Best photoshoot locations in charleston, sc
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six best spots in charleston, south carolina for a photoshoot
Let’s be honest, there are WAY more than 6 spots in Charleston to have a photoshoot & get AMAZING results, but here is a list of my absolute FAVORITES! I love variety & believe that your photoshoot shouldn’t be 100 variations of the same photo. What is great about these locations is that they offer a large variety of scenic backdrops, leaving no two photos the same :) The picture above was actually taken at a beach entrance! So anyway, here are my six all time favorite places to take photos around town.
01.
sullivan’s island, south carolina
Sullivan’s Island is one of my favorite places to take photos! I’m not sure if it’s because when I first moved to Charleston I only lived two minutes away and would go ALL the time or what, but it’s beauty is so apparent. You get a perfect view of the sun setting off to the right over downtown & there are so many trails, boardwalks & dunes to explore. The dune grass catches the light just perfectly at golden hour. The lighthouse makes for a great backdrop to photos as well.
Pro Tip: All of the beaches in Charleston are dog friendly if you want to bring your furry friend! Each beach has different rules & restrictions that can be found on their respective websites.
Restaurants in this Area : Make a date night out of your session here! Check out the many restaurants on the island, my favorites are Obstinate Daughter & Poe’s Tavern or Home Team for some yummy frozen drinks :)
02.
downtown Charleston, South Carolina
An old city with southern charm around every corner. There isn’t a street downtown that doesn’t make for the most beautiful photos. Every time I shoot here I find myself wanting to stay for hours and hours. I love to roam around South of Broad and through the Battery as the architecture there is just unmatched.
Pro Tip #1: There are so many different flowers blooming in the spring time! I know all the best spots for the Wisteria, Azaleas & Jasmine :)
Pro Tip #2: Book a sunrise session if you don’t want to deal with the crowds!
Restaurants in this Area : DEFINITELY make a date night out of your time downtown! My favorite restaurants are Indaco & Ma’am Saab for dinner, my favorite cafes are Harken & Babas for morning time, & my favorite bars are Gin Joint & Doar Bros for drinks :)
03.
folly beach, south carolina
Folly Beach is a super fun little beach town about 30 minutes from Charleston. Think surfer vibes & beach town streets. Lots of fun bars, quick stops to grab ice cream & snacks & a pier to walk out & watch the sunrise or sunset on. The pier adds a fun little backdrop to your photos too! This is the perfect place for a casual beach session & if you want to go for a dip, even better!
Pro Tip: Bring a towel &/or a change of clothes in case you want to get some shots running into the water! This is the perfect beach for crashing in the waves :)
Restaurants in this Area: Folly Beach has SUCH a fun vibe & the restaurants & cafes match it perfectly. My favorites are Jack of Cups for dinner, Chico Feo for casual drinks & bites on an outdoor porch listening to live music, or Lost Dog Cafe for breakfast.
04.
Hampton Park
I absolute love Hampton Park and always find somewhere new to explore even though I’ve been here hundreds of times. From the gazebo, to the pathways, to the bridge over the pond, to the flower lined trails, there are endless photo opportunities to be had. It is so fun going in the Spring as every week there are new flowers in bloom. Located just 5-10 minutes from downtown, in one of my favorite Charleston neighborhoods, there is so much to do in and around the park!
Pro Tip #1: Bring a blanket & picnic set up as there are so many fun fields to explore and places enjoy a treat. Even if you aren’t having your photos taken, it is just the best place for a picnic!
Pro Tip #2: If you’re an Outer Banks fan, Sarah Cameron’s house is close by! Head to Lowndes Grove to check it out!
Restaurants in this Area: My favorite places are Huriyali & Harbinger Cafe for breakfast & Berkeley’s & Renzo for dinner.
05.
Isle of Palms
Isle of Palms is just over the bridge from Sullivan’s Island & the inlet is one of my favorite places! You are almost guaranteed to see dolphins, which is a huge a bonus. This spot is great for not only sunrise but also sunset. If you venture further down IOP you will find a pier & a resort! The beaches are beautiful the whole way through.
Pro Tip: Check out the Windjammer’s schedule to catch a concert on the beach while you are out there!
Restaurants in this Area: Islander 71 is an awesome beach bar along the Intercostal Waterway with amazing vibes & great food & drinks! You can also check out Wild Dunes Resort’s many dining options for a luxury experience!
06.
Cypress Gardens
Have you seen the Notebook? Then you will SWOON over Cypress Gardens. Remember when they took a paddle boat out in the Cypress Swamps for a romantic date? Yeah, this is where they filmed it! The workers at Cypress Gardens are SO friendly, and for only a $10 entrance fee, you get SO much. You not only get access to self guided or tour guided boats, there is a whole loop to explore with gazebos and flower fields around every corner. It is an absolute MUST when you are in Charleston, but be prepared to drive about 45 minutes to get there.
Pro Tip: Get there early to grab a boat! I only had to wait about 20 minutes in line before hoping in one! It is about a 30 minute ride through the marsh & one of the prettiest, most romantic things you will ever do :)
Restaurants in this Area: If you are heading North West out of Charleston to Cypress Gardens, you should check out Downtown Summerville while you’re out there! My favorite restaurant in Summerville is La Rustica for an authentic Italian dinner or Five Loaves Cafe for a delicious breakfast.