• Home
  • Tips
  • Events
    • Weddings
    • Bridal Showers
    • Rehearsal Dinners
    • Parties
    • Baby Showers
    • Baptisms
    • Bat/Bar Mitzvahs
    • Corporate Events
    • Around Town
  • Portraits
    • Engagements
    • Proposals
    • Families
    • Maternity
    • Headshots
    • Executives
  • Personal Work
    • Travels
    • New York City
  • News
    • Behind the Scenes
Menu
  • Home
  • Tips
  • Events
    • Weddings
    • Bridal Showers
    • Rehearsal Dinners
    • Parties
    • Baby Showers
    • Baptisms
    • Bat/Bar Mitzvahs
    • Corporate Events
    • Around Town
  • Portraits
    • Engagements
    • Proposals
    • Families
    • Maternity
    • Headshots
    • Executives
  • Personal Work
    • Travels
    • New York City
  • News
    • Behind the Scenes

Engagements, Portraits, Tips

Shakespeare Garden Engagement Photos

February 25, 2020 No Comments
Couple cuddling in Central Park for Shakespeare Garden engagement photos

I don’t know about you, but I am sick of the cold weather we’ve been having here in New York. Logically, I know it’s February and I should get over myself, but I am ready for spring to be here. In celebration of the warmth that is soon to come (eventually), I am sharing with you Sarah and David’s Shakespeare Garden engagement photos. The photos in Central Park are lovely, and they have me dreaming of balmy days down the road. Enjoy the images as well as a few photo tips for your own tour through Central Park.

Couple hugging on Bow Bridge for Shakespeare Garden engagement photos

Most couples start their Central Park engagement shoot at either the Bethesda Fountain or Bow Bridge. Personally, I find these areas of the park to be too crowded. The time to take your best photos in these heavily trafficked spots is early morning on a weekday (see my suggestions in this Central Park blog post). If you can’t fit a photo shoot at that time of day into your schedule, then I suggest an alternate trip through Central Park starting in the Shakespeare Garden.

Sarah and David are very much like me – they are not fond of having their photos taken while on display in the middle of a huge crowd. Thus, the idea of starting their Central Park session at the Bethesda Fountain was not even considered. Rather, Sarah and David wanted to start in Shakespeare Garden, not just because it was a smart location move, but also because the garden is important to them as a couple. This is where David proposed to Sarah, beside the sundial in the middle of the garden. So, of course, we had to recreate the moment he bent down on one knee to ask Sarah to marry him. It was a touching scene for them both, but also a hilarious reminder of their friend who was hiding in the bushes with a camera to capture Sarah’s response.

Couple recreating proposal in Shakespeare Garden engagement photosEngagement ring on leaf on sundial in Shakespeare Garden engagement photosCouple posing in Shakespeare Garden engagement photos

Central Park Engagement Photo Tips

My recommendation for your own Shakespeare Garden engagement photos is that you make full use of the garden. It is rarely crowded, and the edge of the park near Belvedere Castle has a great view over the Delacorte Theater area. The garden will be different every month, depending upon what is in bloom. I should note that at the time of the Sarah and David’s shoot, Belvedere Castle was closed for renovations. The castle is now open for visitation and I suggest including the castle if you are already going to be in this end of the park. Finally, note that the Delacorte Theater has good restrooms if you need a place to change outfits.

Couple walking past colorful flowers in Shakespeare Garden engagement photos

Next stop for Sarah and David‘s portrait was a quick tour through the Ramble. Most people avoid the Ramble altogether because of its confusing layout, but that’s a shame.  The Ramble offers a variety of natural backdrops and is actually a shortcut to Bow Bridge if you know which path to take. Since I end up photographing at least five to ten weddings or portraits in Central Park a year, I know this pathway well.  I led Sarah and David along the Oak Bridge and the waterfall. We also couldn’t forget to stop by the Ramble Stone Arch, one of the area’s most photogenic highlights.

Couple hugging on Oak Bridge in Shakespeare Garden engagement photos
On the Oak Bridge
Couple underneath the Ramble Stone Arch
Underneath the Ramble Stone Arch

Couple underneath the Ramble Stone Arch in Shakespeare Garden engagement photos

The pathway through the Ramble leads to one of my favorite spots in Central Park – the lake viewing area. I have nicknamed this area ‘Bow Bridge Beach,’ and it is a fantastic venue for small weddings. The spot is tucked away from the maddening crowds and has a gorgeous view of the NYC skyline across Central Park Lake.

Couple dancing at Central Park lake viewing area in Shakespeare Garden engagement photos
Dancing at the Central Park Lake Viewing Area

While Sarah and David ended their engagement shoot with the usual suspects – Bow Bridge and the Mall – the photos we took there were far from trite. As expected, these areas were crowded; nevertheless we avoided the hordes of tourists by sticking to the side of Bow Bridge and jumping fences when necessary in the Mall.

Couple walking underneath trees at the Central Park Mall in Shakespeare Garden engagement photos

My final tip for anyone planning a similar Central Park engagement session is to pull the local flora and fauna into your photos. You are not technically allowed to pick the flowers, but every now and then a dropped leaf makes for a great background for engagement rings.

Hands holding engagement ring on top of leaves in Shakespeare Garden engagement photos

Enjoy the rest of the photos!  I’ll have more images from Sarah and David wedding at the Housing Works Bookstore down the road.

Central Park Conservancy – Shakespeare Garden link

If you would like to see more images from my engagement photojournalism portfolio, then please visit my website – www.KellyWilliamsPhotographer.com

View of NYC skyline across Central Park lake Purple and white flowers in Central Park Shakespeare GardenMan and woman laughing in Central Park Shakespeare GardenEngagement ring on leafView through flowers of man and woman looking at each otherFlowers in Central Park Shakespeare Garden with man and woman in backgroundWoman showing leaves to man in Central Park Shakespeare Garden engagement photosMan and woman kissing on bench in Central ParkLeaves in Central Park with man and woman in backgroundWoman kissing man through leaves in Central ParkCouple leaning up against the wall of the Ramble Stone ArchCouple sitting by boulders next to Ramble Stone ArchClose up of engagement ring on woman's handCouple walking on Oak Bridge in Central ParkCouple hugging in Central ParkCouple hugging with Central Park lake in backgroundCouple hugging in Central ParkCouple sitting on boulders beside waterfall in Central ParkRed cardinal bird in Central ParkCouple dancing in Central Park lake viewing areaCouple dancing close in front of Central Park LakeCouple walking down stone path in Central ParkGeese in the Central Park Conservatory Water pondCouple sitting on bench in Central ParkCouple kissing on Central Park bench

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on StumbleUpon (Opens in new window)
Previous Post Next Post
Kelly Williams, Photographer

Kelly Williams, Photographer

Hi! My name is Kelly Williams, and I am a wedding photojournalist and family portrait photographer based in New York City. I love telling the story of someone’s love, life, and happiness in one frame.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Me

NYC wedding photojournalist and family portrait photographer, Kelly Williams

Hi there! I am a NYC-based, documentary-style wedding, event, and portrait photographer. I love telling the story of someone’s love, life, and happiness in one frame.

Fine Art Products

Follow Me

Check Out My Websites

  • Corporate events and headshots
  • Travel and street photography
  • Weddings, events, and family portraits

Subscribe

  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Souvenirs
  • Contact