7 Pretty Outdoor Places to Take Pictures in Roanoke, VA
One of the many questions I get when talking to clients is where the best location is to have their family or engagement photo session. If you are looking for pretty, outdoor places to take pictures, I have a few ideas for you as I’m born and raised here in Roanoke, Virginia.
Whether you are having a family or engagement session, first you want to narrow it down based on what you would want as your background in your photos. Think about what scenery will show off what your interests and personality are. What do you and your family enjoy doing together?
These locations are not in any particular order, but here are my favorite 7 pretty outdoor places to take pictures. All these locations are within a 45 minute drive of downtown Roanoke, Virginia.
Overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Take a ride and explore overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway to get the most out of the mountain scenes in and around Roanoke, VA.
To name a few of my favorites are the two near the Explore Park and two when heading towards Peaks of Otter.
Bonus: Pet Friendly
Explore Park
Located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Roanoke, VA within a 10 minute drive to the Roanoke Star.
Variety of scenery with trails, old buildings, trees, a small bridge, and even the river that help show off your adventurous personalities.
Bonus: Pet Friendly
Read here for more information about the Explore Park
Peaks of Otter
Located off the Blue Ridge Parkway within a 35 minute drive from Downtown Roanoke, VA.
Variety of scenery with trees, lake, trails, hiking up the mountain, and the views at the top.
Make sure you bring your hiking boots!
Bonus: Pet Friendly
Read here for more information about the Peaks of Otter
Downtown Roanoke
Located right off of interstate 581 in the heart of Roanoke, VA.
Several scenery options depending on what you have your heart set on, whether that is strolling the streets of downtown, going to Elmwood Park, or Hotel Roanoke or even all of these options and more! The choices are endless in Downtown Roanoke.
Green Hill Park
Located in Salem, VA. About a 20 minute drive from Roanoke College.
Variety of scenery options with river access, fields, walking trails, and mountain views.
Make sure you have those water shoes for splashing in the river!
Bonus: Kid friendly (human kind and four legged kind)
Roaring Run Falls
Located right outside of Roanoke, VA in the country town of Eagle Rock, VA. About a 40 minute drive from Downtown Roanoke.
Walking trails that lead you to several waterfalls but Roaring Run Falls is the largest waterfall out of all the ones you see leading up to the top of the trails.
Make sure you bring those hiking boots!
Bonus: Pet friendly and has two trail options to get to the top
Roanoke Star
Located in the heart of Roanoke, VA and also known as Mill Mountain but everyone calls it the Roanoke Star. About a 15 minute drive to Downtown Roanoke and about a 5 minute to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Variety of scenery from the overlooks of Downtown Roanoke to trails to even taking a trip to the Zoo which is called Mill Mountain Zoo.
Bonus: Kid friendly
Conclusion
There are so many locations in and around Roanoke, VA that you can have your family and engagement photo session. As your photographer I’m here to help you narrow those choices down for you by giving you options and some detail of each location to make it an easier choice for you but in the end it’s your choice! If you are looking for a photographer, I’d love to chat.