Planting Fields or Sands Point Preserve

I am trying to come up with a place to take some engagement photos...preferably without having to pay for a damn permit...but right now, all I can have is the Planting Fields in Oyster Bay or the Sands Point Preserve in Port Washington. There is a huge difference in price ($100 for Planting Fields and $200 for the other) but there is a beach/shoreline at Sands Point.

Has anyone been to either of these? Any recommendations? Suggestions??

We took ours at the Vanderbilt Mansion in Centereach. Guess we lucked out too because they let us roam the grounds without paying anything!
I was looking at Sands Point as well. We decided on Vanderbilt b/c my photographer was more familar with it.
My recommendation is to find a place that will let you roam as you wish! If youre looking at a public park during normal operation hours, theres no reason why you should have to pay for a permit. I definitely didnt look into it.