The Mega List of Memorable Locations for Unique Engagement Photos in Las Vegas

Las Vegas Boulevard engagement photo by Exceed Photography

Incredibly photogenic and incredibly varied, Las Vegas is a great place to do your engagement photos or an anniversary session, even if you don’t plan on getting married there. But, where to start? Consult your photographer, of course, but here are some selections organized by theme to give you some ideas for the variety that can be had. Woodsy, arty, magazine-worthy, retro Vegas, snow or desert – all those and more are covered below. I’ve even made a map to visualize where there spots are. And be sure to add your favorite in the comments if I missed it!

General Tips:

Some hotels are not open to having photographs taken on their property. Going against popular belief (and more than one casino security guard) it is not actually illegal to shoot in any casino but that doesn’t mean you won’t run into trouble or situations. It’s not doing any other photographers favors to be crabby about it with security who don’t know otherwise. Consult with your photographer on their comfort level and past experiences at that particular property, and if the benefits outweigh the troubles for you, your photographer and the photography industry in Las Vegas.

If you are going The Strip route, remember that it can take a long time to walk from property to property. Bring comfy shoes and schedule time with your photographer accordingly.

Many of these photography locations listed have additional fees, permits and restrictions. Please consult with the site directly for the most updated information and costs. Of particular note are the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) owned areas -  this includes a large swath of the photo sites below including the Jean Dry Lake Beds and Red Rock Canyon. Again, please consult your photographer to find out if they have a permit and insurance to shoot in these areas, or if they have experience with shooting there. Information the rules of shooting at BLM spots are found here.

Finally you might consider making your photo shoot pop by renting some vintage props or furniture. A well placed settee in the desert can have real visual impact and make the shoot less awkward. Try this list of 5 Unique Vegas Event Styling Companies for rental ideas. You could also consider renting a car – it makes a great prop in photos as you pose in it and around it! Dream Car Rentals offers high end sports cars and classic vehicles perfect for your photo session!

Consider the time of day and time of year for the venue you are interested in! Some venues like Fremont Street Experience are great, but are truly really only empty in the wee wee hours. Also, have you ever tried to look comfortable shooting in the desert in the winter? There’s a reason models get paid well, just sayin’.

The most important: I’m no expert. Find a mistake? Have a comment? This list is always in flux and growing, so please feel free to leave a comment below with your favorite spot or shoot me an email kelly AT littlevegaswedding DOT com

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Music inspired engagement shoot at Valley of Fire by Renaissance Studios Photography

Desert Landscape

These locations feature cracked and dry lake beds, dusty colors, fantastic sunsets and amazing geological features!

• Nelson “Ghost Town” / Eldorado Canyon – $20 for the first two hours, then $10 an hour thereafter 
• Jean Dry Lake Bed
• Red Rock Canyon – $7 a car 
• UNLV Baepler Xeric Gardens

A bird and nature filled engagement session at Floyd Lamb Park by Gaby J Photography

Nature/Gardens

These nature filled spots focus on trees, flowers, landscaping, greenery and even wildlife in the background of your photos.

• Springs Preserve
• Bellagio Gardens (Changes seasonally but very busy)
• Gilcrease Orchard (California style vineyards and fruit orchards!)
• Mt. Charleston (Snowy in winter)
• Pocket Park at CityCenter 
• Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs – $6 
• UNLV Baepler Xeric Gardens 
• Flamingo Gardens 
• Tropicana grounds

Tivoli Village

European

Unique architecture, cobblestone streets, colors and detailing straight out of a European cityscape

• Tivoli Village – $50 
• Lake Las Vegas - Italian inspired architecture 
• Paris Las Vegas - Eiffel Tower replica and grounds
  
• Venetian – Fountains and canals
• Caesars Palace -Roman columns and statues

Some of the graffiti near downtown Las Vegas

Colorful

These photo spots are bright, wild and not easily forgotten

• Tim Bavington Sculpture at Symphony Park by the Smith Center – A super popular rainbow colored sculpture
• The Strip (Read our tips on having wedding or engagement shoot with a professional on The Strip here)
• Graffiti locations: Pockets all around downtown, at Hoover and S Casino Center up 1st Street, S Main Street and Hoover as well as the parking lots at The Arts Factory
• Mirage – LOVE sign at Revolution Lounge
• Rainbow Library
• Centennial Hills Park (aka Butterfly Park)

The letters and typography at World Market Center make for some great engagement photo opportunities if your initials are in this sign!

Architectural / Modern

Fantastic structures with one of a kind architectural features, from futuristic to Art Deco!

• Frank Gehry designed Cleveland Clinic for Brain Health Lou Ruvo Center 
• Modern Las Vegas World Market Center 
• Photos around the modern CityCenter complex
• Aria lobby (Decor changes frequently, lots of art and design elements on property)
• Art-Deco style Smith Center for the Performing Arts
• Spanish style Historic Fifth Street School
• Springs Preserve has many incredibly unique buildings
• The Mob Museum – Photo shoots must be set up with sales at the museum

Old school Caddy and the lights at the Plaza Photo: W. Scott Chester Wedding Photography

Neon & Lights

“Bright light city gonna set my soul / Gonna set my soul on fire” – Elvis Presley, “Viva Las Vegas”

• The Neon Museum – $150-600 (discounted rate for locals, rates higher on Saturdays) 
• Fremont Street and Fremont Street Experience
• The Strip itself  (Read our tips on having wedding or engagement shoot with a professional on The Strip here)

Some of the great signs along Fremont Street (great alternative to the expensive fees at Neon Museum)

Old School Vegas

City scapes straight out of the classic era of Las Vegas

• The Neon Museum – $150-600 (discounted rate for locals, rates higher on Saturdays) 
• Fremont Street and Fremont Street Experience
  
• Old Vegas Lights at the Plaza
• Mob Museum - Photo shoots must be set up with sales at the museum

Wynn and Encore Las Vegas offer some luxurious colors and decor, like in this engagement shoot from Brilliant Imagery 

Casinos + Iconic Vegas Shots

So many amazing hotels and casinos with so many amazing photo opportunities – this part of the list is not comprehensive. Be aware some casino properties are more open to being shot on than others, and not all like the “gambling” shots to be taken

• Fremont Street Experience 
• Strip Photos: Get shots from a room with a balcony at MGM Grand Marquee Skyline Suites, Cosmopolitan Wraparound Terrace Suites, Palms/Palms Place Suites 
• The Strip itself  (Read our tips on having wedding or engagement shoot with a professional on The Strip here)
• Bellagio Fountains
• Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign
• If you like sparkles: Planet Hollywood Chandeliers or Cosmopolitan Chandlier Bar are beautiful backgrounds
• Speaking of Cosmopolitan, the property has some fantastic art in and around it that makes for great photos
• Mandarin Oriental has some gorgeous features in it

and more!

The Arts District is full of warehouse architecture and art, near downtown Las Vegas

Artsy / Graffiti / Urban Landscape

Looking for funky, urban and well, arty? Head to the Arts District an up and coming area of downtown Las Vegas packed full of amazing photo opportunities within a few blocks radius

• There are pockets of graffiti at Hoover and S Casino Center up 1st Street, S Main Street and Hoover as well as the parking lots at The Arts Factory
• For warehouses/industrial buildings look around 1st and Coolidge 
• District at Green Valley Ranch
• Town Square
• Brooklyn Bridge at New York New York
• Lake Las Vegas

Get your western fix at McKee Ranch! Photo by The Emerics

Western

• Clark County Heritage Museum – Featuring older western style architecture from 1900s-50s
• Nelson “Ghost Town” / Eldorado Canyon – $20 for the first two hours, then $10 an hour thereafter
• Bonnie Springs Ranch
• Spring Mountain Ranch – $9 a car
  
• McKee Ranch

From an elopement at Red Rock Canyon photographed by Taylored Photo Memories 

Mountainous

• Mt. Charleston (Snowy in winter, and very woodsy)
• Red Rock Canyon (including Calico Basin)
• Valley of Fire

Gorgeous wedding photo taken at Lake Las Vegas by KMH Photography

Photos shot by the 50 foot waterfall at The Shoppes at the Palazzo by Exceed Photography

Watery

Oases in the desert – lakes, fountains and water feature backgrounds

• Lake Las Vegas
• Lake Mead
• “Focus,” the water feature wall at Aria’s porte-cochère 
• Waterfall in the atrium at The Shoppes at the Palazzo
• Lake of Dreams at Wynn Las Vegas
• Bellagio Fountains 
• Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs – $6
• Clark County Wetlands Park – $45

Nelson Ghost Town (Eldorado Canyon) has some amazing photo opportunities, including a crashed plane prop used in a movie, vintage signage and buildings! Photo: Taylored Photo Memories

Unique/Other

Not easily categorized, these are special locations that might appeal to specific couples with particular hobbies or looking for a very personal kind of photo that just screams them

• Pinball Hall of Fame – Perfect for pinball and video game fans
• Nelson “Ghost Town” / Eldorado Canyon – $20 for the first two hours, then $10 an hour thereafter
• Rhyolite Ghost Town – 2+ hour drive from Vegas. At one time a thriving mining town, it’s now a wasteland of interesting artifacts, architecture and the arts
• Las Vegas Ice Center (ice skating)
• The Hangar at Sky Combat Ace (great for flight lovers or pilots)

Italian inspired architecture around Lake Las Vegas

What’s your favorite option for a Vegas engagement session? With so many hidden gems we likely missed it, so leave your thoughts in the comments! 

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Here is a Handy Dandy Map of All Spots Discussed: 

NOTE: Locations marked on the map are approximate and for demonstrative purposes only.

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