What are the best engagement locations in and around Asheville, NC? It’s a question I get asked often as a photographer, and fortunately there are so many incredible places to choose from! Below, I break down seven of my favorite engagement photo spots in Western North Carolina.

1. Black Balsam Knob off the Blue Ridge Parkway

Renowned for its breathtaking, 360-degree views of the surrounding Shining Rock Wilderness, Black Balsam is a top destination for couples’ photo shoots, including engagements, proposals, and elopements. The stunning location is about a 50-minute drive from Asheville and features a short, half-mile hike to the first overlook, with photo spots in the alpine forest along the way. Although the weather can be a little unpredictable here, the summit offers the unique opportunity to witness both sunrise and sunset. To steer clear of the biggest crowds, go early or consider scheduling on a weekday. 

2. The North Carolina Arboretum and Lake Powhatan

A mix of wooded trails, gardens, and stream access make this spot a versatile and beautiful choice. Located just 15 to 20 minutes from downtown Asheville, it’s also one of the most conveniently accessible options on this list. Pay $20 to explore the Arboretum’s gardens or $5 to park at Lake Powhatan, where you can take advantage of the lake’s sandy beach and meander through the surrounding forests of Bent Creek.

3. Looking Glass Falls in Pisgah National Forest

This 60-foot waterfall offers a stunning backdrop for any engagement photography session or couples shoot. Just a short walk from the road, a set of steps leads down to the base of the falls, where you might spot visitors enjoying a swim in the pool below. (If you’d like to end your photo session in the water, we can make that happen!) Take note: Given its beauty, this location is highly popular and may require some patience navigating others taking photos in front of the falls.

4. Craggy Gardens off the Blue Ridge Parkway

A 45-minute drive from Asheville along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, Craggy Gardens features a half-mile hike that takes you through enchanting tunnels of twisted trees and, when in season, beautiful rhododendron blooms. At the top, you’ll find endless panoramic views, perfect for catching the sunset and that golden hour glow cascading across the mountains. At an elevation of 5,500 feet, you may want to bring an extra layer and prepare for the possibility of fog.

5. Botanical Gardens at Asheville

With plenty of space for a picnic and a short, forested walk, this relaxed spot near UNC Asheville is perfect for couples looking for a quieter, nature-filled setting—without the long drive. Elements like a wooden bridge, wildflower gardens, and a gazebo create a variety of photo opportunities, along with a small stream where you can sit or stroll along the banks.

6. Max Patch

While one of the further options on this list, Max Patch is also one of the most picturesque. From the parking lot, you’ll venture on a 3/4-mile hike to reach the famous bald mountaintop, offering sweeping 360-degree views of the Appalachian Mountains. Although quite a popular destination, Max Patch offers plenty of space to explore, making it easy to move around and find quiet nooks.

7. Downtown Asheville

If you’re looking for an urban feel, downtown Asheville is the spot to go. Vibrant street art, charming boutiques, and a mix of historic architecture create a lively backdrop, with the option to duck into a local brewery, coffee shop, or ice cream parlor for an added element of playful photo fun.

It was a joy to work with the Pillar Rooftop Bar (in downtown Asheville, NC) for this shoot. I always love photographing cocktails. And Pillar’s menu was stacked with colorful and creative options for me to capture. I was also hired to capture a few of the menu items. It was fun to move around the space and work with some of the different backdrops and tabletops that exist within the bar. I’ll be returning for a shoot next month, and I can’t wait!

I absolutely love working with local Asheville entrepreneurs and small businesses to help showcase their stories. This particular shoot was a brand photography session for the winemaker at Addison Farms Vineyard out in Leicester, North Carolina. 

We narrowed down the shoot to three concepts: portraits in the vineyard, a product shot over ice, and a messy tablescape. I also captured a few creative shots featuring a wine glass in front of the winery’s mountain backdrop…it was too beautiful of a setting not to go beyond the shot list!

If you’re interested in a branding photography session, I’d love to hear from you. In today’s online world, impactful imagery is a must for making your business stand out and can be a powerful tool for connecting with your audience. I’d love to help you tell your story and showcase your unique value. Get in touch at GraceDPhotos@gmail.com.

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Want to do a themed shoot for your engagement photography or couples photography session? Let’s do it. 

I love creative shoots like this, so when Carly and Brendon pitched the idea of doing a photo session with their convertible, I was all for it. We took a drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway and hung out for a bit just before sunset at the Mount Pisgah Overlook, a roughly 40-minute drive from Asheville, NC.

It was so fun to find creative poses that incorporated the convertible, and the mountains provided the perfect picturesque background. I absolutely loved capturing the connection between these two!

If you’re looking for inspiration on how to elevate your couples photography session, let’s chat. I’d be happy to help find a theme or experience that resonates with you! Picnic? Hike? Living room dance party? I’m in.

When Andy reached out to me about proposing to his best friend, Alli, at Max Patch, I was psyched. It’s a bit of a drive from Asheville, but the Blue Ridge destination is such a dreamy spot for such a special moment, and the two would be driving from Charlotte, NC to stay for the weekend.

Andy told me over the phone that he, too, was a photographer. So we devised a plan that included his camera. Once him and Alli climbed to the top of the mountain, they paused for a moment to take in the view. Then, Andy asked Alli stand up and pose for a few photos. But instead of reaching for his camera, Andy pulled out a ring from his camera bag, and the proposal began.

The plan (thankfully) went off without a hitch, and afterwards, we took some photos amidst the beautiful mountain backdrop. 

The love and friendship between these two was clear, which made the session feel incredibly natural and fun. Plus, Max Patch was sprinkled with wildflowers (mostly buttercups), which added an extra magical element to the photos, despite a mostly clouded-over sunset. 

Can’t wait for more engagement and proposal photography sessions like this one!

I love an engagement photography shoot or a couples photography shoot that has a theme. This one was centered around Lake Powhatan, tucked inside Pisgah National Forest just outside of Asheville. 

I love how playful this session felt. I got to initiate some splash battles, and capture plenty of fun moments running around the shore. When Abi and Liam said they were down to go fully into the water, I was psyched. We wrapped up the shoot with a few floating photos just before closing hour at the lake.

I’m looking forward to more creative couples photography sessions like this one. My goal is always to capture just how romantic and playful true love can be. 

Interested in documenting your connection? Let’s chat!

I loved this portrait session with Onalee up on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I chose a location just outside of Asheville, NC near the Mills River Valley Overlook and kicked off the session around golden hour, continuing on after dusk, using a headlamp to light the scene.

Onalee gave me free reign to creatively direct this portrait photography shoot, so I played around with a lot of ideas, including double exposures, long exposures, and some photography in motion shots. I’d love to do more creative portrait sessions like these. It’s always fun to think outside the box!

Gorgeous, right? This is what your photography session could look like if you book your engagement, anniversary or couples shoot in the Blue Ridge Mountains outside of Asheville, NC. 

It was such a joy to capture Lauren & Beau on this beautiful spring evening at Craggy Gardens. I did a lot of playful posing for this session, while capturing their laughter and tender touches in between. A beautiful sunset capped off the evening, as well as some candid moments beneath the moon.

I can’t wait for more photography sessions like this in Asheville and the surrounding area.

Interested in booking an engagement photographer or a photo session to celebrate your love? I’d love to connect. Get in touch at GraceDPhotos@gmail.com.

So you want to take your “boudoir” session outdoors? Sign me up. These have easily become one my favorite types of portrait sessions.

Technically, “boudoir” means “a woman’s bedroom or private room”. But throw out semantics for a second, and picture this: You. A mountain / waterfall / golden hour sunset / [insert any other epic outdoor scenery]. And a photographer (me!) there to capture it all, while guiding you into poses that make you feel *fire*.

That’s the kind of boudoir that I think is hot. Naturally beautiful. Because nature is beautiful. And so are you.

Recently, a client booked me for a four-season shoot. This was the “winter” photography session. We chose to shoot on a snowy day at the top of Roan Mountain on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. And the experience was magical. Drop-dead gorgeous, all around. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can create in the remaining seasons.

If you’re interested in booking a boudoir photography session but are hesitant about what that experience might feel like, give me a shout. It doesn’t have to involve you being half-dressed in the middle of winter. But it could. I’m happy talk about options in and around Asheville, NC. Send me an email to connect.

It was so much fun hanging out with the Sprachman family for this family photography session in the park. I love shoots where the kids get to run around and the whole family joins in, whether that’s at a hiking spot in the Blue Ridge Mountains, or a park area, like the North Carolina Arboretum, the Botanical Gardens, or the Biltmore in Asheville. Can’t wait for more family sessions like this one!