Engagement Portrait

2024 Charleston, SC Vacation Guide: Discover the Best Restaurants, Hotels, and Things to Do

Charleston is a top vacation destination for good reason. It’s almost entirely walkable and jam-packed with award-winning restaurants, incredible shopping, history, culture, and friendly people. It’s beautiful, from the historic rainbow houses to the lush, lowcountry scenery. With four stunning beaches nearby, it’s always a good time of year in Charleston!

Wills surprise marriage proposal to Emma in historic downtown Charleston, SC 

 

WHERE TO STAY


The Dewberry

Venture off island to The Hemingway for gourmet coffee, southern chicken biscuits and tasty ricotta toast. The elevated cafe offers a quality breakfast menu, full coffee bar and exquisite wine and beer menu. 

The Pinch

Right in the heart of King Street is a tiny little hotel aptly named The Pinch. The location can’t be beat, with the city’s best restaurants and shops literally outside your door, and the rooms are oversized and chic.    

 
 

RESTAURANTS


Breakfast

Harken

Harken may have a line out the door, but it’s worth the wait! The bustling coffee shop in the historic district serves the best breakfast sandwich in town, delicious coffee, and enormous cookies.

Marina Variety Store

The Marina Variety Store is an institution and local favorite. Perched above the Ashley River and overlooking the marina, it’s an authentic, throwback diner and old-fashioned seafood restaurant. The no-frills ambiance is endearing, and the view is outstanding. If there’s a wait for a table, you can wander out to the docks to check out the boats.

 

Lunch

Basic Kitchen

Basic Kitchen has something for everyone! It is healthy yet incredibly delicious, and the back courtyard is a great place to relax after a day of shopping downtown. Don’t leave without trying the cauli wings appetizer!

Leon’s

Known for their fried chicken, oysters and lively ambiance, Leon’s draws a mix of foodie tourists and locals. It is located in an old garage, and the garage doors stay open most of the year. There are tasty salads, sandwiches, cocktails and even ice cream cones (with sprinkles!) for dessert! 

Lewis Barbeque

You can’t come to Charleston without hitting up at least one BBQ joint! Every local has their favorite, but most can agree that Lewis is incredible. Order your cut and sides indoors (served on an old school cafeteria tray with brown paper, naturally) and then head outside to eat under the trees at one of the casual picnic tables. Like most things in Charleston, it’s authentic with an extra dose of sophistication.

Dinner

Melfi’s

For a special occasion or a fancy night on the town, Melfi’s is the perfect date-night restaurant. Its traditional Italian menu is complemented by impeccable service in a romantic atmosphere. 

Chubby Fish

Chubby Fish doesn’t take reservations, so you’ll have to go early and plan to wait. The tiny corner restaurant is well worth it, though, with its eclectic and innovative offering of seafood dishes. It’s loud, fast, and good!

Rue De Jean

Rue De Jean is a Charleston staple. It is as reliable as it is tasty. The large french restaurant is excellent for groups or sitting at the bar! It’s where you take your visiting parents or grab a quick bite before a show at the Music Hall.

 
 

THINGS TO DO


Shopping

King Street is known for its stores! There are local shops and big name brands all mixed in together. A few favorites are Marine Layer, Halfmoon Outfitters, Hampden Clothing, Finicky Filly and the Tiny Tassel.  

Visit Parks

Charleston Waterfront Park is where you will find the iconic- often photographed- pineapple fountain. Overlooking the Charleston Harbor, it’s a quiet place perfect for a picnic or lazy afternoon. Hampton Park offers 60 acres of gorgeously maintained nature, with a fitness trail, duck pond, gazebo and playground We love to go on weekends with bikes or scooters to explore, climb the ancient oak trees and feed the ducks. It is also next to The Citadel, which is fun to drive through!

Charleston Aquarium

Head downtown to the Charleston Aquarium for an incredible experience! From the touch tank to hands-on exhibits, it’s full of interactive fun for all ages. 

Patriot’s Point

A visit to the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum is both educational and exciting for kids and adults alike. Tour the enormous USS Yorktown aircraft carrier and more. 

2024 Folly Beach Vacation Guide

Family portrait near the Morris Island Light House on Folly Beach by Larry, our associate photographer


Charleston Spotlight on Folly Beach

Folly Beach is a fun, funky little beach island that has not changed much at all in 20+ years. The waves are bigger than any other beach, so it draws a local surf crowd. The main commercial hub, Center Street, is only a few blocks long and is packed with the kind of tee-shirt shops you might expect from a beach town. There are also tons of delicious restaurants and fun bars hidden all around. It’s a bit grittier than the surrounding islands, but that’s exactly how locals like it. 

Folly Beach, SC family portrait by Larry, our associate photographer


Where to Stay on Folly

While there are tons of beach house rentals and B+Bs dotting the island appealing to families and groups, The Tides Hotel is a great place for romantic getaway or if your group prefers a hotel. It’s directly in the center of the island, beachfront, walking distance to restaurants and shops. It has a great restaurant, Blu Beach Bar and Grill, where you can grab lunch or dinner overlooking the beach (or a cocktail at the tiki bar outside!). 

Engagement portraits near the Morris Island Light House by Larry, our associate photographer


What to Do on Folly

Escape Room

The new Escapade escape room is incredible! There are two challenging puzzle rooms that fit groups of up to 6 people. There’s even a Harry Potter themed room that’s awesome for kids. 

State Park

Folly Beach State Park is a great beach park for the whole family! With easy parking, restrooms, showers and even a snack bar, it is incredibly convenient with small children. There are ramps (hello, beach wagons and strollers!), lifeguards and dressing rooms. The park covers the western tip of the island and is a beautiful beach for swimming, playing, fishing and sunset walks!

Playgrounds

Pirates Cove Playground is located on E. 5th between Erie and Hudson. It’s a pirate-themed playground for all ages, with a climbing structure and tall lighthouse slide for big kids, a smaller ship structure for little kids, and swings for everyone! Wave Watch Playground is another fun, gated playground located on the opposite side of town. Situated at the end of West Cooper Avenue, it’s a colorful playground with clean bathrooms and even a little lending library. 

Pickleball 

Folly Beach is becoming obsessed with pickleball! There are 4 courts at the Pirates Cove Playground tennis courts (bring your own net for 2 of them).

Folly Beach family portraits by Larry, our associate photographer


Where to Eat

Coffee: Center Street Coffee

There may be a line, but Center Street Coffee serves up the island’s best lattes and pastries to start your day. 

Snacks: Bert’s Market

Open 24/7, you can find almost anything at Bert’s Market! From tasty breakfast sandwiches and a lunchtime deli to bottles of wine and late night ice cream, it has saved us time and again. Stop by on your way to the beach for a cup of boiled peanuts and a corndog!  

Lunch: Chico Feo

Stop by Chico Feo after a morning at the beach for an unforgettable experience. The outdoor-only, dirt-floor-and-picnic-tables restaurant and bar serves a small but tasty (seasonal) menu of tacos, noodle bowls, pulled pork and kimchi sandwiches, and more under the palms, usually to the live tunes of a funky local band. 

Dinner: Jack of Cups

 Jack of Cups is the unassuming gem of Folly Beach, drawing foodies away from Charleston for “globally inspired comfort food.” The restaurant has a full bar and a large back deck, so there’s plenty of space to spread out with a bigger group or the whole family. 

Folly Beach family portraits by Larry, our associate photographer

Destination Wedding Photographer

This weekend it all starts. We have one of our busiest summers ever, and by we, I mean my associate photographer Larry Dennis and myself. (Be sure to check out Larry's bio if you have not already. He's been my right-hand man for three years, and he is fabulous!)  

Today we are headed to Charlotte, NC, for the wedding weekend of Cate and Mack. Last month I met them early one morning to photograph engagement portraits on the streets of Downtown Charleston. You do not want to skip these images - you have never seen Charleston like this!


Follow along on my Instagram stories this weekend as we celebrate at the Charlotte Country Club. On Memorial Day weekend, we will be photographing Ann Chandler and Peter's wedding in the backyard of a historic generational home in Downtown Charleston. 

The momentum keeps going as I head to the Finger Lakes in NY state for Alina and Ross' Inns of Aurora wedding. The couple flew down to Charleston this winter for an early morning engagement portraits with me. Another downtown Charleston stunner, here are their must-see - images. Our summer destinations weddings wind down as we head to Chapel Hill, NC, for Caroline and Stephen's Fearrington House Inn wedding in late June.

Kiawah Island Engagement Portraits

Kiawah Island Engagement Portraits

I am over the moon to be photographing Shannon and John Hall's wedding at the River Course on Kiawah Island in May of 2020! Shannon also asked me to photograph their engagement portraits this summer. I love working with couples before the wedding day. It's a great way to get to know each other before such a big event. Honestly, I feel like I spend more time with the bride during the wedding day than she spends with the groom. So if I can build a relationship with a bride beforehand, I jump at the chance. It makes the wedding day that much smoother. 

We started and Shannon's parent's house and ended at the Sanctuary

River Course on Kiawah Island
Kiawah Island Beach Photos.jpg
Kiawah Island Wedding.jpg
River Course Engagement Photos.jpg
Beach Engagement Portraits .jpg
Kiawah Island Bride.jpg
Kiawah Island Bride
Ocean Course Engament.jpg

Engagement Portraits at Charleston Air Force Base

Charleston Air Force Base Photography.jpg

I photographed Maura and Rob's engagement portrait at Charleston Air Force Base a while ago. But I recently came across this portrait session, and I thought it would be a good fit for summer.

Maura, who works with my husband at Ingevity and her fiancé Rob who works at the Air Force Base and is in charge of the cargo on these giant planes were a dream to work with!  My assistant Mea (a College of Charleston student) and I met the couple at the Charleston Air Force Base on a Sunday afternoon. Rob had to go through a lot of red-tape to get us all on the base.

It was my first time seeing one of these giant aircraft close up and the size is mind-blowing. Living in Charleston, SC, we see these planes in the air all the time, and they fly very low and slow. I have no idea how they stay up in the air? 

We set out to take creative engagement portraits that were unique to the location, and I think we nailed it! We also had some pretty stunning subjects to work with! 

Air Force Engagement.jpg
Engagement Portraits Charleston.jpg
Engagement Portraits.jpg
Charleston Air Force Base.jpg
Charleston Air Force Base Portrait.jpg
Charleston Air Force Base Photographer.jpg
Air Force Base couples photos .jpg
Air Force Base, charleston photographer .jpg
Photos at at Charleston Air Force Base.jpg