My favorite Raleigh Photo Locations
NC Museum of Art
Raulston Arboretum is 10 acre arboretum located in SW Raleigh near NC State University. Filled with tons of greenery and flowers this is an awesome year-round option for family photos, engagements, and portrait sessions.
Pros: Very well maintained grounds, huge space with a lot of variety.
Cons: Limited hours especially around golden hour for photography, small parking lot but on-street available, no pets allowed.
Address: 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC 27606
Current hours:
Monday–Friday: 9:00 am–4:30 pm
Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Website: https://jcra.ncsu.edu/
Fred Fletcher Park
Fred Fletcher is an adorable park located just outside of downtown Raleigh in the Five Points area. This park really shines in the Fall with some amazing trees, cute paths and big fields to explore.
Pros: Good sized parking lot and easy on-street parking. Great fall colors and foliage.
Cons: Public park so host to large events throughout the year.
Address: 820 Clay Street, Raleigh, NC 27605
Current hours: Open 7 days a week from 6am to 11pm
Website: https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/places/fred-fletcher-park
WRAL Azalea Garden
WRAL Azalea gardens is a true hidden gem located in SW Raleigh and is open year-round. A must see spot in April when it is full of blooming azaleas, it is the perfect spot for family photos and couples portraits all year due to it lush greenery and winding gravel path throughout the property.
Pros: Easy parking, gorgeous year-round, great light!
Cons: Can get crowded during peak season (though I have found some less popular spaces that I love) and no pets allowed
Address: 2619 Western Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27606
Current hours: Open seven days a week, dawn until dusk.
Website: https://www.wralgardens.com/
Raulston Arboretum
Raulston Arboretum is 10 acre arboretum located in SW Raleigh near NC State University. Filled with tons of greenery and flowers this is an awesome year-round option for family photos, engagements, and portrait sessions.
Pros: Very well maintained grounds, huge space with a lot of variety, public bathrooms available.
Cons: Limited hours especially around golden hour for photography, small parking lot but on-street available, no pets allowed.
Address: 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC 27606
Current hours:
Monday–Friday: 9:00 am–4:30 pm
Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Website: https://jcra.ncsu.edu/
Historic Oak View Park
Located in SE Raleigh, Historic Oak View is a historical site maintained by Wake County that highlights the transition from plantation to farm management, sharecropping and tenant farming. Rich in history, this park is a good option for those located in East Raleigh.
Pros: Easy parking, lots of trees and paths to explore, pets allowed, goats and chickens on-site to visit, bathrooms on-site
Cons: Historical references to antebellum plantation, limited hours during sunset
Address: 4028 Carya Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610
Current hours: 8 a.m.–Sunset, 7 days a week (except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Day and New Year’s Day), buildings/bathroom.
Dorothea Dix Park
Huge park located near downtown Raleigh. A great place for a picnic and a view of the skyline!
Pros: Views of downtown skyline and lots of trees and space
Cons: Parking outside of main lots can be tricky, watch for signs. Large events throughout the year so plan ahead.
Address: 1030 Richardson Dr, Raleigh, NC 27603
Current hours: 7 days a week from dawn until dusk.
Pullen Park
A large park in Downtown/SW Raleigh that offers a lot of fun activities for kids in addition to lots of greenery. We can even incorporate the swings and carousel into the photos!
Pros: Lots of activities and trees, good location for activites before or after photoshoot.
Cons: Can be very crowded on weekends which can make parking and photoshoots more challenging to navigate.
Address: 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC 27606
Current hours: 7 a.m.–9 p.m. 7 days a week
Website: https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/places/pullen-park-amusements
Other Awesome Locations
Raleigh Rose Garden
E. Carroll Joyner Park (Wake Forest)
Shelley Lake
Lake Lynn
Camden Park (Fearrington, NC)
