Oakland Cemetery Atlanta photos have a quiet, timeless beauty that feels unlike anywhere else in the city. Historic Oakland Cemetery is one of Atlanta’s oldest landmarks, with Victorian gardens, brick paths, historic monuments and a restored greenhouse spread across 48 acres just east of downtown. For couples who love history, it makes a meaningful and unforgettable setting for engagement photos.
Capturing your engagement in a cemetery can also be a lovely way to honor a loved one and celebrate your time together. Below, we share our favorite photo spots on the grounds, ideas for what to wear, and the planning details that help your session run smoothly, from the best light to where to park.
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About Oakland Cemetery
Early Atlanta officials purchased six acres for a public burial ground in 1850, and by 1867 the cemetery had grown to its present 48 acres, according to Oakland Cemetery’s history page. Families tended the plots of loved ones for generations, creating the gardens the cemetery is known for today. Landmarks include the Lion of Atlanta sculpture (1894), the Oakland Avenue entrance gate (1896), the Bell Tower (1900) and the restored Beaumont Allen Greenhouse.
Oakland was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The City of Atlanta owns and manages the cemetery, and Historic Oakland Foundation cares for its gardens, tours and restoration projects.
Our Favorite Spots for Oakland Cemetery Photos
As Atlanta’s third-largest public green space, Oakland offers far more variety than most people expect from a single location. Within a short walk, you can move from blooming garden beds to glass greenhouse walls, weathered granite and long, shaded lanes, which gives your gallery a beautiful range of looks without ever leaving the grounds.
Victorian Gardens With a Skyline View
Several of Oakland’s garden beds frame downtown Atlanta’s towers just above the treetops, a view that places your story in the city you call home. In the evening, the low sun filters through the trees and gives these portraits a warm, golden glow.
Garden Monuments and Carved Stone
Ornate marble monuments rise throughout the gardens, adding height and a sense of history behind you. We position you so the stonework frames the moment without overwhelming it, and we always keep a respectful distance from individual graves.
The Historic Greenhouse
The cemetery’s historic greenhouse complex, restored by Historic Oakland Foundation as the Beaumont Allen Greenhouse, pairs long walls of glass with old brick and climbing greenery. It is one of our favorite places for walking photos, because the repeating panes create clean lines that lead the eye straight to the two of you.
A leafy tree beside the glass walls makes a natural frame for closer, more intimate portraits, with soft green light all around.
Brick Ledges Outside the Greenhouse
Low brick ledges in front of the greenhouse give you a comfortable place to sit, lean in and simply enjoy each other. Seated portraits often bring out the most relaxed expressions of a session, especially for couples who feel a little camera shy at first.
Weathered Stone Monument Bases
The massive granite bases of Oakland’s larger monuments add texture and scale, and their soft gray tones let warm colors, such as a red dress, stand out beautifully.
The Obelisk Path
A paved lane lined with trees leads toward one of the cemetery’s tallest obelisks, creating a symmetrical, almost cinematic view. Wide portraits here show the scale and grandeur of the grounds, and they make striking prints for your home.
Tree-Lined Lanes
Oakland’s shaded drives are perfect for walking and laughing together. Gentle movement keeps your session feeling natural, and the canopy of trees softens the light on bright evenings.
Oakland Cemetery Engagement Photo Ideas
Dress Up for the Occasion
Dressing up for your session is a thoughtful choice in a cemetery. Formal attire communicates respect for the setting and for the families who visit. Rich, saturated colors, like a red or jewel-toned dress, look stunning against Oakland’s greenery and gray stone, and you might also choose outfits inspired by the era of the cemetery for extra meaning in your images.
Go Formal or Fun With Poses and Props
For a classic, respectful look, skip props like balloons and confetti. For something more personal, bring a bouquet of flowers or a meaningful keepsake. We guide you through natural poses that make the most of this unique location, mixing classic portraits with relaxed movement so your photos feel like the two of you.
Honor Someone Special
If a loved one is remembered at Oakland, or simply in your hearts, your session can include a quiet moment to honor them. We will follow your lead on what feels right.
Planning Your Oakland Cemetery Photos
- Get approval first. Oakland Cemetery’s FAQ notes that the Sexton must approve all commercial photography and filming, so reach out before your session. We are happy to help you plan around the cemetery’s hours and rules.
- Plan around the gates. The grounds are open from dawn to dusk year-round, and city workers lock the gates at around dusk, so we plan evening sessions to wrap up before closing.
- Plan around the light. The softest light comes within a few hours of sunrise or sunset. If you choose an evening session, we add a lighting assistant so your photos stay bright and flattering.
- Check the events calendar. Oakland hosts tours, festivals and private events throughout the year, and the grounds sometimes close early for special events, especially in October. A quick look at the cemetery’s event calendar helps us choose a quieter date.
- Pick a comfortable season. Spring, fall and winter are the most comfortable times for outdoor portraits in Atlanta. In summer, we recommend an indoor location.
- Consider a weekday. From Monday through Thursday, popular spots tend to be quieter, which gives you more space to relax in front of the camera. Outdoor sessions also qualify for complimentary rescheduling in the event of inclement weather, per our weather policy.
- Know where to park. Paid parking is available in the cemetery’s paved lot on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, with street parking on the surrounding blocks.
- Be respectful of visitors. Oakland is an active cemetery, so we keep sessions quiet and give families space. The cemetery also asks visitors not to climb or walk on headstones, monuments, markers or walls, and we follow that guidance throughout your session.
Oakland Cemetery Photos FAQ
Can You Take Engagement Photos at Oakland Cemetery?
Yes. Oakland Cemetery is open to the public, and an engagement session is a beautiful way to enjoy it. Because the Sexton must approve all commercial photography, plan ahead and confirm the current rules before your session.
Is It Disrespectful to Take Photos in a Cemetery?
Oakland is a City of Atlanta park, a public garden and an arboretum as well as the city’s first cemetery, and visitors come every day to walk, picnic and explore. Respect comes down to how you photograph: dress thoughtfully, keep a quiet tone, give families their space and follow the cemetery’s guidelines. We keep every session gentle and considerate of the setting.
Is Oakland Cemetery Free to Visit?
Yes. According to Oakland Cemetery’s FAQ, there is no entrance fee, although some tours and special events require tickets.
What Time Does Oakland Cemetery Close?
The grounds are open from dawn to dusk year-round, and the Visitor Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The cemetery occasionally closes early for special events, so it is worth checking its website before your session.
Where Is Oakland Cemetery, and Where Should We Park?
Oakland Cemetery sits on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, just east of downtown Atlanta. Paid parking is available in the cemetery’s paved lot, and street parking is available nearby. We share an exact meeting spot when we plan your session.
Is Oakland Cemetery Dog Friendly?
Yes, dogs on leashes are welcome, per the cemetery’s FAQ, as long as they stay off the monuments. If you would like to include your dog, plan for a friend to hold the leash between photos. Our guide to family photos with dogs has more tips.
Can You Have a Wedding at Oakland Cemetery?
Yes. Historic Oakland Foundation hosts weddings, with spaces such as the Bell Tower, the Visitor Center Overlook and the Beaumont Allen Greenhouse, as well as outdoor ceremonies for up to 150 guests. Reach out to the Foundation’s team through its private events page to plan your day, and learn how we photograph weddings on our Atlanta wedding photographers page.
What Should We Wear?
Dressier outfits in rich, simple colors look beautiful against the gardens and stonework. Our engagement photo ideas guide and outfit ideas for couples have more inspiration.
What Other Historic Locations Are Nearby?
For more historic homes, gardens and city spots, browse our favorite engagement photo locations in Atlanta, including the castle-like Rhodes Hall in Midtown and the historic Decatur Square.
Plan Your Oakland Cemetery Session
If a historic, meaningful setting feels right for the two of you, we would love to help you plan it. Learn more about our Atlanta engagement photographers, or check our availability for your date.
