Milwaukee has so much to offer and lots of variety in locations for your engagement photos. Let’s dive into the best Milwaukee WI engagement session locations.

MILWAUKEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Milwaukee Historical Society is a building built in 1935 with gorgeous white pillars in the front. The blue accents on the building compliment the brick sidewalk and flowers perfectly to make for some absolutely beautiful shots. This building is a great place for your engagement session because it’s a staple for Milwaukee. It’s full of historic items and documents from the city and is a great way to pay homage to your hometown if you grew up in Wisconsin. Another great feature about this building is it also doubles as a wedding venue. So, this is also the perfect place to celebrate your day!

VILLA TERRACE DECORATIVE ARTS MUSEUM

If you’re looking for a classy Italy vibe, then the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum is the way to go. The stunning greenery and architecture offer an elegant and romantic atmosphere for your engagement. This museum is great for the couple who wants to have the look of a destination location, but still wants to stay close to home. The Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum has tons of variety to work with. You can start by taking some photos in front of the incredible landscaping out front and finish off with the unique backdrops inside the museum. This venue is also available for weddings.

MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM

Milwaukee Art Museum is a location with beautiful architecture on both the inside and outside. If you’re looking to switch up the traditional engagement photos, this is a great location to choose from! The unique design of windows and incredibly open space on the inside makes it the perfect spot to guarantee your engagement session stands out from the rest.

RIVERWALK

Riverwalk is another great location for your engagement photos in Milwaukee WI. This location offers a gorgeous view of the Wisconsin river with a great view of the city as well.

RETZER NATURE CENTER

If you’re looking for more of an outdoor setting in Milwaukee WI, try the Retzer Nature Center. There are lots of trails that walk you through the gorgeous scenery that makes Milwaukee so unique. There is also an area with really tall trees that I love for fall engagements. I highly recommend this location to any couples who love spending time outdoors and want their engagement photos to reflect that.

LAKESHORE STATE PARK

Lakeshore State Park is a location with views of the city in the background. According to dnr.wisconsin.gov, “In the heart of downtown Milwaukee, Lakeshore State Park is adjacent to the Henry W. Maier Festival Grounds and Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin. The park is an urban oasis offering a small beach and accessible paved trails that link to Milwaukee’s other lakefront parks and the Hank Aaron State Trail. The park offers great views of the city and Lake Michigan and has a reservable, overnight boat slip.”

LION’S DEN GORGE NATURE PRESERVE

Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve is technically outside of Milwaukee, but this location is so versatile and one of my favorites on this list. It’s a beautiful 73-acre preserve that represents one of the last stretches of undeveloped bluff land along the Lake Michigan shoreline, from Mequon up to Port Washington. It has incredible views from bridges, to stairways, to the gorgeous shoreline. Lion’s Den Nature Preserve is perfect for anyone who loves adventure!

HISTORIC THIRD WARD & ATWATER BEACH

The Historic Third Ward is a gem in downtown Milwaukee that is the city’s thriving arts and fashion district. This location is great for the couple wanting more of a city vibe for their engagement photos. Atwater Beach is another on the list that is definitely one of my favorite places to photograph my couples. This area is perfect for those who want to have a beach engagement, but don’t want to travel. From the stairways, to the greenery, to the shoreline, there is beauty all around.

KILBOURN RESERVOIR PARK & MCKINLEY PARK GOVERNMENT PIER

Kilbourn Reservoir Park and McKinley Park Government Pier are also both beautiful locations for your outdoor engagement session. Kilbourn Reservoir Park has beautiful views of lake Michigan and the city in the background and McKinley Park Government Pier is a park with lots of room for photos. Both are great options to choose from on this list of Milwaukee WI engagement locations.

Ready to plan your own Milwaukee WI engagement next?

That’s what I’m here for! I’m ready to capture your love story through my lens and celebrate your journey as a couple. Engagements are the best way for me to get to know you before your day. Whether you decide to have your session here in Milwaukee WI or beyond, I’m always ready to travel and meet you there. I’m a Wisconsin elopement & wedding photographer who is ready to meet you wherever you want your story to be told. Learn more about me here, and if you think we’d be a great fit, then let’s get in touch! I can’t wait to connect!