Here is a list of the “Top 17 Locations for Cape Cod Engagement Photos”. Whether you and your partner make it a point to come to the Cape every summer or you are a local spending countless hours on the water, there are so many amazing spots to capture a Cape Cod engagement session. Roughly a 2 hour drive from downtown Boston to Falmouth, the Cape’s pristine beaches and warm waters are well worth the drive. The list below consists of the best locations whether you are looking for iconic lighthouses or towering dunes on a sandy beach. Plus the Cape is extra special since on various points we are able to watch the sunset over the ocean.
If you have already taken Cape Cod engagement photos and are looking to find a New England waterfront wedding venue then check out my blog post on the “Best Cape Cod Wedding Venues”.
Some things to note if you are considering a Cape couples session is the tide charts & parking. Whenever my couples are choosing a Cape location right on the water, we make sure to find a time that fits their schedule but also allows enough walking space on the sand. Ideally we are shooting at low tide, but I’ve also scouted these beaches enough to know if there is still plenty of room at high tide.
The other point to consider is parking and crowds. Cape Cod is beautiful all year round, so don’t count out a beach session even if it’s a fall or winter month. If you plan to have a Cape Cod engagement session during summer peak season (Memorial Day to Labor Day) you’ll just want to be more aware of crowds and parking fees. Most Cape Cod beaches charge a daily parking rate anywhere from $20-$30 a day if you aren’t a resident. You can find sticker parking information here. If we are shooting at a more popular beach during the summer, I always suggest a sunrise session so you can enjoy your time on the beach without an audience. If you’d like to learn more about the process of working with me for a Cape Cod couples session plus package options click here.
BOOK ME FOR A CAPE COD PROPOSAL, ENGAGEMENT SESSION, ELOPEMENT, OR WEDDING
UPPER CAPE
Bourne, Falmouth, Sandwich, Mashpee
MID CAPE
Barnstable, Yarmouth, and Dennis
LOWER CAPE
Orleans, Chatham, Harwich, and Brewster
OUTER CAPE
Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown
Old Silver Beach, Falmouth
If you are looking for a sandy beach with a jetty, small grassy dunes, and warm water then look no further than Old Silver Beach. Since it faces the west, it is a favorite spot to catch the sunset over the ocean.
Best shoot time: Old Silver Beach is one of Falmouth’s most popular beaches so I suggest a sunrise beach session since parking opens at 9:30 and can get crowded quick.
Summer Parking Cost: $20
Address: 296 Quaker Road, North Falmouth
Nobska Lighthouse: Lighthouse Inspired Cape Cod Engagement Photos
This iconic Woods Hole lighthouse is still worth the drive even though it is currently undergoing construction on the grounds. The first lighthouse on Nobska Point was built in 1829 and the last commander lived onsite up until 2013. You can still get plenty of pretty views of the lighthouse for your cape cod engagement photos that block out the black fence by doing the shoot from across the street. This spot also provides a picturesque background of the rocky coastline.
Parking: Free, but the lot only has about 5 spaces available
Address: 233 Nobska Road, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
Nobska Beach
The Knob
The Cornelia Carey Sanctuary or “The Knob” as locals call it is a Woods Hole gem. You have so many background options from sailboats, a small beach, a lookout point, and even woods. To get to “The Knob” you just take the trail to the right to find yourself on the little peninsula jutting out into Buzzards Bay.
Date night idea: Grab a pizza, a blanket, and head to the beach area at low tide to watch the sunset over the water.
Parking: Free, but only about 15 spots on a dead end road
Address: 36 Quissett Harbor Rd, Falmouth, MA 02540
Wing Island Trail Brewster
Mashpee: Cape Cod Engagement Photos
Mashpee is a beautiful spot for a Cape Cod engagement session. You can see all the amazing highlights from this Mashpee engagement session here. I love when my client’s share secret beach locations with me that I can use with future couples! This spot is rarely crowded and provides stunning views of the ocean and surrounding greenery. If you want a spot close by that is similar to the above description, but also has a boardwalk- then I’d suggest South Cape Beach State Park.
Parking: Free
Marconi Wireless Station
West Dennis Beach
Shooting at West Dennis Beach in conjunction with Bass River Park is another classic spot for Cape Cod engagement photos. You’ve got a boat dock and 2 miles of spacious sandy shoreline with lovely ocean views.
Cape Cod Date Ideas: Three Fins Coffee, Bass River Kayaks, & get ice cream at Sundae School (They were voted Cape Cod’s Best of 2020)
Parking: $25-$30 depending on the day of the week
Address: 45 Light House Road, West Dennis, MA 02670
The Bass Hole Boardwalk and Grays Beach
Gray’s Beach is another stunning spot for a Cape Cod couples session due to its long boardwalk over breathtaking marsh land. Bass Hole Boardwalk’s 0.3 mile stretch leads to Gray’s Beach and sandbars depending which time of the day you go.
Parking: Free
Address: 400 Center St, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675
Chatham Lighthouse
Located on the Cape’s “elbow”, The Chatham Lighthouse is one of the most famous lighthouses on Cape Cod towering 80 feet above sea level. You can have a beautiful session combining the lighthouse (that still operates 24 hours a day) and beach across the street. See all the highlights from a Chatham Cape Cod engagement session here.
Cape Cod Date Ideas: Feeling fancy? Grab drinks at the Chatham Bars Inn.
Parking: Small free parking lot across the street
Address: 37 Main St, Chatham, MA 02633
White Crest Beach: For Your Cape Cod Engagement Photos With Massive Dunes
White Crest Beach is located in Wellfleet, MA and one of my favorite beaches to see some seals. If you want your Cape Cod engagement photos to feature massive towering dunes then White Crest Beach is the spot for you.
Nauset Light Beach
Nauset Beach Orleans
Mayflower Beach Dennis
Bound Brook Island Beach
TRURO- SECRET SPOT
Only Accessible Fall to early Spring
Provincetown Cape Cod Engagement Photos
If you are looking to capture Ptown’s colorful Main Street as well as Race Point beach, Provincetown is a wonderful idea for your Cape Cod engagement session. If you are looking for transportation options you can take the ferry out of Plymouth or out of Boston.
Travel fee: Ferry rates vary
Aquinnah Cliffs Martha’s Vineyard
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