Industrial edge meets urban sophistication in a town that’s both friendly and forward thinking. Named for surveyor Moses Cleaveland, who later dropped the “a” in the city he founded, Cleveland is a midwest gem for engagement photography. Nestled between the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie, Cleveland is a destination city in the Great Lakes Region. Lasting reminders of its historic role in the steel industry remain, which add intriguing glimpses of grit to an otherwise cosmopolitan town. Its eclectic variety is one of the many reasons Cleveland is one of our best engagement photography locations. Head to Edgewater Park for lakeside portraits where you can pose on the pier or stroll down the bike path. For a more intimate session, stop by the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, or take in the stately beauty of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Capitalize on the lively music scene for your Cleveland engagement photography session by incorporating the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum or Severance Hall as iconic backdrops.

 

03. EDGEWATER PARK
 

Beach life in the midwest is a luxury, which makes Cleveland an especially photogenic city. One of our best Cleveland engagement locations is Edgewater Park. Its sandy shores provide a scenic escape right in the heart of the city. Overlooking Edgewater Beach with a panoramic view of downtown in the distance, this park is made for Cleveland engagement photography. Capture some candid shots at the pier, or enjoy a casual walk down the stone path along the water. Spanning 2,400 feet, this beach features 1000 feet of swimming access, so don’t be afraid to dip your toes in the water and be playful. The westernmost portion of the beach is dog friendly in case you want to include your pup in your session.

02. CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART
 

Though Cleveland has a refreshingly modest attitude, it has bragging rights to one of the most prestigious art museums in the world: the Cleveland Museum of Art. It’s a grand location for your Cleveland engagement photography session, grounded by signature granite columns that neighbor a scenic and romantic pond. The impeccable architecture of the Cleveland Museum of Art provides a picture-perfect backdrop that makes it one of our best Cleveland engagement locations. With its stepped, two-toned granite facade designed by modernist architect Marcel Breuer, the North Wing is defined by angular lines that stand in distinct contrast to the flourishes of the 1916 building's neoclassical facade. The airy atrium coupled with the ornate grounds and fountains of Wade Park elevate its beauty and solidify the Cleveland Museum of Art as a prized location not only for engagement photography, but also for Cleveland wedding photography.

01. CULTURAL GARDENS
 

Talk about laying down roots. Located in Rockefeller Park, the Cultural Gardens is a peaceful oasis perfect for a Cleveland engagement photography session. Occupying 276 acres of wooded parkland, this string of 31 gardens is a unique gem yet to be replicated. Each garden represents a different culture from nations whose immigrants have contributed to the heritage of the United States—and to Cleveland—over the centuries. It’s so much more than a serene garden (though it’s that, too). The Cultural Gardens is a living storyteller, expressing cultural significance through natural wonder. Visually appealing bridges, fountains and statues add interesting focal points to every frame. The number of gardens continues to grow as incoming immigrant groups fund their own garden as a source of great pride. Rich in culture and natural beauty, the Cultural Gardens is one of our best Cleveland engagement locations.