A couple stands close together on a sidewalk, smiling and touching foreheads during their Charleston engagement session, with lush greenery, a large tree, and a cream-colored building wall in the background.
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Historic Charleston Engagement Session | Alana & Ford

Coastal, classic, and just a little bit chaotic in the best way! That’s the only way to describe Alana and Ford’s engagement session in Charleston, South Carolina. Alana and Ford are getting married right here in Charlottesville, but home for them is Charleston, and they wanted their engagement photos to reflect that. So I packed my gear and headed down to their beautiful city for a session I will not soon forget.

A smiling couple stands together outdoors during their Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a white strapless dress, and the man in a light shirt stands behind her, holding her hand. Lush green leaves and a stone path create a romantic backdrop, capturing the charm of historic Charleston in this beautiful engagement photography moment.

Engagement Photos in all the Iconic Charleston SC Spots!

We started in the historic district, and if you have never wandered around Charleston with a camera, you are missing out. We hit all the icons. The Battery, with its sprawling oaks and that unmistakable low country charm. Rainbow Row, because how could we not? And a gorgeous little park tucked into downtown that gave us the perfect mix of greenery and wrought iron gates. Alana and Ford wanted classic coastal engagement photos, and Charleston delivered every single frame.

Here’s the thing about engagement sessions: they’re supposed to be fun. Not stiff, not posed within an inch of their life, just two people enjoying each other while I just happen to be along for their date. Alana and Ford brought that energy in spades, laughing their way down cobblestone streets like they had known each other for decades instead of just being engaged.

A couple stands holding hands and gazing at each other in front of a pink building with black wrought iron gates and lush green vines, capturing the timeless romance of a Charleston engagement session.

Then we headed to Folly Beach for a change of scenery.

I want to be very clear about something, because I know exactly what you are thinking when you see these photos. That sand you see swirling around their feet? That is not a filter. That is not background blur I added in editing. That is real, actual sand, being real, actually launched sideways by wind that had zero interest in cooperating with our photo shoot.

A couple sits close together on a sandy beach, smiling and looking into each other’s eyes, surrounded by rocks during their Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a white dress, and the man wears a beige shirt and dark pants.

We were blasted. Fully, thoroughly blasted. Alana’s hair had ideas of its own. Ford’s shirt was doing things shirts should not do. At one point I genuinely wondered if we were going to end up with a session titled “Couple Gets Married to the Wind.” But here’s the magic of it: some of my absolute favorite images from this whole day came out of those wind gusts. There is a rawness to it, an energy, that a calm, still day just cannot replicate. Alana and Ford leaned into it, laughing every time a gust hit, and that joy is written all over these photos.

By the end of the session we were sandy, windswept, and could taste the salt spray, but Alana and Ford could not stop smiling. That is really what this work is about. Not perfectly still hair or camera ready conditions, just two people who love each other, showing up as they are, wind and all.

Congratulations again to this incredible couple. I cannot wait to be back in Charlottesville with you both for the wedding!

Favorite photos from this Charleston engagement session

  • A couple stands outdoors in a park, embracing and sharing a kiss during their Charleston engagement session. The scene is in black and white, with trees and grass in the blurred background, capturing the timeless romance of engagement photography in historic Charleston.
  • A man stands behind a woman in a white dress, hugging her and kissing her head during their Charleston Engagement Session. They are outdoors with green foliage in the background, capturing a joyful moment of engagement photography as the woman smiles at the camera.
  • A couple stands holding hands, smiling at each other, in front of a pink building with black wrought iron details, large lanterns, and green plants—a charming scene that perfectly captures the romance of a Charleston engagement session.
  • A couple walks arm in arm on grass in a park, smiling at each other during their Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a white dress and sandals; the man wears a beige shirt, blue pants, and brown shoes. Trees and sunlight fill the background, capturing the charm of Historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands on a sidewalk, holding hands and smiling during their Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a strapless white dress; the man wears a light shirt and blue pants. Trees and a stone wall are visible in the background, adding to the charm of historic Charleston captured through engagement photography.
  • A smiling couple stands together outdoors during their Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a white strapless dress, and the man in a light shirt stands behind her, holding her hand. Lush green leaves and a stone path create a romantic backdrop, capturing the charm of historic Charleston in this beautiful engagement photography moment.
  • A couple stands close together, smiling, in front of a cream-colored brick building with black shutters and balconies, and a tree partially framing the scene—perfectly capturing the charm of a Charleston engagement session.
  • A woman in a white dress and a man in a light shirt and navy pants stand outdoors, smiling and looking at each other, with green grass and a large tree in the background—capturing the charm of Historic Charleston in this beautiful engagement photography session.
  • A couple stands on grass, surrounded by trees, sharing a kiss during their Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a white dress and the man wears a light shirt and dark pants. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a romantic and timeless atmosphere perfect for engagement photography in historic Charleston.
  • A man kisses a woman on the forehead as they sit on a bench, holding hands during their Charleston engagement session. The woman smiles softly, wearing a white dress; the man wears a light shirt. Blue shutters are visible behind them, adding to the charm of historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands close together on a sidewalk in front of a pastel blue building with green shutters and flower boxes, looking into each other’s eyes and smiling under a leafy tree branch—capturing the timeless charm of a Charleston engagement session in historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands outdoors on grass, smiling at each other during their Charleston Engagement Session. The man wears a beige shirt and dark pants, while the woman in a white dress holds his arm. Trees and greenery are visible in the background, capturing the charm of Historic Charleston through beautiful engagement photography.
  • A couple embraces in front of a black iron gate with an arch of ivy, beneath a brick building with a white-trimmed window above them—capturing the timeless romance of an engagement photography session in historic Charleston.
  • A woman in a white dress smiles and gently holds a man’s face as he looks at her, both standing outside on grass with trees in the background—a perfect moment captured during their Charleston engagement session.
  • A couple stands hand in hand, smiling at each other, under large, sprawling trees in a park during their Charleston engagement session. Sunlight filters through the leaves and cars are visible in the background, adding a subtle touch of historic Charleston charm to the scene.
  • A couple walks hand-in-hand under large, leafy trees in a park during their Charleston Engagement Session, smiling warmly at each other. The woman wears a white dress, and the man wears a light shirt and dark pants. Sunlight filters through the branches above, capturing the romance of engagement photography in Historic Charleston.
  • A couple poses on outdoor steps during their Charleston Engagement session; the man sits behind the woman, both smiling at the camera. She wears a white dress, and he wears a light shirt. Trees and a railing are visible in the background, capturing the romantic charm of Historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands holding hands and smiling at each other on a sidewalk in front of a brick wall with green vines and plants, with windows above—capturing the charm of historic Charleston during their engagement photography session.
  • A couple embraces and smiles at each other on a sidewalk beside a black iron fence and greenery, with a white building in the background—capturing the romance of a Charleston engagement session.
  • A woman in a white dress lovingly holds a man’s face as they smile at each other during their Charleston engagement, standing outside against a cream brick wall with green shutters and window boxes of greenery—capturing the timeless charm of historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands close, smiling and hugging by a black iron fence with greenery during their Charleston engagement session. The woman in a white dress looks at the camera while the man in a light shirt kisses her head, capturing the romance of historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands smiling at each other in front of a white brick building with green shutters and flower boxes, capturing the timeless charm of a Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a white dress and heels, while the man pairs his beige shirt with dark pants and brown shoes—perfectly dressed for their engagement photography in historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands on a sidewalk, smiling at each other in front of a garden-lined iron fence and pastel-colored houses—capturing the charm of a Charleston engagement session in historic Charleston.
  • A woman in a white dress touches a smiling man’s face as they stand outside by a cream brick wall with green shutters and flower boxes, both looking happy and relaxed during their Charleston engagement session in historic Charleston.
  • A woman in a white dress smiles and embraces a man in a light shirt beside an old stone wall with greenery, capturing the charm of historic Charleston. They look at each other lovingly outdoors, making this Charleston engagement session a beautiful moment of connection.
  • A couple poses outside in front of a cream brick wall with green shutters and potted plants during their Charleston Engagement Session. The man stands behind, hugging the smiling woman who wears a white dress, creating a timeless moment of engagement photography in historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands holding hands and smiling at each other in front of an ivy-covered wall and black iron gate. The woman wears a white dress and sandals; the man wears a beige shirt, dark pants, and brown shoes. This charming scene perfectly captures the warmth of a Charleston Engagement Session, highlighting the timeless beauty of Historic Charleston as the backdrop for their love story.
  • A couple stands close together on a sidewalk, smiling and touching foreheads during their Charleston engagement session, with lush greenery, a large tree, and a cream-colored building wall in the background.
  • A woman in a white dress and a man in a beige shirt and blue pants stand arm in arm on a sidewalk, smiling at each other with greenery and a stone railing in the background—a perfect moment captured during their Charleston Engagement Session amidst the charm of Historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands close together, smiling under a leafy tree beside an old brick wall and wrought iron gate, with a historic house in the background—the perfect setting for a Charleston Engagement session in Historic Charleston.
  • A man in a beige shirt and dark pants stands next to a woman in a white dress during their Charleston Engagement session. They are holding hands and smiling at each other, standing by a black iron gate covered with green ivy in the heart of Historic Charleston.
  • A couple walks hand in hand along a waterfront path, with the woman in a white dress and the man in a light shirt and dark pants. Palm trees and a brick building evoke the charm of Historic Charleston in the background under a cloudy sky, capturing the romance of their Charleston Engagement.
  • A couple stands holding hands and smiling at each other in front of a brick wall covered with ivy and greenery during their Charleston Engagement Session. The woman wears a white dress and sandals, while the man sports a light shirt, navy pants, and brown shoes—capturing the romance of engagement photography amid the historic Charleston backdrop.
  • A woman in a white dress and a man in a light shirt and navy pants stand smiling on a sidewalk in front of pastel-colored historic buildings with black shutters and iron balconies, capturing the charm of a Charleston engagement session.
  • A couple stands holding hands and gazing at each other in front of a pink building with black wrought iron gates and lush green vines, capturing the timeless romance of a Charleston engagement session.
  • A couple stands by the water, smiling at each other during their Charleston Engagement session. The woman wears a white dress, and the man wears a light shirt and dark pants. Buildings and palm trees are visible in the background under a cloudy sky, capturing the charm of Historic Charleston.
  • A couple walks arm in arm on a sidewalk beside pastel-colored buildings with black shutters, reminiscent of historic Charleston. The woman smiles up at the man as they stroll under a tree-lined street during their Charleston engagement session.
  • Alana and Ford stand close together by the waterfront, smiling and gazing into each other’s eyes. The woman gently holds the man’s chin, and both appear happy and affectionate in this Charleston engagement session. The photo is in black and white, capturing their timeless connection.
  • A woman in a white dress holds a man’s arm and looks up at him, smiling. The man wears a light shirt and dark pants. They stand close together on a sidewalk in front of pastel-colored buildings, capturing the charm of a Charleston engagement session in historic Charleston.
  • A close-up of two people holding hands during their Charleston engagement, with one person wearing a gold engagement ring with a central diamond. Both are sitting close together, dressed in light and dark neutral-colored clothing.
  • A couple stands outdoors, holding hands and smiling at each other during their Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a white dress, and the man wears a light shirt and dark pants. Green leaves and a brick wall typical of historic Charleston are in the background, creating a timeless setting for this engagement photography moment.
  • A couple sits on a bench holding hands, in front of a cream-colored wall with blue shutters and window boxes with plants. They are looking at each other and smiling, capturing a sweet moment during their Charleston engagement session.
  • A man and a woman stand smiling in front of an ornate iron gate and white building, surrounded by potted plants and greenery—capturing the charm of a historic Charleston engagement session.
  • A couple poses on stone steps during their Charleston engagement session; the man sits slightly behind the woman, both smiling. Large trees and a columned structure in historic Charleston are in the background, and she wears a white dress while he wears a beige shirt with blue pants.
  • A woman in a white dress smiles up at a man in a beige shirt and blue pants. They stand close together, arm in arm, in front of a pink building with dark blue shutters, capturing the charm of a Charleston engagement session.
  • A couple walks hand-in-hand down a tree-lined sidewalk in Historic Charleston, with charming houses and parked cars in the background. The woman wears a white dress and heels; the man wears a light shirt and dark pants—capturing the perfect moment during their Charleston Engagement Session.
  • A couple poses outdoors on a stone path during their Charleston Engagement Session. The woman wears a white strapless dress and sandals, while the man wears a beige shirt and dark pants. Green palms and ivy fill the background, adding to the charm of Historic Charleston.
  • A woman in a white dress kisses a man in a beige shirt and navy pants on the cheek as they stand in front of a black door set in a pale yellow wall. A green shutter and some leaves are visible nearby, capturing the charm of historic Charleston during their engagement photography session.
  • A couple sits on outdoor steps, smiling and looking at each other lovingly during their Charleston engagement. The woman wears a white dress and the man wears a light shirt, while trees and a railing are visible in the background, capturing the charm of this historic engagement session.
  • A couple embraces and smiles at each other while standing near a stone wall and iron gate, surrounded by greenery. Captured in black and white, this scene beautifully reflects the timeless romance of an engagement photography session in historic Charleston.
  • A woman in a white dress and a man in a light shirt and blue pants stand arm-in-arm on a sidewalk, smiling at each other during their Charleston engagement session, with a green building and white railing behind them capturing the charm of historic Charleston.
  • A couple embraces and smiles at each other near a rustic stone wall and gate, surrounded by greenery—a perfect moment for their Charleston Engagement Session. The woman wears a white dress; the man wears a light shirt and dark pants, capturing the timeless charm of Historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands under a tree by a stone wall, smiling at each other during their Charleston engagement session. The man wears a beige shirt and blue pants; the woman wears a white dress and sandals. It’s an outdoor, sunny setting with beautiful greenery in the background, reflecting the charm of historic Charleston.
  • A smiling couple stands close together outdoors, with greenery and a black iron fence behind them. Captured during a Charleston engagement session, the woman wears a strapless white dress and the man wears a beige shirt and blue pants, perfectly complementing the timeless charm of historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands on a cobblestone street during their Charleston engagement session, holding hands and smiling back at the camera. The woman wears a white dress and heels; the man wears a light shirt with navy pants. Large trees and historic buildings characteristic of historic Charleston line the street.
  • A couple stands on a cobblestone street, holding hands during their Charleston engagement session. The man kisses the woman’s forehead as they both face away from the camera, surrounded by trees and historic buildings. The image is black and white.
  • A man kisses a smiling woman on the forehead while embracing her during their Charleston engagement session. They stand in front of a light-colored wall with white railings and greenery above, capturing the romantic charm of historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands close together by a waterfront railing during their Charleston Engagement Session, smiling at each other. The woman wears a white dress, and the man wears a light shirt and dark pants. A large building and palm trees create a charming backdrop in Historic Charleston, all beneath a cloudy sky.
  • A woman in a white dress holds a man’s arm, showing an engagement ring on her finger during their Charleston engagement session. Both are wearing light-colored clothes and simple jewelry, with their faces partly out of frame.
  • A couple poses together outdoors by a weathered stone wall and gate, surrounded by greenery. Both are dressed in light, semi-formal attire, and they are standing close, smiling at the camera—capturing the timeless charm of a Charleston engagement session with elegant engagement photography.
  • A couple stands outside on stone pavement, smiling and embracing during their Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a strapless white dress and heels, while the man wears a beige shirt and navy pants. Greenery and a stone wall in the background evoke the charm of historic Charleston, making this engagement photography truly timeless.
  • A couple stands by the waterfront in historic Charleston, sharing a kiss. The woman wears a white dress and the man wears a beige shirt with navy pants. The background features water, a railing, and a building with palm trees—making for a picturesque Charleston engagement scene.
  • A man lifts a woman in a white dress as they smile at each other outdoors on a stone path, surrounded by green bushes and trees—a joyful moment from their Charleston engagement session.
  • A couple stands on a stone sidewalk in Historic Charleston, holding hands and smiling at each other. The woman wears a white dress and sandals, and the man wears a light shirt and dark pants. They are in front of a white building with columns and a black fence, capturing a timeless moment during their Charleston Engagement session.
  • A couple embraces and smiles at each other on a sidewalk near grass and palm trees, both wearing light-colored clothes. Capturing the essence of a Charleston engagement session, the background is slightly blurred, giving a soft, romantic feel that highlights the charm of historic Charleston.
  • A woman in a white dress smiles at the camera while holding the arm of a man in a light shirt, walking outside near water and buildings. This black and white image beautifully captures the charm of a Charleston engagement session, blending romance with the timeless elegance of historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands smiling and holding hands on a sidewalk in front of a pink building with arched windows and green bushes, capturing the charm of a Charleston engagement session in historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands close together, smiling at each other, outside a pastel-colored building with turquoise shutters and a black door during their charming Charleston Engagement Session. Green leaves hang above them, and potted flowers are by the window, capturing the romantic spirit of Historic Charleston.
  • A couple embraces and smiles at each other on a sandy beach, with the wind blowing their hair. Large rocks and the ocean are visible in the background under an overcast sky, capturing a timeless moment of engagement photography that beautifully reflects the charm of a Charleston engagement session.
  • A couple stands on a sandy beach during their Charleston engagement session, smiling and holding each other closely. The woman wears a white dress, and the man wears a light shirt and dark pants. The ocean and rocks are visible in the background, creating a beautiful setting for engagement photography in historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands barefoot on a sandy beach, embracing and smiling at each other during their Charleston engagement session, with rocks nearby and houses in the background under a cloudy sky.
  • A couple embraces and kisses on a windy beach, with sand and rocks in the background. The image is in black and white, highlighting an intimate, romantic moment by the ocean—an unforgettable Charleston Engagement session capturing genuine love along the historic Charleston coastline.
  • A couple walks barefoot on a sandy beach, smiling at each other during their Charleston engagement session. The man wears a light shirt and dark pants, while the woman wears a white dress. The ocean and cloudy sky are in the background, adding romance to this special moment in historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands barefoot on a sandy beach, embracing and kissing during their Charleston engagement session. The man wears a beige shirt and navy pants; the woman wears a white strapless jumpsuit. The ocean and cloudy sky are in the background.
  • A couple embraces and smiles warmly, standing close together on a sandy beach with gentle waves and a cloudy sky in the background, capturing the joy of their Charleston Engagement session.
  • A man kisses a smiling woman’s forehead as they hug on a beach during their Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a white strapless dress; the man wears a light shirt and dark pants. The background is sandy with waves and a cloudy sky, capturing the romantic charm of historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands barefoot on a sandy beach, laughing and embracing each other during their Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a white dress, and the man wears a light shirt and dark pants. The ocean and sky are visible in the background, capturing the charm of engagement photography along historic Charleston’s stunning coastline.
  • A couple stands close together on a beach, holding hands and smiling at the camera during their Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a strapless dress and the man wears a button-up shirt. Waves and sand are visible in the background. Black and white photo.
  • A couple stands barefoot on a sandy beach during their Charleston engagement session. The man wears a beige shirt and dark pants, gently kissing the woman’s head. The woman, in a white dress, looks upward as the ocean waves roll in behind them, capturing the romantic charm of historic Charleston.
  • A couple walks barefoot on a sandy beach during their Charleston Engagement Session, holding hands and smiling at each other, with waves and historic Charleston houses visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
  • A smiling couple sits close together on sandy rocks at the beach, barefoot, during their Charleston engagement session, with gentle waves and houses visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
  • A couple sits on sandy beach rocks, smiling closely at each other during their Charleston Engagement Session. The woman wears a strapless white dress and the man wears a light shirt with blue pants. Both look happy and affectionate, with waves and sand surrounding them in this beautiful moment of engagement photography.
  • A couple sits close together on a sandy beach, smiling and looking into each other’s eyes, surrounded by rocks during their Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a white dress, and the man wears a beige shirt and dark pants.
  • A couple sits close together on a sandy beach, surrounded by rocks, sharing a kiss during their Charleston Engagement Session. The woman wears a white dress and the man wears a beige shirt and dark pants. They both look happy and relaxed in this romantic moment along the historic Charleston coastline.
  • A couple kisses on a sandy beach during their Charleston engagement session; the man lifts the woman in his arms. Both are barefoot, and the ocean waves roll in behind them under a cloudy sky, capturing the magic of engagement photography along the historic Charleston shoreline.
  • A man lifts a woman in his arms as they smile at each other on a sandy beach, with waves and a cloudy sky in the background—capturing the joy of their Charleston engagement session.
  • A man lifts a woman and spins her playfully on a sandy beach during their Charleston engagement session. Both are barefoot and smiling, with ocean waves and a cloudy sky in the background—capturing the joy and romance of engagement photography in historic Charleston.
  • A smiling couple stands barefoot on a sandy beach during their Charleston engagement session, the man embracing the woman from behind as her white dress flows in the breeze. The ocean and cloudy sky are visible in the background, perfectly capturing the romance of engagement photography amidst historic Charleston’s scenic beauty.
  • A man hugs and kisses a smiling woman on the head while standing on a sandy beach during their Charleston engagement session. Both look happy and relaxed, dressed in light-colored clothing, with the ocean and cloudy sky in the background, capturing the romantic charm of historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands barefoot on a beach in historic Charleston, embracing and looking out at the ocean waves under a cloudy sky, capturing a romantic moment during their Charleston engagement session.
  • A couple stands in shallow ocean waves, embracing, with their backs to the camera during a Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a long dress, the man wears pants and a shirt. It’s a black and white photo that perfectly captures the timeless romance of engagement photography in historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands close together, smiling and embracing in shallow ocean waves during their Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a white dress and the man wears a beige shirt with dark pants, adding to the romantic atmosphere as wind blows through their hair along the beautiful Historic Charleston shoreline.
  • A couple stands in shallow ocean water, laughing and holding each other during their Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a white dress; the man wears dark pants and a light shirt. Waves and cloudy sky are in the background, capturing the romance of engagement photography in historic Charleston.
  • A couple stands in shallow ocean water, embracing and laughing together during their Charleston engagement session. The woman wears a white dress, and the man wears dark pants with a light shirt. Waves crash behind them under a cloudy sky.
  • A couple stands in shallow ocean water during a Charleston Engagement Session, embracing and smiling at each other. The sky is cloudy and waves roll in behind them, creating a romantic beach scene.
  • A couple stands embracing in shallow ocean waves on a cloudy day during their Charleston engagement session. They smile at each other, the woman in a white dress and the man in a light shirt and dark pants—capturing the romance of engagement photography amidst the timeless beauty of historic Charleston.
  • A woman in a white dress smiles at the camera while holding the arm of a man facing away on a sandy beach with rocks and a cloudy sky in the background, capturing the joy of their Charleston engagement session.
  • A woman in a white dress hugs a man’s arm, showing off an engagement ring on her finger during their Charleston Engagement Session. The image is softly lit and cropped, focusing on their upper bodies and the woman’s hand.