Engagement Session Locations
By Joel & Amber Photography
In Huntsville, Alabama
No matter what you’re looking for, there are lots of great places in Huntsville that make an epic engagement session location. With the history and architecture of downtown Huntsville, trees and blooms at Huntsville Botanical Garden, and the southern charm of Providence Village, it’s hard to go wrong!
Hi! We're Joel and Amber Photography. We're a husband and wife wedding photography team who love vanilla lattes, spreading joy, and photographing amazing couples in the Huntsville area. After discovering that almost every one of our couples wanted guidance in finding the perfect engagement session location, we decided to do something about it!
We’ve taken the Engagement Session Location guide we created especially for our couples and putting the same inspiration into your hands! Whether your style is elegant estate, historic architecture, or nature loving, we’re bringing you some of the best engagement session location ideas in the Huntsville area.
ELEGANT, HISTORIC, OR NATURE-INSPIRED
ELEGANT
HISTORIC
NATURE-INSPIRED
16. College or University
15. Little River Canyon
14. Rhodes Ferry Park
13. Downtown Decatur
12. Downtown Athens
11. Private Estate
10. Mooresville
9. Green Mountain
8. Hays Nature Preserve
7. Hampton Cove
6. Indian Creek Greenway
5. Embassy Suites
4. Burritt on the Mountain
3. Botanical Garden
2. Village of Providence
1. Downtown Huntsville
Locations
Choosing a Theme
Table of Contents
coffee shops, at-home session, favorite activity
Lifestyle
Disney World, colleges, ice cream
Themed
botanical gardens, flower and tree filled public parks, private estate with extensive grounds
Garden
farms, barns, cotton fields
Rustic
downtown, public parks, beaches
Classic
mansions, private estates, light stone buildings, museums
Elegant
One of the easiest ways to start narrowing down your engagement session location is to decide what style fits you best. Do you love the elegance of grand architecture? Maybe you prefer pops of blooming florals in a tree-lined park. Think about the kinds of places that make your heart smile.
To get started, check out this guide to some popular themes and the type of locations that might match what you're looking for.
Choose a Theme for your session
Show Me the Roadmap!
Are you looking for a simple, straight-forward roadmap that makes the somewhat overwhelming task of wedding planning a little bit easier? We've got you covered! Starting at the "Just Engaged" moment, this roadmap covers 12 months of engagement to-dos.
Just Engaged and not sure what to do next?
The Locations
Once you narrow down the style you’d like for your session, it’s time to check out specific locations. We gathered some of our top favorite session locations around Huntsville (or within easy driving distance) for you to browse. To get even more inspiration for any of these locations, check out the Engagement section of our blog!
None required
Photography Permit Fee:
0 minutes!
Driving Time from Huntsville:
Weekends can have big crowds, especially with events going on from spring through fall. It can make parking a little more difficult and involves dodging the crowds. Big Spring Park is usually the center of these events.
Things to Consider:
Couples who love classy with a touch of urban, or want a location with a diverse variety of backgrounds.
Best Designed For:
This is one of the most popular engagement session locations for local couples. We love shooting here because we can wander around many different locations! With beautiful historic homes, tree-lined streets, and pretty churches, there are enough options to make every session look a little bit different.
Huntsville, AL
Downtown Huntsville
None required
Photography Permit Fee:
5 minutes
Driving Time from Huntsville:
This is a neighborhood, so you'll need to be respectful of private residences.
Things to Consider:
Couples who like an elegant southern vibe with neighborhood charm. It has a Charleston-like flavor to its picturesque streets.
Best Designed For:
This is an adorable neighborhood with gorgeous homes, some green space, quiet streets, and a “downtown” area with restaurants and shops. It makes you feel like you’ve been transported to another place. A small part of the Indian Creek Greenway is also close by. Bonus: Edgar’s Bakery is perfect for an after-session pastry or sandwich!
Huntsville, AL
The Village of Providence
$100 for an hour session (includes admission for 4 people)
Photography Permit Fee:
0 minutes
Driving Time from Huntsville:
It’s typically not too busy, but you do need to pay attention to how their closing time fits with the golden hour around sunset. You also need to schedule your session with the Garden.
Things to Consider:
Couples who love a polished park look or want a classy garden experience.
Best Designed For:
Huntsville has a beautiful botanical garden! Besides an array of delightful flora and trees, they have fountains, pretty structures, and a state-of-the-art visitor’s center. There are a lot of pretty areas to explore. One of the extra perks is that the garden has great charm no matter the season. It's great for those winter sessions!
Huntsville, AL
Huntsville Botanical Garden
$75
Photography Permit Fee:
15 minutes
Driving Time from Huntsville:
Confirm their closing time, which varies with the season. The museum grounds are open to the public, but it's usually not too busy for a photo session.
Things to Consider:
Couples who are looking for an epic view or unique variety of backdrops.
Best Designed For:
There are very few views in Huntsville that rival the Overlook at Burritt on the Mountain! One of the best parts about Burritt (besides the view) is the variety of looks you can find. The mansion, tree-lined walkways, vintage woods, and some incredibly unique spots around the living history museum. It's great any time of year, but a session here when the fall colors are out couldn't be more jaw-dropping.
Huntsville, AL
Burritt on the Mountain
Ultimate Guide to your engagement session
Here's a little secret... none of our couples have! If you're not sure what to expect or a little nervous about how it will go, you're in good hands! We'll guide you through every step along the way and help you feel relaxed and comfortable. If you want a little peek into what it will look like, take a look at our Ultimate Guide to Your Engagement Session!
Never had an Engagement Session Before?
None required
Photography Permit Fee:
0 minutes
Driving Time from Huntsville:
It’s best in spring and summer when the trees are blossoming and the grass is green.
Things to Consider:
Couples who need an earlier afternoon session or who like the clean look of tree-covered, stream-hugging sidewalks.
Best Designed For:
The area of Big Spring Park behind Embassy Suites in Huntsville is a great location, especially if the session needs to be earlier in the afternoon. The little downtown river runs right through here, and two bridges give a fun element to the session. Restrooms right inside the hotel make for a very convenient outfit change.
Huntsville, AL
Embassy Suites
None required
Photography Permit Fee:
Approximately 20 minutes
Driving Time from Huntsville:
There’s a lot of walking involved, but the paved path means minimal cross country trekking. There are small restrooms near the playground/dog park that are convenient for an outfit change.
Things to Consider:
Couples who want the woodsy look in a convenient, easy to get around location. If you are looking for easy access to a stream, this is a great option.
Best Designed For:
Indian Creek Greenway in Madison has park-like vibes to the max! It features a stream, a huge oak tree in an open field, and lots of little woodland nooks. The paved trail adds interest to location options, and the steam can make a really great prop if you like to wade.
Madison, AL
Indian Creek Greenway
None required
Photography Permit Fee:
Approximately 20 minutes
Driving Time from Huntsville:
Permission is needed from the golf club to photograph on the golf course, and you must stay out of the way of golfers when on the course. It is a private neighborhood, so be respectful of residents.
Things to Consider:
Couples who love the classic waterfall, are looking for a rustic barn, or want the golf course vibe.
Best Designed For:
This is home to the popular Hampton Cove waterfall, pretty green space, beautiful homes, and a top-of-the-line golf course. There’s an old wooden barn in the middle of the golf course for some fun variety!
Hampton Cove, AL
Hampton Cove
None required
Photography Permit Fee:
Approximately 20 minutes
Driving Time from Huntsville:
Check the closing hours before you schedule a session. There isn’t a convenient place for an outfit change. It can be really busy on the weekends, especially during the fall.
Things to Consider:
Couples who like the natural open meadow feel, combined with woodsy options nearby.
Best Designed For:
Hays Nature Preserve has so many great things in a walkable area! An open meadow, gorgeous river, woods, and a neat looking bridge. It combines a lot of backdrops into a compact space.
Owens Cross Roads, AL
HAYS NATURE PRESERVE
None required
Photography Permit Fee:
Approximately 25 minutes
Driving Time from Huntsville:
They close before sunset, so be sure check their hours. It's a popular place for photo sessions, so weekends (especially in the fall) can be really busy.
Things to Consider:
Couples who want to have a woodsy location, who love hiking and want to incorporate that vibe into their session, or who are in love with the wooden bridge.
Best Designed For:
The Madison County Nature Trail (also known as Green Mountain) is a wooded park with easily walkable trails, many trees, a lake, and an open wooden chapel. It’s also home to the famous wooden covered bridge. The main trail loops all the way around the lake.
Huntsville, AL
Green Mountain
Approximately 20 minutes
$50
Driving Time from Huntsville:
Photography Permit Fee:
There are no public areas for an outfit change, and there are specific rules your photographer will need to follow to shoot there.
Things to Consider:
Couples who want something different, don't want a lot of other people around, or who need a session earlier in the day.
Best Designed For:
If you're looking for something unique, out of the way, and filled to the brim with picturesque locations, Mooresville is the perfect spot! The columns of its historic church make you feel like you stepped into the streets of Italy. You'll also find a garden, the historic post office, sprawling meadows, huge magnolia trees, and so much more.
Mooresville, AL
Mooresville
To be determined, based on location
Usually none required
Driving Time from Huntsville:
Photography Permit Fee:
This usually requires asking permission.
Things to Consider:
Couples who want something unique for their session or have special sentiments surrounding that location.
Best Designed For:
This is always a super fun option! If you know someone who owns a private estate, a really
gorgeous piece of land, some rolling hills, or a big field of wildflowers, here is your chance to
grab a location that is unique and private. Most people are more than happy to let you use
their property for an engagement session.
Anywhere!
A Private Estate
Engagement Session Style Guide
It's the number one question we get before an engagement session. We created this resource from years of experience in photographing engagement sessions to answer this question. Finding the perfect outfit doesn't have to be intimidating. These tips will walk you through things you'll want to consider, and you'll arrive at your session feeling (and looking!) fabulous.
"What do I wear?!"
THE ENGAGEMENT SESSION STYLE GUIDE
None required
Photography Permit Fee:
Approximately 40 minutes
Driving Time from Huntsville:
There might not be an easy place for an outfit change if your session is after business hours.
Things to Consider:
Couples who like the classy look of downtown but want something a little more unique than downtown Huntsville.
Best Designed For:
Downtown Athens is a beautiful small town with a variety of downtown areas, small parks, and historic buildings, and the Athens State University campus. It has a little more of a small-town feel than downtown Huntsville. Bonus: there’s an amazing historic ice cream place to get an after-session treat!
Athens, AL
Downtown Athens
None required
Photography Permit Fee:
Approximately 30 minutes
Driving Time from Huntsville:
Downtown Decatur is smaller than Huntsville, which means there aren’t as many location options - although the ones that are there make for a really great session!
Things to Consider:
Couples who like the classy look of downtown but want something a little more unique than downtown Huntsville.
Best Designed For:
This location has a nice mix of grass, trees, small shops, and the historic bank building. It feels a little less “downtown” than Huntsville and is very classic. Every season looks a little bit different. It's a downtown feel with a unique look of its own!
Decatur, AL
Downtown Decatur
None required
Photography Permit Fee:
Approximately 30 minutes
Driving Time from Huntsville:
This area is smaller, so you may want to walk a street or two over to find some really pretty garden areas.
Things to Consider:
Couples who like the waterfront scene and park atmosphere, but would prefer to avoid the cliche Big Spring Park.
Best Designed For:
Rhodes Ferry Park is a right on the Tennessee River. There are some pretty little places (like this cute white gazebo!) that work great for a session. It's near downtown Decatur, so combining the two locations is perfect.
Decatur, AL
Rhodes Ferry Park
None required; check with your photographer about any travel fees
Photography Permit Fee:
Approximately 1.5 hours
Driving Time from Huntsville:
It’s a bit of a drive from Huntsville. Depending on the time of year and day of the week, it may be a little crowded in some areas.
Things to Consider:
Couples who want something a little more exotic than the typical park or downtown scene, who really like waterfalls, or who just fell in love with the scenery.
Best Designed For:
This is a waterfall dream! Little tide pools and layers of gray slate stones add to the sparkle of the waterfall. There’s also a wooden boardwalk for some fun variety.
Fort Payne, AL
little River Canyon Falls Park
None required
Photography Permit Fee:
To be determined, based on location
Driving Time from Huntsville:
Some smaller colleges may require permission.
Things to Consider:
Couples who have special ties to a certain college or university, or who like the academic look and feel of a campus.
Best Designed For:
A unique options is to go back to the university where you met or at a place that’s meaningful to you in some way. Many colleges and universities are designed to have pretty green spaces and historic-looking buildings. Even if its not your alma mater, it can be a pretty location option.
Anywhere!
College or University
Show Me the 8 Tips!
I remember how it felt to finally officially start my wedding planning...and
realizing how intimidating it was! How do I even know where to start? We’ve got you covered! Here are 8 tips to get you started on your wedding planning journey!
Just Engaged?
Get our Top 8 tips!
See more!
If you're struggling to figure out what style you're looking for, browse through engagement sessions on your photographer's blog. See which sessions you fall in love with - you might have just found your best location options!
{Haven’t found your perfect wedding photographer yet, but still want some inspiration? We invite you to browse through our J&A Couples’ engagement sessions over on our blog. You just might find the perfect location!}
Still need some ideas?
GET TO KNOW US
We’re a world-traveling, vanilla latte loving husband & wife photography team for brides inspired by genuine, vibrant joy.
We believe that photography is about so much more than simply having incredible images. It's about serving and encouraging people in a way that makes the entire experience just as joyful and meaningful as the wedding day itself!
If you're recently engaged and looking for a photographer we'd love to hear from you! We love meeting new couples and hearing their stories over a great cup of coffee!
Wedding Photographers in
Huntsville, Alabama
Hi! We're Joel & Amber!
