Where to Take Engagement Photos in Bloomington Illinois

& STUDIO

Bloomington IL Photographer

When thinking about a location for your engagement session most people picture a dramatic sunset across a field of tall grass, and maybe some trees in the background. While there’s nothing wrong with this for an engagement session, some of my all-time favorite engagement sessions are ones where my clients incorporate that’s a little more unconventional. Something that speaks to them and their relationship. If that sounds like something you want for your engagement session then this article is for you as we’re covering 5 of my favorite locations in Bloomington Illinois for engagement photos!

A couple poses for their engagement photos sitting outside of North Street Records in Bloomington Normal Illinois.

How to Choose The Right Location

There is no one size fits all answer for the right location for your engagement session. That question depends heavily on you, the couple! Think about your relationship and the things you like to do together that make you who you are as a couple. I find that the most fun and meaningful engagement sessions are those where my couples are doing something they love together, whether that’s going for a hike, going thrifting, really anything you can imagine. Making your engagement session personal takes the enjoyment and excitement to the next level while also adding SO much to the photos themselves. With that in mind we can look into 5 of my favorite ideas for engagement photos in Bloomington.

Five Awesome Locations for Engagement Photos in Bloomington Illinois

A couple sits in front of a large window and blue and white brick wall at an old gas station in Central Illinois for their engagement session.

A fiancé kisses his soon to be wife outside of a gas station in Bloomington Normal Illinois during their engagement session.

1. An Old Gas Station

No, I am not kidding, one of the coolest locations I’ve photographed for engagement photos in Bloomington was actually at an old gas station! Just take a look at these photos from Katie and Tyler’s session. The faded paint and worn-down look of the building make for an incredible backdrop to work with for your portraits giving the photos a TON of personality.

A couple walks across the street in a cross walk in downtown Bloomington Illinois during their fall engagement session.

2. Historical Buildings

If you know me you know how much I love my buildings with some history to them, so this next location should come as no surprise. Whether it’s a more iconic building like the Normal Theater just north of Bloomington, or even a building that just looks the part, adding that historic feel to your engagement photos always gives them a unique spin. For Mady and Ryan’s engagement session, we found this gorgeous old building that was covered top to bottom with these incredible vines.

3. Parking Decks

Another spot I love for engagement photos in Bloomington and really anywhere is parking decks! During Katie and Tyler’s engagement session, we also were able to stop at one of Bloomington’s parking decks and it was a phenomenal experience. Parking decks offer a good wide open space while also giving you that urban feel to your photos. We also were able to take some photos in the stairwell that lead to the parking deck which added some fun variety to their album.

A couple holds hands walking down the street just outside of North Street Records smiling at one another during their Central Illinois engagement session.

A couple holds hands while walking in downtown Bloomington while looking in the windows of Graham Crackers Comics.

4. Your Favorite Store

Some of my favorite locations for engagement sessions are the stores that mean the most to my couple and their relationship. Having your session somewhere you two frequent and somewhere that means something to the two of you is such a great way to take your Bloomington engagement photos to the next level. Whether it’s your favorite records store, a bookstore you adore, or your go to thrift shop there are SO many fun options for your engagement session!

A fiancée drinks champagne out of the bottle while looking at her fiancé during their engagement session. They are standing on a parking garage in Bloomington Normal.

5. Your Favorite Bar or Restaurant

Similar to going to your favorite store or shop for your engagement session, another incredible option is heading to your favorite bar or restaurant. For Becca and David’s engagement photos, we took some of them at one of their favorite restaurants in Bloomington, a Pizza place called Flingers. The restaurant gave us such a fun vibe to work with for their session which was exactly what we were looking for with their engagement photos.

Now that you have an idea on some unique ideas for engagement photo locations in Bloomington Illinois it’s time to start planning out your session! One of the next steps then is to book your photographer, so head on over to my contact page to send me an inquiry.