Charleston Family Photos on the Marsh | A Lowcountry Family Session

Jan 13, 2025

2 min read

Updated: Sep 24

Family of four together beside the Charleston marsh at golden hour

When you think about family photos in Charleston, your mind probably goes straight to the beach. And listen, I LOVE a Charleston beach session. But one of my favorite things about photographing families here is just how many different kinds of beautiful Lowcountry backdrops we have to choose from.

For this family's session, we traded the sand and ocean for one of my other favorite Charleston views: the marsh.

A different kind of Charleston family photo location

There is something so quintessentially Charleston about the marsh. The tall grasses, winding waterways and golden evening light give you all of that beautiful Lowcountry scenery without your family photos necessarily feeling like "beach pictures."

It's also one of the reasons I love helping families choose a location that actually fits them. Your Charleston family photos don't have to look exactly like everyone else's. Some families want bare feet and ocean waves. Others love the colorful streets of downtown Charleston, big oak trees in a local park or a quiet view overlooking the marsh.

The best location is the one that feels like your family.

Children playing during a relaxed Charleston family photography session

Parents hugging their children during family photos by the Charleston marsh

Relaxed family photos with plenty of room to be yourselves

No matter where we're taking photos, my approach stays pretty much the same.

I'll make sure we get the photo where everyone is looking at the camera because yes, Grandma needs that one. But then we'll move. We'll play. We'll let the kids be kids. I'll give you plenty of direction so you're never standing there wondering, "Okay...what do I do with my hands?" without trying to pose every single moment.

Those in-between moments are usually where some of my favorite photographs happen.

And with a beautiful Charleston marsh in the background? Even better.

Planning your own Charleston family photos?

If you're planning a family photo session in Charleston, you don't have to know exactly where you want to go before you reach out. That's part of what I'm here for.

I've spent years photographing families throughout Charleston and the surrounding beaches, and I can help you choose a location based on the look you love, the ages and personalities of your kids, where you're staying and what will make the experience easiest for your family.

Whether that's the marsh, a Charleston park, downtown or one of our beaches, we'll find a spot that feels right and make some really good photographs while we're there.