Top Engagement Session Locations in Charlottesville, VA

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville offers a unique picturesque setting that is truly a photographer’s dream. From orchards and vineyards to historic architecture, there are so many places to choose from that it can make it overwhelming to find the perfect location for your Charlottesville engagement shoot. We’ve pulled together some of our favorite spots for our top engagement session locations in Charlottesville, VA. Hopefully, this makes it a little easier for you when you’re planning your engagement session!

Albemarle Estate and Trump Winery

The first location in our top 10 engagement session locations is actually a two-for-one deal: Albemarle Estate and Trump Winery. As Virginia’s largest vineyard, Trump Winery offers a beautiful and unparalleled setting for engagement portraits amongst the breathtaking landscape. There are a ton of opportunities for different backdrops to use for your engagement photos, all at one location, including the massive vineyards, a panoramic view of the mountains, and even a cute chapel. And then there is the Albemarle Estate, which is exclusive to guests enjoying a stay at the luxurious bed & breakfast. We can capture some stunning photos as you stroll throughout the beautifully manicured European-style gardens. Or, let your imagination wander as you take in the grandeur of the architecture inside the mansion. Albemarle Estate at Trump Winery is definitely one of our favorite places for engagement sessions!

Chiles Peach Orchard & Carter Mountain

Up next is a must-see local attraction in Charlottesville: Chiles Peach Orchard. From early May through late November, Chiles Peach Orchard is the perfect place to for your engagement session. Dance and twirl among the blooming orchards and colorful field full of zinnias and sunflowers in the spring. Or, bring your furry, four-legged companion and pose surrounded by nature’s beautiful fall foliage. Don’t forget! Chiles Family Orchards also has two other properties perfect for engagement session locations, Carter Mountain Orchard and Spring Valley Orchard.

The Lawn at UVA

Of course, you cannot have a list of the top 10 engagement session locations in Charlottesville without including the prestigious University of Virginia. The Lawn is the ideal place for a photography session because couples can commemorate their new engagement and reflect on cherished memories. Being such a versatile space, the Lawn has many opportunities for picture-perfect engagement portraits. This includes the beautiful architecture of Thomas Jefferson’s Rotunda, the sprawling greenery of the lawn and the intimate pavilion gardens.

Ravens Roost Overlook

Another one of our favorite locations for engagement sessions is Ravens Roost Overlook. No need to worry about hiking up a mountain with different outfits in hand in order to be one with nature! With stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the iconic pine tree, Ravens Roost Overlook is easily accessible, right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Not only is this location a must-see during sunset, but it is also great for engagement sessions year-round (weather permitting)!

Swannanoa Palace

Not far from Ravens Roost Overlook is the next stop in our top 10 engagement session locations: Swannanoa Palace. Built as a token of love for his wife in 1912, James Dooley’s Italian marble villa is tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains not far from Charlottesville. This abandoned palace is a hidden jewel and picturesque location for the perfect engagement portraits.

King Family Vineyards

Not only a favorite as a wedding venue, King Family Vineyards is also a picture-perfect location for an engagement session. Located along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the view at King Family Vineyards makes for a stunning backdrop (especially at sunset!). Take a stroll and dance between the endless vines. Or, let us capture a few cute and loving moments in front of the wooden fence or barn to create some elegant and rustic portraits. We always have a blast whenever we photograph at King Family Vineyards.

Market at Grelen

A Virginia treasure tucked away in the foothills in Orange County, The Market at Grelen is another favorite spot! Similar to many of our other favorite locations, The Market at Grelen has opportunities to use a variety of backdrops to capture every must-have engagement shot. There are stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, gorgeous lines of evergreen trees all around the nursery (perfect for December), and the gift shop is the cutest. Our couples love to get lost in the beauty of the nature surrounding them, which makes for great pictures!

Barboursville Vineyards

A beautiful and scenic country drive out of Charlottesville will lead you to Barboursville Vineyards. As one of Thomas Jefferson’s architectural masterpieces, the Landmark Ruins are surrounded by sprawling countryside and vineyards. We love watching our couple’s personalities emerge behind the camera lens as they explore the grounds. Late Spring, Summer and early Fall are our favorite times of year to capture great portraits at Barboursville Vineyards.

Your Personal Favorite Hidden Gems

Rounding out our top 10 engagement session locations isn’t just one specific place. Some of our favorite sessions take place at your personal favorite hidden gems around Charlottesville! Whether it’s a private farm or where you first met, we love traveling to your favorite locations. These engagement sessions are always unique, full of love and excitement, and take us on new adventures!

The location is one of the most important parts of making an engagement session picture perfect! We hope this list of our top 10 engagement session locations helps you chose the perfect setting for your engagement session in Charlottesville!

All Engagement Session Photos by Aaron Watson Photography