The Best Places For Summer Photo Sessions In And Around Clemson, SC

Summer in the Upstate is that sweet window between school letting out and the chaos of August — and it's honestly one of my favorite times of year to photograph families. The light stays golden longer, the kids are relaxed, and the whole pace of life slows down just enough for everyone to actually be present. If you've been putting off booking a family photo session near Clemson, SC, this is your sign.

As a Clemson-based photographer, I'm blessed to be surrounded by some genuinely stunning locations — from the lakeshores of Lake Hartwell and Lake Keowee to the lush gardens on Clemson University's campus, the mossy waterfall hollows near Walhalla, and the storybook streets of historic Pendleton. Below I'm breaking down my top picks for outdoor photo sessions in Central and Upstate South Carolina so you can start daydreaming — and then reach out to lock in your date.

LOCATION 01

South Carolina Botanical Garden

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY · FREE ADMISSION · OPEN DAILY 6 AM – 8 PM

✦ Lush + Shaded✦ Free to Enter✦ Great for Toddlers✦ Golden Hour Magic

If there is one location I come back to again and again for family portrait sessions near Clemson, it's the South Carolina Botanical Garden on Clemson University's campus. Spanning 295 acres, it feels like a completely different world from the town just outside its gates — think wildflower meadows, duck ponds, shaded woodland paths, native plant gardens, and a children's discovery area that my littlest clients absolutely lose their minds over.

The variety of backdrops here is unmatched for a single location. In one session we can move from an open grassy meadow (perfect for those running-toward-camera shots that parents always love) to a canopied trail filtered with dappled light, to a gorgeous wooden bridge over a reflective pond. It photographs beautifully in every direction and at every time of day — though I personally love the late-afternoon window here when the summer sun filters through the tree canopy and turns everything honey gold.

This is also an ideal spot for back-to-school photos in Clemson if you want something more natural and organic than a studio backdrop. Admission is free, parking is free, and it's open seven days a week.

Pro tip: arrive on a weekday morning to have the garden almost entirely to yourselves.

LOCATION 02

Twelve Mile Recreation Area & Lake Hartwell

CLEMSON · $5 DAY PASS · OPEN 6 AM – 11 PM

✦ Waterfront Beach✦ Sunset Sessions✦ Kids Love It✦ Casual + Relaxed Vibe

For lakeside family photos near Clemson, the Twelve Mile Recreation Area on Lake Hartwell is hard to beat. There's a sandy beach area where kids can play while I capture genuine, unposed moments — sand-covered feet, splashing, the kind of belly-laughing chaos that makes for the most real and beautiful photos. Then we pull them back for some actual portraits before they're completely soaked.

The views of Lake Hartwell here are stunning, especially in the last hour before sunset. The water reflects the sky in a way that adds incredible depth to portraits, and the soft evening light coming across the lake is genuinely some of the most flattering natural light you'll find in the Upstate. If you've been dreaming of those dreamy, warm-toned summer family portraits in South Carolina, this is the spot.

Day passes are just $5 per car. The beach has restrooms, shade trees, picnic areas, and a playground — making it a perfect full-day outing that turns into a photo session. I love booking families here in the early evening, giving the little ones time to run and play before we settle into photos right before golden hour.

LOCATION 03

Historic Downtown Pendleton

PENDLETON, SC · 10 MINUTES FROM CLEMSON · FREE

✦ Charming Architecture✦ Timeless + Classic✦ Shaded Streets✦ Unique Textures

Just ten minutes from Clemson, Historic Pendleton is one of those places that feels like it was made for photography. The village square is anchored by one of the oldest town squares in the South, flanked by brick storefronts, mature oaks draped in summer greenery, and antebellum buildings that give every frame a sense of place and history.

I love bringing families here for lifestyle portrait sessions in Upstate South Carolina because the setting does so much of the visual work. The warm brick tones and leafy canopy create a naturally rich color palette — especially flattering for families wearing neutrals, dusty blues, or earthy tones. The streets are quiet enough in the mornings and evenings that we rarely deal with much foot traffic.

LOCATION 04

Keowee-Toxaway State Park & Lake Keowee

SUNSET, SC · ~35 MIN FROM CLEMSON · STATE PARK ENTRANCE FEE APPLIES

✦ Blue-Water Views✦ Mountains + Forest✦ Adventure Families✦ Epic Scenery

If you want photos that look like they belong in a travel magazine — and you're up for a short drive — Keowee-Toxaway State Park in Oconee County is genuinely breathtaking. The trails wind through untouched Carolina forest with glimpses of the brilliant blue-green water of Lake Keowee, and the combination of mountain views, dense hardwood canopy, and glassy lake reflections creates a backdrop that's hard to replicate anywhere else in Central South Carolina.

This is my go-to for adventure family photo sessions in Upstate SC — families who like to hike, kayak, or just be out in wild places. The trails are accessible enough for school-age kids but feel remote enough that you get that "deep in the woods" feeling in every frame. Plan to linger; the light on the lake in the late afternoon is genuinely worth the drive.

For a more beachy, laid-back alternative on Lake Keowee, High Falls County Park in Seneca offers a sandy shoreline, boat ramp, and a much more relaxed vibe — perfect for young kids who need room to roam.

LOCATION 05

Issaqueena Falls

NEAR WALHALLA, SC · ~45 MIN FROM CLEMSON · FREE

✦ Waterfall Backdrop✦ Lush + Moody✦ Cool + Shaded✦ Unique + Memorable

For something completely different — and a little bit magical — Issaqueena Falls near Walhalla is one of the most visually dramatic photo locations in Oconee County, SC. A short walk from the parking area brings you to a gorgeous waterfall framed by mossy rocks and dense forest, with views stretching out over the valley beyond. It's cool, shaded, and lush — a welcome escape from the summer heat — and it photographs with this rich, moody green quality that you just can't manufacture.

I tend to use this spot for families or couples who want something a little outside the ordinary — something with texture, depth, and a sense of place. The waterfall itself is the star, but the surrounding forest has incredible detail: ferns, lichen-covered rocks, filtered light through the canopy. It's free to visit, the walk in is easy, and it makes for photos that stop the scroll every single time.

Note: the trail down to the base of the falls is steep — it's doable for older kids and active adults.

How to Nail Your Summer Session Timing

• Golden hour is everything in summer. Book your session for 1.5–2 hours before sunset. In June and July in the Upstate, that puts us at around 6:30–8:00 PM — late enough for gorgeous light, early enough that the kids aren't melting.

• Avoid midday like the plague. Harsh overhead sun creates unflattering shadows and hot, squinting kids. Overcast mornings are actually a beautiful hidden gem — soft, even light with no squinting.

• Dress for the outdoors, then make it pretty. Light linen, breathable cotton, and flowy fabrics photograph beautifully AND keep everyone comfortable. Avoid stiff, formal outfits that nobody's relaxed in.

• Bring snacks and drinks. Always. A happy toddler is a cooperative toddler, and snack breaks give me natural moments to capture — and give you a few seconds to breathe between running after them.

• The "imperfect" moments are the keepers. Let go of perfect. The belly laughs, the spin-outs, the kid who's briefly done with photos — those are the frames you'll be glad you have in twenty years.

Ready to Book Your Summer Session?

Summer dates fill fast — especially that golden window before back-to-school season hits. If you've been eyeing any of these spots, let's get your family on the calendar.

BOOK YOUR SESSION →

A Rainy Afternoon in the Woods | Photographing Childhood as It Really Is

After the rain stopped, the woods behind our house felt completely still.

The air smelled like wet pine needles and earth. Water dripped slowly from the leaves overhead, and everything looked greener somehow, softened by the rain.

My three-year-old was desperate to go outside.

Just to wander through the woods.

So we did.

And honestly, those simple little afternoons are becoming some of the moments I feel most compelled to photograph.

Childhood Does Not Need to Be Curated to Be Beautiful

I think there is so much pressure now to make childhood look picture-perfect all the time.

Perfect outfits.
Perfect activities.
Perfectly planned memories.

But the moments I find myself wanting to hold onto most are usually much quieter than that.

A child wandering through the woods with muddy shoes.
Small hands collecting leaves and sticks.
The way toddlers crouch down to inspect every tiny thing as though the world is still brand new.

That is the kind of childhood I want to remember.

Not polished.

Just real.

The Woods Through a Three-Year-Old’s Eyes

At three years old, everything still feels magical to him.

A puddle becomes fascinating.
A wet trail becomes an adventure.

Watching little children outdoors reminds me how naturally present they are.

They are not thinking about productivity or schedules or whether a moment is “worth documenting.”

They are just fully inside the experience.

And maybe that is part of why photographing children in nature feels so meaningful to me.

Because childhood itself is such a fleeting thing.

Why I Photograph These Ordinary Days

Some photographs are tied to milestones.

Birthdays.
Holidays.
Big celebrations.

But I think some of the most emotionally meaningful photographs are the ones attached to completely ordinary afternoons.

The kinds of days you almost would not think to document at all.

And yet years later, those are often the exact memories that ache with nostalgia.

The way their hair curled from humidity.
The tiny rain boots.
The concentration on their face while picking something up from the ground.

These are the details childhood is quietly made of.

Letting Children Be Themselves

One thing motherhood has changed for me as a photographer is how much less interested I am in perfection.

I do not need children to stand still to create meaningful images.

Actually, I think some of the best photographs happen when they are simply allowed to exist exactly as they are.

Curious.
Busy.
Wild.
Thoughtful.
Free.

This little rainy afternoon in the woods was not planned as a “session.”

But in many ways, it perfectly reflects the kind of family photography I love most now:
storytelling-focused, emotionally honest, and rooted in real life.

The Beauty of Remembering Everyday Life

One day I will miss these ordinary afternoons more than I can fully understand right now.

The muddy shoes by the door.
The tiny voice asking to go outside after the rain.
The feeling of following a little boy through the woods while he discovers the world.

And maybe that is the real reason I keep taking photographs.

Not to freeze time exactly.

But to gently hold onto pieces of it before they disappear into memory.