Roc Focus is a Rochester husband and wife team that specializes in journalistic storytelling for engagements and weddings. Roc Focus captures authentic and emotional moments of your wedding day through photography and video. Based in Rochester, NY and willing to travel anywhere.
One of the most common questions that I get asked is “Where are the best spots for engagement photos?” I am more than happy to offer recommendations, because I have shot in so many different locations. Each time I’ve learned something new and stumbled upon new spots to try. So, I’ve put together this list of my favorite spots in Rochester for engagement sessions. By in and around Rochester, I mean locations that are within a short drive of the city, so places like Kershaw Park, the Finger Lakes, or Letchworth State Park were left off of this list.
What makes one location better or worse than another one? For me, I look for locations that are beautiful, with a variety of spots that I know will work well for photos and have good lighting. For engagement sessions, I will often try to shoot during the golden hour just before sunset, so knowing the light situation in a certain spot is key. In some spots the setting sun will be blocked by trees or hills, and you will not get the same sunset effect. Thus, I will try to shoot in the darker shadier spots first when the light is harsher and more direct, and then plan to be out in the open for when the sun is softer and setting.
Rochester is a goldmine for good spots, so there are many that didn’t make the cut this time, though I do still enjoy them, like Corbetts Glen, Ellison Park, Genesee Valley Park, Ontario Beach Park, and the list goes on. I also think some of these parks work better for family sessions because I am likely shooting earlier in the day and want to find a spot with less walking if there are kids involved.
You can save this page because I will continue to update this list with my favorite spots. I love exploring our town and finding new gems. Photo shoots would definitely become boring if I shot in the same locations over and over. That’s why I always encourage my clients to suggest new spots or places with sentimental value. A place of significance trumps all other categories.
Without further ado (and in no particular order), here are my top locations for engagement photos around Rochester.
9 – Downtown Garage Rooftop
If you are looking for the best spot for sunsets in the city of Rochester then the South Avenue garage is the place to go. Right in the heart of downtown Rochester, the garage rooftop features 360 degree views of the city. I love the urban feel mixed with the architectural lines that encompass and surround the garage. Of course being up high offers tremendous views of the city along the Genesee river and a perspective that you cannot get anywhere else. The best time is always right before sunset, as the sky explodes with color and reflects off of the buildings downtown.
8 – Mendon Ponds Park
Mendon Ponds Park is huge. There is tons of space which is very important. You don’t want to feel crowded or constrained on shoots, especially when they are supposed to be intimate. I love the wooded areas and tall trees. It is also very accessible and you can walk or drive to many different spots. The sun sets perfectly behind the large pond in the center of the park. It is also just as beautiful in the winter as it is in every other season.
7 – Cobbs Hill
The Cobbs Hill reservoir offers some awesome views of the city. I love the large staircases and the beautiful pillars and architecture of the gate house. Plus you can still find some wooded areas and greenery along the path of the reservoir. Cobbs Hill is always a great spot for sunsets since it is one of the highest points in the area.
6 – Webster Park
Webster Park also has a lot of wide open spaces with some huge trees that look incredible in the fall. It’s right on Lake Ontario which features a rocky shore and a small pier that juts out into the lake. I love the variety that you can get at Webster Park with out having to travel very far.
5 – Highland Park
Highland Park has a lot to offer, amazing gardens, gigantic trees, and beautiful stone buildings. It is beautiful all year round and it seems I find new nooks every time I visit. I also included Sunken Gardens along with Highland Park as its right down the road and it offers its own magical element. Though it looks like a secret garden, its actually one of the most popular spots in Rochester for photos. It gets crowded and you can often find multiple shoots going on at the same time, so for that reason, I try to find more unique places to go. I’m happy to start there, but then travel to another nearby location for the rest of the shoot.
4 – Seneca Park
Seneca Park offers some really beautiful trails high above the Genesee river. It’s a cool place to explore and a great place for a hike anytime, regardless of photos. That being said, the fall is my favorite season there, surrounded by the roaring river and a blanket of autumn foliage. It is also right near the Riverway Trail Bridge, which winds through the treetops before going out over the Genesee River.
3 – Shadow Pines
Shadow Pines has been in the news recently as Penfield town officials decide what to do with the old golf course property. Shadow Pines is a beautiful piece of land with a variety of trees and fields that have been left to grow wild. It is fascinating to walk around and find parts of the old golf course and see how nature is taking over what used to be finely manicured. It makes for an amazing setting for pictures, and I love how the late afternoon light bursts through the trees.
2 – High Falls/Downtown Rochester
If you are looking for an urban style engagement session there is no better place to go than High Falls and downtown Rochester. There is so much variety in the city scape. I love the red tones of the old brick buildings, the grittiness of the structures, the large staircases and the mighty Genesee weaving right through it all. Within walking distance you can stumble upon breathtaking views of the city and waterfall. Kristen and I had the bulk of our wedding photos taken there.
1 – Durand Eastman Beach
Durand features wooded trails, a walking bridge, an old stone structure, and a sandy beach on Lake Ontario. It is gorgeous all year round, with so much to explore. I love shooting sunsets by the shore with the overhanging trees. Its the most fun when you’re not afraid to get a little wet!
I hope this gave you some ideas of for great photography session spots in and around Rochester. I will continue to update the list with my favorite spots around Rochester for engagement sessions.