feel transported to another time as you walk through the dreamy halls and lush gardens. 

Walk down to UT’s beautiful park and you will have the perfect skyline of downtown Tampa as your backdrop! This Tampa engagement location combines nature and architecture perfectly!

Hyde Park Village

Talk about a charming small town feel! Hyde Park is a sweet little neighborhood near Downtown Tampa. I love this spot for engagement photos because of the darling details that have been incorporated into the historic homes, cute little cafes and the entire community!

 

Davis Island

Davis Island is a stunning area with grand hotels, waterfront views and remarkable beaches. The buildings at this Tampa engagement location have amazing architecture that will be sure to add more beauty to your photos. This location is rather close to the city, which makes it perfect for getting a bit of nature and architecture in your engagement session!

Tampa Theatre

What better place to have your Tampa engagement photos taken than in Tampa Theatre, one of America’s most elaborate movie palaces?! This historic landmark is a great way to showcase Tampa for all of its luxury and history.  The vintage design of this theatre will make your heart swoon and I promise the photos will turn out spectacular!

Armature Works

This neighborhood food hub hosts numerous events and is the greatest mix of rustic and upscale! The exposed brick, large windows and urban details will bring a young and earthy vibe to your Tampa engagement photos! 

Curtis Hixon Park and the Tampa Riverwalk

One of the reasons why Downtown Tampa is such a great engagement session location is because it has a vibrant, urban feel as well as the calming romance of quiet parks. Curtis Hixon Park is the perfect place to take a break from the city and unwind a little. This park features a unique urban design, cool LED lighting and interactive water fountains that make for a great Tampa engagement experience!

Ybor City

Ybor City has so many options for your Tampa engagement session! You will find painted walls around a corner, romantic streetcars, and beautifully designed buildings and shops. The brick walls that line the city give an overall historic feel that will just warm your senses. Much like Downtown Tampa, Ybor city has endless spots and landmarks – with more of an urban feel, making it a great location for your engagement photos!

Museums 

Museums bring a form of sophistication and romance to your engagement photos that you can’t find anywhere else. There is so much history and art in Florida that is displayed in some of the nation’s most lavish museums. Having your engagement photos taken in a museum is the perfect way to transport yourself to another time and feel all the fairytale vibes!

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

Located in Sarasota, FL, The Ringling Museum has magnificent architecture! The entire location is elegant and unique, and not only in it’s design. The Ringling’s unique history all begins with a love story. Nearly a century ago John Ringling and his beloved wife shared a love for Sarasota, Italy, and art. With this common love they began their collection and the rest is history.

This Tampa engagement session location is surrounded by lush and towering trees as well as the water by Ca d’Zan. It is the perfect balance of rich history and outdoor photo opportunities! 

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami, FL

This museum is the perfect spot for engagement photos for those who are looking for a historic location that is right on the water. The building itself is outstanding with spanish influence and intricate details. Wander into the gardens and you will find pristine lawns and whimsical shrubbery. Your engagement photos will definitely stand out amongst a crowd at Vizcaya Museum! 

The Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, FL

Unlike the other museums I have mentioned, The Salvador Dali Museum is modern and sleek! It has out-of-this-world architecture and has some of the most jaw-dropping art that you will find in the Tampa area. I love this location for engagement sessions because of its unique building and modern flare.

The Museum of Fine Arts

The emphasis this museum has on ancient, modern and contemporary art is clear in the design of the building itself. Your engagement photos will be brought to the next level with the unique design of the Museum of Fine Arts building and the modern features, such as the LED lights that reflect against the water throughout the night. Bring history and night life together at this St. Pete engagement location!

 

Hotels

Taking your engagement photos at a hotel may seem a little odd at first, but let me talk you into it. Some of the most unique luxury hotels in the nation are right here in Tampa Florida. The grounds are always kept pristine and you will be able to find a location that fits you perfectly! 

Le Meridien Tampa

This Tampa hotel is the definition of grand! If you are looking for a royal feel to your Tampa engagement photos, look no further! The towering marble columns, old-world light fixtures, and just about every other detail will make you feel like a princess. I absolutely adore the outside architecture of this hotel, and I am sure you will too!

The Don Cesar hotel in St. Pete, FL

If you are in the mood for an actual palace for your engagement photos, then I have got you covered! Sitting right on the beach is The Don Cesar, a magical and luxury pink palace. Everytime I go I am blown away by its beauty! I especially love how gorgeous it looks with the warm lighting of the sunset.

Vinoy Renaissance Hotel in St. Pete, FL

This St. Pete engagement session location is such a fun mix of spanish influence and complete elegance. You will be sure to be amazed as you turn every corner of this lavish hotel, finding hidden gems and stunning details all around you. Then step outside and be greeted by Vinoy Park. Clean and well groomed paths and gardens are scattered throughout the park, making it a perfect backdrop for engagement photos!

Parks and Gardens

Parks and gardens are just wonderful for engagement and wedding photography. Each garden is unique in its layout and plant selection. The tall trees and simple walkways give a lovely fairytale look to your photos and bring out a sense of adventure. Here are some of my favorite gardens in Florida:

Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, FL

I am obsessed with Bok Tower Gardens for Tampa engagement photos! The gardens and groves of trees are beyond magical, and I can’t get enough of the unique tower that stands at the center of it all. This engagement location is seriously from a fairytale and I cannot wait to take you there!

Kraft Azalea Garden in Winter Park, FL

Bring a little piece of Rome to Florida at this engagement location! The unique exedra makes this a desirable location not only for engagement photos, but also for weddings. Among the tropical trees and florals of Florida, you will find a piece of another world hiding out in Kraft Azalea Garden.

Sunken Gardens in St. Pete, FL

Sunken Gardens is a truly whimsical spot in Tampa. The gardens are packed with lush tropical shrubbery and florals, while the pathways lead you through the gardens, over bridges and into hidden nooks of the garden. Romance is amplified in these secret gardens!

Hancock Orange Groves in Dade City, FL

So simple, yet so sweet! I absolutely adore Hancock Orange Groves near Tampa, and 10 out 10 recommend it to my engaged couples! The simplicity of this grove really makes you and your sweetheart the stars of the show during your engagement session. The pops of orange citrus  throughout the location bring a bright and colorful balance to the effortless look of the grove.

Florida Botanical Garden in Largo, FL

You will be amazed with the 150-acres of botanicals at this Tampa engagement location! The beauty of this location goes on forever, with formal gardens, scenic landscapes and native habitats. Not only will you get stunning engagement photos, but you will also have a day full of adventure and awe. 

Sweetfields Farms

What is more happy than a field full of sunflowers? You and your honey in a field full of sunflowers! You will have a total blast as you frolic through the fields of sunflowers at Sweetfields Farms for your Tampa engagement session photos. This is such a beautiful location and makes for the best engagement photos!

There are so many wonderful parks and gardens in the Tampa area! A few of my other favorite parks and gardens include:

• Hollis Garden in Lakeland, FL 
• Phillipi Park
• Edward Medard Park
• Lettuce Lake Park

 

Beaches

Tampa is known for its beautiful beaches and glowing sunsets. Take an adventure to one of Florida’s many beaches and experience the romance that comes with the sand between your toes and your honey by your side. Catch Golden Hour to capture the rich colors of the sunset to add extra flare to your Tampa engagement photos! 

Here are some of my favorite Florida beaches for engagement photos:

Fort De Soto Park and Beach

Clear waters and white sand makes for the most romantic getaway! That is exactly what Fort De Soto is and it is right in our own backyard. Your Tampa engagement photos will be divine at this location.

Pass-a-Grille Beach

This Tampa beach is a vibrant and exciting location for your engagement session. The boardwalk is full of entertainment and shops, and the beach itself is outstanding and clean. I love the friendliness of this location and all that details to see.

Clearwater Beach

Unlike other beaches in the area, Clearwater has a vintage and timeless feel. With its white sand, gorgeous rock formations, beautiful pier and many surrounding shops, it is definitely a top location to get stunning engagement images.

Fred Howard Park

Don’t let the name deceive you, Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs has the best of both worlds! A beautiful park with a gorgeous hidden beach. This location is perfect for couples who want to have the beauty of nature in their engagement photos as well as the romantic feel of a beach. 

In order to get to the beach you’ll need to drive about a mile within the park. When first entering you will be greeted by a large park with a gorgeous variety of Florida trees and romantic walkways. After driving in you will arrive at the secluded hidden beach. I absolutely love shooting at this location because not many people know about the beach, so there is almost nobody there.

 

Some other great beaches for engagement photos include: 

• Indian Rocks Beach
• Redington Beach
• Davis Island Beach
• St. Pete Beach
• Treasure Island Beach
• Honeymoon Island State Park

 

If there is one thing we have in Florida, it is plenty of beaches to choose from! Each one has something special and unique that will make your engagement picture beyond special.

These are some of our favorite engagement photo locations in Tampa, Florida and are only meant as a quick guide. There are tons more options for your session, these are just some of my most popular locations, if your location isn’t on the list, that’s totally fine, I’m always up for something new! 

So now that you have your Tampa Engagement Session Location down, be sure to check out my best tips for What to Wear to Your Engagement Session here.