Hello and welcome to the Justin and Lauren Photography blog! We are Justin and Lauren, photographers based in Charleston, South Carolina. Our journey began in 2015 when we met during training to become photojournalists for the U.S. Air Force. Our passion for photography has only grown since then, which led us to start our own business. We’re your photographers for all kinds of events– Weddings, engagement and couple photos, branding, and more! If you’re interested in learning more about us and what we offer, visit our website! We love taking photos in unique locations, so if you’re up for traveling to a beautiful, secluded and peaceful location, we’re going to get along just fine! As your photographers, we are dedicated to providing you with the best of the best in images and an unforgettable experience. Candid photos are some of our favorites to capture. We pride ourselves on being raw, real, and authentic. We also provide prints, canvases, and albums. Contact us today so we can help bring your dream photoshoot to life. We can’t wait to meet you!
Our last post discussed ideas for an in-home couples session. A couples portrait session is a great way to get photos of you and your partner outside of major events like an engagement or wedding. These photos capture an accurate reflection of your relationship, especially when done at home. We discussed incorporating your hobbies or favorite activities, props, pets, and outfits. If you’re interested in finding out more about couples sessions and ideas to make yours as personal and unique as possible, check out our last post!
Today, we’ll be talking about some of the best locations for engagement sessions in Charleston. Your engagement session is just one of the many exciting events in your journey as a couple. An engagement session is a great way to capture your love for one another and create lasting memories for you and your family for generations to come. These photos can be used to formally announce your engagement, put on invitations, print for friends and family, display at your actual wedding, and so much more! Deciding on a location for your session can be tough, especially with so many beautiful spots out there. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! Here are some of our favorite locations for engagement sessions in the Charleston area.
Historic Downtown Charleston
Charleston is known for its southern charm and rich history. This especially rings true in downtown Charleston, which is full of historic sites and landmarks. When you wander down the cobblestone streets, you’ll come across gorgeous antebellum mansions, magical gardens, courtyards, and churches. Imagine photos of you and your significant other strolling through downtown Charleston with a historic courtyard as the backdrop! One of the most popular locations for photos is Rainbow Row, a row of 13 pastel-colored historic homes. These waterfront homes date back to the 1670s and attract visitors due to their aesthetic appeal and history. We think this location makes a great backdrop for an engagement session, especially if you’re native to the Charleston area!
The Battery
This landmark defensive seawall and promenade is a great place for photos. Located within this area is a 5.7-acre public park that provides stunning views of Charleston Harbor, as well as Fort Sumter. Perhaps its most defining feature is its abundance of oak and palmetto trees! These provide plenty of shade, as well as a gorgeous backdrop for photos. The park also features a gazebo, which can be another spot for photos during your session! You can take photos beside one of the many light posts, while sitting on a bench, or sitting under one of the live oaks. We think this is an especially great location if you are a nature lover or are looking for a more natural and simple backdrop.
The Alleys
Charleston is known for its charming alleyways, and Stolls Alley is no exception. Situated between East Bay and Church Street, this narrow walkway is a hidden gem that dates back to the 1700s! There are large, historic homes around this alley, as well as flowers and greenery, statues, and other hidden treasures– Pay close attention or you might miss something interesting! The path gets narrower as you walk along it, and at some points you can reach out your arms and touch both of the walls! Stolls Alley is a cute, intimate space for photos! If you like the alley vibe, we also recommend Philadelphia Alley and St. Michael’s!
The Mills House
This upscale hotel is painted a gorgeous shade of bubblegum pink, and we think that’s perfect for photos. The sides of the building are lined with palm trees, which add an extra element of Charleston charm! There are some black doors and window frames around the outside of the building that create a gorgeous contrast with the pink. If you choose this location, it could be fun to plan your outfits around the pink backdrop as well– Black and white clothing will create contrast and help you simultaneously blend in and stand out in your photos.
Pineapple Fountain
Did you even visit Charleston if you didn’t stop by the Pineapple Fountain? Of course not! This is one of the most popular areas for photos, as it is the focal point of Charleston Waterfront Park. It is even a popular spot for weddings, so why not have an engagement session there? This location is gorgeous, especially as the sun is setting and you can capture that cotton candy-esque sky in the background. Side note: Wading is actually permitted in the fountain, so this could be a great opportunity to get some fun shots of you and your partner splashing around! This spot gets super busy, so we only shoot here at sunrise– This allows us to capture the best possible photos for you.
Chalmers Street and Tradd Street
Chalmers Street has been called “a photographer’s dream”, and rightfully so. This historic cobblestone street, located in the French Quarter, is home to a variety of colorful houses, including the infamous Pink House. This historic house and art gallery is one of the oldest buildings in the state! Tradd Street, which stretches from the Ashley to Cooper Rivers, is one of the area’s original carriageways, dating back to 1680. Like Chalmers Street, Tradd also features some colorful homes. These are both great places to take photos while wrapped up in the history of Charleston!
These are just a few of our favorite places for engagement sessions in the Charleston area. Of course, there are many, many more. It can be incredibly difficult to choose a location, but remember that you can take photos in multiple locations if you want or need to! As your photographers, we are always down for traveling and going on adventures. If you would like further recommendations for locations, feel free to reach out to us! We would love to assist you and fill you in on some of the locations we’ve shot at recently.
At Justin and Lauren Photography, we are all about capturing candid shots that show who you really are as a couple. We are dedicated to capturing the unique beauty of those special moments in your life and celebrating love! We are located in Charleston but are available to travel– In fact, we have tons of places we just have to see on our bucket list. Let’s have an adventure together! If you have any questions about our services or would like to book a session, reach out to us today so we can meet in person or over Zoom to talk about your ideas and help bring them to life. We would love to connect with you!
