Locations for Engagement Photos in Northern Ireland
The best Places and Locations for Engagement Photography in Northern Ireland and County Armagh. If you are researching, this is worth checking out. You don’t have to travel too far in NI. Some of my wedding photography packages include a free pre-wedding session, some could be in County Armagh (see at the bottom of the page) or anywhere in NI. Enjoy!
North Coast
The North Coast offers some great views of Portrush, Dunluce Castle, Kinbane Castle, the Causeway Coastal Route, Giant's Causeway, Causeway Coast and Glens and Ballintoy Harbour. These would make beautiful backdrops for your photos at all times of the year. A sunrise or sunset would be stunning!
Stormont Estate, Belfast
A park beside the famous government buildings in Belfast whch is very handy to get to if located in this area of the city. The image below shows the couple with their kids in front of the Parliament Buildings in the estate. Another popular option if you want urban is the Cathedral Quarter.
Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, Belfast
A park just outside Lisburn in South Belfast. It’s the home of the city of Belfast's international rose garden. I’ve been here a couple of times, capturing portraits of couples. Quite a beautiful place to take a walk around with your girlfriend, boyfriend or partner. The couple below is an older couple, probably middle-aged, but it really doesn’t matter what age you are. Another popular one is Hillsborough Castle.
Dungannon Park
In Mid Ulster, this park has a lake with jetties and plenty of great places for engagement pictures. The location is very handy to get to if you're coming from the Omagh direction. I would choose somewhere handy for you to drive to, as most towns have nice parks and the like.
Parkanaur Forest Park, Dungannon
Popular but not too popular, so that the park is not overcrowded, which is great, as we can get engagement pictures in the various areas within the park. I don’t mind people walking in the background, though, as it gives your images a bit of life, so to speak.
Also, The Ring of Gullion, which is located in Newry, but quite tricky to get to, so some walking is required, which is great if you like walking.
Camlough Lake, Newry
A handy location if you're in Newry or Camlough, which is a small village outside the town. Limited areas to explore here, I’m afraid, but you have the beautiful countryside of Newry as a backdrop, which makes for stunning images.
Engagement Photos with your Wedding Package
Did you know you might get engagement photos included with your package if you book me for your big day? Depending on which package you’ve booked me for. Check this out by exploring the website further.
Ballymenoch Park, Holywood
In Holywood, County Down, just outside Belfast, this is a hidden gem of a park with plenty of flowers in full bloom in the summer months. It would make a great picturesque setting for your engagement pictures if you're located on that side of Belfast or Holywood. Very handy indeed.
Scrabo Country Park, Newtownards
I nice park to travel to from Newtownards or any of the other surrounding locations.
Ness Country Gardens, Derry
In Londonderry / Derry, the gardens have plenty of open area locations to take a walk around and explore with your partner. If you like beautiful countryside, this might be for you. This includes the Ness Wood and Ervey Wood Nature Reserve. Ness Country Park is named for ‘an las’ or Ness, meaning Waterfall.
Shaftesbury Park, Carrickfergus
A smallish park in Carrick, which some engaged couples might not even know exists. Well worth a look if you're in the town.
Carrickfergus Castle
Beside the lough, a prominent feature in Carrick, which is hard to miss.
Bangor Walled Garden
Located beside Bangor Castle, a beautiful garden in County Down.
Botanic Gardens, Belfast
Very popular spot for Queens university graduates and locals.
Tollymore Forest Park, Newcastle
A very popular spot in County Down beside the Mourne Mountains.
The Ring of Gullion, Newry
Located in Newry, this is quite hard to get to, so you might need a bit of planning. Plenty of trees and areas of interest.
Ballymenoch Park, Holywood
In Holywood, County Down, just outside Belfast.
Shaftesbury Park
A great smallish park located in Carrickfergus.
Also…
My Personal Favourite Locations for Photos
Some of my own personal bests from a photographer’s perspective are
Bangor Walled Garden
Tollymore Forest Park
Antrim Castle Gardens
North Coast
Places for Engagement Pictures in Craigavon and County Armagh
I’ll summarise and make a short list of my favourites and some engagement places in County Armagh for photos. There are more, though. These offer a charming backdrop and some alternatives. Some of my favourites are below. Also, you have some just outside the town.
Tannaghmore Gardens, Craigavon
Well-known place not just for locals in Craigavon but all over Northern Ireland, just outside Lurgan, which has plenty to explore with your partner and future husband or wife.
Craigavon City Park and Lakes
Beside Craigavon lakes, there is a lot of open space offering great views of the area with plenty of wooded land and grass. You can easily park at South Lake Leisure Centre and start walking from there. A bit windy perhaps as out in the open, but still well worth a visit for any couple.
Portadown People’s Park
A short walk from Portadown town centre with plenty of car parking, the park has a small man-made pond and plenty of paths and trees.
River Bann, Portadown
What about a walk along the River Bann in town, as the council have done a great job of cleaning up certain parts of the path beside the Bann bridge. Walk further up to under the Northway bridge, and there is some urban graffiti, too, which might make your images a bit different.
Edenvilla Park, Portadown
Located in the Edenderry area is this park, which is handy for engaged couples in the Seagoe and Killicomaine areas. Very nice park with a few different areas.
Loughgall Country Park
Another hidden gem of a park with plenty to explore would be great for an engagement photo shoot in your area, if you're based in Loughgall, Richill, Portadown or Armagh.
Oxford Island, Lurgan
Another well-known place locally in Craigavon and further afield. Check out my blog post for more information.
Clare Glen, Tandragee
A wooded area located in Tandragee, Clare Glen, has a great stream along the path and is very popular for locals if you're after rustic pictures.
Lurgan Park
Again, plenty to explore with a man-made lake in the park overlooking Brownlow House. Would be great at all times of the year, including summer, winter and autumn.
Armagh Palace Demesne
Located beside the Armagh City Hotel, the park has plenty of areas of beauty, which would be great. Also, Darkley Forest - A hidden gem in Armagh.
Gosford Forest Park, Armagh
In Markethill, lots of people come here for walks and outings, and I would highly recommend the Gosford Forest Park. Unfortunately, car parking is not free here.
Any places inside in case it rains outside?
A client asked me whether I knew of any places we could take engagement pictures inside incase it rains, as we had planned Lurgan Park, but the weather wasn’t looking good. I suggested Brownlow House, which is just beside the park and is quite nice inside and also outside. You need to ask for permission in case there is a wedding or event booked for that day.
My Personal Favourites for Pictures
Some of my own personal best are
Tannaghmore Gardens
Loughgall Country Park
Oxford Island
Lurgan Park
Gosford Forest Park
Searching for a Wedding Photographer?
If you are engaged and searching for a photographer who’s fun and relaxed, contact Philip. Whether it’s a pre-wedding photo shoot or your big day, I’d like to hear about your plans.
