Top 9 Engagement Photo Locations in Charlotte
January, 21 2021
Somebody from LA or New York might file Charlotte under the label of a ‘small town’, but really, Charlotte rides the wave between a small town and a big city. It sits pretty right at the sweet spot between the two, with the big city feeling without being hardened by it just yet, and the effect is refreshing, to say the least, it's what somebody from New York or L.A. would say is a small town, but it isn't. It's right in between being a small town and a city. Known as the commercial and business hub in North Carolina, this crackling city is home to everything from the Levine Museum of the New South to the science displays at Discovery Place. For the Nascar fans, this city is no less than a candy store as it homes the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Beautiful shimmering bed of skyscrapers, and equally expansive natural marvels, this city is a pretty one! From the NFL's Carolina Panthers to the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, from the Carolinas Aviation Museum to the U.S. National Whitewater Center, this city has everything for everybody, be it the sports fans, the adventure-seekers, lovers or the photographers.
With a rich history and gorgeous views, this city is perfect to get featured in your engagement photography. If you are stuck for locations to build your Charlotte engagement photography around, we have you sorted.
Take a stroll through our curated list of the best engagement locations in Charlotte and why we love them as much as we do!
Glencairn Garden
Beautiful rustic and lush, there is something about this location that feels like you have landed in a beautiful dream. This location started as a backyard of a local family and has now extended to 11 acres of absolute beauty- and it’s still spreading! Perfect romantic woodsy corners, perfect little walkways, a lush carpet of greens, and a beautiful spread of trees, all these things come together to make this location a crowd favorite, especially the newly engaged couples. Adorned with a bright pop of flowers, adorable bridges, romantic fountains, and perfectly manicured lawns, Glencairn Garden is the perfect spot for your Charlotte engagement session. Take a walk with your partner in the private walkways, or catch a moment by the rustic wooden benches and let our Charlotte engagement photographer capture you. The perfect time to visit might be March-April, as the flowers are in full bloom, or in October when the leaves change color and offer the perfect autumnal vibes.
Address: Glencairn Garden, 725 Crest St., Rock Hill, SC 29730
Fees or Permits: Photo permit is required.
Freedom Park
As soon as you step into this Park, you are welcomed by the soothing greenery and acres of green landscaping and towering trees. Adorned with perfect little corners to elevate your engagement photography, this engagement location is prized among both lovers and photographers with equal zeal. The best part about this engagement location is that it is very flexible to the requirements of the couple, meaning it can be perfect for both spring or autumn engagement sessions and can work well for both a casual or a dressed up photo session. With the adorable stone bridges, romantic water bodies, and the postcard-perfect trees in the background, there is no way you can go wrong with this location. There are several picturesque walkways and romantic settings for your Charlotte engagement photographer to take advantage of! This location surely adds an easy romance and charm to your engagement session and adds a classic old-world charm to your engagement album.
Website: https://www.mecknc.gov/ParkandRec/Parks/ParksByRegion/CentralRegion/Pages/Freedom.aspx
Address: Freedom Park, 1900 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203
Fees or Permits: No photo permit is required.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
This 2100-acre natural preserve situated in Fort Mill, South Carolina, is a recluse from the urban rush and chaos and is a fresh breath of air and looks as pretty as a picture. Tree-lined boulevard to the wooden fencing, everything about this engagement location comes as a treat to the eyes. Grab a moment with your partner as you sit picnic-style amidst the carpet of greenery and blooms, or run through the meadows of tall grasses, and let our Charlotte engagement photographer every moment. There is no dearth of picture-friendly corners in this engagement location, and choosing this place as your engagement photo session location will not only add precious photos to your engagement album but will also create a memory that will forever be etched in your mind. Created with an aim of bringing in natural relief in the middle of the urban landscape, this location does exactly that, and leaves one feeling calmer when they walk out!
Website: https://www.ascgreenway.org/
Address: Anne Springs Close Greenway, 288 Dairy Barn Lane, Fort Mill, SC 29715
Fees or Permits: The admission fee starts at $5 and the photo permit is priced at $50 for two hours.
The Duke Mansion
A stately mansion in white, there is an unmistakable class about this engagement location which reflects beautifully on the photographs. A gorgeous property housing a majestic building dating back to 1915, this historic gem of Charlotte is a full embodiment of Southern charm and will add that class to your engagement photo session. Functioning as a luxurious bed and breakfast, this elegant property will add more subtle glam to your engagement photos and make them no less than pieces of art for you to look back on for years to come. With 4.5 acres of sprawling gardens and landscaped grass, this property is no less than a fairytale dream. From brick-lined walkways to arched gardens, this property is rich with photo opportunities. Let our Charlotte engagement photographer capture you and your partner as you sit in the front porch in those classic white rocking chairs and look out at your exciting future ahead.
Website: https://www.dukemansion.com/en-us
Address: The Duke Mansion, 400 Hermitage Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207
Fees or Permits: Yes photo permit is required.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
If you and your partner like the greenery, this place has an ample amount of those, and then some! A garden which is for all the seasons and remains unaltered by the natural elements, this engagement location is the mecca for the nature-lover in you. Sneak away from the city hustle and reconnect with nature, your partner, and yourself in this beautiful location. The fact that every corner is filled with amazing photo opportunities is just a bonus! Let our Charlotte engagement photographer capture the whole 380 acres of beauty comprising spectacular gardens, romantic fountains, a conservatory for tropical plants and orchids, and the most beautiful array of air plants and succulents. Let this nature’s recluse sneak you away to a serene land and we promise, your engagement photography will turn out just the right shade of perfect!
Website: https://www.dsbg.org/
Address: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont, NC 28012
Fees or Permits: The photo permit is priced at $150 for the weekdays and $250 for the weekends.
NODA
The artsy crown jewel of Charlotte, and a short name for North Davidson, this location is the city’s arts and entertainment district and it is full of character. Filled with picturesque murals, and several hip theaters and bars, this engagement location is the fiery burst of character that every city requires. For the couple with heart ruled by art and music, this engagement location steps up and delivers just the vibe that they need to express in their engagement shoots. Let our engagement photographers in Charlotte capture you in flattering angles as you pose for some fun and vibrant pictures. Originally established in the early 1900s as a mill community, this vibrant area of the city is now where the city dwellers come out to play, eat and have a great time. If you are a lover of more traditional backgrounds, this location also has some amazing nature-rich panoramic views which add to your engagement session, giving it depth and dimension. The perfect combination of brightly colored walls, sweeping trees, lush greenery, and serene waterfront, all comes together to provide you with the best of man and nature!
Website: https://noda.org/
Address: NoDa - Charlotte Historic Arts District, 453 E 36th St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Fees or Permits: No photo permit is required.
Fourth Ward Park
This adorable neighborhood park provides a piece of heaven in the middle of the city so that you can escape the chaos for a bit. The picture-perfect neighborhood with lush trees and brick-lined walkways and stairs, this location is perfect for a laid-back neighborhood suburb vibe in your engagement photoshoot. With tons of picturesque corners to click pictures around and explore, you will certainly get that perfect shot for your frame. With wooden fencing and beautiful archways, there are a ton of photo opportunities laid out for our Charlotte engagement photographer to play with. We love the easy-breezy laid-back charm of this charming neighborhood park and the vibe it lends to your engagement photos. Known for its romantic fountains and cute benches, Fourth Ward Park also features the city skyscrapers as a peek to what is laid out there. This is a perfect spot for the souls who love the city vibe as much as nature!
Website: https://www.mecknc.gov/ParkandRec/Parks/ParksByRegion/CentralRegion/Pages/FourthWard.aspx
Address: Fourth Ward Park, 301 N Poplar St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Fees or Permits: No photo permit is required.
Jetton Park
The moment you step into this gorgeous location you will know for sure that you want it to be the setting for your engagement photo session without a doubt. Spread across 104-acre magical walking trails and romantic gazebos, this place is filled to the brim with photo opportunities. Add to that the gorgeous beach, and is there anything more that one could ever need? Tucked away from the chaos of city life, this engagement location comes as a treat to your senses. Serene greenery, quiet woodsy vibes with the silence broken occasionally by the birds, this place is perfect to take some magical engagement photographs. If you are the couple who appreciates nature, there is no need to look further, as this location comes laden with the very best of nature. To add to that, the panoramic views of Lake Norman is another reason we love this location. The soothing laps of the water amidst the greenery give you a moment to catch up with yourself and each other. Let our Charlotte engagement photographer capture the precious moment forever and make the magic of this place come alive in your Jetton Park engagement photo session.
Address: Jetton Park, 19000 Jetton Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
Fees or Permits: Photo permit is required.
Romare Bearden Park
We can't possibly end this list without mentioning this gorgeous location. Situated right in the beating heart of downtown Charlotte, this 6 acres of the park is a snack-sized portion of nature amidst the craziness that a city entails. Showcasing the staggeringly beautiful glimpse of the Charlotte cityscape in the background, Romare Bearden Park is like the brightest spot of the city. Known for its stunning colorful fountain light show, there is something about this location which is so happy and colorful that it will surely make your Romare Bearden Park engagement session come alive in a myriad of colors and will forever remind you of this cheerful view. Add an urban city vibe to your engagement photography by posing with your sweetheart against the stunning backdrop of the shimmering glass buildings. The place comes alive as the sun sets and the nightlights come out to play. Let our Charlotte engagement photographer capture the best of the view, with the kaleidoscopic light show holding the spotlight and the twinkling city lights on the horizon, and we promise it's a moment you will never forget!
Website: https://www.mecknc.gov/parkandrec/parks/parksbyregion/centralregion/pages/romare-bearden-park.aspx
Address: 300 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 2820
Fees or Permits: No photo permit is required.
Please note that permits and fees are subject to change. Please confirm the policies with the location before planning your session.
