Greenville and Upstate South Carolina

Wedding Photography and Engagement Session Locations 

If you're planning your wedding day in the Greenville, South Carolina area we've got a great resource to help you select the best place for your engagement or wedding day portraits. Our comprehensive list will help you make a choice based on a wedding photographer's perspective! 

I have been a photographer for over 10 years. In my experience, the upstate South Carolina area has so much to offer so I have come up with a helpful list. I hope that this page can help brides who are planning a wedding in Greenville, Spartanburg, or anywhere else in the upstate. You've already got so much to consider, so I hope that this list helps to mark one thing off your to-do list.

I have created this page to make sure that you're able to have a suitable backdrop for your love story.

While searching for the best places in the Upstate South Carolina area, it's best to keep these tips in mind.

Is your wedding photographer familiar with the Greenville, SC area? Can they recommend a location that is convenient and relevant to the theme of your love story or wedding day?  In our experience, it's always best to chat with your photographer first. Most photographers have areas that they can recommend from their experience.

But if you've got an idea, don't be scared to suggest it and see whether they think it can work or not. Some locations look great to the eye, but things such as lighting, can make a location not ideal for photography.

Over the years, brides who are having a very glamorous or luxurious wedding may not be interested in having their photographs taken in a natural setting. A couple with who loves the outdoors may be more interested in having their photos taken in a park. It's always best to choose a place that suits you and your personalities the most.

Falls Park on the Reedy​
601 S. Main St, Greenville, South Carolina

Falls Park is a quite busy during weekends but it is a good mix of nature with an impressive bridge that makes a perfect backdrop for photos. The Liberty Bridge is a popular feature of the park, but there are so many other interesting places in the park for both nature lovers. Permit: $25 Monday - Friday, $50 Saturday/Sunday (2 hour maximum) Must be booked 30 days in advance. Phone: 864-467-4355 

Downtown Greenville
N Main St & E Coffee St Greenville, SC 29601

This area of Downtown, Greenville is easy to walk around. It features benches and a neutral urban aesthetic for couples. There are a few parking decks nearby and street parking is also available. Permit: None Required  

Junto Coffee
232 Mill St, Taylors, SC 29687

This isn't your typical location, but I have been there a few times I just had to add it in the list. If you're looking for something different or if you need an indoor location, I strongly suggest you check it out. Junto is located in Taylors. South Carolina; it's a great spot to have a coffee and take engagement photos or portraits. The permit costs $75 for an hour. It's very cozy and bright with some really nice furniture and green plants. Parking is free. Permit: Required Phone: (864) 202-4979 You can visit their website for more information here.

South Carolina Botanical Gardens
150 Discovery Ln, Clemson, South Carolina

The South Carolina Botanical Garden is full of beautiful gardens and nature trails. There are plenty of flowers and plants. Admission is free and parking is free. Permit: None required Phone: 864-656-3405

Furman University​
3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville, South Carolina

The campus of Furman University features some of the most beautiful spots for engagement session and wedding photography locations. The most popular locations are are at the Bell Tower and the Gazebo at the Rose Garden.

Table Rock State Park​
158 E Ellison Ln, Pickens, SC 296714

There are some great views featuring some of South Carolina's natural beauty. The towering mountain, which gives the park its name, makes a great backdrop. There is a cost of $6 for adults. Visit the website to learn more about the park by clicking here. 

Paris Mountain State Park​
2401 State Park Rd, Greenville

There is a great view of the lake and there is also a preserved stone and timber outside of the renovated park center. It's rustic but it doesn't require a lot of hiking. Park admission is $6 for adults and includes some great parking with easy access to the views. Click here to learn more. 

The Wyche Pavillion​
20 Japanese Dogwood Ln. Greenville, South Carolina

The Wyche Pavillion has an open-air feel, exposed brick, and views of the Reedy River in downtown Greenville. It is ideal for those couples who enjoy being formal and dressed up for a night on the town. It is a popular location for weddings ceremonies and receptions. Phone: 

Taylors Mill
250 Mill Street, Taylors, South Carolina

Taylor's Mill is a unique location for engagement and wedding photography. It is located in one of the regions oldest textile mills. There is lots of exposed brick, high ceilings, making it an industrial style location. It just about 10 minutes outside of Greenville. Permit: Interior only photography $35, Exterior Only $20, Both $45 for 1 hour inside and 3 hours outside. Phone: 864-444-7000 Website: https://www.taylorsmill.community

Lake Conestee Nature Park
601 Fork Shoals Rd, Conestee, South Carolina

Lake Conestee is perfect for nature lovers and it's absolutely free with ample parking! The park makes a beautiful backdrop for engagement session and wedding photography near the Greenville. It is located in Conestee which is only about ​currently offers approximately six miles of natural surface trails, six miles of paved trails and approximately 4,000 linear feet of boardwalks and bog-walks. There is no cost to enter the park.

Rock Quarry Garden
McDaniel Avenue and Sherwood Street Greenville, South Carolina

The Rock Quarry Garden is located at the north edge of Cleveland Park. has a a beautiful stone bridge and lots of greenery. It is often used as a wedding ceremony location, but photo shoots are also permitted in the location. Engagement shoots cannot be booked more than a month in advance.

Permit is $25 for weekdays and $50 for weekends. Permit: $25 Monday - Friday, $50 Saturday/Sunday (2 hour maximum) Must be booked 30 days in advance. Phone: 864-467-4355 

Caesar's Head State Park
8155 Geer Hwy, Cleveland, South Carolina

Caesar's head is about 3208 feet above sea level atop the Blue Ridge Escarpment. It is has an amazing view that extends to North Carolina and Georgia. The park is known to be a main attraction in the State of South Carolina. It is ideal for adventurous couples who want to explore. Permit: None required Phone: 803.734.0156 Website: https://southcarolinaparks.com/caesars-head

Camp YMCA Pretty Place Chapel  
100 YMCA Camp Rd, Cleveland, South Carolina

The "Pretty Place" is also known as the Fred W. Symmes Chapel. This is a beautiful location with a breathtaking view of the mountains. It is a prime location for wedding ceremonies, engagement sessions, elopements, or proposals. The Chapel is open from sunrise to sunset unless there is an event reserved. Permit: None required unless a private event has been reserved. Phone: 864.836.3291 Website: https://campgreenville.org/pretty-place/

Poinsett Bridge
580 Callahan Mountain Rd, Travelers Rest, South Carolina

Poinsett Bridge is a historical site. It is believed to be the oldest surviving bridge in the state. It is a 14 foot Gothic arch stone structure and stretches 130 feet over Little Gap Creek. It is a set in a natural environment and walking trail. Permit: None required Phone: 864-288-6470 Website: https://greenvillerec.com/parks/poinsett-bridge/  

Duncan Estate
840 Union Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina

The Duncan Estate is a historic plantation style mansion with a park and garden. It is used for wedding ceremonies and receptions, but it also makes an amazing location for engagement sessions. It is a unique and picturesque location for elegant and formal style photo shoots. The Duncan Estate is perfect for wedding photography in the Upstate Area since is just one mile from downtown Spartanburg. Permit: $30 for Indoor and Outdoor Photo Shoots Phone: 864-529-7287 Website: http://duncanestate.com/

CONTACT US
About Samantha Clarke Photography
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Samantha provides photography for a limited number of weddings in the Greenville SC area, Atlanta, and destination weddings. With over 10 years of experience as a professional wedding photographer, Samantha and her team, ensures each couple receives the most exceptional service and magazine worthy artwork showcasing their love.

Our clients are not models, so we do our best to provide lots of direction to make sure couples feel comfortable in front of the camera. 

Our wedding photography is modern, colorful and full of emotion. Samantha's team of wedding photographers are based in Greenville SC and we are passionate about storytelling through creative and joyful photography.


Samantha founded the business in 2009 and our team has been recognized as some of the top wedding photographers in the Carolinas and Georgia by various magazines and websites such as Martha Stewart Weddings and B Collective Magazine. 


It would be our pleasure to sit down with you to learn more about your love story. We would also be happy to share our process and our heirloom wedding albums. Contact us for more information. We can't wait to hear from you!

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How to Choose your Photography Location