Kelly Kazmierczak

11 Cool Engagement Photo Locations in Buffalo

Updated: Sep 8

Buffalo has an abundance of creative engagement photo locations for newly engaged couples. I’m a Buffalo wedding photographer who has done just about every kind of engagement session in the area, and I’ve rounded up my eleven favorite spots. You’ll definitely find inspiration for your Buffalo engagement photos!

A man and woman hold hands and walk along a lake shore for their Buffalo engagement photo session.

Engagement Photo Locations in the City

Whether it’s Deleware Ave., Main St., or Elmwood, Buffalo has amazing streets with historic architecture and vibrant color. They offer very Buffalo engagement photo locations.

Shea’s Buffalo Theatre

Shea’s is an iconic piece of Buffalo architecture. The opulent interior features red carpets, marble, and gilded details. It has an elegant 1920s romance to it. This is a great engagement photo location if you’re looking to show off an especially fancy outfit.

You can check out some gorgeous wedding portraits at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre in this blog post.

A woman in a white dress poses beside a man in a suit at a Buffalo engagement photo location.

Downtown Buffalo

For my Buffalovers who want to show their Buffalo pride in their engagement photos, I recommend heading to Main St. Near the Buffalo Public Library, you get an amazing view of City Hall for a backdrop.

Here are a few more unique locations for engagement photos in Downtown Buffalo:

Main St. near Genesee St. - Perfect for Lafayette Square, Gold Dome Building, Seneca One Tower, parking garages, and access to several murals

Delaware Ave. near Edward St. - The Buffalo Mnasion and Buffalo Club as well as Trinity Church and Babeville

Mural locations - Geometric Shapes near Shea’s, Flowers on Washington and Broadway, Keep Buffalo a Secret, Greetings from Buffalo

A man and woman embrace in front of a mural in downtown Buffalo in engagement photos.

Photogenic Parks and Beaches

Sure, Buffalo isn’t exactly what you might consider a beach town, and locals know better than to spend a lot of time swimming in Lake Eerie. Luckily, Buffalo’s summer beauty makes local beaches and parks perfect engagement photo locations.

A man and woman lean against a wall in a Buffalo park for engagement photos.

Essex St. Pub and Delaware Park

Essex St. Pub is a neighborhood favorite in Elmwood. It’s colorful, cozy, and close to Delaware Park. The paths through the park and around Hoyt Lake offer endless spots for outdoor photos in any season. This is a great set of engagement photo locations to get the best of an indoor/outdoor experience.

A couple poses in Delaware Park in Buffalo for engagement photos.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House

This museum is a gorgeously preserved example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s unique architecture. It’s spacious with cool lines that make for really interesting photo compositions. The gardens are really beautiful too. The Martin House gives you a great mix of cozy and cool backdrops.

A man and woman embrace with her engagement ring showing in the foreground.

Glen Falls in Williamsville

Glen Falls is just 20 minutes east of Downtown Buffalo. The waterfalls and rugged paths are great for colorful fall engagement photos.

A Buffalo couple stands beside a lake at an engagement photo location on a fall afternoon.

A man and woman cuddle on a hillside for Buffalo engagement photos.

Letchworth State Park

Letchworth State Park is an iconic part of Western New York. This is a good spot for outdoorsy couples who want to celebrate in nature.

A man and woman lean their heads together while they sit in front of a waterfall at a Buffalo engagement photo location.

Woodlawn Beach

Woodlawn Beach is one of my favorite engagement photo locations near Buffalo. You get the most out of photos if you’re willing to get a little wet!

A couple holds hands and walks in a lake at sunset during their Buffalo engagement photos.

Evangola State Park

Evangola State Park is another one of my favorite spots for beachy photos! The sweeping landscape brings the drama to your engagement photos.

A man puts his arm around a woman while they stand in a lake for Buffalo engagement photos at Evangola State Park.

18 Mile Creek

18 Mile Creek is a sprawling wooded park in Hamburg. A bit of a hike will get you to a waterfall. You and your partner can splash in the shallow water and cuddle in the mist.

An engaged man and woman sit next to each other on a bridge at Eighteen Mile Creek.

A man and woman kiss at the foot of a waterfall at a Buffalo engagement photo location.

Cool Restaurants and Bars

Bars and restaurants are cool engagement photo locations because they have such defined decor. A little “cheers” definitely helps a lot of people open up in front of the camera, too. Be sure to contact the restaurant and your photographer early to set up a quiet time for your session. Most spaces are really accommodating as long as they have advanced notice.

An engaged couple sits in a Buffalo bar and kisses under a sconce.

The Little Club

This bar and restaurant is located a few blocks north of Delaware Park. The farm to table restaurant is relaxed and colorful. The bar features really unique green and white tile that offers a distinctive backdrop for engagement photos.

You can see more photos from this engagement session here.

A man and woman stand beside each other and smile at a Buffalo wedding photographer while they drink cocktails at The Little Club.

Hartman’s Distilling Co.

Hartman’s Distilling Co. has more of a speakeasy atmosphere. Think brown leather and a marble bar top. It’s also in Canalside, so you can incorporate photos along the riverwalk into your session.

An engaged couple sits on a leather couch in a corner of Harman's Distilling Co.

You can see more from this engagement session at this blog post.

A man and woman lean their foreheads together beside a bar in a Buffalo engagement photo location.

Cozy Engagement Photos at Home

If none of these engagement photo locations appeal to you, why not try an in-home session? You can be your authentic self in the comfort of your own home. I love doing in-home sessions with engaged couples. We can tell a unique story that’s all your own! It’s also easier to include pets. Just be sure the lighting is adequate in whatever space you use.

A couple sits on their kitchen floor drinking orange juice during an in-home engagement session.

A couple sits on their couch petting their cat during an in-home engagement photo session.

Are you looking for a Buffalo photographer to take your engagement photos? I’d love to help you celebrate this milestone with fun, personality-filled photos! Inquire with me here.