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!
In our last post, we talked about our favorite engagement session locations in downtown Charleston. There are just so many great locations there! We mentioned The Battery, The Mills House, Pineapple Fountain, and more! If you’re interested in getting inspiration for your engagement session, or for your Instagram feed, check out our last post!
Today, we’ll be discussing the best engagement session locations surrounding Charleston and the downtown area! Your engagement session is just one exciting step on your journey to becoming a married couple. It’s a great opportunity to capture professional photos that showcase your love for one another. 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! Additionally, they make fantastic memories for you, your family, and your friends for generations to come. We understand that choosing a location can be tough, so we thought we’d share some of our favorites!
Hampton Park
This public park is one of the largest parks in Charleston with 60 acres of land. It has extremely beautiful and extensive floral displays, including old roses and seasonal displays. The area has a rich history that is documented through an audio walking tour called “Layers of the Landscape”. In addition to the landscaped floral gardens, the park features a gazebo, pond, and fountain, complete with a little bridge that we think makes for some seriously cute photos, especially with the beautiful, large trees draping over in the background. What better way to get some natural shots of your love for one another than with a stroll through the park?
Middleton Place
This historic home and gardens are located right across from the Ashley River and offer some truly breathtaking sights. Not only can you learn about the history of this plantation, but you can also take a stroll through some of America’s oldest landscaped gardens. The area also offers stable yards, an inn, and a restaurant, allowing you to get a great variety of photos. It’s no surprise that this gorgeous space is used as a wedding venue as well! This is the perfect spot to get those magical, fairytale-like photos. We highly recommend this spot for anyone looking for greenery as a backdrop!
Colonial Lake Park
This man-made tidal pond and park located on Ashley Avenue in Charleston has gorgeous views that we think are photoshoot-worthy. The park has a rich history dating back to the 1700s. It’s a great spot to get photos of you and your partner sitting on a bench that overlooks the water, or simply strolling along underneath the shade of palmetto trees. If you have a dog, this can be a great location that allows them to be included! Overall, Colonial Lake Park is the perfect area to sit, relax, and enjoy the scenery, water, and fresh air. What better place to take photos than in a relaxed atmosphere?
Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site
Located along the Ashley River, near the town of Summerville, sits an incredible, preserved archaeological site. This site marks the spot of the trading town of Dorchester, a colonial town that flourished from 1697 until the beginning of the Revolutionary War. It was abandoned and has all but disappeared, with only a few original structures remaining. However, you can still visit the area and watch as archaeologists unearth the rich history of the settlement. Among the structures that are still standing is a brick bell tower that belonged to St. George’s Anglican Church. We think this is a great place to take stunning, natural photos– Especially if you’re both history buffs!
Park Circle
This gorgeous community is located north of downtown Charleston and dates back to the 1900s. Just like the name suggests, the community has a circular park in its center. Park Circle is described as having a strong neighborhood vibe. It is artsy, whimsical, and fun! Plus, it’s walkable– No need to drive to different locations within the community. There is a lively dining and nightlife scene, as well as a butterfly garden and disc golf course. There are so many opportunities to get great photos of you and your partner here!
These are just a few of our favorite places surrounding downtown Charleston and the Charleston area. Choosing a single location can be difficult, especially in the gorgeous Lowcountry! With that being said, we would like to remind you that you can choose multiple locations for your engagement session. We’re always open to 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!
