Top 10 Portrait Photographers in Charleston, SC

The largest city of South Carolina, Charleston is for everyone who wants to be pleasantly surprised each day. Historic locales such as Magnolia Plantation, the Old City Market, and Waterfront Park will give you a chance to mingle with the locals, feel the atmosphere of the city, and take a peek into its history. Don't miss out on visiting Fort Sumter National Monument, a sea fort standing on a small island at the entrance to the harbor, harboring stories all the way back from the Civil War.

All these amazing places can provide perfect backdrops for your portrait. Lucky for you, the city is home to many experienced photographers that will do just that. Ready to start your search for portrait photographers in Charleston? Check out this list of some of the city's top talent to find the best match for your next photo day.

King Street Studios

Behind the name of King Street Studios is the creative mind of Todd Surber, who has been working in the industry for more than a decade. The goal of his company is to create beautiful and elegant photographs with a dramatic feel. A trained photographer, he achieves this by combining stylistic portraiture with a photojournalistic approach.

Todd specializes mostly in portraits, and he shoots business portraits, senior portraits, and family portraits for clients throughout South Carolina. You can also rely on him if you need of a photographer to capture the best moments of your proposal or engagement.

Adam Chandler Photography

Adam Chandler is an experienced photographer who combines creativity, technical knowledge, and the ability to connect with people to create beautiful images. With him, expect a fun client experience every time.

His portfolio is diverse and includes portrait, wedding, and commercial photography, with his subjects being children and families, couples in love, or business professionals. With more than a decade of experience, Adam will help you with everything you need to know, from what to wear to when and where to have the photo session.

Captured by Kate

Kate has been taking family portraits and photographing weddings in Charleston for more than 15 years. Her goal is to capture candid photos that show who you are and highlight your personality for others to see.

Kate does this by relying on a photojournalistic style. In your session together, let her capture the most intimate moments without getting in the way. She has lived in Charleston for a long time and knows all the amazing venues you could set your pictures against.

Thumbleston Photography Studios

With two fully-equipped studios and more than three decades in existence, Thumbleston Photography Studios is there for you. For portraits of any kind, be it a maternity, newborn, children’s, corporate, or a senior portrait, the photographers at this studio know the way.

Thumbleston's goal is not to merely take pictures, but to artistically depict the stories of the people within their frames. The company offers a full range of studio lighting and on-location photoshoots. In addition to portraits, they shoot weddings, engagements, and corporate events.

Excellence Photography

Mechelle Robinson is the owner of Excellence Photography, and just as the name suggests, the company strives for excellence both in their work and in their customer service. They are proficient in different types of photography, including family and children’s portraits, wedding and engagement photography, graduations, headshots, and models.

The collaboration starts with a phone call where you can choose a photographer and a venue, and also check their recent photos from the venue in question. Your process with Mechelle will continue with the photoshoot itself – during which you can take a peek at the photos as they are taken.

King & Fields Studios

Created when two photography studios came together, King & Fields Studios is a company whose goal is to provide an outstanding portrait experience. They aim for their photos to withstand the test of time – for the Charleston community and everyone who comes to visit.

King & Fields offer a plethora of portrait options, from family and boudoir portraits to maternity and newborn photography and corporate portraits. In addition to images, you can get your portraits in the form of wall art, signature portraits boxes, and signature albums.

Carmen Ash Photography

Carmen Ash Photography is a husband and wife duo dedicated to providing timeless, sentimental, and high-quality photos to families in Charleston. Besides creating amazing images, they strive to offer great customer service by truly connecting with their clients.

In Carmen's portfolio you will find wedding and engagement photos, family, maternity, and newborn portraits, headshots, and corporate photography. Their portrait packages are flexible in the amount of people and the hours of coverage. The team also offers albums, prints, and framing, as well as photo booth services.

Hannah Lane Photography

annah’s love for photography started with her photographing friends and family as a hobby. It eventually turned into a passion that ultimately became a career. After more than a decade of experience, she still gives her best to create beautiful photos that tell a story about the beautiful people in them.

Hannah shoots family and motherhood portraits, as well as branding sessions, senior photos, headshots, and product photography. If you have an idea for a portrait session, let her know and she will find a way to realize it.

VanessaK Photography

Vanessa Kauffmann is an experienced photographer who specializes in portraits, landscape, and commercial photography, as well as aerial photography. She has won several awards, has published several books, and has had her work on permanent display in public buildings.

When it comes to portraits, Vanessa enjoys photographing people and does so both in natural light and in the studio. In addition to people, she does pet portraits, so you can have your furry friend’s photo with you at all times.

Kate Thornton Photography

With prominent clients such as The New York Times and National Geographic Traveler, Kate is an experienced and well-loved commercial photographer. She specializes in portraits and lifestyle photography, as well as shooting everything from homes and gardens to tourist destinations.

Kate prefers using natural light whenever possible, and her portraits often feature people enjoying wonderful outdoor locations full of light and greenery. She dedicates herself to planning each session carefully with the goal of a successful collaboration. Combine her intelligence with creativity, and the results throughout her portfolio speak for themselves.

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