Top 7 Engagement Photo Locations in Milwaukee

Just 90 miles north of Chicago, along the west side of Lake Michigan, lies the diverse city of Milwaukee. The name comes from it being home to the erstwhile Indian village of Melleoki. Soon after, it was inhabited by the French missionaries, Canadian fur traders, and German immigrants. The latter came in huge numbers. Did you know that for this reason Milwaukee is also known as the ‘German Athens of America’?
 

However, most of the people from the world over know Milwaukee as the home of Harley-Davidson. Not just that, it’s also known by many as the ‘Brew City’. The reason for this nickname relates to its long brewing history, dating back to the 1840s, which began with its German immigrants. Did you know that as of 1981, Milwaukee was the number one producer of beer in the whole world? It also became a city with the greatest brewing capacity in the world.

It is also known as the ‘Cream City.’ For those who don’t know why - that’s because it's home to unique cream-colored bricks. Well, that’s about the magnificent history of this splendid city! If you are a young couple and wish to announce your engagement to the world, there are so many ways in which you could beautifully incorporate the city into it. 

The city has around 150 parks that have promising scenic beauty as a gorgeous backdrop for your Milwaukee engagement photoshoot. If you are specifically looking for a location that is rich in cultural history, you could head to any-of-the-many museums. Milwaukee, as a city, is rich in not just culture but beauty too. And we are specifically talking about landscapes and natural beauty. 

Let’s take you through some of our shortlisted engagement session locations. We have handpicked 5 most perfect locations found in Milwaukee which will make the perfect host for your Milwaukee engagement photoshoot. Read on to know about them.


The Milwaukee Art Museum

This beautiful location is a museum dedicated to the artifacts and works pertaining to the American and European culture in the 19th and 20th centuries. The building is one of the most promising works of architecture in the entire state of Wisconsin. The look of the building is nothing short of a stylish blend of a ship and an aircraft. The wings above add to the mysticism of the building. The museum is home to more than 20,000 works of art dating back to the 18th century. Okay! Enough of history, we get it! Let’s jump to the photoshoot. The Art Museum provides you with great opportunities for a sweet engagement photoshoot. Creative architecture, surrounding lush lawns, and a jaw-dropping cityscape in the background - it’s all here! The fact that it has a waterfront, simply adds to the beauty of this place. Move a little bit further and you reach Lake Shore Park. The red-colored lighthouse here makes for a splendid prop for your dreamy photos! Coupled with the grand cityscape overlooking Lake Michigan, the result is totally ethereal! For a timeless and affordable engagement photoshoot, take a cue from Maria and Laith. The bridge next to the museum is another spot to indulge in some romantic engagement photography. 

Website: https://mam.org/info/policies/photo-film-permission.php

Address: 700 N. Art Museum Drive Milwaukee, WI 53202

Fees or Permits: 1/2 hour personal photoshoot inside the Calatrava may cost $500 and that of 2-hour will cost $1,000.

Discovery World

Located south of the Milwaukee Art Museum and right along the lakefront, Discovery World is an ideal place for a couple who wishes to bring in science and love together! Inside, it has a plethora of photo ops such as various exhibits and sculptures, perfect options for backdrops. You can get as creative as you can, embracing and including all the exhibits and angles! The museum is majorly dedicated to the maritime history of Wisconsin. It also talks about the Great Lakes and is supposedly the largest museum in Milwaukee that is dedicated to science. Coming to photography, the Pilot House boasts panoramic views of Lake Michigan and downtown Milwaukee. The scenic landscape would effortlessly lend some of the most stunning backgrounds to your affordable Milwaukee engagement photography. If you wish to incorporate some nautical touch to your engagement photos, this is your place!

Website: https://www.discoveryworld.org/ 

Address: Discovery World, 500 N Harbor Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Fees or Permits: Center Admission Fee - $19 (subject to change)

Third Ward

Vibrant and historic photo ops on galore! That’s the Historic Third Ward for you. With stunning backdrops of cream bricks, galleries, theaters, and alleyways, this place has boundless options to make your engagement photography on budget surreal. The area stretching across 10 blocks comprises precious historic urban architecture, boutique stores, and restaurants. The Riverwalk trail spanning across more than 20 blocks is beauty personified. We absolutely love the photogenic look of the entire trail. The waterfront shots along the Riverwalk are the reason why painters bring dreams to reality! Our affordable Milwaukee engagement photographers totally love the romantic vibes of this area - so romantic and inspiring! The Milwaukee Public Market sign is another iconic place to shoot your affordable engagement photography. So ‘Milwaukee-y’! The area bags the title of Milwaukee’s Arts and Fashion District and flaunts a great blend of hip and happening vibes and rich heritage. 

Website: https://historicthirdward.org/

Address: Historic Third Ward, 525 East Menomonee Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Fees or Permits: None

Marquette University

For alums of Marquette University, this is your chance to relive your precious past and capture them in frames forever. And if this is the place where the two of you met, then it undoubtedly becomes a great place to announce your engagement. After all, that’s where it all began! Time would stand still as you two pose romantically on all those spots which are of great significance to your love story. The university is located just a little from Downtown Milwaukee and is ideal for couples who are looking for a classic Milwaukee location. So even if you are not an alumnus, it is a great idea to envelop your love in some historic architecture and literary marvel. The vintage vibes of the university can take you both back to your own nostalgic times. The university campus buzzes with photo ops. The Ivy wall is one such place where you both can strike romantic poses. The collegiate vibes are like none other - totally classic! For a more romantic feel, you could pose outside of St. Joan of Arc Chapel or the Church of the Gesu. The look of the churches takes you back to the long lost times. Worried about what to wear for your engagement photo session? Take a cue from Paul and Keny’s engagement photo session to get inspired. It’s a great way of incorporating monumental history into your romantic engagement photography!

Website: https://www.marquette.edu/

Address: 1250 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233

Fees or Permits: Yes

Veteran’s Park

Right on the shore of Lake Michigan, lies the scenic and well-maintained Veteran’s Park. If you wish to involve nature in your budget engagement photography, then this is the place to do it! The green landscape against a blue backdrop of the gorgeous Lake Michigan is like a dream setting for romantic couple photography on budget. As you both walk along the serene pathways, hand in hand, your Milwaukee engagement photographer would capture all the romance amidst the scenic beauty. The lush lawns leading up to the Oak Leaf Trail provide a perfect background for a dreamy walk. We absolutely love the romantic vibes of this spot. The cityscape also makes for a breathtaking background, as your love shines in the foreground! The park is also known for kite-flying. Are you thinking what we’re thinking? Yep, how about considering some color splash on your engagement photography? Involve in some kites and use them as a vibrant prop in your photos. The park is home to paddle boating and kayaking too, which can also be creatively used. The result - unique adventurous engagement photography! Walk along the waterfront and you will reach the lagoon. Check out Rosa and Jose’s engagement photos for more ideas on waterfront engagement photo sessions on budget. The lagoon is another such place where our affordable Milwaukee engagement photographer loves to capture the romance between the couples. There is so much fun at the Veteran’s Park that it becomes impossible to avoid it. You will for sure get tempted to make it a part of your photoshoot.

Website: https://www.visitmilwaukee.org/partners/veterans-park-3028/

Address: 1010 N Lincoln Memorial Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Fees or Permits: There is no entry fee for this place. Permits are necessary for a handful of activities. 

Mitchell Park

Simply known as The Domes, Mitchell Park is a magnificent marvel that can lend grandeur to any photography. The conservatory is located in the suburbs of Brookfield, on the west side of Milwaukee. It covers an area of approximately 405 acres and comes under the Milwaukee County Park System. The conservatory comprises three giant domes that are 85 feet tall and span 140 feet in diameter. The domes are also known to be the world’s first conoidal domes. The domes were built in the years spanning from 1959 and 1967 and are home to a large variety of plants and birdlife. Mitchell Park has a great outdoor look as well. The backdrop of lush plains is to die for! We adore the wooden-walkways that add unparalleled rustic beauty to your romantic photos. The trees, perfectly located all over the park, can be used as gorgeous props. The unkempt patches of the park are in fact more suitable for a pastoral look of engagement photography. The uneven grass adds to the rural beauty of this place and the waterfront bushes lead up to the scenic waters. 

Website: https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Parks/Explore/The-Domes

Address: Mitchell Park, Mitchell Park, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Fees or Permits: A general photography permit is required for all wedding, engagement, family, and school pictures or any other posed photography session that uses a park location as a backdrop and/or requires special attire. 

Downtown Milwaukee

An engagement photoshoot in the downtown of Milwaukee is as Milwaukee as it can get! Cafes, boutique stores, historic buildings, and the vibes are everything you would want to incorporate into your Milwaukee engagement photography on a budget. The Milwaukee City Hall, located downtown is an iconic building and its street-level entrance is a perfect spot for awesome photos. The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts is another gem located in the heart of downtown. The center is situated along the gorgeous Riverwalk and is dedicated to the cultural community. In fact, just sitting by a roadside cafe, sipping on Milwaukee’s Valentine coffee is a sight in itself - truly and romantically Milwaukee-y! If you are a biking couple, you could even walk up to the Harley-Davidson Museum, located at the edge of downtown. Milwaukee, as we all know, is the place of origin of this worldwide brand. The Harley-Davidson campus is about 33 acres in area and is a sheer delight for bike-riders. It’s a great place to showcase your love for bikes as a couple. If you are a fan of literature and books, then the Central Library is an ideal place for a cozy romantic photoshoot. The architecture of this place is a classic Milwaukeean and the library is not just frequented by the people of downtown but by everyone residing around it as well. You could keep it casual like Yanni and Mil. Libraries are wonderful places to spend some quality intimate time. And if we can capture those quiet moments amidst things that you both simply love, then there is nothing like it! Not to forget the Milwaukee Public Market - the vibrancy of this place can add charm to anything. The Riverwalk is a place that is worth mentioning, however, needs no introduction! This riverside walkway in the downtown spans across 2 miles and has the most spectacular backdrops in the city! While here, you could even head to the Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse which exudes vibrancy! The lighthouse is totally Instagrammable, as everyone would say. But can you imagine the wonders it would do if shot by our affordable and professional Milwaukee photographers? The colors come out alive against the gorgeous backdrop of the lake! And these, might we add, are just a few of the locations in Downtown Milwaukee which you can explore for your engagement photography. If you keep walking, you would come across many such wonders of Milwaukee which could form the best backdrops of your love story set in this gorgeous Brew City!

Website: https://www.milwaukeedowntown.com/

Address: Milwaukee Downtown BID #21, 301 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53203

Fees or Permits: There is no entry fee for this place. Permits are necessary for a couple of places.