Here is a list of the “Top 10 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.
CHATHAM MA BEACH ENGAGEMENT SESSION
1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. Mashpee: Cape Cod Engagement Photos
You may not always get a rainbow during your session, but 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. Cahoon Hollow Beach: For Your Cape Cod Engagement Photos With Massive Dunes
Part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, Cahoon Hollow Beach is located in Wellfleet, MA. If you want your Cape Cod engagement photos to feature massive towering dunes then Cahoon Hollow Beach is the spot for you.
Parking: $25 until the middle of September
Address: 1120 Cahoon Hollow Road, Wellfleet MA
9. Cape Cod National Seashore Engagement Photos
Although I listed one of the beaches above, the Cape Cod National Seashore needed a section of it’s own. The National Park Service website states “There are six swimming beaches at Cape Cod National Seashore: Coast Guard and Nauset Light in Eastham, Marconi in Wellfleet, Head of the Meadow in Truro, and Race Point and Herring Cove in Provincetown.” Too many picturesque spots to count, these pristine beaches are the best of the best.
Parking: $25 until the middle of September (more National Seashore info here)
10. 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
Bonus: South Shore Engagement Photo Locations
If you are looking to have a waterfront engagement session or a beach couples session, but don’t want to travel all the way to Cape Cod then check out these local spots!
Nelson Beach, Plymouth Engagement
Beautiful grassy landscape with a small beach situated north of downtown Plymouth.
Parking: Free
Duxbury Beach Engagement
This Duxbury location provides such beautiful options at low tide whether you want to walk the beach, stroll the 2,200 foot long Powder Point Bridge, or cozy up below the bridge on Duxbury Bay. The best time to photograph is at sunrise during peak summer season, but the fall and winter months are much more flexible.
Parking: $20 a day- cash only- from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day (parking lot open 9:00 am – 8:00 pm daily)
Address: 260 Gurnet Rd Duxbury, MA
Scituate Lighthouse
You got that right- you don’t have to travel to the Cape to capture an engagement session with a lighthouse. Located on Cedar Point, you can walk the jetty to charming Old Scituate Light overlooking Scituate Harbor.
Address: 100 Lighthouse Rd, Scituate, MA 02066
If you’d like me to take your Cape Cod engagement photos then shoot me a message in my contact form here. I can’t wait to photograph your waterfront engagement session!
