I had never much thought about South Carolina as a photography hot spot, but when I attended a photography conference in Charleston, its beauty absolutely blew me away. The scent of flowers blooming in the air, sounds of ocean waves always close by, sights of birds flying overhead, light playing through oak tree leaves, and breathtaking historic architecture – it is a photographer’s daydream. Whether you enjoy landscapes, wildlife, portraiture, architecture, or history – Charleston has a little bit of it all.

I traveled to Charleston in the spring, which was pretty much the perfect time to visit – the summer humidity has not yet arrived but winter is on its way out, mosquitoes were few and far between (they get really bad later in the year), and with all the flowers blooming, it gave Charleston such a romantic air. The romantic vibes could also be caused by the fact that I watched The Notebook at a formative age, so that landscape has always just struck me as enchanting. But I’ll let you make up your own mind! Forget Cabo, Charleston is definitely an underrated spring break destination you need to visit! 

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• Downtown: there are plenty of walking tours, even a horse and carriage tour (highly recommend as the first thing you do so you get a quick overview of the area and learn more in a fun way, plus it’ll save you some walking!), but you definitely don’t want to miss the historic downtown. And absolutely do not miss Rainbow Row, a cluster of highly Instagramable, pastel colored homes dating from the mid 1700s.
• Waterfront Park: water views, fountains, and walkways make this a perfect afternoon location to visit. The fountains can also make for a lovely sunset shot, backlit with color. Want a tour-like experience but you’re on a budget? Use this self-guided audio tour to learn all about the incredible history of Charleston right from your phone – no other guide needed.
• Boone Hall Plantation: featuring scenic farmland, it is one of America’s oldest working plantations. Explore on your own or join a tour – this is a good way to become educated about black history and the contributions of enslaved peoples, which I think is one of the MOST important things you could do when visiting this area. The tour also includes your admission so no waiting in line for your tickets!
• Ravenel Bridge: this bridge continues the stunning architecture of Charleston, but where downtown is historic, Ravenel is modern with beautiful, sweeping lines. It is also a great location to catch a sunset. Want to see it from the water?! Jump on this sightseeing cruise,  where the guides will keep you entertained and you can get images of iconic American landmarks from a unique angle. 
• Congaree National Park: technically outside of Charleston, but it is always worth a drive to visit a new National Park! Scenic wooden walkways take you over floodplains, which have very photogenic reflections when the forest floor is flooded. I did one of the hikes through the forest, but I would love to come back when the water level is higher and canoe or kayak through the area as well.

• Angel Oak: one of the oldest and largest oak trees in the area, it looks absolutely magical in morning light.
• Middleton Plantation: fountains, flowers, gardens, oaks, and a lovely waterway make this a fantastic place to try out many types of photography. If you are into portrait photography, the flowers make a stunning backdrop. Get transported from downtown to the Plantation with this tour, where you’ll get to ride in an air-conditioned van (that southern humidity & heat can be brutal!) and get to try a traditional Low Country cuisine lunch.
• Magnolia Plantation: this was my absolute favorite plantation to visit. Big bursts of blooms were everywhere, and the air was thick with the most wonderful scent. The oak trees were so lush and lovely, that I was completely enchanted. There are also sections to view wildlife and birds, making it a fantastic wildlife photography location as well. To see the most here, definitely try out this guided tram tour.
• Folly Beach: I shot both sunset and Milky Way at this beach – a long exposure shot of the pier is fantastic for either sunrise or sunset, and the beach is perfect for Milky Way as faces far enough south to catch the core in the spring and summer.
• Botany Bay / Edisto Island: this was my favorite spot of the entire trip – despite hurricane damage on the beach, the skeletal trees at Botany Bay made for the most eerily beautiful sunrise shot.

• French Quarter Inn: if you want a luxury stay that is also within convenient walking distance to downtown, the Charleston City Market, and more book the French Quarter Inn here.
• The Vendue Hotel: if you want to stay at a boutique hotel with an artistic vibe, book a stay at the Vendue hotel – which even has a rooftop bar! The bar is a great place to meet other travelers and explorers, so it’s a great option for solo travelers.
• Harbourview Inn: if ocean views are your top priority, look no further than this gorgeous stay.
• Tides Folly Beach: located outside of Charleston, but it features views of the ocean – from your private balcony or from the pool! Book it here.

• Weather: in the spring, the temperatures were mild, but in the summer, high temperatures and humidity can make travel challenging (bring water!). In winter, be cautious of high winds and heavy rainfall, although winters are usually fairly mild and warmer than the surrounding states.
• Mosquitoes: there was a “mosquito meter” at Congaree that stated the current mosquito level, rated from all clear to war zone – if you can’t avoid the worst of it, make sure you bring lots of repellent.
• Visit the South Carolina tourism board website for more information!

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