Ultimate Upstate SC Photoshoot Location Guide

Welcome to our complete guide for Photoshoot Locations in the Upstate of SC! We’re sharing locations from Lake Hartwell & Lake Jocassee to Greenville to the Mountains of North Carolina. This is your one-stop location guide for any photoshoot! Engagements, anniversary sessions, family sessions, senior sessions, you name it! All of these places are our favorites to shoot at. Scroll through for the type of vibe you are looking for!

1. Nature & Outdoor Locations
2. Mountain Locations
3. Downtown Locations
4. Indoor Locations
5. Waterfall Locations

Outdoor & Nature Locations in Greenville, SC

These are for all of you who love the outdoors! These locations are full of Greenery, Lakes, Bridges, and Trails. South Carolina has some truly beautiful scenery! You won’t be disappointed if you choose one of these nature locations for your photo session!

SC BOTANICAL GARDENS AND WALKER GOLF COURSE IN CLEMSON

Our couples love this location! We usually begin at the garden and then head over to the dock. There are so many unique spots here! The Clemson Walker Golf Course Dock and Lake is less than 5 minutes from the garden! The golden light we get in both of these spots is incredible!! Below are some blog posts where you can see more images from this spot!

• http://christijohnsoncreative.com/rachel-chad-engagement-session-sc-botanical-gardens-walker-golf-course-dock/
• http://christijohnsoncreative.com/sc-botanical-garden-walker-golf-course-engagement-wesley-sarah/
• http://kingsbridgephoto.com/annajacobengaged/

LAKE CONESTEE NATURE PARK IN MAULDIN

This is a fun location located in Mauldin. There are boardwalks, bridges, and beauty all around!! If you like trails, and lots of green, you’ll love this spot!!

View more photos from this location: http://kingsbridgephoto.com/engagement-session-lake-conestee-nature-park/

CAMPBELL’S COVERED BRIDGE IN LANDRUM

Campbell’s Covered Bridge combines rustic charm and an outdoorsy feel! This spot is usually pretty crowded in the fall on weekends, but most of the time it is relatively quiet! We can shoot at the bridge, on the rocks by the river, or in the field beside it. You’ll love it!

View more photos from this location: http://kingsbridgephoto.com/chrissy-colin-engagement-session-at-campbells-covered-bridge/

LAKE JOCASSEE IN SALEM

We absolutely LOVE Lake Jocassee. We both have a lot of memories here. The scenery here is truly beautiful. Some people lovingly call it “The Caribbean of the Upstate.” Clear water, Mountainscapes, and sand in your toes.

View more photos from this session here: https://stephanieandchristi.client-gallery.com/gallery/davidandamyengaged

PELHAM MILL PARK IN GREER

Such a fun spot! The woods here are gorgeous. We get beautiful golden light here! There are also some ruins of an old mill, a restored post office, and a rushing river. It’s located between Greer and Simpsonville, so it’s a great spot if you are from either city!

View more photos from this location: http://christijohnsoncreative.com/pelham-mill-park-family-session-brazeals/

OPEN FIELD WITH MOUNTAIN VIEWS IN DACUSVILLE, SC

This one is at Steph’s parents house! We get private access to this field. It’s so amazing!! They also have an incredible Japanese Maple Tree that is beautiful in the fall. Plus, wooded spots if that’s your vibe! This is our number oe place to shoot beacuse it’s private and there’s a lot of diversity

MILIKEN ARBORETUM IN SPARTANBURG, SC

This places is amazing! Open fields, ponds, and woods. Miliken has it all! Also, in the spring there are amazing cherry blossom trees. Parking is super easy! If you’re close to Spartanburg, it’s definitely the place to go!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY

Furman is always a go-to college location for sessions because of its immaculate gardens, greenery, and all around beauty. I’ve shot at Furman more times than I can count, and there are SO many great spots for photographing. Since I have tons of images and favorite spots, I decided to categorize them by location!! Keep scrolling to see more of what Furman has to offer!

Spring Blooms

My favorite thing about Furman in the spring is the abundance of beautiful blooms around the college campus!! My absolute favorite trees are dogwood trees, and there are dogwoods galore at Furman! We have to catch these at just the right time. They only bloom in April!!

The Rose Garden

The Rose Garden is one of those classic, timeless, photo locations that I will always enjoy. In a good year, the roses bloom all the way from May to November!!

The Furman Mall

The light here is naturally diffused by the trees, so we always get amazing soft light here!! Golden hour boasts some incredible bokeh and golden light!!!

Near Classroom Buildings

If you want an industrial feel to your photos, Furman has that, too! These photos were all taken near some of the classroom buildings on campus!

Evergreen Trees

I’m pretty sure that almost every session I photograph at Furman, we just HAVE to stop at these evergreen trees. The lighting is always perfect, no matter the time of day, and I am totally in love with all of the images I take here. You can usually find me hiding inside the tree to create beautiful foregrounds for these images!!

Woods By the Lake

Want a woodsy location? Yep, it’s got that too.

Furman Lake

Another classic Furman location is the lake!! We can choose to shoot with the belltower in the background or not! It’s totally up to you! The lake is especially beautiful and the light especially soft at twilight during blue hour!

Duncan Chapel

If you’re looking for an iconic shot, this is it.

Other Random Spots

Here are some other random spots that I love photographing on the college campus of Furman University! The bridge, the ballfields, the Asia garden, the building next to the rose garden, the grass by the lake. You can’t go wrong with any of these spots!

These images are from two recent family shoots. One was taken at a garden near the Asia garden, and the other is in a cute grove of trees by the McAlister Auditorium! These spots are super fun in the fall, but would also be beautiful in the spring!

Mountaintop Photoshoot Locations near Greenville, SC

Nothing is quite as romantic as heading to the top of a mountain with the love of your life. The expansive views take your breath away. Plus, the cooler air makes you want to hold each other closer! These mountaintop locations are not just for adventurous couples! Most of these locations don’t require a hike at all! The trails are easily marked, and they are easily accessible by car, and they are easily found on GPS navigators! Some of my favorite photo sessions ever have been at some of the below locations. If you want a photo session you’ll never forget, check out these locations!

SASSAFRAS MOUNTAIN IN ROCKY BOTTOM, SC

Sassafras is the tallest mountain in South Carolina, and it’s just under an hour drive from Greenville! The paved road goes directly to the top, and the walk from the parking lot to the view is not far at all! My favorite part about this location is that there are some gorgeous woods right beside the parking lot! I love stopping here first for photographs and then heading up to the summit. We get the best sunsets here!! Check out these blog posts for more photos!

• http://christijohnsoncreative.com/samandsusieengaged/
• http://christijohnsoncreative.com/emilyandmattengaged/

BALD ROCK IN CLEVELAND, SC

Tried and true, and only 40 minutes from Greenville, Bald Rock is the closest and most easily accessible mountaintop location! Sunrise shoots here are out of this world! The view faces east where the sun rises! If you want stunning views but not too much of a drive, this is the location for you! Sadly, graffiti covers the rock face. If we shoot here, you can request to have some of the markings toned down in color! Some couples like the fun vibe it gives the photos, but others prefer to have it toned down. The woods at this location are perfect at sunset! View some blog posts below!

• Sunrise shoot: http://christijohnsoncreative.com/bald-rock-couple-session-jon-eve/
• Sunset shoot: http://christijohnsoncreative.com/meaganbridals/ 

MAX PATCH MOUNTAIN IN MADISON, NC

Without a doubt, Max Patch is my most favorite mountain location of all! It is part of the Appalachian Trail, and the views are so expansive and magnificent. The grassy mountaintop is unique, and the woods at the trailhead are magical. Max Patch is right at the North Carolina and Tennessee border and is about 2.5 hours away from Greenville. It’s definitely the furthest location of my top 3, but it’s absolutely worth it. If you’re up for the drive and adventure, your bravery will be rewarded!

Downtown Locations

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN GREER

There are so many options for photoshoots in Downtown Greer There are cute brick buildings, parks, and more. It has such a small town feel & we’d love to photograph a session here! View more about Downtown Greer Locations Here: https://christijohnsoncreative.com/downtown-greer-photoshoot-locations/

DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE

You know and love it. Downtown Greenville is definitely one of the best places to have a photoshoot. There are just so many options! We can go to parks or we can stay near the buildings on main street. Whatever you want! View more Downtown Greenville Options here: https://stephanieandchristi.com/2022/02/28/greenville-photoshoot-locations/

Indoor Locations

It’s always a great idea to have indoor photoshoot options in case there is bad weather! Here are some of our favorite indoor locations all around Greenville.

THE VENUE AT FALLS PARK

This is a gorgeous wedding venue in Downtown Greenville. It does cost about $70 to book a session here, but it is definitely worth it! The windows are beautiful and let in so much natural light. We can also shoot outside in the courtyard if the weather is nice!

RANDALL HOUSE IN DOWNTOWN GREER

Randall House is a wedding & event venue in Greer, SC! It has a lot of options for photoshoots too! It is only $30 to book a photoshoot here. It’s well worth it! It has lots of options if you want an indoor photoshoot. Shooting indoors can protect you from possible inclement weather. Or it can just give a fun vibe to your photos!

THE TAYLORS MILL

The Taylors Mill is a great option for photos if you want an industrial vibe. This does cost around $40 to shoot here. Most indoor places will charge a fee to have you shoot inside! But it’s definitely an amazing option if you are worried about the weather.

Waterfall Locations

TABLE ROCK STATE PARK

Table Rock is a great place for a session! There’s a little waterfall by the trails. We can also take you to the Visitor Center if you want more of a mountain view!

HOOKER FALLS AT DUPONT STATE FOREST

TRIPLE FALLS AT DUPONT STATE FOREST

There you have it! Our full list of Upstate SC Photoshoot Locations! If you’re looking for wedding or portrait photography & want to have it at one of these places, contact us to book your session! Or reach out to ask us questions about these spots! We’d love to hear from you!