There are so many vast and interesting landscapes throughout Melbourne and greater Victoria that make for the perfect backdrop for your engagement portrait session. Below are 5 locations that will ensure your engagement session is something really special.

1. Mont Du Soleil

If Tuscan villas and the south of France are your vibe then the super cute Mont Du Soleil is sure to make you feel like you have been whisked away to Europe without the 24 hour flight. Your friends will ask “when did you sneak away to Europe?” when in reality you were only in Kallista, an hour out of Melbourne’s CBD.

The interior of the main house has been built with recycled timbers, creating a timeless experience, while the surrounding areas feature large terraces, court-yards, and access to acres of farm and natural bush. Added bonus, the property is up on a hill with panoramic views of the Yarra Valley and Warburton ranges. 

If boasting is your jam, you can have your engagement photos in the same place as many bridal editorial photoshoots.

2. Royal Botanic Gardens

A beautifully maintained, to die for garden in the heart of Melbourne. With so many different types of scenery; from lakes with majestic trees; The Grotto, a fern gully with a waterfall; and The Arid Garden, a curated cacti collection, there is so much to see and even more places for us to capture those cute moments for you.

If your wedding is a farmstead, hotel, city or anywhere vastly different, this can provide your engagement photos with a great contrast from your wedding photos.

For more information, visit the website.

3. Cactus Country

This huge, 12 acre cactus garden will give you those Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, or Mexican vibes that you can’t get anywhere else in Victoria. Only a few hours drive north of Melbourne, your engagement photos are sure to have that unique, arid desert aesthetic.

You can learn more on their website.

4. Parliament House / Treasury Gardens / Melbourne CBD

If you’re looking for a classic and grand backdrop then Parliament House is it. Keep in mind that this is an extremely popular and iconic location and can be very busy but definitely worth waiting for; and is a lot easier to manage when shooting a couple as opposed to the whole wedding party.

Just a short walk from Parliament House is Treasury Gardens which provides you with a good mix of landscapes in a small area. There are also some neat water features which can make for some stunning backdrops. Alternatively, grab a few friends and recreate the start of Friends opening credits. 

Due to the central city location we can go through some alleyways, get some drinks at a bar and use the city as the backdrop.

5. Alfred Nicholas Gardens

Situated at Burnham Beeches Estate in the Dandenong Ranges is the Beyonce of gardens in Victoria, Alfred Nicholas Gardens. Walk through the winding paths of this historic garden and picture yourself as part of a Monet, from far away of course cause up close Monet’s are a big old mess.

Picture this: walls of rock, a serene lake, blooming azaleas and orchids surrounding you and ferns and maple leaves under overhanging mountain ash trees creating the perfect backdrop, if you’re looking for the best hidden forest photo op, this is it.

Boyfriend XOXO