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The Best Engagement Session Locations in Knoxville

The Best Engagement Session Locations in Knoxville

Deciding on the perfect location for your engagement photos in Knoxville can be difficult. Are you supposed to choose the place you met? The spot where you got engaged? The couch where you binge-watch Netflix together? The options are endless. However, there’s no reason to get discouraged. There are dozens of places in Knoxville that can serve as stunning backdrops to gorgeous engagement photos. Read on to learn more about the top engagement session locations in Knoxville.

Melton Hill Park

Couples who love spending time in nature can look no further than Melton Hill Park. The park is a 112-acre oasis located just off the Clinch River. Do you want to capture a special moment with your spouse-to-be in a field lit by the setting sun? Or maybe you want to celebrate your love in front of Knoxville’s stunning fall colors? Melton Hill Park is a wonderfully dreamy location for taking unforgettable engagement photos.

A couple enjoys a playful moment outdoors at Melton Hill Park. In the left image, the woman gives the man a piggyback ride in a field. The right image shows them posing together, both smiling and wearing casual winter clothing, beautifully captured by Knoxville Engagement Photography.
Melton Hill Park Engagement Session

Knoxville Botanical Gardens

If you’ve always dreamed of celebrating your engagement next to lush flowers straight out of a storybook, consider the Knoxville Botanical Gardens. With its historic stone buildings and cascades of natural light, the Botanical Gardens are the perfect spot for taking cozy engagement photos. The best part? It’s open all year round. Pro tip: consider the gardens for photos in the fall! This is when all of Tennessee’s famously striking fall foliage is on display.

Best Engagement Session Location in Knoxville, Tennessee
Why Choose The Knoxville Botanical Gardens


Meads Quarry

For couples who love the outdoors, Meads Quarry has it all. From dense, romantic foliage to wide, sunlit paths, there are dozens of areas that are ideal for capturing uniquely beautiful photographs. Even better? There are spectacular rocks rising out of the sparkling blue water in the quarry lake. This is a jaw-dropping setting for any couple’s engagement photos. With its gorgeous scenery and easy accessibility, Meads Quarry is an idyllic spot for celebrating your upcoming marriage.

The Best Engagement Session Spots in Knoxville

Ijams Nature Center

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your engagement photos in a field of wildflowers? How about the shores of a calm blue lake, you owe it to yourself to check out Ijams Nature Center. With over 12 miles of trails on 315 acres of land, this wildlife sanctuary is an oasis. The best part? It’s just five minutes from downtown Knoxville. The center is also large and varied. Every couple can find something that reflects their interests – whether they’re crazy for rock climbing, avid bird-watchers, or simply fans of the great outdoors. No matter what you’re looking for in your engagement photos, you’ll find it at Ijams Nature Center.

UT Gardens

Show off your Tennessee pride at the UT Gardens, a beautifully manicured garden bursting with flowers. Organized couples can plan their outfits to pop in front of the pink camellias or white dogwoods. The result? Striking photos capture all the joy and whimsy of this Knoxville institution. Taking your engagement photos at the UT Gardens is a simple and easy way to end up with vibrant, colorful, and lively photos.

Fashionable Spring Engagement Session at UT Gardens Knoxville
View this Fashionable Engagement Session at UT Gardens Knoxville

The Bleak House

This Italian Tuscany villa-style mansion is where it’s at. The architecture will make your jaw drop once you step foot onto the property. Outside, the grounds are filled with character. There are five flat and grassed terraced levels that make a slow descent towards the Tennessee River. Awaiting you outside is a Wisteria-covered pathway. The scenic river setting along with the lush gardens make for incredible photos. There is just a small $40 fee to use the home for one hour.

A woman in a white dress holds hands with a man in a dark suit, capturing their engagement photos at The Bleak House. They stand on a circular stone path surrounded by a low stone railing, with lush green trees as their backdrop. The woman lifts one leg playfully as they smile at each other.
Engagement Photos at The Historic Bleak House Knoxville

Sequoyah Hills Park

The rolling hills and historic homes of Sequoyah Hills Park make it one of the most beautiful engagement session locations in Knoxville. There are tons of great locations. From the shores of the Tennessee River to the stunning architectural fountains that line Cherokee Boulevard, you can’t go wrong. For a location that celebrates Knoxville’s history as much as it celebrates your love, you can’t do much better than Sequoyah Hills Park!

Downtown Knoxville

If you’d rather explore the urban jungle, why not spend a few hours exploring downtown Knoxville? Take pictures at places that hold personal meaning for you. Or venture to a classic Knoxville location to bring all the charm of the city into your photographs. From Market Square to Gay Street to Old City, Knoxville full of options. Historic and picturesque settings can yield fun, unique engagement photos.

A couple stands on a bridge, the perfect spot for an engagement session in Knoxville. On the left, they share a kiss with the city skyline in the background. On the right, they smile at the camera, embracing at sunset. Both are wearing stylish jackets and glasses.

Your Wedding Venue

You’ve searched long and hard for your wedding venue. If you found that one-of-a-kind wedding venue, then use it twice! Some Knoxville Wedding Venues include an engagement session in their wedding packages. And others may allow you to enjoy one for an additional fee. Bonus: shooting your engagement photos at your wedding venue is a great way to make you feel even more comfortable on your wedding day.

A couple stands facing each other on a grand staircase in a spacious, elegantly lit room at Nichols Heir Wedding Venues. The room features high ceilings, two large chandeliers, and white walls. The stairs have black railings and divide into a symmetrical double design.
Engagement Session at Nichols Heir

Personal Location

Sometimes, you don’t even need to leave home to end up with beautiful engagement photos. Or maybe you want to take photos of where your fiance proposed? Whether you’ve got an incredible backyard view or want to relive a moment, consider a personal engagement location. Plus, on-site engagement sessions come with all the amenities your house has to offer, so whip up some margaritas or lattes for you and your photographer and enjoy a low-key shoot!

Engagement Photos at Personal Location in Knoxville

The Smoky Mountains

The crown jewel of Tennessee has to be the mountains. Specifically, The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. If you’ve ever dreamed of having an adventurous engagement session in the Smokies you will want to take a little drive. Capturing your pre-wedding joy in some of America’s most stunning protected land is well within reach. As a Smoky Mountain Licensed Photographer, I’m allowed to photograph in the park. I also have years of experience in capturing the Smokies’ unique beauty.

Best Engagement Session Locations Knoxville
View this Cades Cove Adventure Engagement Session

Why Erin Morrison Photography?

As an experienced photographer in Knoxville, I have over 8 years of experience. I have photographed hundreds of engagement sessions, weddings, and more in the Knoxville area. Not only am I allowed to photograph inside Great Smoky Mountain National Park, but I’m skilled at capturing photographs in many lighting situations. I’m also a pro at taking engagement photos all around the Knoxville area. And as a resident of the area, I can even help you nail down your dream engagement session location in Knoxville.

Want to know more? Don’t hesitate to contact me to learn more about how I can help you plan (and enjoy!) an engagement session that leaves you with photos you’ll cherish for years to come.

KNOXVILLE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | KNOXVILLE ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER | KNOXVILLE FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER | SMOKY MOUNTAIN PHOTOGRAPHER| LGBTQIA+ Friendly

A memorable elopement at the foothills of the Smokies! And guess what? It didn’t actually occur IN the NPS. Shocked! 🤣

Remember, there are so many amazing locations in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Townsend, Sevierville, and Wears Valley that are perfect for a “smoky mountain elopement.” Find the place that speaks to you! This mid-century mod location was perfect for Alaina and Travis. 

And then…hire me to photograph it! Easy peasy! 
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Photographer: @erinm_photography | Officiant: @chuck.oconnor | HMUA: @valerysstudio_ 
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I sent over 47,000 images to clients in 2024. When I tell you that indecision fatigue is a real thing when posting to social media, I mean it. 
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So, here is a single photo to post. I love it. It’s a favorite. 
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The story? 
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Pretty simple. The best man dropped the rings and we all about lost our minds 🤣
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Venue: @rtlodge | HMUA: @bangsandblush_ | Floral: Wade Floral Co | Dress: @whitelaceandpromises | Suit: @indochino | Videographer: @bighillproductions | DJ: Sword Sounds⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Brides & Grooms, take note! The biggest timeline delay I saw in 2024 across multiple weddings at multiple venues? 

Getting-ready logistics!

If you want your VIP (Mom, sibling, bestie) to help you into your outfit, they need to be ready before your photographer arrives.

This isn’t a requirement, but if you’re envisioning those special, candid moments—make sure their hair, makeup, and outfits are done so they can focus on YOU.

This also goes for those moments where people need to tie a tie, or fold a pocket square! Make sure to try those items on before the wedding day 😉 

💡 Pro tip: Your HMUAs are amazing! Work with your hair and makeup team to create a schedule that ensures anyone helping you get dressed is ready before your photographer arrives. This keeps everything running smoothly and stress-free! 
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Natural light + honest photographer for ALL humans.

 

Knoxville, Tennessee

865.214.7826

erinmorrisonphotography@gmail.com

Office Hours: M-F 8am-5pm | S-S 12pm-5pm

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