Let’s find a place that feels like you.
One of my favorite parts of an engagement session is choosing a location that feels personal to you as a couple. Wilmington and the surrounding coast give us so many options—from barefoot beach sessions and windswept dunes to Spanish moss, historic downtown streets, and quiet coastal landscapes.
You don’t have to choose the “perfect” location. I’m much more interested in finding somewhere that fits you.
Here are some of my favorite places around Wilmington for engagement photos, along with the kind of experience and images you can expect from each.
THE SOUTH END OF WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
Coastal • Relaxed • Romantic • Classic
If you want that quintessential Wilmington engagement session, it’s hard to beat Wrightsville Beach.
We can wander through the dunes, walk barefoot along the shoreline, let the wind move through your hair, and finish with those warm, glowy coastal images that make you want to frame everything.
I especially love the south end of Wrightsville Beach, where the dunes and open shoreline give us a little more room to explore and create images that feel natural rather than overly posed.
Perfect for: Couples who love the beach, want a relaxed session, or want images that feel like a little coastal adventure.
My favorite time: Sunset
Photo vibe: Sandy feet, windblown hair, big skies, movement, and lots of genuine moments.
THE NORTH END OF WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
Wild • Quiet • Adventurous • Coastal
For couples who want the beach without feeling like they’re standing in the middle of a crowded beach town, the North End offers a more secluded and natural feel.
There are dunes, sea oats, wide stretches of sand, and plenty of room to wander. It feels a little more untamed and adventurous than the more traditional beach accesses.
It does require a bit more walking, but I think that’s part of what makes it special.
Perfect for: Adventurous couples who don’t mind getting a little sandy and want something more natural and secluded.
My favorite time: Sunrise or sunset
Photo vibe: Wild dunes, soft light, movement, and an editorial-meets-adventure feel.
AIRLIE GARDENS
Romantic • Southern • Lush • Timeless
If you love big oak trees, Spanish moss, gardens, and that unmistakable Southern coastal feeling, Airlie Gardens is hard to beat.
The gardens give us a huge variety of backdrops without having to travel far—massive live oaks, winding paths, greenery, flowers, lakes, bridges, and beautiful architectural details.
It’s especially beautiful when paired with a more dressed-up outfit.
Perfect for: Couples who want something romantic, elegant, and distinctly Wilmington.
My favorite time: Late afternoon into golden hour
Photo vibe: Romantic, timeless, lush, and a little bit Southern Gothic.
Good to know: Airlie Gardens requires a photography reservation and fee for portrait sessions. Their current policy lists portrait photography at $100/hour during regular hours, with additional rules and scheduling requirements.
DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON
Urban • Historic • Colorful • Editorial
Want something completely different from the beach?
Let’s head downtown.
Historic Wilmington gives us brick streets, old architecture, colorful storefronts, alleyways, the Riverwalk, waterfront views, and plenty of little places to stop along the way.
Rather than standing in one spot and taking photos, I love treating downtown like a little adventure—walking, talking, grabbing a drink, and letting the session unfold naturally.
Perfect for: Couples who love the city, architecture, restaurants, coffee shops, or want something a little more editorial.
My favorite time: Late afternoon into sunset
Photo vibe: Modern, editorial, candid, colorful, and urban.
FORT FISHER
Natural • Coastal • Laid-back • Adventurous
If you love the idea of a beach session but want more variety, Fort Fisher is one of my favorite options.
We can combine the beach with coastal grasses, trees, boardwalks, marsh, and other natural textures. It gives us a little more to work with than simply photographing on the sand.
It’s also a great option if you want your session to feel less like a traditional beach portrait session and more like an afternoon exploring the coast together.
Perfect for: Adventurous couples, nature lovers, and anyone who wants a more natural coastal feel.
My favorite time: Sunset
Photo vibe: Organic, earthy, windswept, and adventurous.
CAROLINA BEACH
Fun • Casual • Playful • Nostalgic
Carolina Beach is perfect if you want your engagement photos to feel less formal and a little more like a date night.
We can incorporate the beach, boardwalk, colorful buildings, and the laid-back atmosphere of the area.
This is a great choice for couples who don’t necessarily want every photo to feel romantic and posed. Sometimes the best photos happen while you’re simply walking around, laughing, grabbing a drink, or enjoying an evening together.
Perfect for: Fun-loving couples who want something casual and playful.
My favorite time: Late afternoon into evening
Photo vibe: Playful, colorful, candid, and nostalgic.
GREENFIELD LAKE
Lush • Peaceful • Natural • Local
For something a little closer to town and away from the beach, Greenfield Lake offers a completely different Wilmington backdrop.
The lake, trees, trails, and greenery give us a quiet natural setting without feeling like you’re at a traditional garden.
It’s especially beautiful for couples who love spending time outdoors and want their photos to feel relaxed and organic.
Perfect for: Nature-loving couples who want a quieter, more local setting.
My favorite time: Golden hour
Photo vibe: Natural, peaceful, intimate, and earthy.
SERENITY POINT — TOPSAIL BEACH
Wild • Romantic • Secluded • Coastal
If you’re looking for something that feels a little more wild and adventurous than a traditional beach session, Serenity Point at the southern end of Topsail Island is one of my favorite options.
The landscape here feels untouched and expansive, with wide stretches of beach, natural dunes, sea oats, and the sound of the ocean all around you. It’s the kind of place where we can forget about the camera and simply wander together.
Serenity Point is especially beautiful around sunset, when the light gets soft and warm and the sky opens up over the water. It’s also a great choice for couples who want their engagement photos to feel less like a traditional portrait session and more like a little coastal adventure.
Perfect for: Couples who love the beach, nature, adventure, and a more secluded setting.
My favorite time: Sunset
Photo vibe: Wild, romantic, windswept, natural, and intimate.
Good to know: Serenity Point has limited parking, particularly around sunset and during the busy summer season, so we’ll want to plan our arrival accordingly. Parking rules can also vary seasonally, so I’ll help you with the details when we plan your session.
WANT SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT?
Your engagement session doesn’t have to happen at a traditional “photo location.”
Some of my favorite sessions happen when we incorporate something that is actually part of your relationship.
A few ideas:
Your favorite coffee shop
Start with coffee and conversation, then wander around downtown.
A sailboat or boat ride
For a truly Wilmington experience, we can take the session onto the water and photograph you two doing something you actually enjoy.
Your favorite neighborhood
Your first apartment, favorite park, or the place where you spend your weekends can make the session much more personal.
A favorite date-night spot
Dinner, drinks, ice cream, or a walk around the neighborhood can make for some of the most candid images.
A little road trip
If you’re willing to venture outside Wilmington, there are countless beautiful coastal and rural locations within driving distance.
WHICH LOCATION IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
| Want… | Location |
|---|---|
| Classic Wilmington beach | Wrightsville Beach |
| Wild & adventurous | Serenity Point or North End Wrightsville |
| Romantic & elegant | Airlie Gardens |
| Urban & editorial | Downtown Wilmington |
| Fun & casual | Carolina Beach |
| Quiet & natural | Greenfield Lake |
| Botanical & lush | New Hanover County Arboretum |
And remember—you don’t have to choose just one.
For longer sessions, we can sometimes combine two locations to give your gallery completely different looks. For example, we could start somewhere with greenery and finish barefoot on the beach.
A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
SUNSET ISN’T ALWAYS THE BEST OPTION.
Golden hour is beautiful, but sunrise can be just as incredible—and usually much quieter.
If you’re willing to wake up early, sunrise sessions often mean empty beaches, softer light, and a much more peaceful experience.
WEEKDAYS ARE YOUR FRIEND.
Popular locations can get busy, especially during the summer and on weekends. Whenever possible, I recommend scheduling your session Monday–Thursday to give us more space and fewer people in the background.
LET’S PLAN AROUND THE LIGHT.
I don’t simply choose a time because Google says sunset is at a certain hour. We’ll plan around when the light will actually look best at our location.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO GET A LITTLE DIRTY.
Some of my favorite engagement photos happen when couples stop worrying about keeping their clothes perfectly clean.
Walk barefoot. Sit in the sand. Run through the grass. Get in the water.
These aren’t just photos—they’re memories.
MY BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE
Choose the place that feels like you.
The best engagement session location isn’t necessarily the one with the most beautiful scenery.
It’s the place where you can relax, have fun, and actually enjoy being together.
I’ll take care of the locations, lighting, posing, and everything else.
You just have to show up, be yourselves, and enjoy the experience.
