Allie and Kyle’s Coolidge Reservation engagement photo session on the North Shore in MA was magical. We arrived about an hour before the sunset, and it was perfect timing to catch that warm, “golden hour” of light! This is one of our favorite locations for a coastal engagement session near Boston. Scroll down to see all of our favorite shots from Allie and Kyle’s engagement session at the Coolidge Reservation!

More about this Coolidge Reservation Engagement Photography Session in July:

When Allie and Kyle first asked about engagement session locations, they mentioned wanting something with ocean views. Of course, the Coolidge Reservation was my first thought. This hidden gem is just north of Boston and has some of the most gorgeous coastal views around. One of my favorite things about this engagement location is that is has beautiful woodsy spots for photos, AND the scenic ocean backdrop.

While most couples choose this location for the coastline, we lucked out with some amazing sunset light on the lawn too. Thanks to the resident seagulls for that first visually mesmerizing image of Allie and Kyle surrounded by birds in flight! I also loved that Allie and Kyle included their adorable goldendoodle dog Kobe in the photos! He was such a good boy and had the cutest “I Do Too” bandana around his neck!

Getting to the Coolidge Reservation:

Located in the picturesque town of Manchester-by-the-Sea, the Coolidge Reservation is about a 45 minute drive from Boston. This area of the coast is called the North Shore and we’ve photographed countless weddings in the area, so we know it well! The parking area for the Coolidge Reservation is at 517 Summer Street. Visiting the Coolidge Reservation is free! From the parking area, it’s about a 10 minute walk through the woods and salt marsh area to arrive at the expansive Ocean Lawn. There is a closer drop off point for folks who aren’t able to walk the wooded path to the lawn (15 Coolidge Point Road). This is typically our favorite spot for engagement photos, with its rocky coastline and stunning views of the Massachusetts Bay and the North Shore.

History of the Coolidge Reservation:

This property was first purchased by Thomas Jefferson Coolidge in 1871. Coolidge was Thomas Jefferson’s great-grandson. He built a large summer house on the property. In 1903, Coolidge’s son built a second residence that was known as the “Marble Palace” because of its extensive marble embellishments. In the 1950’s the Marble Palace was torn down and Thomas Jefferson Coolidge III built another large house. Almost fifty years later, that house was also razed, creating a massive scenic open space with ocean views. In 1992, the Coolidge family donated the property to The Trustees, who still manage and operate it today.