Sandcastles, Salt Air, and the Walsh Family at Folly Beach

Some people you meet in life just work harder than everyone else in the room, and Megan and Todd Walsh are two of them. If you've ever wandered into Atomic Furnishing and Design in Asheville, you already know the feeling. It's the kind of shop that has a soul, full of pieces with history and character, put together by two people who genuinely love what they do.

And if you looked a little closer, you might have spotted our own little corner in there too, because we run Sound Furnishings inside their shop. These two aren't just fellow small business owners we admire. They're some of our best friends.

So when the chance came to tag along on a family beach trip to Folly Beach, we jumped at it. And honestly, it was a gift to be included.

The kind of people you root for

We've heard and seen Megan and Todd walk through more than most business owners face in a lifetime, and they've done it with a steadiness that still amazes us.

They kept their business and their family going through Covid, back when nobody knew what tomorrow looked like. Then Hurricane Helene came through and the flooding wiped away their old store on the Swannanoa River. Gone. The kind of loss that would flatten a lot of people for good.

But that's not who they are. They have faith and they rebuilt. They kept showing up. They kept believing in what they were building, for their family and for the community that loves them.

Watching them keep pouring into their shop, their kids, and the people around them has been one of the most inspiring things we've gotten to witness up close.

They are, without exaggeration, some of the most resilient, hardworking, and genuinely positive people we know.

Slowing down at Folly Beach

Which is exactly why this trip mattered so much. After everything, this was their week to finally exhale a bit. Just their family, the sand, and the salt air.

We loaded up and headed down to Folly Beach, and it was everything a beach week should be. The kids were absolutely in their element. There was boogie boarding in the waves, that pure kind of joy where they'd catch one and immediately run back out for another. There were sandcastles too, and our son jumped right in, the way kids do when the friendship is really between the grownups but somehow becomes theirs too. Little architects hard at work, arguing over shovels and moats.

And in the middle of all of it, we got to do what we love most. We pulled out the camera and caught them just being together. Not posed, not stiff, just real. Megan and Todd watching their kids, the light going soft and golden - then blue toward the end of the day, everyone tired in the best possible way. Those are the frames we'll treasure, and we know they will too.

It felt like a small thank you for everything they've poured out, a few days where they got to simply be a family and let someone else carry the memories for them.

Come see them in Asheville

If you're anywhere near Asheville, do yourself a favor and go visit Megan and Todd at Atomic Furnishing and Design. You'll find beautiful, vintage pieces, two of the coolest shop owners around, and you'll get to see our Sound Furnishings tucked right inside. You can browse their world online first at atomicfurnishings.com, then go say hello in person.

And a little note from us. While Rios Tegen Photography is based in the Upstate of South Carolina, we're in Asheville every week. So if you're in the Asheville area and looking for natural, timeless photography for your own family, we would love to hear from you. Reach out through our contact page and let's plan something.

Here's to the hard workers, the rebuilders, the ones who keep showing up. We're so grateful we got to spend this one at Folly Beach with the very best of them.

SC Botanical Gardens for Photoshoots in Upstate SC

There's a place in Clemson, South Carolina that looks different every single month of the year — and somehow, it's always perfect. The South Carolina Botanical Gardens, tucked onto Clemson University's campus, is a sprawling 295-acre outdoor studio that most people outside of Upstate SC have never even heard of. That's exactly what makes it special.

Whether you're looking for flowering trees in the spring, lush greenery in summer, warm amber foliage in fall, or moody textured backdrops in winter — this garden delivers. And because it's free and open from dawn to dusk every single day, it's a place I return to again and again without ever growing tired of it.

I'm a Clemson-based photographer and parent, and this is the spot I recommend most often when clients ask where to take the most beautiful portraits in Upstate South Carolina. Let me show you why.

A Location That Changes So You Don't Have To

One of the biggest misconceptions about photographing in a botanical garden is that "you've seen one season, you've seen it all." The South Carolina Botanical Gardens completely shatters that idea. A late February session and an early April session will both look like the ultimate spring shoot — just with completely different trees, colors, and textures in the frame.

The gardens are home to a genuinely diverse plant collection, meaning the bloom window is almost absurdly long. Pink trees start showing up as early as late winter. White flowering trees take over mid-March. By late March through the second week of April, the whole place is erupting with color. And come summer, the desert garden takes center stage with a completely different, sculptural vibe.

The Best Spots in the Garden for Portraits

After dozens of sessions here, I've found a handful of locations within the gardens that reliably produce stunning light, beautiful backgrounds, and real variety — all within easy walking distance of each other.

The Flowering Tree Allées

In peak bloom, the arching rows of white and pink flowering trees create natural tunnels of color. These frames are something clients genuinely can't believe are less than five miles from downtown Clemson.

The Natural Heritage Trail

Wooded, earthy, and beautifully imperfect. This trail is where I reach for dappled light and intimate forest shots — especially lovely for families with young kids who need room to roam.

The Children's Garden

A playful, colorful space that's made for little ones. If you're booking a family session with toddlers or young kids, this area gives me candid, joyful moments that are impossible to force.

The Historic Hanover House Area

An 18th-century plantation house moved here from Berkeley County. The architecture adds a sense of history and gravitas — particularly striking for portraits.

Every time I visit, a different spot stands out — because the plants are always changing. I have my go-to locations, but I almost always discover something new along the way.

What to Expect at Every Season

The South Carolina Botanical Gardens is genuinely beautiful in every season — but understanding what each season brings helps you decide when to book for the look you love most.

SPRING
Cascading white and pink flowering trees, soft pastels, fresh greenery — blooms as early as late February through April
Perfect for: Engagements, family portraits, senior photos, maternity sessions

SUMMER

Full lush canopies, vivid greens, the desert garden in peak form — rich, saturated backdrops

Perfect for: Families with kids, personal brand portraits, editorial-style shoots

FALL
Warm amber and gold foliage, textured bark and leaves, a cozy earthy feel throughout the trails

Perfect for: Fall family sessions, couple portraits, milestone birthdays

WINTER
Stripped-back textures, dramatic sculptural compositions, moody light — especially around the historic structures.

Perfect for: Artistic editorial portraits, intimate couple sessions, families wanting a unique look

Why Families and Parents Love This Location

If you're coming in with little ones — especially toddlers — the South Carolina Botanical Gardens is one of the most parent-friendly session locations in Upstate South Carolina. The paths are largely paved, there's ample room for kids to run and explore without feeling constrained, and the Children's Garden gives small children a space that genuinely excites them.

As a photographer who is also a parent to a toddler, I understand what it actually looks and feels like to wrangle a small person through a photo session. I know when to push for the classic shot and when to let the chaos unfold into something real. The gardens give us the space — and the material — to do both.

Practical Tip for Parents

Plan your session for golden hour (about an hour before sunset) in spring or fall. The soft, directional light flatters everyone, and the temperature is usually perfect for keeping kids comfortable and cooperative.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to book a photoshoot here?

Honestly? Any time — but late March through mid-April is the most dramatic for flowering blooms. Fall (October through early November) is stunning for warm color. If you have a specific look or aesthetic in mind, reach out and I can tell you exactly when to book for it.

How long does a session at the gardens typically run?

Most of my portrait sessions run 60–90 minutes, which gives us enough time to move through multiple locations within the garden and capture real variety. Family sessions with young children are sometimes happiest kept to 60 minutes — little ones have their limits!

What should we wear for our session at the Botanical Gardens?

Earth tones, soft neutrals, and muted greens photograph beautifully against the garden's natural palette. I send all my clients a complete style guide once they book — it takes the guesswork out entirely.

Is the garden accessible for strollers and mobility aids?

Yes — the majority of paths are paved and accessible. A few of the more wooded trail areas are unpaved, but we can always stay on the main paths without sacrificing any of the most beautiful locations.

Where exactly are the South Carolina Botanical Gardens located?

The gardens are on Clemson University's campus in Clemson, SC — at 150 Discovery Lane, off Perimeter Road in Pickens County. Easy to reach from Greenville, Anderson, and the surrounding Upstate area.