Beautiful locations for outdoor photography sessions in Southwest, Virginia
Location plays a key role in the final look of your images so deciding on the best location for your session is important. If you’ve decided that you would prefer an outdoor location instead of an in-home or activity based session then you’re in for a treat! Southwest Virginia has some beautiful outdoor locations that provide stunning backdrops for photos. Whether you want open fields, mountain views, beautiful gardens or waterfront then one of these locations in Roanoke, Virginia or the New River Valley are perfect for your photography session.
#1: Carvin’s Cove
Located in Roanoke, Virginia near Hollin’s University, this national park has just about everything you could want in a location. There’s water, mountains, tall grasses, woods and walking trails all within a quarter mile radius of the parking lot. This park tends to be quieter then other national parks in the area so you can typically find a spot where no one else is and really maximize your time there. Trails are well marked and the waterfront is easy to access so it’s perfect for couples, maternity, family or updated pictures of the littles. An added bonus is that it’s beautiful in every season. Fair warning though if you chose this location in the winter it is often windy and the temperatures can get very cold! You do have to pay for parking, however; it is only $7 for a day pass or $50 for an annual pass (so if you love the outdoors and hiking or boating it may be worth the annual pass to come back for some outdoor fun throughout the year).
#2: Greenhill Park
Located in Salem, Virginia this park is fairly expansive. There’s open fields, mountain views and a fantastic creek that is shallow and easy to access so it is a fantastic spot for pictures if you like a little adventure. There’s no fee to park and after your photos, if you’ve brought the kids, there’s lots of playgrounds to get out some energy and picnic shelters for lunch or a snack. If mobility is an issue for anyone in your group this might be a good location for pictures. There are a variety of places to park and most of the trails in the main area are paved which can accommodate a walker, rollator, wheelchair, etc.
#3: Blue Ridge Parkway
Located in Floyd, VA the Blue Ridge Parkway has some epic photo opportunities. There are gorgeous mountain views that are stunning in the spring, summer and fall, especially at golden hour when you can catch that sun setting in the background. As the sun sets, you can also catch blue hour which creates a moody, dreamy light to your session! There’s no fee to park here and it’s perfect for pretty much any type of photography session.
#4: Heritage Park
Located in Blacksburg, VA this park is equal parts fun (great place to explore) and beautiful. There’s mountain views, large open fields, tree and trails, a small pond and also some historical buildings all located on the property. This may not be a great spot if you have people with mobility issues as you do need to do some walking, but if you are wanting a location that shows off the beauty of the New River Valley, then this could be the spot for your session!
#5: Hahn Horitculture Gardens @ VT
Located in Blacksburg, VA, the gardens are a part of the Virginia Tech Campus. They are a beautiful spot for all kinds of sessions. The gardens are immaculately maintained, year round, and as the seasons change, so does the vegetation. This means that the gardens are full of different plants and colors throughout the year and add a simple, natural beauty to your images. Parking can sometimes be tricky depending on the time of year your are planning your session (since it’s on campus) but usually you can snag a spot next to the gardens or in a nearby parking lot.
If you are hoping for an outdoor portrait session in the Southwest, Virginia area, then I highly recommend one of these locations!
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