The holidays are one of the best times of year for a Charleston family portrait. The weather is mild, the light is soft and golden, and the whole Lowcountry dresses up in wreaths, garland and twinkling lights. Whether you want a classic Christmas card photo or just a pretty backdrop for the family, these are five of our favorite places to take holiday photos in Charleston.

A quick tip before you go: plan your session for the last hour or two before sunset. The light is warmest then, and many of the holiday light displays start glowing right as golden hour fades. If you would rather have someone else handle the posing, timing and editing, a local Charleston portrait photographer knows these spots well.

Boone Hall Plantation

Few Charleston backdrops are as recognizable as Boone Hall's Avenue of Oaks, a three-quarter-mile drive lined with live oaks draped in Spanish moss. It makes a timeless setting for a Charleston family portrait in any season, and at the holidays the plantation adds its annual Christmas at Boone Hall celebration.

• What makes it special: The mansion is decorated with natural materials like live trees, magnolia wreaths, cotton and sweetgrass. Boone Hall proudly notes there are no plastic decorations on the property.
• Best photo spots: The Avenue of Oaks, the brick slave street cabins and the formal gardens.
• Good to know: Holiday decor is included with regular admission. Guests can take personal photos on the grounds and in the gardens, but not inside the main house. Professional photographers need Boone Hall's annual photography pass, and sessions must be approved in advance.

Boone Hall Plantation on Charleston.com

Historic Downtown Charleston

Downtown Charleston is free, walkable and packed with backdrops, and at the holidays its doorways and gas lanterns are trimmed with fresh greenery. These are a few of the best spots for a Charleston family portrait on the peninsula:

• Rainbow Row (East Bay Street): The pastel row houses are a Charleston classic, and holiday wreaths on the doors make them even more festive.
• The Battery and White Point Garden: Grand waterfront homes on one side, live oaks and harbor views on the other. Go at sunset for soft, warm light.
• Waterfront Park: The Pineapple Fountain and the pier's wooden swings give you relaxed, candid shots with the Cooper River behind you.
• Marion Square: The city's holiday tree is a natural centerpiece for a Christmas card photo.
• King Street: Shop windows and holiday lights make for fun evening photos, especially with older kids and couples.
• South of Broad side streets: Quiet lanes like Tradd Street, Church Street and Longitude Lane have cobblestones, iron gates and decorated doorways.

Keep in mind that these are private homes and busy public spaces. Stay on the sidewalk, keep steps and driveways clear, and plan for early morning if you want fewer people in the background.

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

Magnolia's gardens bloom year-round, and winter is camellia season, so you will find color here even in December. The iconic Long White Bridge, moss-draped live oaks and Ashley River views make it one of the prettiest places for a Charleston family portrait.

• Best photo spots: The Long White Bridge, the reflecting ponds and the camellia-lined garden paths.
• Holiday extras: Magnolia typically decorates the main house and hosts seasonal family events in December. Check its website for this year's schedule.
• Good to know: Magnolia offers a photo shoot package for $250 that includes full-day property access for up to four people. Your photographer counts as one of the four, and Magnolia does not provide one. Book through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens on Charleston.com

James Island County Park

James Island County Park is a great choice for a relaxed, natural-looking family session. Its trails, open lawns, marsh views and lagoon give you plenty of variety in one place, and there is easy parking.

• Best photo spots: The marsh edge at golden hour, the wooded trails and the open fields where little ones can run around.
• Plan it right: Go in the afternoon before the Festival of Lights opens for the evening, then stay to see the lights.
• Good to know: Charleston County Parks may require a permit for professional photography. Check with the park before booking a session.

Charleston County Parks on Charleston.com

Holiday Festival of Lights

The Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park is the Lowcountry's largest holiday event, and it is a magical place for festive family photos. It opens Nov. 13 and runs nightly from 5:30 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 31, 2026.

• What to see: More than 750 light displays along a three-mile drive, plus a walkable area with the Festival Express train, a 50-ton sand sculpture, an old-fashioned carousel and marshmallow roasting.
• Photo ops: Santa visits nightly from opening night through Dec. 23, and a New Year's Eve fireworks show closes the season on Dec. 31.
• Photo tip: Low-light photos are tricky on a phone. Hold still, turn off the flash and let the lights do the work, or bring a photographer who is comfortable shooting at night.

Tickets and Santa visits can be booked at HolidayFestivalofLights.com. See the event on Charleston.com

Where is the best place in Charleston for a photo session?

The best place in Charleston for a photo session depends on the look you want. For classic Southern charm, choose the Avenue of Oaks at Boone Hall Plantation or the Long White Bridge at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. For colorful city backdrops, head to Rainbow Row, The Battery or Waterfront Park downtown. For a relaxed, natural setting, try James Island County Park. During the holidays, the Holiday Festival of Lights adds festive evening photos.

Boone Hall and Magnolia charge admission and have rules for professional sessions, while most downtown spots are free and public.

Book Your Charleston Family Portrait

Holiday weekends fill up fast, especially in late November and early December. Book your session early, coordinate outfits without matching exactly, and leave a little extra time for little ones to warm up to the camera.

Ready to capture this year's Charleston family portrait? C. S. Nelson Photography is a Charleston portrait photographer who knows these locations and the best time of day to shoot each one. View the Charleston Family Photographer profile on Charleston.com to see their work and book your holiday session today.

Sources

• Christmas at Boone Hall Plantation
• Boone Hall Plantation FAQ
• Magnolia Plantation & Gardens: Photo Shoots & Proposals
• Holiday Festival of Lights on Charleston.com