Where to Shoot: Engagements
/One of the biggest questions I’m asked after booking a wedding is “where should we shoot our engagement session?”.
My answer to that question is a bit of homework…as I send a questionnaire that I suggest filling out together over a bottle of wine and a pizza (I mean, that’s my favorite dinner so why not?). This “fun” homework asks a couple questions that gives me insight on your love story and some of your favorite hobbies as a couple.
If filling out the questionnaire doesn’t already get your brain working, it definitely turns my wheels. As I read your answers, ideas start running through my head and almost always these sessions end up being tailored to who you are as a couple whether than the best spots around town.
That being said…there are still some great “instagrammable” areas and amazing locations around town…and of course, some awesome locations that are open to the public and could work for any couple. So, if we haven’t decided on some super secret session to announce your engagement, then you can count of these Charlotte area locations to be on my list of favorite for romantic and/or fun engagement sessions.
HINT HINT: I have a HUGE passion for shooting in new places as it sparks my creativity so before you settle on one of these places, let’s chat about where else we could make magic!
MIDTOWN
Midtown is an awesome spot to shoot for a couple reasons…
There is always free parking. I’m big on that. I’m pretty sure ya’ll are too ;)
There’s a skyline view
Midtown has a good mix of nature and architecture
To add to the above list, it’s centrally located which makes it convenient for most people. Plus, one of my favorite restaurants in town, Pizzeria Omaggio is located there so you can head in, grab the best espresso you’ve had in your life and ask for the Napule Pizza. Trust me on this one. It’s amazing.
ELIZABETH PARK
Located just down the road from Midtown is one of my favorite parks…Elizabeth Park. It’s a tiny little spot off the greenway, but parking is available and it easily connects to St. Mary’s Chapel and CPCC. It’s rarely overcrowded which makes it a great place for privacy and romance.
BALLANTYNE
Although it might be a trek if you don’t live on the South side of town, Ballantyne offers up some gorgeous places to take some beautiful photographs of you and your loved one. One of the benefits are all the great restaurants to go grab dinner at after your session. Plus, if you’ve chosen the Ballantyne Resort as your venue, then rocking your e-session around B-Town might just be best way to keep your entire theme consistent.
GLENCAIRN GARDENS
Even further out than Ballantyne for most Charlotteans is one of my favorite spots of all, Glencairn Gardens. This place is huge and absolutely beautiful, especially in the spring and summer months. Glencairn is THE spot for nature lovers, outdoorsy types or those wanting a soft, romantic feel to their images. There’s not a bad spot in the area to photograph in, and like my other favorite places..there is easy access, free parking. Also, I mean, check out this photo and tell me this doesn’t make you feel like you traveled to Charleston without making the drive!
SOUTHEND
Southend is a lot of fun. And there are some amazingly cool spots to photograph in. This one makes the list simply for the creativity it pulls out in me. Plus, it’s got the Confetti Hearts Wall, which at this point is like IG famous and iconic as far as Charlotte street art goes.
Downside? The parking. Dude…the parking!! UGH. If we happen up there on a weekend evening, you can bet your bottom dollar we’ll be circling a bit trying to grab a spot. Either that, or we’re paying for a lot…IF there is space. But don’t let that stop you. It’s really worth the parking pain.
DOWNTOWN CHARLOTTE
Yes, I realize this is a bit vague…but that’s because Downtown Charlotte has so much to offer. My go to? Park in the Epicenter and go on what I like to call a walkabout. There are too many places downtown to even try and show examples of, and every couple inspires me differently, but you really can’t go wrong. Yes, you’ll likely pay for parking, but lots of places are free if you’re willing to bring some walking shoes. Yes, there are lots of people, but your amazing photographer Amanda can totally keep them out…or heck, we can go with it and include them!
Didn’t see any place on here that sparks your engine? Don’t worry! I’ve got so many more places up my sleeve. Besides, your questionnaire answers won’t be the same as anyone else’s!
One of the great things about booking me is that I’m a travel bug. It doesn’t take a whole lot to convince me to head on out of town for your engagement session. In fact, I just LOVE short road trips and I’m almost always willing to travel in exchange for a hotel room so I can spend the night away from my house full of teenagers and dogs ;) So as an added bonus, I’m sharing a couple of my favorite locations OUTSIDE of the Charlotte area. If these don’t get you excited, then maybe we just need to head to Carowinds and hop on a roller coaster. Because I’m all about that life too!
CHARLESTON, SC
Charleston is one of my favorite cities in driving distance from the queen city. I can get down on some raw oysters and I just dig the vibe of the town, so I’m all about a trip to the Holy City for your engagement session. You can’t go wrong with the scenery there. Only downside…I ask for a hotel room here because after driving there and shooting for a couple hours, a three and a half hour drive home is not high up on my list of to do’s. The biggest upside? It’s freaking Charleston!
FALLS PARK, GREENVILLE, SC
An even shorter drive than Charleston is another city that holds my heart. Greenville offers more than just Falls Park on the Reedy River, but it’s easy to get lost in the beauty of this park and spend an entire day there! There are gorgeous locations all over the park AND a really cool outdoor mill like place…that really brings some mood to your session. Biggest bonus of shooting in Greenville? I don’t need a hotel room. One of my best friends lives there and I’m willing to travel for nothing more than gas money! (Also, gas money translates to a couple bottles of red wine. It fuels my engine, what can I say?)
TANGLEWOOD PARK, WINSTON SALEM, NC
If heading south isn’t your thing, then let’s head on up to this HUGE and gorgeous park and golf course in Winston Salem. Tanglewood Park is simply magical. I haven’t even explored it all yet as there is so much up there to see! It’s got botanical gardens, great hilltops for silhouettes, water features and more! I literally want to come back up here and have a silhouette session. Hint hint.
