When people think about Central Park engagement photos, they probably imagine golden light, fall leaves, and couples twirling under the Bethesda arches. And yeah, that’s part of it. But for me, it started way before that, like way before sunrise. I was staying near Wall Street, which is kind of wild when you consider how chaotic that area usually is. But stepping out of my hotel that morning was nearly silent. The bull was empty. No one was there. I literally stood there for a second like, “Okay, this is weirdly peaceful… am I in the right city?”

Of course, I had to grab a pumpkin spice latte because a fall coffee drink just felt right. Then came the subway. Let’s be honest—NYC subways can feel like a test from the universe if you’re not a local. I’m a Midwest girl, so this was my first time navigating solo. I was so sure I was going to mess up and end up in Queens or something, but somehow, I managed to nail it. Maybe all my time of hopping trains across Europe paid off.

By the time I climbed out onto the street near Central Park, the sky was turning a soft, pale blue. The street lamps were still glowing, the air was crisp, and everything felt still. Walking through the quiet park toward Bethesda Fountain, our meeting spot, was honestly magic. It’s such an iconic place, and seeing it empty made it even more special.

Sunrise Engagement Session at Bethesda Fountain

By the time I met Timothy and Noelle at Bethesda Fountain, the park still had that soft, sleepy glow. These two showed up looking effortlessly cool. Timothy wore a cream cable-knit sweater, and Noelle rocked a long vintage trench layered over relaxed denim.

It was just us, the fountain, and that golden morning light bouncing off the arches. As a photographer, it was a total dream. I shot the whole session in both film and digital because you can’t beat the texture and warmth of film when you have natural chemistry in front of you.

What I love about shooting in New York is that people genuinely do not care what you’re doing. You can be spinning in circles with a camera at 6 a.m., and no one bats an eye. It’s priceless. It lets you create without worrying about judgment, which, for me as a photographer, is the ideal vibe.

Capturing Iconic Central Park Engagement Photos

Once the sun started peeking through the trees, we began to move through the park. Timothy and Noelle were total naturals. We started at the center circle near Bethesda Terrace. From there, we wandered along the lakeside paths. The leaves were in full fall mode. Then came the staircases and arches around Bethesda Terrace. That architecture never misses.

You can tell when people are comfortable, not just with each other, but with being seen. That’s what made this session so special. It wasn’t just about taking photos, but slowing down and capturing quiet, authentic connection in a place where millions of people pass through every year. Somehow, that morning, it felt like they were the only two who existed there.

By the time the park started to fill with life again, we’d wrapped. The sun was up, and coffee was calling. If you’ve ever dreamed of your own travel or destination engagement session, this is your sign to do it. Get up before the world wakes, chase that sunrise, and let’s create something together.

For more like this, see these downtown Chicago engagement photos!