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America’s 10 best places for engagement photos (Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took theirs near Windsor Castle)

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Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle released their official engagement photos Thursday. The couple, who will wed May 19, were photographed at Frogmore House near Windsor Castle.

One of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's engagement photos
(Alexi Lubomirski)

For couples looking for their own photo location, a Chicago-based wedding photography company has selected 10 picture-perfect places in the U.S. for engagement photos.

Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles and Kirby Cove in San Francisco made the list, along with three other beauty spots in the West.

“We have basically cultivated a large list of locations throughout the country,” said Nicole Ettenhofer, marketing director of George Street Photo & Video.

To create the list, Ettenhofer says the company evaluated some of the most stunning backdrops in the U.S. and then looked at the popularity of each site.

St. Agnes Church, Detroit

St. Agnes Church.
(George Street Photography & Video)

The Gothic church built in 1922 was abandoned in 2006. The graffiti on the exterior makes for a gritty but hauntingly beautiful backdrop that some couples like.

Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles

Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles.
(Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

It’s 1,134 feet above sea level, but that’s not what makes the 1935-built Griffith Observatory a special engagement photo spot. Your have a great choice of backdrops — the exterior, the doors, the telescope domes — or the entire city of L.A.

Kirby Cove in San Francisco

Kirby Cove in San Francisco.
(George Street Photography & Video)

From this hidden spot in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge, city lights and the Pacific Ocean. This San Francisco Bay location will surprise you with its beauty.

Old Westbury Gardens, Long Island, N.Y.

Old Westbury Gardens on Long Island, N.Y.
(George Street Photography & Video)

Old Westbury Gardens covers 200 acres and features a British-style mansion as well as formal gardens, woodlands, ponds and lakes. This is a great spot for couples who want their special moment memorialized in nature.

Seahurst Park near Seattle

Seahurst Park near Seattle.
(George Street Photography & Video)

Seahurst Park, about a 20-minute drive south of Seattle, has a beach facing Puget Sound as well as sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains.

Boston Commons, Boston

Boston Public Gardens
(George Street Photography & Video)

Boston Commons, the nation’s first public park, was created in 1634. Cobblestone streets, a bridge and a lagoon with swan boats are all part of the allure of this space in the heart of Boston.

Neon Museum, Las Vegas

Neon Museum, Las Vegas.
(George Street Photography & Video)

With more than 200 historic signs, you can take your pick of where you want to pose at the Neon Museum. There’s also the vintage former La Concha Motel lobby that serves as the museum’s visitor center.

Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Denver

Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Denver
(George Street Photography & Video)

The Cherokee Ranch & Castle’s 3,400-acre spread features an ancient-style Scottish castle and views of two of Colorado’s most beloved mountains, Pike’s Peak and Long Peak.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami.
(George Street Photography & Video)

The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is one of the few remaining villas from America’s Gilded Age. It’s a National Historic Landmark with an impressive estate and European-style gardens and trails.

Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, S.C.

Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, S.C.
(Green Street Photography & Video)

On the western side of Charleston, S.C., the Magnolia Plantation dates to 1676. It features Romantic-style gardens with azaleas and camellias — a great setting for nature lovers.

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