Iowa Engagement Session Locations (by area!)

a full list of Iowa Engagement Session Locations

So, you're engaged and finally getting to plan your Iowa engagement session! YAY! Now it's time to choose from the many Iowa engagement session locations. Luckily, I'm here to help! As an Iowa wedding and couples photographer, I've been all over the state photographing engagement sessions. Because of that, I wanted to create a full list of Iowa engagement session locations by area - so that you can find the perfect IA spot for your engagement photos. Sound good? Keep reading for the perfect location for your photos!

des moines engagement session locations

Downtown Des Moines has tons of stunning locations for your Iowa engagement session. From parking garages to the variety of unique buildings Des Moines has to offer, I highly recommend running around downtown Des Moines for your engagement session!

Some specific areas I love are:
- World Food Prize Hall
- East Village of Des Moines
- the Iowa Capital Building

Downtown Des Moines

The Surety Hotel is a great Iowa engagement session location - especially for winter engagement sessions. You can stay inside for your photos while still getting stunning results.

Something to note for your engagement session at the Surety Hotel in Des Moines, though, is that they do require advanced permission. Additionally, they charge a $200 fee to use the space for your engagement photos.

More information can be found at the Surety's website here!

The surety Hotel

hotel fort des moines

Principal bridge is located in downtown DSM and has stunning views of the city - especially at golden hour! This Iowa photo location doesn't have any restrictions, making it a perfect place for your engagement photos!

The best time of year for photos in Des Moines? I personally love engagement photos in Des Moines in the summer and fall!

Downtown Des Moines

One idea for your Des Moines engagement session is hitting up your favorite local coffee shop!

A few of my personal favorites include:
- Horizon Line Coffee, Des Moines
- Northern Vessel Coffee, Des Moines
- Hobnobb DSM (inside Hotel Fort Des Moines)

your favorite des moines coffee shop

Hotel Fort Des Moines is another great Des Moines area photo location for your engagements! Similar to the Surety, Hotel Fort Des Moines also requires advanced notice as well as a $500 fee to use the facility.

hotel fort des moines

Jester Park, located about 30 minutes from Des Moines, is one of my all time favorite locations for your Iowa engagement session! It has stunning tall trees, golden grass (that's seriously amazing during golden hour) and a cute pond! If you're looking for an outdoor location with lots of natural beauty, Jester Park is your place!

jester park

Waterworks park, right next to Gray's Lake in Des Moines is another perfect location for your DSM photos! It has ample trees, water views, and some seriously stunning springtime blooms!

principal bridge

waterworks park, des moines

Ledges State Park is located outside of Ames, Iowa and really is stunning year round! It's the perfect backdrop, especially in the fall. Are you kidding me?? Such a great option!!

ledges state park

Cedar Falls engagement session locations

Big Woods park is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and is one of my favorite places to photograph sessions in Iowa! As an Iowa wedding photographer, this location makes my job easy. It's perfect at golden hour, too! This park in Cedar Falls features tall golden grass, trees, and water. Aka, it checks all the boxes for an outdoor engagement session in Iowa!

big woods state park

Downtown Cedar Falls is so charming and the perfect option for a small town, hallmark feeling engagement session! Be sure to grab some pizza from Urban Pie, too, to add a little fun to your session!

Downtown cedar falls

cedar rapids & iowa city iowa engagement session locations

Palisades-Keppler is one of my most frequently requested locations, and for good reason! It's located just outside of Cedar Rapids, not too far from Iowa City. Additionally, it has stunning scenery all year long, a quiet beach next to the river, and it's usually fairly quiet!

palisades-keppler state park

Downtown Cedar Rapids has so many beautiful locations to choose from. You can hop from the Czech village to Newbo to near the water easily, giving you loads of backgrounds to choose from!