Dreaming of frolicking off with your lover and capturing your love in some dreamy mountain engagement photos? I know just the place! As a Virginia elopement photographer, it should come as no surprise that I’m talking about the gem of the Blue Ridge, Shenandoah National Park! 

For your mountain engagement photos in Shenandoah National Park, you’ll choose from stunning views from easily accessible overlooks, hikes for any activity level, and well-maintained trails. Whether you are the super outdoorsy couple always looking for adventure or simply nature lovers who appreciate epic views, Shenandoah is the place for you. 

But before you run off to the forested peaks, there are some things you might want to take into consideration! Over the years of shooting in the park, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to navigate the twists and turns of shooting engagement photos in a national park!  

How to plan for mountain engagement photos in Shenandoah National Park 

Choose your time of year for your mountain engagement photos!

The most ideal times for engagement photos in the park are between May to November! Between those dates, winter falls upon the park. In winter, road conditions are unpredictable and all of the beautiful vegetation dies leaving a sense of gloom. We don’t love that! Spring and fall are my personal favorite times for photos in the park and here’s why:

Spring: WILDFLOWERS! Need I say more? They’re freakin’ stunning and they’re everywhere. The park service even provides this handy dandy wildflower calendar to let you know when your favorites are in full bloom! 

Fall: Honestly, autumn is the busiest time in the park. But for good reason! 

Go on a weekday, trust me! Weekends are CRAZY busy in the mountains of Shenandoah National Park!

Weekends are significantly busier than week days. If you would like to avoid the crowds at overlooks and busy trails, a weekday is for you. If you must go on a weekend, consider the time of day. Avoid mid-morning to afternoon. Get there early or hang around late! 

Pick your realistic activity level – Shenandoah National Park has hikes for all activity levels!

There are plenty of short hikes if you would like to add a bit more adventure to your day! And of course, there are more challenging ones too. But if you’re like hiking??? Before photos??? Don’t worry, friend. There are plenty of overlooks for you, too. Just drive right up, park, and then soak it in! Accessible views for the win. 

Scope out your view! As a Virginia elopement photographer – I’ve got a few beautiful spots up my sleeve!

While you can find a full list of sweet spots in the park on their website, here are my personal favorites! Don’t stress about location scouting yourself when it comes to your engagement photos, I take care of that completely as we plan for your shoot! We’ll find the perfect spot together!

• Raven’s Roost Outlook – Pull up right to the overlook, no hiking needed! The perfect spot for a picnic at sunset, so who’s down for that?!
• Grayson Highlands State Park – Where are my Outlander fans?! Because this area looks like you’ve teleported to the Scottish Highlands without leaving the state of Virginia! It’s epic. 
• Big Meadows – A family fav! There is a campground and a lodge if you’re looking to have an overnight stay in the park. Fire and s’mores anyone?! Plus plenty of hikes and views to choose from. 
• Humpback Rocks – This rock outcrop gives a stark contrast to the forested  mountains surrounding it. Several hikes on all difficulty levels lead to the outcrop and the views are *chef’s kiss*!
• Mary’s Rock – Westward views of this viewpoint will leave you breathless! Not just from the uphill climb either 😉 It does require a bit of a hike to get to, but it’s perfect for a day adventure! 
• Stony Man Summit – It’s a leisurely walk to get to this viewpoint overlooking the valley below. In summer, it’s lush and green, while fall views give you all of those warm colors of changing leaves. STUNNING!

Factor in fees for Shenandoah National Park!

There are plenty of beautiful spots near the park for mountain engagement photos that would be free of charge. But to enter the park, you’ll have to pay entrance fees with the rest of the visitors! Don’t forget to factor this into your budget. 

Relax and stay a while!

There are plenty of places to stay in and around the park. But choose wisely! If you pick a place that is cozy and cute, you could do some of your engagement photos at your accommodation. Add some variety to your gallery! 

Want my top suggestion? It’s always Getaway House! 

Make a packing list!

No seriously. Make a list, check it twice! You’ll be happy you did. Just in case! This will get you started. 

• Good walking shoes
• Bugspray
• Layers 
• Blanket (just in case)
• Flashlight/lantern 
• Downloaded or printed out maps bc of the crappy cell service lol 
• Fill up your gas tank 

Abide by the principles of Leave No Trace!

Our parks are only as beautiful as we keep them. Following the 7 principles of Leave No Trace will help ensure that we protect and preserve the land while capturing its beauty. I always follow these while shooting in natural areas, and I’d love it if you did, too. 

After all, after your engagement photos are taken, those spots will become sentimental ground for you and your partner. Wouldn’t you love to come back, year after year, and it looks just as stunning as it did in your photos? 

Research and plan accordingly.  

It’s very possible that once you are in the park, you will have crappy cell service. So it’s important to research, make a plan, and communicate with everyone involved before you set out on your adventure! 

Have I convinced you to plan mountain engagement photos in Shenandoah National Park yet? If not, these images surely will! Calista and Hunter rocked this session. Just looking at these images makes me want to do it all over again! Scroll through and see them for yourself. 

And if you’re thinking “we’d be down for a trip to the mountains!!!” You’re speaking my language. Just head over to my contact form and share your vision with me! I’ve got plenty more tricks up my sleeve for planning dreamy mountain engagement photos in Shenandoah National Park!