Rochester is an amazing city for photographs! The area is filled with beautiful state parks, quiet historic streets, textured buildings, waterfalls, bridges and more!

Below are some of my favorite spots for photographing couples. Consider any of these locations for your engagement session or photo time in between your ceremony and reception. 

PARKS

Highland Park — This one has to be at the top of any Rochester photographer’s list. It’s got the beautiful Lamberton Conservatory (call ahead if using the inside for photos), and tons of space with flowering trees and bushes, beautiful paths and forests that just seem to go on forever. I love going near the castle (get permission ahead of time!) and Sunken Garden. (I highly recommend visiting the park for the annual Lilac Festival, too!) 

Letchworth State Park — AMAZING. A huge gorge and an incredible overlook, buildings, trees, paths, nature center, meadows… it just has everything. One of my favorite engagement sessions was photographed here and it was absolutely worth the 45-minute drive from downtown Rochester south to Castile. 

Black Creek State Park — I might be biased because this park is practically in my backyard, but I love Black Creek’s two unique sides with a beautiful waterway, quiet and lush forest trails and open fields to frolic in. It’s located on Union St. in North Chili. 

Tinker Nature Park — I first discovered this spot while photographing an extended family photo session. I love the little fairy buildings along the way for kids to explore, but I really love the wooden bridges and great foliage in the quick and easy loop path. You can find this park on Calkins Rd on the border of Henrietta and Pittsford. 

Turning Point Park — Located in the Charlotte neighborhood, this park is beautiful in the Fall. Winding, tree-covered trails and a very, very long walkway over the water with mountains in the background create amazing photography potential. 

Powder Mills Park — I’ve photographed an engagement session and a family session at this park in Fairport and love its little nooks and crannies with fences, cool-angled trees, streamside fields and lots of benches. 

BUILDINGS/INDOOR LOCATIONS

The newly-refurbished Tango Dance Cafe is an incredible pale yellow mansion (The Jonathan Child House) in the heart of downtown Rochester with huge columns on one side, greenery all around and two floors of bright rooms with tons of windows. This is an awesome spot for bridal party photos. You can find it on S. Washington St. 
 

BUFFALO-AREA LOCATIONS

Buffalo has SO much to offer as far as photo locations! From the beautiful Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens to great urban places like the Erie County Courthouse and the surrounding complex. I really love what the little towns around Buffalo have to offer — check out the great areas around Lancaster, for instance!