THE BEST PLACES FOR CHARLOTTESVILLE ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
7 Beautiful Locations for your Charlottesville Engagement
Photos
Congratulations on your engagement! I remember how it was—you’re on cloud nine and the happiest you’ve ever been, but suddenly wedding planning has a way of taking over your life with all the necessary decision making and demanding attention to detail. If scheduling your engagement session is the next thing on your list, I know:
Looking for the best location for your engagement photos can be overwhelming.
Let me help you.
Born and raised in Charlottesville, I probably have too much enthusiasm for my favorite places to go and how gorgeous I think this area is—but if I absolutely had to narrow it down, here are my top 7 suggestions for engagement photoshoot locations:
The Market at Grelen
Surrounded by romantic cascading hills on every side, The Market at Grelen is known statewide as a popular wedding venue here in Central Virginia. To locals in Charlottesville, it’s beloved for its getaway cottages, garden nursery, seasonal fruit picking, and beautiful hiking trails throughout the orchards on the property. Make a stop at their charming café before your engagement session for a tasty treat!
NOTE: After 4:00pm engagement sessions (e.g. golden hour—I promise the light is well worth it!) require scheduling an appointment ahead of time as well as a session fee. Weekends may be unavailable due to weddings.
View More from Adry & Luke’s Market at Grelen Engagement Session.
Raven’s Roost Overlook
A scenic 45 minute drive from Charlottesville on I-64, Raven’s Roost is easily the most popular overlook on Skyline Drive for Charlottesville locals and UVA students. Providing stunning views of the sunset over the Blue Ridge with unbeatable accessibility, it’s difficult to resist stopping and sitting for a while! Due to its popularity during the warmer months, I can only recommend scheduling a weekday for an engagement session here—and even then, we’ll likely be joined by several other photography sessions and possibly even an elopement! (Luckily, everyone is used to this and we all politely take turns for those prime spots.)
After our engagement session, take a detour on your way back into town and visit Blue Mountain Brewery for craft beers, scenic mountain views, and outdoor dining.
View Madeline & Xavier’s Engagement Session at Raven’s Roost Overlook
Shenandoah National Park
While we’re talking about the Blue Ridge Mountains…If you’re more on the adventurous side, we can do one of the many rewarding hikes overlooking the Shenandoah Valley for your engagement photos. Have a favorite trailhead or summit in the Shenandoah National Park? Let’s turn it into a sunrise or sunset session with beautiful outdoor views! Charlottesville is located about 50 minutes from both the Rockfish Gap (the southern entrance) and Swift Run Gap (if you’re coming from the north.)
There’s really no comparable experience to sitting quietly and listening the hushed murmurs of the Shenandoah Valley beginning to stir for the day as the sun creeps over the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Historic Downtown Charlottesville
The place that I spent many evenings as a teenager, Charlottesville’s Historic Downtown outdoor mall has a special place in my heart with its chic boutiques and award winning restaurants. Distinguished by its red brick, the Downtown Mall provides a beautiful location for an engagement session with a slightly urban flavor. Since the mall is only a few minutes away from UVA’s campus, I often encourage couples to pair the two together, as their architecture complement each other.
Swing by Chaps, our local retro ice cream parlor, for an ice cream cone or grab a cup of coffee from the Mudhouse to switch it up during our session!
The Grounds of UVA
Some may think of graduation announcements on a college campus, but the University of Virginia’s distinctive Jeffersonian architecture provides a gorgeous backdrop for any couple, alumni or otherwise! The historic Pavilion Gardens offer pathways surrounded by the iconic red brick and beautiful filtered sunlight. Want more than just the Rotunda? No problem—there are many quiet nooks and picturesque scenes to enjoy throughout The Grounds.
Swannanoa Palace
Just up the road from Raven’s Roost, Swannanoa Palace in Afton is also a short drive from Charlottesville on I-64. Inspired by the grandeur of the Italian Villa Medici, James Dooley built the palace as a shrine of love dedicated to his wife, including a 4,000 piece Tiffany’s stain glass window with her image. Swannanoa is a glimpse into an old age era in the height of Art Nouveau—a place once fraught with decadence and elegance, now fallen into whimsical disarray. In the fall, you may have a foggy haze with golds and crimson accents, and in the summers can enjoy the lush, green, overgrowth of the grounds.
NOTE: Swannanoa requires engagement sessions to schedule beforehand and do have a location fee for use of the grounds.
Your own Special Place
Have a unconventional favorite spot around town or a friend with beautiful property? If there’s a place that has a lot of significance to you, I encourage my couples to chose somewhere special where you’ve already made precious memories.
Because at the end of the day, this engagement session is about an experience, a fun day out that embodies just a little piece of you, and your relationship. I find my couples are drawn to the locations that suit their personalities and dynamic well, which in turn allows for them to relax, enjoy each other’s company, and brings the beauty of their love out to the forefront. Whether that means the perfect picnic spot, going on a hike, or getting fancied up, do what makes you happy as a couple!
One of My Favorite Autumn Engagement Sessions on the Banks of The Rivanna
Questions, comments? Feel free to reach out to me below to inquire about your engagement photo session today!