12 Places to Take Beautiful Engagement Photos in Charlotte, NC

Engagement photos in Charlotte, NC, can be city-centric or nature-driven, moody and night-lit or airy and bright. No matter the vibe you have in mind, the important thing is that you're taking them at all—it's a highly underrated step in the wedding planning process. "I look at engagement shoots as the opportunity to 'interview' your photographer," says Charlotte wedding and engagement photographer Gavin Boulware. "While your engagement shoot is vital for your love story, it's also the perfect opportunity to establish a rapport with your wedding photographer. This connection will lead to a more relaxed and enjoyable experience on your wedding day, ensuring that they capture the essence of your relationship beautifully." He continues: "It's also important to understand how your photographer's business works: how they deliver photos, are they prompt, do they assist with posing and if their personality will fit in on your wedding day."

Photographers for Charlotte engagement photos can also be helpful in determining the rules and regulations of certain venues and locales; some public places even have photography fees. "Calling in advance and speaking with the general manager about their photography policy is always a great idea when it comes to a location you are not sure about," Boulware says. "Public locations are not always open for professional photography. Remember to record the name, date and time of the person you spoke with and send a follow-up email thanking them. When in doubt, reach out to your photographer! They may have ideas on policies, comparable locations and any fees and waivers on a location you may love."

Below, we've outlined a dozen spots across Charlotte recommended by Boulware and another talented wedding and engagement photog, Katelyn Whitson of The Hazel Club. To find even more engagement photographers in Charlotte, check out The Knot Vendor Marketplace.

1. Downtown Charlotte

Photo: The Hazel Club

Some of the best Charlotte engagement photo locations aren't just one-stop destinations but rather whole areas full of gorgeous photo spots. Meet your photographer downtown, and that's exactly what you'll find. "Downtown Charlotte is my go-to for a chic city ambiance," Whitson says. "I especially love the city in the fall and winter, but it looks good year-round and is the perfect place to park somewhere and just go on a photo walk. There are a ton of gorgeous little areas to take cool photographs in, including doorways, art murals, the French Quarter and Romare Bearden Park." Some things to note for this kind of engagement photo journey? "I always tell my couples to bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes to change into between sets. And I try to schedule these sessions on weekdays after 5:30 p.m. to avoid weekend events."

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2. McGill Rose Garden

Photo: The Hazel Club

Located in Charlotte's Uptown area, McGill Rose Garden is known first and foremost as a wedding venue, but it serves as an incredible spot for engagement photos, too. (Consider a session here if it is your wedding venue—then use the photos on your save the dates as a preview of what's to come.) "McGill offers the amazing greenery that photographers dream of without the foot traffic of a public park," Boulware says. "I love early fall shoots here, after 4 p.m., where the temperature is cooler, and the lighting is ideal." Whitson agrees. "I love how private and lush McGill Rose Garden feels; it's a stunning little oasis right in the middle of the city," she says, adding that spring and summer are also great times to shoot there, taking advantage of maximum floral blooms.

3. Wing Haven

Despite being a large urban metropolis, there is a wide array of places to take engagement photos in Charlotte, NC, that boast greenery, gardens and vibrant florals. One of them is above; another is Wing Haven, a horticultural destination and wildlife and bird sanctuary. Wing Haven does not host weddings but allows for surprise proposals and engagement photography. Check out the organization's photography policy before you go; there's a $100 per hour fee associated with booking.

4. La Belle Helene

Photo: The Hazel Club

La Belle Helene is a French restaurant in downtown Charlotte—not far from Romare Bearden Park—with a vibey bar and a variety of private dining spaces. "I love it because there's nowhere else like it in Charlotte, and it's perfect during the winter months when it's too cold to be outside for a session," Whitson says. "It's a perfect space for editorial, magazine-worthy photographs." Booking a photo session there typically requires renting some portion of the space, but that's a good thing, Whitson adds. "Since it's a rental, you have the entire space to yourselves and the freedom to be creative in such a gorgeous space."

5. Jetton Park

For an entirely different vibe, head just north of Charlotte to Cornelius, North Carolina, where the man-made beaches on Lake Norman provide a beautiful backdrop for engagement photos. Jetton Park, in particular, is a 104-acre lakefront area full of pretty picnic sites, trails, gazebos and beaches (its Waterfront Hall can also be reserved for weddings). "Jetton Park during summer mornings is amazing," Boulware says.

6. Camp North End

Photo: The Hazel Club

Camp North End is a unique mixed-use space in Charlotte: There are shared workspaces and offices, retail shops, restaurants, public art and a full calendar of live music, movies and other events. "CNE is the perfect place for unique, creative photos," Whitson says. "I love how industrial it is and the amount of backdrop variety we can get there. Summertime is best when all of the greenery is out in full force to balance some of the industrial aesthetics."

7. South End

On the other side of town is the artsy district known as South End; it also provides ample unique photo ops. First and foremost, a variety of galleries and murals shine for couples with a creative side. The Confetti Hearts wall by artist Evelyn Henson is a particular favorite for engagement photos; also check out the Doughnuts wall or the "From Charlotte, With Love" mural (perfect for save-the-date photos). But even for those who aren't as art-inclined, South End boasts the Rail Trail, a bevy of breweries and restaurants, and pretty outdoor spaces.

8. Mint Museum

Photo: Gavin Boulware

International art museum The Mint has two locations in Charlotte: Uptown and Randolph. Gavin Boulware particularly loves the Uptown locale for engagement photography. "For the couple who loves a city vibe with a location that's versatile, the Mint Museum is perfect," he says. "With a park across the street, museums along the street and tons of stone, meeting at the Mint is amazing. I love midday shoots here during the spring when the sun reflects beautifully off the surrounding corporate buildings."

9. Duke Mansion

The Duke Mansion is a location rife with history; in fact, it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and dates back to 1915. "Being a private garden located right outside of Uptown Charlotte, the Duke Mansion brings exclusivity that other locations just can't offer," Boulware says. "While inside the mansion offers the perfect backdrop for a more formal look, the private garden outside is breathtaking." Plan for a spring or fall session here to take the best advantage of the landscape.

10. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

About 20 minutes east of Charlotte, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is a wedding venue in Belmont, North Carolina, that also allows bookings for engagement photo sessions. There is a true bounty of backdrops, from the orchid conservatory to the miles of walking trails to the pergolaed Four Seasons Garden. The venue does require reservations for portrait (re: engagement) photography and charges fees ranging from $125 to $450 depending on whether the shoot is booked during or outside of normal hours (but it also includes dressing room access, a nice perk if you plan to shoot more than one look). As with any public place, "If the session is during public hours, prepare to exercise some patience!" Whitson says. "Often people are kind and want to stay out of any shooting areas, but sometimes we'll have to pause our session for the general public to get the shot."

11. UNCC Botanical Gardens

For something slightly more local, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte boasts its own botanical gardens on campus. There are a variety of spaces to explore, including the Asian Garden, the Polly Rogers Sensory Garden and more; a new paved path weaves throughout it all. Though there is no official fee, UNCC requests a donation of $50 or more for photo sessions to be used toward the upkeep of the gardens.

12. Freedom Park

Freedom Park, just south of the city center, offers a 98-acre expanse of greenery and a 7-acre lake. It's ideal for classic, nature-loving couples who want to infuse some charm into their engagement photos in Charlotte: There is a fairy-tale-esque stone bridge, weeping willows dotting the property, a creek, gazebos, swings and more.