NY State Capitol Engagement Photos | Navita + Jeremy

There are some locations that I’ve had on my photography bucket list for years, and the Million Dollar Staircase inside the New York State Capitol in Albany was definitely one of them.

So when Navita and Jeremy agreed to have their engagement photos at the NY State Capitol, I was SO excited!

This was my first time photographing a session on the Million Dollar Staircase, and between the incredible architecture, rich history, and these two looking absolutely amazing together, it definitely did not disappoint.

Engagement Photos at the NY State Capitol in Albany

The Million Dollar Staircase, officially known as the Great Western Staircase, is one of the most incredible features inside the New York State Capitol.

As someone who loves history, this location immediately had my attention.

Everywhere you look, there are intricate carvings, arches, columns, and beautiful architectural details. The staircase took years to complete, and when you’re standing there looking at all of that craftsmanship, it’s easy to understand why.

It’s grand, dramatic, elegant, and completely different from the outdoor locations I photograph most often around the Capital Region.

Basically, it was the perfect backdrop for Navita and Jeremy.

Navita + Jeremy’s Million Dollar Staircase Engagement Session

When Navita and Jeremy walked up to meet me, I knew immediately that this session was going to be gorgeous.

Navita looked absolutely stunning in her royal blue dress, and Jeremy coordinated perfectly with her. Their outfits stood out beautifully against the neutral stone and rich architectural details of the Capitol.

But beyond how amazing they looked, I loved getting the chance to spend time with them and learn more about their story.

That’s one of the reasons engagement sessions are such an important part of the wedding photography experience for me.

We get to talk, laugh, and get to know each other without the timeline and excitement of the wedding day happening around us. It also gives my couples a chance to become comfortable in front of my camera before their wedding arrives.

And I especially loved hearing Navita and Jeremy tell me about everything they were planning for their wedding celebration.

I quickly realized this wasn’t going to be just a wedding day—it was going to be an incredible multi-day celebration filled with family and traditions, and I couldn’t wait to photograph it!

Empire State Plaza Engagement Photos

After finishing inside the Capitol, we headed outside to continue their engagement session around the Empire State Plaza.

This is one of the things I love about choosing downtown Albany for engagement photos. You can get completely different looks within a relatively small area.

Inside the Capitol, we had the dramatic, historic architecture of the Million Dollar Staircase. Outside, the Empire State Plaza gave us a more modern Albany backdrop and another beautiful setting for Navita and Jeremy’s portraits.

Having both locations in one session gave them such a great variety of images while keeping everything distinctly Albany.

From Engagement Photos to a Three-Day Wedding Celebration

Looking back at this engagement session now makes it even more special because it was just the beginning of the story I would eventually get to document for Navita and Jeremy.

Their wedding celebration would span three incredible days, beginning with Navita’s colorful Mehndi ceremony, followed by their emotional and fun-filled Haldi ceremony, and finally their beautiful wedding day at The Mansion at Cedar Hill.

Being able to photograph a couple from their engagement session through all of those wedding celebrations is one of my favorite parts of what I do.

By the time the wedding arrives, they aren’t simply two people I’m meeting for the first time with my camera in my hand. We’ve already spent time together, laughed together, and gotten to know each other.

Navita and Jeremy, thank you for trusting me to capture the beginning of this incredible chapter!

Your NY State Capitol engagement session was absolutely beautiful, and I couldn’t have asked for a better couple for my first time photographing the Million Dollar Staircase.

Looking for an Albany NY engagement photographer? From the historic architecture of the New York State Capitol and Million Dollar Staircase to the modern Empire State Plaza, downtown Albany offers some incredible locations for engagement photos. I’d love to help you choose a setting that fits your style and create a session that feels natural, relaxed, and completely you.

When Navita and Jeremy agreed to have their engagement session here, I was SO excited. And when I saw them walk up to meet me, I was even more so! Navita looked so stunning in her royal blue dress, and Jeremy was perfectly matched.. I enjoyed spending time with them, getting to know them, and hearing more about the events that will lead up to their wedding as we finished their session at the Plaza. Congratulations Navita and Jeremy, I am looking forward to your wedding later this year!