
A Dayton Art Institute engagement session at this art museum overlooking downtown Dayton is always beautiful. DAI is a beautiful property that sits next to the Dayton Masonic Center. A great Dayton engagement session location this beautiful museum features a renovated outdoor staircase and fountain that is open to the public. I would recommend waiting until golden hour to do photos outside. Mid-day photos can be harsh with shadows.
The outdoor areas of the Dayton Art Institute have received major upgrades in the last few years. First of all, is the grand staircase leading from the road all the way to the front of the Dayton Art Institute. These steps are beautiful and provide many different options for photo locations. Although you are reading about engagement sessions, this is a great area for large wedding party photos.
Additionally, Leo the Lion and many outdoor sculptures have either been upgraded or moved. Daytime and nighttime photos here are great and can even provide a good cityscape view of downtown Dayton Ohio. If you choose to take photos inside the museum, three admission tickets will need to be purchased. So far, my couples have chosen only to do outdoor engagement photos here.












The Dayton Art Institute is a Dayton wedding venue I visit numerous times per year for various reasons. On this day, I had the opportunity to photograph this couple at the Dayton Art Institute. We started at the parking lot area and moved into the sculptures facing the Dayton Masonic Center. We then moved to the southeast side of the art museum to get engagement photos with Dayton in the background. Based on its sculptures, museum building, and the City of Dayton as a background, I highly recommend Dayton Art Institute. It is great for your Dayton engagement photos. This location overlooking Dayton makes me so happy to be a Dayton engagement photographer every time I visit!
This is one of the best photography spots in Dayton for engagement sessions, engagement photo shoots, modeling shoots, family sessions, and more!
The Dayton Art Institute, a cultural gem in Dayton, Ohio, has a rich history since its founding in 1919. Visionaries, led by aviator Orville Wright, sought to promote art in the growing city, forming the Dayton Art Association that laid the groundwork for the institute.
Lastly, the organization’s early years were marked by determination and perseverance. The association initially relied on the generosity of local philanthropists and fundraisers to acquire an impressive collection of art. In 1930, after successfully raising funds for a permanent location, the Dayton Art Institute opened its doors to the public.





