Season-by-Season Guide: The Best Ideas for Couples Photos in Upstate SC

Every season is the most wonderful time of the year for love! From green gardens in the warmer months to changing leaves in the cozy months, picking the location for your next couples or engagement shoot in Upstate South Carolina isn’t always easy when there are so many good choices. But rest assured, I’m here to help! Here’s a guide to the best times of year for couples photos in Greenville, SC, and some locations for each season.

Cozy winter couples photoshoots in downtown Greenville, SC

It’s Christmas time in the city, so silver bells are ringing, and love is in the air.

When shooting in the wintertime, it’s important not to turn into a popsicle. I highly recommend shooting inside a studio for this reason. My personal favorite is Studio 1192, which can really work for all the vibes. For moody winter blues, try their darker backdrops. For lighter vibes, stick to crisp, white walls — you can pretend it’s a snowy scene indoors.

For those who are ready to bundle up in their most stylish coats, the city makes the perfect backdrop. I recommend embracing Falls Park when the branches are bare, or running around downtown and using some of Greenville’s most historic features, like the Carroll A. Campbell Federal Courthouse, to highlight your timeless love.

Winter bonus round: Snow-tos

It almost never snows in my neck of the woods, but when it does, you better believe I grab my camera and run to the nearest outdoors, which usually ends up being Clemson’s campus. The stone buildings make for the best romantic, wintery photos, and the open green spaces on campus become perfect canvases for snow angels.

Elopement and couples photoshoot ideas for spring in South Carolina

Allergies have nothing on you. Let’s enjoy the springtime blooms!

Pretty much every photographer out there has a favorite field they love to shoot in, and I’m no exception. From my time in agriculture, I’d even consider myself a field expert. There’s a gorgeous, open field a bit off the beaten path, but photos there are always a 10/10, and I believe that a good field frolic can cure just about anything. Don’t believe me? See for yourself!

If you’re looking for something more styled and indoors, the Red Horse Inn is everything you could ask for.  In the spring, the flowers throughout the grounds will be in full bloom, set against romantic, rolling hills and sprawling indoor wings that are ideal for declaring your love.

Summer engagement photo ideas for adventurous couples

Beat the heat with these shoots.

Summer in South Carolina can be a beast, as beautiful as it is. One way to beat the heat is by climbing to the highest peak near you, or escaping into the forest. Coincidentally, this also produces amazing photos! Some of my top recommendations for these immersed in nature couples portraits are Sassafras Mountain — the highest point in the state of South Carolina — and Issaqueena Falls near Walhalla.

If you’re looking to escape the heat entirely, head inside to a studio in the area, like WhiteWall Studios in Greenville and take advantage of the summer sun pouring through the windows.

Fall couples photoshoot ideas in Upstate, South Carolina

The leaves are falling, and you’re falling in love.

Table Rock State Park in Pickens, SC, provides unbeatable views of the Blue Ridge Mountains for those adventure-seeking couples who want nature to take center stage in their love story. From rolling hills to rocky overlooks, there’s beauty in every corner of this park.

The South Carolina Botanical Gardens in Clemson offer a variety of landscapes as well, though instead of nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you and your partner can get your fill of flora and fauna as you walk through the different regions of this all-encompassing park. From a butterfly garden to a duck pond, there’s no shortage of picture-perfect areas across the gardens.