MUST HAVE PHOTO SPOTS IN SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
WELCOME to the ultimate location guide
I wrote this page to help guide Savannah visitors, locals, and my clients alike, to my favorite locations in our beautiful little city of Savannah, Georgia. I have some location recommendations on my price & packages guide, but I realized people who haven’t visited didn’t know what I was talking about! This guide includes links to read about each spot, what my favorite things about the location are, and photos so you can see what I’m talking about. I’ve also made each location title a link to an information page if you want to read even more about each place! Ready to book a session? Fill out my contact form here and I’ll get that package guide sent your way! Have questions specific to photography? Here’s my F.A.Q. Don’t forget to check back often because I’m always discovering new places to shoot. Looking for wedding venues specifically? You can find that page here!
Happy Reading! - Ash
I figured I’d start off this list with easily my most requested photo spot! I find myself walking through the beautiful Forsyth Park around 3 times per week - and trust me, I don’t mind. Full of huge live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, old fashioned street lanterns, and a huge white fountain in the middle, this park makes for one of the best photo backdrops in Savannah. On the South end there’s tennis and basketball courts, bustling with life. Saturday mornings there’s a farmers market where you can buy the freshest produce around. An adorable all vegetarian cafe called the Sentient Bean sits just across from the South parking lot (which is free to park in, by the way).
The sides of the park are lined with beautiful historic homes and boutiques, and a new cafe that’s a sister restaurant to the Collins Quarter, appropriately called Collins Quarter Forsyth Park, sits right in the middle of the park. There’s a stunning walled garden, specifically designed to be extra fragrant for blind people, with iron gates and pillars and walkways full of the prettiest trees around. In the spring, the bushes that surround the park bloom with pink and white azaleas, and if palm trees are more of your thing, those are there too! If you have little ones, there’s several playgrounds and large fields. There’s even an amphitheater that holds concerts for public benefit occasionally. Gaston Street, which sits on the North end of the park, is home to a huge mansion and several beautiful homes covered in vines and elaborate staircases. Whatever vibe you’re looking for, Forsyth Park is sure to have you covered.
CONS:
It can be a VERY busy, especially on the weekends and during tourist season.
I can photoshop out pedestrians, however if you’re a little camera shy and don’t like posing in front of people, keep this in mind!
The azalea bushes don’t bloom all year, so if you’re looking for those flowers specifically in your photos, plan your shoots for late February to mid April!
I figured I’d put this spot next, since it’s only a short walk from Forsyth Park (around three blocks). This street is often referred to as the prettiest street in Savannah. These two locations are actually so close together that if you’re up for a walk, I consider it to be one spot; this way you’ll have some variety in your session. I first learned of East Jones Street when I moved to Savannah and met another photographer, Megan. Not only was she one of the best people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, she was lucky enough to have a little apartment right on this infamous street!
It’s one of only a few brick streets left in the city, and its houses are all right next to each other, each one seemingly just as beautiful as the last. This location has it all - vine covered stoops, lanterns with real fire, beautiful staircases made of wood or marble, and secret gardens tucked away behind little gates. If you’ve ever seen or read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, then you probably know a thing or two about East Jones. One of my favorite restaurants, Crystal Beer Parlor, is also nearby, as well as the famous Clary’s Cafe!
CONS:
There’s cars on the street, so sometimes they show up in photos unless you’re careful with your angles!
Also - there’s plenty of flags on this street, so if that’s not your vibe keep that in mind!
Moving right along on places that are close together, LaFayette Square is only one block up from East Jones Street. If you’re walking from Forsyth Park, it’s about a 7-10 minute walk total. I think I’ve shot more surprise proposals here than anywhere in Savannah; but don’t let its popularity deter you from doing your photos here! This emerald green fountain and stunning oak trees make for a fabulous backdrop to any occasion. A beautiful vine wall is located right off of the square and is one of my favorite Instagram photo backgrounds. There’s also these stunning leaves that fill the gardens in the square, and they add a pop to any photo! The Hamilton Turner Inn is also located on this square, and you can even stay in this historic building today. On the North side, you have the famous Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, which makes for a stunning photo if that’s your thing. If you like waffles, across the street from the Cathedral is a favorite spot of mine, Mirabelle! It’s a cute little coffee shop with gourmet waffles and coffee.
CONS:
This square is POPULAR, during tourist season be prepared for tours walking through and trolley buses driving around.
Parking on Sundays is also pretty impossible due to the high volume of church goers, so keep all that in mind when planning your shoot.
Bull Street is also mentioned in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and is the center road of Savannah’s Historic District. Full of SCAD buildings, boutiques, antique shops, bars, coffee shops and restaurants, you’re more than likely going to find yourself on Bull Street at one point if you’re visiting! A few of my fave spots on this popular street are Bull Street Taco (best tacos in town), Henny Penny Café, Stump (my fave plant store!), Two Tides Brewing Co., Starland Yard, Blue Door, and Foxy Loxy. This street is actually completely intercepted by Forsyth Park, so if you start on the south end and go all the way up to the North End, you’ll pass through the park on your way.
Five of Savannah’s famous squares are also along Bull: Johnson Square, Wright Square, Chippewa Square, Madison Square, and Monterey Square. The photos below were taken as we walked up Bull Street towards the North end from Forsyth Park, passing through a few of the squares. There’s beautiful benches, flower bushes, vine walls, oak trees, fun SCAD buildings, churches with stunning architecture, and more. It’s a perfect place to start a photo session because you’re only a short walk away from such a large variety of amazing photo spots!
CONS:
It’s a looooong street, so if you wanna see all of it, I suggest a car or a bike, unless you really love walking! I normally suggest my clients meet me at the intersection of Bull and East Jones to hit all the pretty spots.
Also located on Bull Street but more towards the South end, is this cute little district. Quirky & funky, this artsy area offers a much different environment than the usual oak trees that come to mind when you think of Savannah. Full of color, murals, and cute local shops, this urban space is the perfect background for anyone looking for a unique Savannah perspective. My personal favorite mural is the orange and pink one below, painted by amazing local artist and Savannah native JULU. Centered around Bull Street, you’ll find all of the shops I listed in the above section here, and then some. In addition, there’s lots of cute little boutiques and small owned art stores if you’re a window shopper! I always recommend this spot to anyone who wants something eccentric and fresh. This is an area loved by Savannah locals! Places I didn’t mention above that are also super cool and worth checking out include: Back in the Day Bakery, Bell Barber Co., Graveface Museum, House of Strut, Nom Nom Poke Shop, Starlandia, Green Truck Pub, and The Vault.
CONS:
It’s not really in the tourist area, so you’ll probably have to drive or Uber here if you’re staying all the way downtown.
It’s about 10 minutes from Broughton Street.
If you want those pretty Savannah oak trees, you’ll need to book a session with two locations as there’s not too many trees in this area.
One of my absolute favorite squares downtown is this one! This square has a stunning fountain, giant oaks, and some of the prettiest benches the city has to offer. In the spring it’s full of blooming flowers and bushy monkey grass that borders the elegant brick walkways. The houses around this square are also super pretty, and there’s a beautiful neutral wall just off the south end if you’d like some simpler portraits. This square is named after The Battle of New Orleans in 1815, and the fountain in the center was installed to honor german immigrants and to celebrate 250 years of Savannah’s existence. I always push people towards this square because it’s a little off the beaten tourist path being on Bernard Street, so it’s quieter than most places.
CONS:
They dye the fountain bright green in March for St. Patties day, so if you don’t like green, don’t plan to shoot here in March!
This square is off the beaten path, so you may not be able to walk here.
PERRY LANE HOTEL
I can’t say enough positive things about Perry Lane. These two luxury hotels positioned right in downtown have some of the best interior design I’ve seen and they are so so welcoming to photographers! Many of my clients also stay here - which I would highly recommend too if you want a more lavish Savannah experience. These hotels are full of beautifully painted walls, stunning woodwork, and plenty of window light. If you’re looking for a more formal or professional style background for your photos, this is the perfect location for you. I have also met the manager and they truly have some of the best customer service in town. My favorite room has eccentric and colorful furniture and a full grand piano (they even have professional piano players occasionally!). If outside is more your thing, they have a rooftop bar with a colorful mural and plant wall, which is great way to add some greenery to your photos. This hotel is always my first suggestion to clients when the weather is looking rough - and although it might not scream “classic Savannah”, I love love love shooting here!
CONS:
It definitely can get busy here! This is one of Savannah’s most booked hotels so the rooms and furniture you want to take photos with may not always be open.
I suggest planning your shoot here on a weekday morning if possible.
DOWNTOWN SAVANNAH
This section is a little vague because downtown has a lot of area to cover, and there are pretty much endless possibilities when it comes to taking photos in the downtown historic district. Some of my favorite photo spots include:
The pink walls and beautiful arches of The Olde Pink House
The famous stairs of death which are located just off of Bay Street
Factors Walk - full of fun stairs, vine archways, classic brick, and pedestrian bridges
River Street - lined with historic buildings, a cobblestone pathway, and a view of the famous bridge
Plant Riverside District - Savannah’s newly remodeled river street area featuring modernized buildings, a Savannah mural, and updated cobblestone
Leopold’s Ice Cream - our most famed ice cream shop and a Savannah staple. Ice cream photos are always good idea and make for adorable Instagram posts!
Parking Garage Rooftops - my fave parking garage is the Courthouse one off of MLK boulevard so you can have the bridge in the background!
SCAD Museum Area - not only for students, this area has pretty gardens and beautiful walls to offer as backdrops to your photos
Rainbow Row - ours might be a little smaller than Charleston’s, but it’s still a super cute photo op!
CONS:
I keep mentioning places being busy, but of all the busy places downtown is probably the busiest LOL.
If you don’t feel comfortable being photographed in front of other people I would not recommend most of these locations!
They recently began allowing cars to park on River Street again (BOO) so if you were imagining those pretty River Street photos, I’d reconsider.
Georgia State Railroad Museum
Train lovers unite! This is one of my favorite and probably most underrated locations we have. I grew up with a grandpa who looooved trains, so visiting here always warms my heart. This space is full of greenery, intricate brick work, quirky doors/gates, and of course trains! This a great spot to get some variety in your photos and they don’t charge a photographer fee here, just regular admission. Just outside of the museum you can find beautiful gates and a very unique grass fort that makes for some fun photos too. I think my favorite thing about the museum is the brickwork, though! The arches and fun little windows are such a great way to make your photos really pop. Liking trains is a bonus because after your photo session you can hang out and learn all about the museum!
CONS:
There is a small admission fee, I believe its $15/per person to enter
There are trains here, so if you don’t like trains…haha
Their hours are weird (10am-4pm) so the light here is not always the best!
GEORGIA SOUTHERN CAMPUSES
If you’re graduating from Georgia Southern these are perfect places to take your photos! There are two campuses here that I know of - the Savannah one which is located in the Southside and the Statesboro campus, located in the heart of Statesboro (about 1 hour from Savannah). Both offer great photo spots, each a little different from the other. The Southside campus has a beautiful little garden, plenty of Spanish moss covered trees, and a huge Georgia Southern sign right out front! The Statesboro campus has a little more greenery/woodsy vibe as there isn’t as much city there. There’s a really pretty “GSU” hedge right in the front of the school, and in the spring there’s plenty of wild and beautiful azalea bushes to take photos with! My favorite feature on the both the campuses are the flags that line the walkways, I think they make perfect detail for grad photos!
CONS:
If you’re not a student here, it might be a little weird to shoot here, but that’s kinda it! I really love both of these campuses.
OTHER SQUARES WORTH MENTIONING
There’s 22 squares here in Savannah, so I didn’t want to list them all out individually (because this would be a really long list). However, there’s a few that have been my favorite spots to take photos at, not including the ones I already mentioned above. I have loved shooting at: Chatham Square, Franklin Square, Greene Square, Whitefield Square, Johnson Square, Oglethorpe Square, Pulaski Square, Reynold’s Square, Troup Square, and Warren Square. Almost all of the squares have those beautiful live oak trees that we’re famous for and bloom with azalea flowers in the spring! The link above goes into detail about each square, their locations, and history!
CONS:
Some squares have monuments, gazebos, and other things in the middle that you may find distracting in photos. Just make sure you check what each one has before you decide on a location in case you don’t like the way something looks, or the history* of the square!
*READ MORE HERE TO LEARN ABOUT MY PERSPECTIVE ON THESE SPOTS.
Once, I was asked what I would consider the most underrated photo spot in Savannah, and I responded with this one! Skidaway Island is an absolutely stunning location if you’re a nature lover. While you’re not going to get the traditional Savannah buildings in the background, the photo opportunities are endless. The park starts with a tree tunnel like entrance when you drive in, which is one of my favorite spots to get a wide angle shot. The trail itself is a bit of a hike (approx. 3 miles), so this location isn’t for those who don’t like the great outdoors! Once you’re on the trail you’ll find marshlands, palm tree forests, towering oak trees, and if you’re lucky, some wildlife! There’s also a small boardwalk that makes for some more casual photos. The sunset here is absolutely stunning and the Spanish moss is more abundant than anywhere else I’ve ever been. I even like this location so much that I took some of my own photos here! It’s also great for dogs! :)
CONS:
It can be muddy after rain so it’s not the best location for fancier clothes or heels.
Since it outside there’s also not really anywhere to change into a second outfit unless you’re cool with stripping the woods.
Bugs!! Bring bug spray.
You may also get sweaty from the hike, but it’s mostly flat, and I can edit out sweat!
TYBEE ISLAND
Also known as Savannah’s beach! I love Tybee and frequent here often in the summertime. If you’re visiting Savannah during our peak summer season, it can get really - I mean really - humid and sticky downtown. The beach breeze and cool ocean is always a nice break from the heaviness of the city air, and we even have our own lighthouse on the North beach (which is my personal favorite area). Tybee is a gem of a place because it’s so small and it has that local beach town feel to it.
If you’ve seen the movie The Last Song, they filmed a large portion of the movie here and even built the Tybee Wedding Chapel, which you can get married in to this day! The main strip of Tybee features a boardwalk, jetties (the big rocks that break the waves), a pier with bright storefronts and benches, and of course the ocean. This area is beautiful and fun but tends to be a little busier in the summertime. If you’re visiting during the months of June-August, I definitely recommend considering the beach for a location so you don’t get too hot! Also - my favorite sushi place ever is here, Raw Ingredients (get the fried sweet potato sushi, trust me).
CONS:
Sand and wind! Don’t expect your hair to stay perfectly in place if you go with a beach session, and plan your outfits accordingly because it can get pretty drafty on the island!
I recommend shooting here at sunrise or the last hour before sunset, otherwise the light is pretty harsh.
Savannah Botanical Gardens
This little gem is located in the Southside of Savannah and pretty far away from most of the tourist stuff downtown. Most of the clients who opt to shoot here are locals! It’s a cute garden nestled away behind an older home. Although on the smaller side, this location is a breathtaking spot for spring time photos. Flowering trees, marble like benches, and live oaks covered in Spanish moss make it one of my favorite little spots. It’s probably about 20-25 minutes depending on time of day from the main downtown area. There’s also no admission fee to come here, which is a bonus!
CONS:
It isn’t always blooming, so if you want those beautiful flowers in your photos I’d recommend shooting here in the spring time.
This is a smaller space, I would suggest shooting at two locations and using this as one of them so you don’t feel like you’re taking the same photos over and over.
COASTAL GEORGIA BOTANICAL GARDENS
Savannah is lucky enough to be home to two botanical gardens! This location is significantly larger than the gardens above, so be prepared to walk a little if you choose here. There’s flowering tree tunnels, a whole bamboo section, rose gardens, cactus gardens, green houses, ponds, and more. I love this spot! Admission to garden is an affordable $5 and they don’t charge a photography fee! I believe the photos below with the flower trees were taken in July, so definitely keep blooming season in mind if you’re specifically looking for those bright flowers in your photos. I love this location for fancy or bright outfits! It’s also an amazing wedding venue.
CONS:
Similar to the Railroad Museum, they close at 4pm, so sunset light and golden hour aren’t options here sadly. However, the morning light here around 9am is stunning. I’ve even shot around 12pm and been able to make some amazing photos, so don’t let that deter you!
It is quite far from downtown, probably a 30 minute drive from River Street depending on traffic!
NEARBY LOCATIONS
Not necessarily in Savannah, but close enough.
Hilton Head Island
I find myself driving to Hilton Head pretty frequently these days! It’s about 1 hour and 25ish minutes from Savannah, sometimes less! This large vacation island offers plenty of different locations for photo sessions. I’ve shot at Sea Pines, Coligney Beach, Burkes Beach, Harbour Town, Palmetto Dunes and more! I don’t charge extra to drive to HHI since it’s within my complimentary travel zone. If you’re staying on a main part of the island and not in the private resort areas, I personally recommend Burke’s beach. Harbour town is super cute for a little variety if you don’t want your usual beach photos. Almost all of the client’s I’ve worked with on Hilton Head have been visitors, so don’t be afraid to reach out for some vacation photos! I recommend getting your vacation photos done early on though, before everyone gets too sun burned!
CONS:
Coligney Beach is VERY busy during the summer time!
Also, if you’re staying in a private resort area or want to shoot at Harbour Town, there are fees to get me inside the gates!
Habersham Village
I discovered this little gem last year and have been obsessed with it ever since. This coastal town in Beaufort, South Carolina is one of the prettiest spots for photos in the South. If you’re trying to capture that “Southern charm” in your photos look no further! This spot is about 40 minutes from downtown Savannah but totally worth the drive. The homes are stunning and the middle of the neighborhood has a large green space with a tree tunnel of live oaks and rows of palm trees. The thing I loved most about this spot was the lack of people. Since it’s just a neighborhood, there was hardly anyone here besides the folks who live here!
CONS:
The main con I can think of is a lack of variety in your gallery. If you were hoping for more buildings or a lot of different photos, you won’t get that here as it’s just one small neighborhood.
As mentioned above, this spot is about 40 minutes away from Savannah, and 30 minutes from HHI.
Jekyll Island
This small island located in the Golden Isles of Georgia is one of the most unique spots you can choose for your photos. It’s famous for its Driftwood Beach, full of large washed up logs and trees. There are other beaches on the island, too, but most people definitely visit to see the driftwood! I’ve really never seen anything else like it, and it’s such a cool place for any kind of shoot. If you’re an Instagram lover or like to blog, you should definitely try and stop here. It costs $8 to get onto the island and then you’re good for the whole day!
CONS:
There are three rivers that all meet at the Atlantic Ocean around this island, so a lot of natural sediment builds up in the water here. If you’re looking for a swimming beach, I wouldn’t suggest going here!
Unfortunately it is 90 miles from Savannah so it’s outside of my free travel zone, but I really do love shooting here!
Thanks for reading!
Whether you’re planning to book a session, just want to find the best photo spots for your Instagram, or needed a list of cute places to visit - I hope this guide helped you out! If you don’t see your favorite location here, please let me know so I can go scope it out and add it to my list! Check back often for updates!