When people think of Central Park engagement photos, they usually picture the iconic spots—Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge, Belvedere Castle... and yes, they're every bit as gorgeous as you've imagined. But for William and Megan, Central Park wasn't just a beautiful backdrop. It was where they had their very first date and it was where they shared their very first kiss! 🥹

And now, just a few months before saying "I do," it became the place where they documented this sweet season of engagement together. Cue me trying not to cry behind my camera (😂) and keep scrolling to see this stunning sunrise session unfold!

A woman in a light dress and a man in a dark suit walk up wide stone steps outdoors, surrounded by trees and ornate stone railings for central park engagement photos

A couple stands close together on a stone bridge, partially obscured by green leafy trees and branches for central park engagement photos

We Actually Connected Over Something Much Bigger Than Photography

One of my favorite parts of this whole story actually happened before we even met in person. William and Megan had specifically been searching for a Christian wedding photographer—someone who not only create photos they loved, but someone who viewed marriage through a shared lens: as a picture of the Gospel and Christ's love for His Church. 🥹

When we hopped on our very first consultation call, we definitely talked about photography... but we spent just as much time swapping testimonies and sharing how Jesus has changed each of our lives. By the end of the call, it felt like we already knew each other.

It's one of the ways I connect with so many of my couples—through a shared bedrock of mutual faith. What starts merely as a wedding photographer hunt takes on a new shape entirely when we end up talking about how the Lord has redeemed us and what marriage means to us as Christians. Those conversations have become one of my favorite parts of this job because they remind me that documenting a wedding is about so much more than taking beautiful photos.

They're getting married at Redeemer on the East Side in Manhattan (which, fun fact, is a Timothy Keller church, whose ministry has played a huge role in shaping my own faith), so that connection made me even more excited to be part of their wedding day! Seriously... only God can orchestrate connections like these!

If this aspect of William and Megan's story resonates with you, you'll also love reading about Ana and Will's engagement session. They, too, were looking for a Christian wedding photographer for many of the same reasons, and it's another story that's incredibly close to my heart! 🥹

A couple dances on a grassy field in front of a stone castle-like building surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky for central park engagement photos

A silhouetted couple stands by a lake in Central Park, with tall buildings and greenery visible in the background on a sunny day.

A woman in a floral dress and a man in a suit sit closely together on grass, both smiling and leaning towards each other.

From NYU Classmates to Wall Street

William and Megan first met while attending NYU. Megan was finishing her undergraduate degree while Will was working toward his master's, and somewhere between classes, studying, and city life, the Lord brought them together. A cool part of their story is that Megan actually came to Christ through Will! Today, they both work on Wall Street. Megan works as an investment banker (yes, the crazy hours are apparently very real 😵‍💫) while Will works on the research side of finance. Despite living in one of the busiest cities in the world, they're incredibly grounded in their church community, their small group, and preparing intentionally for marriage. I absolutely loved hearing them talk about this season of life together. Also... honeymoon in Japan?! 🤩 I cannot WAIT to hear all about that after the wedding. 👀

Central Park Engagement Photoswill-megan-central-park-engagements-emilee-carpenter-photography-45.jpg

Central Park Engagement Photoswill-megan-central-park-engagements-emilee-carpenter-photography-26.jpg

Central Park Engagement Photoswill-megan-central-park-engagements-emilee-carpenter-photography-21.jpg

Central Park Engagement Photoswill-megan-central-park-engagements-emilee-carpenter-photography-72.jpg

A 5:30 AM Sunrise Was 100% Worth It for These Central Park Engagement Photos

Okay, now buckle up for story time! We met at 5:30 in the morning for these Central Park engagement photos. Which meant about three hours of sleep for me! 🥲 Get this… I had arrived in NYC around 1:00 AM the night before. Got a few winks of sleep. Woke back up around 4:00 AM. Made the trek on foot from midtown to Bethesda Terrace. Photographed this session. Took a very strategic power nap. THEN drove to Jersey City for another engagement session that evening from 6:30-8:30...then finally made it back home around 12:30 that night. 😂 Let’s put it this way: I logged 25k steps that day, and not even complaining. 🔥

So basically this entire trip was a 24-hour whirlwind LOL. Would I do it again? 10/10! Especially for mornings like this and sessions like theirs. The city was still quiet, the light was SO soft, and despite the chilly May air, Central Park felt incredibly peaceful before everyone else woke up! 🙌🏼

A couple in formal attire walks up stone steps in an outdoor plaza surrounded by trees and historic architecture.

An elderly couple walks arm in arm down a tree-lined park path, surrounded by green foliage and empty benches on a sunny day.

A man in a suit and a woman in a patterned dress stand by an ornate stone wall in an outdoor setting with greenery.

Two people stand by a lake with tall buildings and trees in the background, framed by tree branches.

Dreamy Sunrise Central Park Engagement Photos

Once the initial chill wore off and Will and Megan settled into being in front of the camera, the whole morning became incredibly relaxed. They're naturally a little more reserved, but a few minutes in front of the camera, Megan began to melt into Will's arms making everything felt effortless. We leaned into quiet moments, hand-in-hand walks, forehead touches, little lifts, and movement that felt romantic instead of overly posed.

I especially loved how thoughtfully they dressed for the session. Megan wore a beautiful floral midi dress with a full skirt that created the prettiest movement as she walked while Will's navy suit and soft pink tie complemented her look with a sharp, snazzy contrast. Together, they looked polished and put together while still comfortable and in their own skin. And can we take a second to appreciate Megan's ring?! 😍 Her elegant oval-cut diamond set on a delicate yellow gold band photographed like a chef’s kiss throughout the morning. I'm always a sucker for detail shots, and between her ring, the architecture of Bethesda Terrace, and the soft sunrise light, there were so many little details that helped tell the story of their engagement!

I also had so much fun playing with the scenery throughout the morning. Some of my favorite images were the "tiny people, huge landscape" photos where the incredible architecture of Bethesda Terrace became an immersive part of their gallery. We also captured silhouettes with the San Remo towers and experimented with foreground blur to frame both William and Megan and the New York City skyline. Slain. 🥹

Two people sit by a lake in Central Park, New York City, framed by trees, with the twin towers of the San Remo building in the background for central park engagement photos

A man in a suit and a woman in a pink dress stand near an ornate stone wall with intricate carvings in an outdoor park setting.

Why Central Park Engagement Photos Never Get Old

I've photographed in a lot of places over the years, but there's something about Central Park that always captures my attention.

Maybe it's because it feels lush and full of life, amid a concrete jungle. One minute you're surrounded by towering trees and winding pathways that make you forget you're standing in the middle of New York City. The next, you're greeted with some of the most iconic architecture in the park, followed by sweeping skyline views that instantly remind you where you are. It somehow manages to feel peaceful and vibrant all at once. Bethesda Terrace was hands-down my favorite stop of the morning, where I literally could’ve taken photos for hours. Between the warm terracotta tones, intricate blue tile ceiling, ivy-covered staircases, and soft morning light pouring through the arches, it felt like something straight out of a European city. I was absolutely OBSESSED.

From there we wandered across Bow Bridge, strolled through Shakespeare Garden, and eventually ended at the Great Lawn with Belvedere Castle standing proudly in the background. (And can we talk about how many dogs were out that morning?! I don't think I've ever seen so many happy pups on one walk in my life! 😂)

I love to recommend sunrise for Central Park engagement photos because you get to experience the park before it gets too busy with foot traffic. Instead of weaving through crowds of tourists, you're greeted with quiet pathways, soft golden light, and a calm that's honestly hard to believe exists in the middle of Manhattan.

It's a setting that is incredibly iconic—and somehow, it still manages to surprise me with its tranquility every single time I visit.

A woman in a light pink dress and a man in a dark suit walk up an ornate stone staircase outdoors, surrounded by trees and detailed carvings for central park engagement photos

A couple stands embracing beneath an ornate, arched ceiling in a covered walkway, with steps and greenery visible in the background.

A woman in a light dress sits on a decorative stone railing while a man in a suit stands nearby; both are outdoors surrounded by trees and greenery.

Psst… in case you haven’t noticed, awkward photos aren’t really my vibe.

My goal is to get you feeling comfortable and yourself, so you can enjoy personality-driven imagery for years to come!

If you’re looking at this gallery, thinking, “YASSSSS!”, then we need to talk… like yesterday!

SCHEDULE A FREE CHAT

Keep scrolling to see more of William and Megan’s engagement gallery! ↓

The Best Locations for Central Park Engagement Photos

My favorite thing about photographing Central Park engagement photos is how much variety you can get without ever leaving the park. Within just a short walk, you can go from elegant architecture to lush gardens to iconic New York City views, creating a gallery that feels diverse while still telling one cohesive story. Here are a few of my favorite spots!

Bethesda Terrace

If I had to choose just one location for engagement photos in Central Park, it would probably be Bethesda Terrace. The grand staircases, overhead arches, intricate terracotta-and-blue patterned ceiling tiles, and soft stone architecture create such a timeless, romantic backdrop. It's stunning year-round, but sunrise in summer is especially magical—the light literally floods through the archways before the park gets too busy.

A couple stands under an ornate archway, embracing, with wide stone steps and greenery visible in the background.

A couple embraces and kisses under a stone archway with ornate detailing and a patterned wall in the background.

Bow Bridge

Bow Bridge is one of Central Park's most iconic landmarks, and for good reason. The cast-iron bridge overlooks the lake, offers stunning skyline views, and adds that unmistakable New York feel to your gallery. It's the perfect stop if you're hoping for classic Central Park scenery.

A woman in a floral dress leads a man in a suit by the hand across a wooden bridge, with trees in the background for central park engagement photos

A couple stands close together on a bridge, out of focus, with tall buildings, trees, and a body of water in the background on a clear day.

The Great Lawn & Belvedere Castle

If you're hoping to include Belvedere Castle in your engagement photos, the Great Lawn is one of the best places to do it. The wide-open green space gives the castle room to shine while creating a completely different feel from the more intimate pathways throughout the park. As one of Central Park's most recognizable landmarks, it's a great way to end a session with iconic views.

A woman in a light dress spins on grass while a man in a suit watches her; a stone building and trees are in the background under a clear sky foe central park engagement photos

A woman in a light dress spins on grass while a man in a suit watches her; a stone building and trees are in the background under a clear sky for central park engagement photos

Love These Central Park Engagement Photos? Book Me as Your NYC Engagement Photographer!

If William and Megan's session has you dreaming about your own Central Park engagement photos, let's make it happen! I'd love to help you plan a session that feels meaningful, relaxed, and laidback. From choosing the best locations and timing to helping with outfits and creating photos that actually feel like you, I'll be there every step of the way. 🫡

Here’s to William and Megan—to their first-date, first-kiss, Central-Park kind of love; their Wall Street careers and Christ-centered hearts; their Japan-bound honeymoon plans; and most of all, the beautiful marriage they're building on the foundation of the Gospel. I'm so thankful our paths crossed, will be counting down the days to your wedding next year, and will be cheering you on every step of the way. 🥂🤍

Dreamy Sunrise Central Park Engagement Photos | William and Megan