When I’m recommending an engagement session location to couples, I try to suggest locations that have great light and offer a variety of beautiful backgrounds. One of the first recommendations I always have for locations for engagement photos is The Grand Basin in Forest Park.

While I don’t always recommend Forest Park for wedding photos due to the large crowds and the sheer amount of time it takes to move around the park, it’s actually one of my favorite spots in St. Louis for engagement sessions. Weekdays in Forest Park are super tame and the park is never crowded.

I have a few favorite areas of the park, but The Grand Basin stands out by far. Today I’m going to give you 5 reasons why you should do your engagement session at The Grand Basin in Forest Park.

1. It has good variety

The immediate vicinity of the Grand Basin has quite a bit of backdrop variety, so you get a number of different location looks during your session. As an added bonus, all of these things are just a short, flat walk away. The Grand Basin area has beautiful architecture, serene waterscapes, lush greenery, and magnificent sunsets. When it comes to variety, you can’t go wrong doing your engagement photos in the Grand Basin.

2. The light there is beautiful in both the morning and the evening.

Morning or evening, there’s always beautiful light to be found in the area of the Grand Basin. I wouldn’t recommend shooting there mid-day though… It’s so bright (and like, 5-10 degrees hotter) you’ll burn your retinas. And also probably the soles of your feet. But early in the morning or at sunset? It’s one of the prettiest spots in the city.

3. There’s not just one but THREE cool bridges.

The bridges are in three completely different styles. There’s an architectural bridge near the Grand Basin. Just a short distance away is a rustic wood bridge. Not far from there is a white metal bridge. There’s a bridge style for every taste.

4. There’s a rocky beach area next to the Grand Basin that makes it feel like a completely different place.

You know, like something you’d see on a postcard from Colorado. Is this Boulder? Nope, just beautiful Forest Park. It’s just a short little walk down the path next to the Grand Basin.

5. The St. Louis Art Museum and Art Hill in the background with the fountains and the columns is just impressive.

It definitely gives off some European vibes. It’s as close to being in Prague as you can get in St. Louis.

If you’re looking for a super versatile spot for engagement photos, the Grand Basin in Forest Park is it. You get a little bit of everything when it comes to backgrounds. The light is absolutely lovely no matter what time of day.

So which of these spots in The Grand Basin is your favorite? Do you prefer a sunrise session or a sunset session? If you’d like to schedule engagement photos at The Grand Basin, head on over to my Contact Page and let me know!

Check out this post on 5 Great Tips for a Stress-Free Engagement Session or for wedding planning help, you’ll definitely want to read my post on 14 of the Best Wedding Day Timeline Planning Tips.