The Stewart Family, photographed in White Point Gardens.
For over 25 years, we've been family portrait photographers based in the beautiful city of Charleston, SC. We've captured everything from marriage proposals to large family gatherings of over 30 people, and everything in between. We're excited to welcome all the families booking for Fall 2024!
In this post, I will walk you through everything you need to know about booking your downtown Charleston family portrait session, from start to finish. We’ll cover the best times to book, selecting the perfect location, what to wear, weather considerations, and more!
Kate Thornton, photographing a family portrait in Downtown Charleston, South Carolina, South of Broad Street
When is the best time to book?
If you live in Charleston...
Living in the Charleston area gives you the advantage of booking a downtown session any time of year. However, the ideal months are between March and May when temperatures are cooler, and you can enjoy the beautiful blooms and flower boxes. Fall and Winter are also fantastic, with festive decor starting around October and holiday decorations filling the city by Christmas.
If you're visiting...
If you’re planning a visit, just share your vacation dates when you inquire, and we’ll let you know our availability during your stay. Charleston’s historic areas offer stunning backdrops year-round.
A Family Portrait at White Point Gardesn better know as “The Battery”
What days and times do you take sessions?
Unlike the beach, our downtown sessions are more flexible in timing. For locations near the water, such as The Battery and Pineapple Fountain, we aim for sunrise or sunset to capture that soft lighting. For other spots, early and mid-morning sessions work best, as there are fewer people and cars around. We shoot sessions every day of the week, but Friday through Sunday, we only shoot in the mornings to avoid the crowds.
Where do you take sessions?
Downtown Charleston is full of incredible nooks, from the southernmost point of the peninsula to the French Quarter just north of Broad Street. We have countless favorite spots from our 25+ years of exploring, and we’re always discovering new ones. Hampton Park offers greenery, seasonal flowers, and Spanish moss, while White Point Garden provides a mix of large oaks and historic architecture. South of Broad features neutral tones, brick textures, and iron gates, while Rainbow Row and the French Quarter offer colorful, iconic backdrops.
What do you recommend for children?
Children are usually at their best when well-rested. If you’re on vacation, we recommend scheduling morning sessions for children under 5, as they’re often tired and ready for bed by afternoon. Keeping their sleep schedule in mind is crucial to a successful session.
What do you recommend for larger groups?
Our answer: It depends. Planning a group portrait can be challenging, but we find that an early morning session is often best, especially if you have a busy day planned or young children in the group. Historic areas are less crowded in the morning, and parking is easier. Plus, you can explore the city afterward. However, if your group prefers to sleep in, evening sessions are an option, but keep in mind that summer showers often occur in the afternoon.
What should we wear?
For downtown sessions, it’s best to stick with solid, pastel colors. In areas like Rainbow Row, neutrals, coastal colors, and pastels are ideal to avoid clashing with the vibrant backdrops. For spots like South of Broad or White Point Garden, you can opt for bolder jewel tones or fall colors. Avoid loud, clashing colors, and large logos on clothing—stick to timeless, classic styles.
What if it rains?
Don’t worry too much about the weather—Charleston’s climate can be unpredictable, but we’ve been navigating it for almost 30 years. It’s normal to see a chance of rain every day, but often, the rain doesn’t last long. We monitor the weather closely and make decisions about rescheduling or adjusting start times as needed. Our goal is to ensure we capture your session as planned, even if we need to make some last-minute adjustments due to the weather.
The Stewart Family photographed on Meeting Street
What should we expect during our session?
We guide every session through a mix of posed and candid moments, capturing the unique charm of each location. Before your session, you’ll receive a "Family Portrait Prep Guide" with tips to help you prepare. During the session, we’ll cover a variety of groupings, from full family shots to individual portraits. For extended families, we include generational shots, cousin photos, and any other special requests. We’ll outline our route at the start, but always feel free to ask questions or make requests.
