FURMAN UNIVERSITY

Greenville, SC

Family friendly: YES

Pet friendly: YES

Fee / permit required: NO

Indoor / shelter available: SOME

If you ask me, this is the most versatile photo spot in Greenville. You have woods, lawns, a lake, beautiful architecture, gardens — no two sessions here have to look alike. (Furman is my alma mater, so I may be a bit biased, but I also know every inch of this campus and I haven’t met a prettier spot yet.) Check for events on campus before you go.

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

Clemson, SC

Family friendly: YES

Pet friendly: YES

Fee / Permit required: NO

Indoor / shelter available: SOME

My husband’s alma mater, and our first home together! Clemson is full of beautiful spots, from campus to the lakes nearby. Just don’t go on a home game Saturday if you’re hoping to find any parking.

TABLE ROCK VISITOR’S CENTER

Cleveland, SC

Family friendly: YES

Pet friendly: YES

Fee / permit required: NO for visitor’s center, YES if you plan to enter the park ($6/adult - see their site for more details)

Indoor / shelter available?: SOME

One of the best spots for getting mountain backdrops without a huge hike. You can see Table Rock from the visitors’ center side of the park, or pay to enter to access more views + an easy .25 mile flat walk to a small waterfall - hard to beat.

BALD ROCK

Cleveland, SC

Family friendly: Not recommended for small children due to cliffs

Pet friendly: YES

Fee / permit required: NO

Indoor / shelter available?: NO

Mountaintop views, and sometimes, graffiti. Some people enjoy the colorful vibe, others don’t, but there are ways to play it up or down depending on your preference. This is a nice mountaintop view with very little climb from the parking lot to the top.

CAMPBELL’S COVERED BRIDGE

Landrum, SC

Family friendly: YES - There is a small, fairly slow river here, not super strong or dangerous unless it's been raining a lot.

Pet friendly: YES

Fee / permit required: NO

Indoor / shelter available: SOME

A historic bridge with a pop of color! Recently restored, so it’s looking its best. There is a river with rocks to climb out on and some pretty fields here, as well. This place gets PACKED in the fall, especially on weekends, so check with your photographer to make your best plan to avoid the crowds.

HOLSTON CREEK PARK

Inman, SC

Family friendly: YES

Pet friendly: YES

Fee / permit required: NO

Indoor / shelter available?: NO

I haven’t officially shot a session here yet, but these fields are incredible! Tons of space in this park and includes fields, woods, and ponds. This would be great for families too as there is a playground for the kids as a reward for after photos.

FALLS PARK

Downtown Greenville, SC

Family friendly:

YES

Pet friendly: YES

Fee / permit required: YES (Weekdays $25, Weekends $50)

Indoor / shelter available: SOME

One of our most popular photo spot requests, and for good reason. Can get busy - I recommend going in off season or getting up early for a sunrise session to beat the crowds.

DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE (Excludes Falls Park)

Downtown Greenville, SC

Family friendly: YES

Pet friendly: YES (in public areas)

Fee / permit required: NO (but some areas are privately owned and may not allow photos)

Indoor / shelter available: SOME (Wyche Pavilion, various businesses & overhangs)

I’ve listed this separately from Falls Park, as it technically doesn’t require the same permit fee as the park to shoot around downtown. Lots of options around the downtown Greenville area!

MILLIKEN ARBORETUM

Spartanburg, SC

Family friendly: YES

Pet Friendly: YES

Fee / Permit required: NO

Indoor / shelter available? NO

Another great spot for woods, fields, and ponds. This place is absolutely GORGEOUS in the spring when the trees are blooming (late March - mid April)!

ROCK QUARRY GARDEN

Greenville, SC

Family friendly: YES

Pet Friendly: YES

Fee / Permit required: YES (Weekdays $25, Weekends $50)

Indoor / shelter available? NO

Very popular spot - can get busy on the weekends. Makes a great downtown alternative to Falls Park if you want something just a little different.

CONESTEE NATURE PRESERVE

Greenville, SC

Family friendly: YES

Pet Friendly: YES

Fee / Permit required: YES (reservation required - unsure if fee applies at this time)

Indoor / shelter available? NO

Features a beautiful bridge, wooded paths, some fields - this park is huge and there are a lot of options here! This is also a great example of a more accessible wooded location, as many of the paths are paved.

TAYLORS MILL EXTERIOR

Taylors, SC

Family friendly: YES

Pet Friendly: NO

Fee / Permit required: YES ($20)

Indoor / shelter available?: SOME

Great option for those who like an industrial, worn-in look. There are some great colors and textures outside this mill! There are some indoor studios available for a fee here as well as a rain option.

SMALL TOWN DOWNTOWNS (Greer, Inman, Travelers Rest, etc)

Everywhere, SC

Family friendly:

YES

Pet Friendly:

VARIES

Fee / Permit required: typically NO

Indoor / shelter available? SOME (private businesses, may vary)

A great option, especially if you have a favorite small town you like to frequent with your partner.

GLENDALE SHOALS

Spartanburg, SC

Family friendly: YES (caution recommended around river)

Pet Friendly: YES

Fee / Permit required: NO

Indoor / shelter available?: NO

I had to include a couple of photos to show off Glendale Shoals - it has a lot of variety to offer, from mill ruins, to a river with falls. Lots of options available here, for sure!

BLACK BALSAM KNOB

Asheville, NC

Family friendly: NO due to cliffs

Pet Friendly: YES but may be a tough hike / recommend leashing due to cliffs

Fee / Permit required: NO

Indoor / shelter available? NO

This one is a bit of a longer drive, but well worth it. Make sure you coordinate with your photographer before you go as cell service gets iffy at the top. To get these views, there is a short but steep-ish climb, so bring practical shoes (you can always change them for photos.)

PRETTY PLACE

Cleveland, SC

Family friendly: NO due to cliffs

Pet Friendly: YES but recommend leashing

Fee / Permit required: NO but may be reserved for a fee

Indoor / shelter available? YES

Great spot for mountain views with a covered chapel in case of rain! Another easy mountain view access — just park and enter the chapel.

TWIN FALLS

Sunset, SC

Family friendly: NO due to steep & slick rocks

Pet Friendly: YES but recommend leashing

Fee / Permit required: NO

Indoor / shelter available? NO

A great waterfall location and some really impressive shots are available here if you are willing to hike a little bit. The rocks can be very slippery, so please, please be careful. The falls are gorgeous when you shoot from the bottom as well, so no risk required for great shots.

ANYWHERE, SC

BONUS IDEA: Anywhere that’s meaningful to you!



-your favorite coffee shop

-your first date spot

-the place where you met

-your home (in home sessions are so fun!)

-a place you love to take your kids

These are some of my favorite sessions because they help me get to know you and tell your story, including the places that have a special place in your heart!