Photography Locations in Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, & beyond.
Whether you are looking for the perfect place to have your engagement session or a great setting for your next family portrait, here are some of my favorite outdoor locations to shoot around the Triangle.
Chapel Hill - Durham - Hillsborough - Pittsboro - Raleigh
Chapel Hill
Coker Arboretum
Coker Arboretum is a wonderful place for all types of portrait sessions that is located on the UNC Chapel Hill campus and beautifully maintained by the North Carolina Botanical Garden. The arboretum is open from dawn til dusk daily, admission is free, & there is plenty of metered parking nearby.
Visit the Coker Arboretum website.
Get directions to this location.
Forest Theatre
The Forest Theatre is a very cool, stone amphitheater that makes for a striking, architectural backdrop in portraits. This location is great for engagement and family sessions with older kids. It is open to the public from dawn 'til dusk daily (with the exception of performances and private events). Admission is free and parking is easy.
Visit the Forest Theatre website.
Get directions to this location.
Merritt’s Pasture
Merritt’s Pasture is an incredibly beautiful plot of land that can be accessed via the Morgan Creek Trail. It’s a bit of a walk to reach, but once you are there it is incredibly peaceful and idyllic. It’s a particularly lovely place for couples and engagement sessions.
Visit the Merritt’s Pasture website.
Get directions to this location.
North Carolina Botanical Garden
The North Carolina Botanical Garden is a wonderful location for photographs with so many different (& incredible) garden settings. There are wildflowers, pathways, boardwalks, and a nature trail through the woods for exploring. Scheduling a session here requires a reservation + a $25 fee, but it is totally worth it.
Visit the NC Botanical Garden website.
Get directions to this location.
Carolina North Forest
Carolina North Forest is a vast & beautiful woodland area located just between Chapel Hill & Carrboro. There are an array of trails and open areas within it, but Pumpkin Loop is probably my favorite for easy access & parking.
Visit the Carolina North Forest website.
Get directions to this location.
UNC Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a beautiful campus that is full of beloved icons like the bell tower and Old Well. It is a great spot for seniors, alumni, newly engaged grads, Tar Heels fans, or families to have their session.
Visit the UNC Chapel Hill website.
Get directions to this location.
Other notable Chapel Hill locations: Battle Park, Hartleyhenge, Pritchard Park
Durham
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Sarah P. Duke Gardens is an absolutely amazing location for portrait sessions. Regardless of the time of year, it always seems to be beautiful and in bloom. As one of their member photographers, I would be thrilled to photograph you here (& am able to do so without you having to pay an additional $100 for a session permit). If you are interested in having your shoot at Duke Gardens, please let me know and I'd be happy to set it up for you. The grounds are open daily 8:00 a.m. til dusk & parking is available in their metered lot.
Visit the Sarah P. Duke Gardens website.
Get directions to this location.
West Point on the Eno
West Point on the Eno is located just north of downtown Durham & is a perfect location if you are looking for a woodsy, natural setting for your photographs (without traveling too far from downtown). It is a giant park with miles of trails to wander, three historic buildings, and- of course- the scenic Eno River. The park is free and open daily from 8:00 a.m. til dusk & there is ample free parking there, as well.
Visit the Eno River Association website.
Get directions to this location.
Downtown Durham
If you are looking for something a little different for your session, a downtown stroll is such a great option. There is a variety of incredible architecture & there are so many great spots to shoot (one of my favorites is in front of The Durham Hotel) that we surely won't be lacking in options.
Visit the Downtown Durham website.
Eno River State Park
Eno River State Park is located about 15 minutes northwest of downtown Durham and has a slightly different feel than West Point on the Eno. While this location also features lots of woods + beautiful trails, what sets it apart is one very cool suspension bridge and an empty wilderness cabin. This portion of the river is super fun to explore & also has some great flat rocks in the river to stand/sit on for photographs. The park is free and open daily + there is ample free lot parking, too.
Visit the Eno River State Park website.
Get directions to this location.
Duke East Campus
Duke East Campus is one of those places that you might not necessarily think of as being a great place for photographs, but it totally is. With it's well-kept lawns, big trees, & old, classic buildings, it is probably one of the more open green spaces on this list.
Get directions to this location.
Duke Park
Duke Park is one of my favorite places for photographing children + families in Durham. There are a couple of different areas around the park with beautiful natural backdrops & two different playgrounds that are perfect for candid images of your kiddos playing once we're done capturing the whole family together.
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The Rubenstein Arts Center
The Rubenstein Arts Center is a super special art, studio, and theater space for Duke’s creative community. Just being around it feels good + the exterior of the building makes a great modern, architectural backdrop for portraits (especially headshots).
Visit the Rubenstein Arts Center website.
Get directions to this location.
Other notable Durham locations: Duke Forest, Turtle Hole, Eno Rock Quarry, Sandy Creek Park, Durham Central Park, American Tobacco Campus, Duke Chapel, Garrett Road Park
Hillsborough
Hillsborough River Walk
The Hillsborough River Walk has a giant piece of my heart for sure. There are plenty of woods, paved paths for strolling, & a few attractions along the way like Gold Park. The walk is open from dawn til dusk daily, admission is free, & there is plenty of parking available at Gold Park and Weaver Street Market.
Visit the Hillsborough River Walk website.
Get directions to this location.
Ayr mount
Ayr Mount really is a special place + provides the perfect scenic backdrop for all types of sessions. It features an amazing historic home, trails, a pond, and most of all - a quiet and serene atmosphere. They do require you to make a reservation for your session in advance and pay a $50/hour fee (which I'd say is totally worth it).
Visit the Ayr Mount website.
Get directions to this location.
Other notable Hillsborough locations: Occoneechee Mountain, Occoneechee Speedway Trail
Pittsboro
Camden Park
Camden Park is such a beautiful, little park that is situated just beside Fearrington Village. I absolutely love shooting at this spot & it's a great alternative if you had your heart set on a session at Fearrington Village (Fearrington doesn't allow professional portraits on their grounds unless you are getting married there). Camden Park is a gem of a spot with beautiful trees, paths, lawns, & two large ponds. Admission and parking are free.
Get directions to this location.
Other notable Pittsboro locations: Jordan Lake
Raleigh
North Carolina Museum of Art
The Ann & Jim Goodnight Museum Park at the NCMA is one of my absolute favorite places to shoot in Raleigh. In addition to being the home to beautiful public art & great trails, there is a variety of modern, sculptural, and open natural backgrounds for your portraits to be found there. The park is open daily from dawn ‘til dusk, admission is free, public restrooms are available, & there is plenty of lot parking available.
Visit the North Carolina Museum of Art website.
Get directions to this location.
JC Raulston Arboretum
JC Raulston Arboretum is a wonderful place to shoot with an array of beautiful architectural and natural backgrounds for your session. The arboretum opens daily at 8:00 a.m. & closes at 8:00 p.m. April-October and at 5:00 p.m. November-March. Admission is free, public restrooms are available in the visitor center, & there is plenty of lot and on-street parking.
Visit the JC Raulston Arboretum website.
Get directions to this location.
Historic Yates Mill County Park
The Historic Yates Mill Park is a great spot for engagement portraits, maternity portraits, or for a family session with older kids. Highlights of this spot include a historic mill, a creek, waterwheel, pond, and dam. Registration is required to do a professional, client-based photo session here, so if you’d like to have your session here, please let me know as soon as you decide.
Visit the Historic Yates Mill County Park website.
Get directions to this location.
Lake Johnson Park
Lake Johnson Park is a great location for your session if you are looking for woods + water close to downtown Raleigh. Admission is free & there is plenty of free lot parking available, as well.
Visit the Lake Johnson Park website.
Get directions to this location.
Other notable Raleigh locations: William B. Umstead State Park, Fred Fletcher Park, Lake Crabtree, Falls Lake State Recreation Area, WRAL Azalea Gardens, Lake Raleigh
Other Location Ideas..
While the locations listed above are all great options, the possibilities are nearly endless when it comes to where to have your portrait session. I love working in unique locations that are meaningful to you + off the beaten path a bit, so if you already have a special place in mind for your session, please let me know - I'd be thrilled to hear what you are dreaming of and eager to shoot somewhere new.
If you're still not quite sure about where to have your session + would like a little bit of help in brainstorming a meaningful place to take your portraits, please be in touch & I'd be more than happy to help you find the perfect location that will bring your vision to life.
Other location ideas:
Your home / backyard (or a friend or neighbor's)
A family farm or property
Your favorite local park / playground
A pretty field that you drive by everyday
Your favorite places (i.e. an ice cream parlour, bookstore, bar, hiking spot, etc.)