Charleston Portrait Photography Venue Rates

Charleston has received tremendous publicity in recent years, with Condé Nast Traveler naming it the best small city in the United States. To put it simply, Charleston is a charming city, replete with multiple beaches, cobblestone streets and historical sites. When choosing a location for your quintessentially Charleston family portrait, we suggest considering some of our city’s famously beautiful gardens and plantations. Other beautiful historic venues are available and include the William Aiken House and the American Theatre. Read on to learn more about venue rates, hours of operation, and scheduling protocols.


MAGNOLIA PLANTATION & GARDENS - America’s oldest public garden

  • FEE: $ 200/day flat rate 

  • HOURS: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; willing to stay open earlier or later upon request

  • SCHEDULING/POINT OF CONTACT: Caroline

    • P: 843-571-1266 (ext.2300)


MIDDLETON PLACE 

  • FEE: $ 175/day flat rate (includes admission for 4 people plus the photographer) 

  • HOURS: 

    • Open Sundays through Mondays from 9am to 5pm

    • Option to stay past 5 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays

    • On Sundays photographers can stay through sunset (unless a wedding or event is currently taking place)

  • SCHEDULING: Required to submit a signed contract and payment at least 3 business days prior to day of photoshoot

  • POINT OF CONTACT: Molly Sherman


MCLEOD PLANTATION - A famous and well-preserved Gullah/Geechee heritage site that serves to recognize generations of enslaved people

  • FEE: $100 per hour between 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. and $200 per hour after 6 pm

  • HOURS: Photo shoots must take place Tuesday-Sunday 7-9 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

  • SCHEDULING: All professional photo shoots (including, but not limited to, group or family shoots) and all photography involving equipment other than a hand-held camera or cell phone must be scheduled in advance with the park office. 

  • POINT OF CONTACT: Call 843-762-9514 to schedule 


BOONE HALL PLANTATION - Rated #1 Plantation in the Lowcountry by USA Today

  • FEE: $500 for an annual Photo Pass

    • Photo Pass allows for a maximum of 4 guests (5 total individuals including photographer)

  • HOURS: Open Monday - Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and Sundays 12pm to 5 pm

  • SCHEDULING:  Must make reservations for a planned photoshoot by reaching out to Sarah Kate

  • POINT OF CONTACT: Sarah Kate

    • P: 843-884-4371 (mainline) 

      • *ask to be connected to Sarah Kate for scheduling 


THE WILLIAM AIKEN HOUSE

  • FEE: $206/hour or $105/half hour 

  • HOURS: Only open Monday - Wednesdays for photoshoots:

    • Mondays: 12 pm - 4:30 pm

    • Tuesdays & Wednesdays:  9 am - 4:30 pm

  • SCHEDULING: 

    • *Must schedule at least 30 days in advance*

    • Call Jillian to schedule 

    • Photographer must complete a required photography form (Jillian can email digital form)

  • POINT OF CONTACT: Jillian



LOWNDES GROVE

  • FEE: $206/hour or $105/half hour 

  • HOURS: Only open Monday - Wednesdays for photoshoots:

    • Mondays: 12 pm - 4:30 pm

    • Tuesdays & Wednesdays:  9 am - 4:30 pm

  • SCHEDULING: 

    • *Must schedule at least 30 days in advance*

    • Call Jillian to schedule 

    • Photographer must complete a required photography form (Jillian can email digital form)

  • POINT OF CONTACT: Jillian



THE AMERICAN THEATRE

  • FEE: $206/hour or $105/half hour 

  • HOURS: Only open Monday - Wednesdays for photoshoots:

    • Mondays: 12 pm - 4:30 pm

    • Tuesdays & Wednesdays:  9 am - 4:30 pm

  • SCHEDULING: 

    • *Must schedule at least 30 days in advance*

    • Call Jillian to schedule 

    • Photographer must complete a required photography form (Jillian can email digital form)

  • POINT OF CONTACT: Jillian


CHARLESTOWN LANDING:

  • FEE: $12/Adult; $7.50/SC Senior; $7/children aged 6-15 years old; Free for children 5 and younger

    • *No props or staging permitted on property*

  • HOURS: 

    • April 1st - October 31st: 9 am, - 6 pm daily

    • November 1st - March 31st: 9 am - 5 pm daily

      • *Everyone needs to be in the park 5 pm and then off by 6 pm when the front gates are locked

  • SCHEDULING: N/A

  • POINT OF CONTACT: Niki Ohlandt




FOUNDERS HALL

  • FEE: 

    • $500 for 4 hours 

    • $200 for 2 hours (special Captured by Kate rate)*

  • SCHEDULING: *Requires a minimum of 1 months notice*

  • POINT OF CONTACT: Niki Ohlandt, Events Coordinator



LEGARE WARING HOUSE

  • FEE: 

    • $500 for 4 hours 

    • $200 for 2 hours (special Captured by Kate rate)*

  • SCHEDULING: *Requires a minimum of 1 months notice*

  • POINT OF CONTACT: Niki Ohlandt, Events Coordinator



WINGATE PLACE 

  • FEE: No fee required (so long as it does not require a staff member to be on site)

  • SCHEDULING: *Must give a minimum of 2 weeks notice prior to scheduling a photoshoot*

    • *Schedule 3 to 4 weeks in advance during Wingate’s off-season (July and August) when they have large venue projects going on that may affect the appearance of the grounds 

  • POINT OF CONTACT: Sarah Rickman


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