5 Locations for Fall Engagement Photos in Knoxville
Yes, it’s still quite hot out. But fall is just around the corner and that means cooler weather, football, and the start of engagement season! It’s never too early to think about where you might want to have your engagement portraits. Knoxville and the surrounding area has so many picturesque parks, gardens, and urban nooks, the difficult task may be simply deciding which to choose. In no particular order, here are 5 locations for fall engagement photos in the Knoxville area.
IJAMS NATURE CENTER ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
With over 300 acres of wooded trails for hiking, biking, and water sports just outside the city center, Ijams Nature Center lives up to the nickname of Knoxville’s urban wilderness. The Homesite area is a great spot for engagement photos with rustic arbors, a spring fed pond and abundance of seasonal wildflowers. Bring along a canoe or rent a kayak onsite for a unique spin on traditional engagement photos. I have a yearly photographer membership at Ijams which is mandatory for professional photographers to work on property so I am game anytime!
DOWNTOWN KNOXVILLE ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
If an urban scene is more your style, downtown Knoxville has the perfect mix of just enough concrete, neon, and street art to make every citified couple happy. From Market Square’s fountains and graffiti alleys to Gay Street’s theatre lights to the Old City’s historic buildings, the downtown area has plenty of photo eye candy.
NEYLAND STADIUM ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
If your blood runs pure orange like mine, then UT’s Neyland Stadium is the ONLY place for engagement portraits. As of last year, a 1 hour-long private tour was somewhere around $50-75 and included the locker room and press room. The field is off limits, of course – don’t think you’re going to do any Vol angels in the checkerboard. Tour appointments can only be made during the weekdays, so keep in mind that an engagement photo session here may have to take place during business hours. Also, stay flexible, friends. Because if Coach Pruitt decides he needs the field at any time, your tour/photoshoot may have to be rescheduled. Either way, it’s the perfect spot if you’re a Vol for Life.
Go Big Orange!
KNOXVILLE BOTANICAL GARDENS ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
I grew up in the Knoxville area and never knew this gem existed until about 10 years ago. Knoxville Botanical Gardens* is privately owned and has 47 acres of trails, gray stone walls & terraces, unique gardens and a fantastic view of the mountains in the distance on a clear day. On any given day, photographers swarm this place, so it’s best to choose an early morning session time. I keep my KBG professional photography membership updated and in my car so we are ready to go at any time. Plus, it’s only 5 minutes from downtown!
KNOXVILLE WATERFRONT
You can hardly throw a stone in Knoxville and not hit a body of water. Huge lakes, rolling rivers, and mountain streams are everywhere. And while fall may be a bit chilly for swimming, it’s perfect for waterside engagement photos. A few of my favorite spots are Volunteer Landing & the Knoxville Riverfront, Melton Hill Park along the Clinch River, Bluegrass Lake at Hunter Valley Farm*, and Mead’s Quarry Lake* at Ijams Nature Center.
Have a boat? Let’s take it out. Wanna wade into a stream and cuddle? I’m down.
Into paddle boarding? Cool…but I’ll shoot from the shore. =)
*photographer’s membership or license required by venue*
