The Best Charleston SC Engagement Photography Locations
Congrats! You’re engaged, and what better place to take your engagement photos than the historic & colorful city of Charleston SC!
Charleston has soooo many amazing locations for your engagement photos! From parks with oak trees dripping in spanish moss, historic colorful homes lining cobblestone streets, and waterfront views that show off stunning cotton candy sunsets, there’s something for everyone.
1. Rainbow Row
Arguably the #1 most requested area for engagement photos…and for good reason! Rainbow Row is famous for its historic colorful row houses. But because its famous, expect it to be crowded, especially on weekends. There are some cute cobblestone alleyways near here too.
Fee: None
Parking: Street parking if you can snag one or a metered lot off Tradd St + East Bay by the dog park
Best for colorful + fun outfits
2. The Battery + White Point Gardens
The Battery + White Point Gardens are the engagement session location for you if you’re looking for water views without having to go to any of our overly crowded beaches! It doesn’t hurt that it’s also lined with some of the most impressive homes in Charleston. White Point Gardens has centuries old oak trees – but no spanish moss. They blew away in the 1980’s when Hurricane Hugo hit! Even though the battery & White Point Gardens are very popular, it’s still pretty quiet over here, and we can walk around the even less populated residential streets in the area.
Fee: None
Parking: Free parking at White Point Gardens – spots go fast during busy season
There’s no public restrooms on this side of town, if you bring an extra outfit you will need to change in your car
3. Chalmers Street
If you leave your engagement session location up to me, I’m probably gonna recommend Chalmers Street because I’m a sucker for cobblestone and cute historic homes! It also intersects with 2 other locations on this list so it’s super convenient. There’s even a small quiet park located here if you wanted some greenery.
Fee: Free
Parking: You can get metered parking on Church Street or park in the public garage attached to the Mills House Hotel
4. The Mills House
I bet you’ve seen engagement photos at the Mills House before – the exterior is painted pink + it has gas lamps! Plus, this location goes hand in hand with Chalmers Street because they’re right across from each other (-;
Fee: Free
Parking: There is a public parking garage attached to the Mills House off Queen St. If its full, just cross over King St and another garage is immediately on your left!
5. Tradd Street
Tradd Street is nice and quiet compared to some of the other streets surrounding it, so it’s perfect for couples who are a little more shy but it’s got some gorgeous homes lining its street! It’s also very diverse in what it can offer as your backdrop from colorful homes to greenery and intricate ironwork gates!
Fee: Free
Parking: You can get metered street parking or park at the Mills House and walk here easily in a few minutes
6. Church Street
St Philips church is a pretty iconic part of the Charleston skyline but if you walk away from it & cross over Broad St, you enter a very quiet part of Church St. Both areas are great for photos! This is probably my favorite street and since it intersects with Chalmers Street, it’s a match made in heaven!
Fee: Free
Parking: Metered parking or park at the Mills House and walk (I see a pattern emerging here haha)
7. Middleton Place
Middleton’s gardens & proximity to the Ashley River make it a gorgeous choice for engagement photos! It has LOTS of swooping oak trees with spanish moss, Camellia’s blooming in winter and Azaleas in spring. The butterfly lake and crane pond also make stunning backdrops.
And maybe we’ll get lucky and the sheep will be out grazing (-;
Fee: Yes. You’ll have to pay as well as setting up a date & time with them.
Parking: They have a lot by the ticket booth
8. Hampton Park
Hampton Park is your answer if you want oak trees with Spanish moss but you don’t want to pay for it! There are two gazebos, a tunnel of oak trees, a small rose garden and more! Fun facts: it used to be a horse racing track, a Union prisoner of war camp, the site of the first Memorial Day parade in the country and it once housed a zoo?
Fee: Free
Parking: There are two small parking lots and free street parking
9. Legare Waring House
So you want history, an old house, oak trees, marsh views, old Charleston iron work and no crowds, eh? Legare Waring House is the place for you! This is also the site of the first settlement in South Carolina!
Fee: There is a photo permit fee & you’ll have to set up the shoot with a form with Charlestowne Landing via their website.
Parking: Free parking at the visitors center of Charlestowne Landing
10. Lowndes Grove
Outer Banks fans, this ones for you! You can rent this Revolutionary War Era home used in the show for your engagement photos! Which is also a plus if its gonna rain or if its too hot the day of your shoot because the inside has A.C.
Fee: Yes. You’ll need to contact Patrick Properties to set up your session & pay their photo shoot fee
Parking: They have a parking lot
11. Water Street
I am obsessed with this pink house covered in greenery! Its also right off the Battery & Church Street.
Fee: None
Parking: Free street parking or park at the battery and walk here
12. William Aiken House
Lovers of color & historic home interiors, may I present to you the William Aiken House!
Fee: You’ll need to contact Patrick Properties to set up your session & pay their photo shoot fee.
Parking: Metered street parking or park at the Charleston Visitor Center across the street
Ready to book your Charleston engagement session? Get in touch with us here!
Katie + Jay of Catherine Ann Photography are Charleston & Destination Wedding Photographers specializing in candid & fun wedding photos that feel like you!
