Top Sacramento locations for your engagement photo session
Choosing the perfect location for your engagement photos is an exciting part of the wedding planning process. Sacramento and its surrounding areas offer many great locations, from urban cityscapes to lush gardens and rustic ranches. Whether you're looking for a classic downtown vibe, a scenic park, or a romantic winery scenery. As a Sacramento wedding photographer I have put together this guide that will help you find the best spot for your session!
1. Old Sacramento
If you love historic charm, Old Sacramento is a fantastic choice. With its cobblestone streets, rustic wooden sidewalks, and vintage brick buildings, this location provides a timeless and romantic backdrop. The Sacramento River and the Tower Bridge adds another layer of beauty, especially at sunset.
📸 Best Time to Shoot: Evening for golden hour light and fewer crowds.
📍 Permit Required? No
🅿️ Parking Info: Metered street parking & nearby parking garages.
2. DOCO
For a modern city vibe, DOCO is definitely the place to be. With sleek architecture, stylish storefronts, and the stunning Golden 1 Center as a backdrop, this location is perfect for couples who want a contemporary, urban aesthetic.
📸 Best Time to Shoot: Evening for glowing city lights and a lively atmosphere.
📍 Permit Required? No, but check with businesses if shooting inside.
🅿️ Parking Info: Metered street parking & nearby parking garages.
3. Sacramento Capitol Park
Surrounding the California State Capitol, this park is filled with grand architecture, lush greenery, and colorful flower gardens. The tree-lined pathways and historic monuments make it a classic and elegant choice for engagement photos.
📸 Best Time to Shoot: Late afternoon. Spring, summer and fall for vibrant foliage.
📍 Permit Required? No
🅿️ Parking Info: Metered street parking
4. McKinley Rose Garden
For couples leaning towards a romantic floral vibe, the McKinley Rose Garden is a dream location. With many roses in bloom from spring to early fall, this location is the one for you!
📸 Best Time to Shoot: Late afternoon. Late spring through early fall when the roses are in full bloom.
📍 Permit Required? No.
🅿️ Parking Info: Street parking
5. Leland Stanford Mansion
This historic mansion offers an awesome experience with its grand architecture and beautifully landscaped gardens. The Victorian details add a touch of vintage that makes it the perfect location for your elegant engagement photoshoot.
📸 Best Time to Shoot: Afternoon for softer light.
📍 Permit Required? No, check with the venue for special events closure.
🅿️ Parking Info: Metered street parking
6. Streets of Downtown Sacramento
If you want a mix of modern cityscape and artistic flair, Downtown Sacramento’s streets provide endless possibilities. Murals, alleyways, and tree-lined streets create a variety of backdrops for fun and stylish engagement photos.
📸 Best Time to Shoot: Evening for softer lighting.
📍 Permit Required? No, but be mindful of busy areas.
🅿️ Parking Info: Metered street parking & nearby parking garages.
Bonus Engagement Photo Locations Just Outside Sacramento
7. Gibson Ranch
For a rustic, countryside feel without leaving Sacramento, Gibson Ranch is a great choice. With open fields, barns, and many trees, it’s a wonderful option for couples who want a relaxed and natural engagement session. Gibson Ranch is well visited by many Sacramento photographers that also love what this location offers throughout the year!
📸 Best Time to Shoot: Evening for warm, golden light.
📍 Permit Required? No. Check with the park for any restrictions.
🅿️ Parking Info: Lots of parking. Entrance fee is required at the front booth.
8. UC Davis Arboretum
Nature loving couples will be amazed with the UC Davis Arboretum. Featuring walking trails, a peaceful creek, and the tall redwoods, this location is perfect for a dreamy, nature inspired engagement session photography.
📸 Best Time to Shoot: Late afternoon. Spring for wildflowers or summer and fall for vibrant foliage.
📍 Permit Required? No.
🅿️ Parking Info: Paid visitor parking lots available. Parking fee by AMP app.
9. West 12 Ranch (Lodi,CA)
This private ranch is a hidden gem, offering open fields, rustic barns, and even horses for a truly unique engagement session. It’s an ideal spot for couples looking for a country or bohemian aesthetic.
📸 Best Time to Shoot: Sunset for golden, glowing light.
📍 Permit Required? Yes, by reservation only.
🅿️ Parking Info: Private parking on-site.
10. Viaggio Winery & Other Local Wineries (Lodi/Elk Grove areas)
From Elk Grove to Lodi, this is the home to some of the most beautiful wineries in California, and Viaggio Winery is a standout for engagement photos. With scenic vineyards, grand architecture, and riverfront views, it’s an incredibly romantic setting. Many wineries will allow your engagement session photographer to take your photos at their location by appointment, so be sure to check with your chosen location.
📸 Best Time to Shoot: Golden hour before sunset.
📍 Permit Required? Yes, by reservation.
🅿️ Parking Info: Free parking on-site.
Final Tips for Choosing Your Engagement Photo Location
- Consider your style. Do you prefer a city, garden, rustic, or waterfront setting?
- Think about the season. Flowers, foliage, and lighting conditions change throughout the year.
- Plan for permits. Some locations require permits for professional photography, so check in advance.
- Time it right. Golden hour (1-2hrs just before sunset) is ideal for soft, flattering light.
- Parking logistics. Some areas have limited parking, so arrive early or check parking apps.
- Questions to consider. Where do you like to go together? Do you have a hobby? Do you like to go for walks, hikes, coffee, or grab drink in downtown? Or maybe wine?
No matter which location you choose, Sacramento offers a diverse range of backdrops to make your engagement session unique and personal. If you have an out of town location in mind just let me know and we can make arrangements for that location.
Need help deciding? Talk to your photographer about which location best fits your vision! Im here to help you with any other questions that you might have!
What should we wear for our engagement photos?
I always like to suggest to choose outfits that complement your style the location. For natural settings like UC Davis Arboretum or Gibson Ranch, flowy dresses and neutral tones work well. For urban spots like DOCO or Downtown Sacramento, stylish, bold outfits can create a great look. Avoid distracting patterns and go for timeless styles.
How can we make our engagement session unique?
We can personalize your session by bringing props, anything like your favorite books or hobbies. Choosing a meaningful location, such as where you had your first date or where do you like to spend time together? Do you like to go to a coffee shop or to a bar? Choosing a meaningful location for the both of you adds a personal touch!
When is the best time of day for engagement photos?
I usually suggest golden hour as the best time, which is about 1-2 hours before sunset. This time gives us the most flattering, soft light.
How many outfits should I bring for my engagement shoot?
Most couples bring one to two outfits. One casual and/or one formal to add variety to their photos.
What happens if it rains on the day of our session?
If there's rain on the forecast, we will talk about rescheduling and other alternatives that can work during the rain. Some outdoor locations, like Old Sacramento, and Downtown that have covered areas that can still work in light rain. Bring your umbrella and we can make great shots and have fun with the rain!
Can we bring our pets to our engagement session?
Yes! Many locations, such as the McKinley Rose Garden and UC Davis Arboretum, are pet-friendly. Just check the rules for other locations in advance and bring a leash. It's always great to bring someone to help you manage your pet when they’re not in the shot. Dont forget to bring treats!
Need some outfit inspiration?
Click the photo to check out our full guide on What to wear for your engagement session 👉
