The location of your portrait session is totally up to you. Like you will see throughout this post, most of my clients choose to showcase the natural beauty of Mobile. For most of my sessions, outdoor, open-air environments are always the first choice. I love shooting in wide-open natural spaces because the light is divine, especially during golden hour. These spots are great for family sessions and couples sessions. There are great options all around Mobile, so if the location you’re considering is not on my list below don’t hesitate to ask me about it. I’m always up for exploring new locations!

Downtown Mobile Parking Garage Rooftop
Mobile Federal Courthouse Building
History Museum / Mardi Gras Park
Fort Conde Inn Area
Washington Square Park
Bellingrath Gardens
Spring Hill College
In The Fairhope Area
The Grand Hotel
A Few Ideas…

Downtown Mobile Parking Garage Rooftop

I love this location because of the clean background that still shows off the city of Mobile. You get that clean, minimalist look while still showcasing the vibrant essence of the city. It's a win-win! The rooftop has good shade coverage while also being able to see the sunset. It's like nature's own diffuser up there, giving us that perfect soft light for capturing those stunning shots. Plus, you still get those golden hour vibes, with the sunset painting the sky in a palette of warm hues.

Mobile Federal Courthouse Building

It's like a giant canvas just waiting for us to work our magic. Those columns, stairs, and white background add this timeless, elegant touch that elevates every shot to a whole new level of sophistication. The architecture here helps give you a wide variety of backdrops while staying in one location. Plus, the sun sets behind the building giving us plenty of open shade to shoot in which is perfect for my style of shooting.

History Museum / Mardi Gras Park

The History Museum of Mobile and Mardi Gras Park go hand in hand because they are so close to one another and offer a wide variety of background options. This is great for those who want some nature and greenery as well as the clean, modern city background.

Side Note: The History Museum can be one location in itself if you would like photos taken inside the venue as well (you have to reserve a time slot and I believe it costs $30 for an hour).

Fort Conde Inn Area

Fort Conde Inn is a beautiful hidden spot in Downtown Mobile. I got married here, so it’s one of my favorite spots to shoot at. There are plenty of background options and shade coverage during golden hour. This area has a good mix of nature and city vibes for those who want a bit of both. This location is best during weekdays because the Inn often is booked for weddings on the weekend and we will not be able to walk up and down the beautiful brick road if they have an event planned.

Washington Square Park

This location is great during the spring time when the flowers are blooming. The park is located in Midtown in the middle of a friendly neighborhood which means you’re welcome to bring your pup to this location if you would like (YAY!) A lot of families choose this location because it is a generally safe space to let your kids run around and be themselves while capturing beautiful memories.

Bellingrath Gardens

This place is nothing short of breath-taking! Walking through the gardens finding that perfect lighting is always a blast. If you haven’t been to Bellingrath Gardens before you could turn this opportunity into a day date walking through the beautiful scenery. This location does charge a fee to shoot on their property (last I checked it was $350).

Spring Hill College

Spring Hill’s College campus is beautiful. It’s most known for the Ave of the Oaks which are a great staple photo spot. I also like to utilize the stunning chapel on campus and other spots all in walking distance. This location is great for a wide variety of backdrops while maintaining the same vibe throughout the gallery. You get a good mix of nature and stunning architecture plus the sunset here is amazing!

In The Fairhope Area

Downtown Fairhope, Fairhope Pier, Knoll Park and The Bluff are all hot spots we can hit if you decide to have your session in Fairhope. Each one is beautiful in its own way. The downtown area has unique architecture to utilize. The Pier is great for a beach vibe without actually having to go to the beach. Knoll Park has a woodsy vibe which is great to include for the country boys. The Bluff overlooks the water and if we time it just right the golden hour lighting is beautiful. During an hour long session, we can typically hit two-three of these locations which provides plenty of background options for your final gallery.

The Grand Hotel

This is probably one of my favorite locations to shoot at, but the hotel does require that you have a reservation to shoot on their property. This can either be a dinner reservation or a hotel room for the night. Honestly, it is worth the cost and I highly recommend this spot. Plus, you can turn your session into a fun night by having a fancy dinner after! A few staple shots at the venue are with the mossy trees, fountains in the lake, and on the beach at sunset.

A Few Ideas…

These are spots that I know are beautiful, but I haven’t shot there recent enough to have great photos to display for you at the moment.

Battlehouse Hotel - the outside and inside of this hotel are stunning and great for photos. I’ve done some weddings there, but not engagement sessions. You do have to get approval ahead of time and possibly pay a fee to shoot inside the building
Bragg Mitchell Mansion - the azalea bushes at this venue are to die for! You do have to get permission from them to shoot on their property. Most weekdays work since they typically have weddings on the weekends
Blakely State Park - this park is located in Spanish Fort and it has some really pretty spots for an outdoorsy vibe.
Bienville Square - with the new fountain finally finished, this spot will be perfect for photos!

I know that was a lot of information to take in! I hope this helps you with deciding on a location to shoot at for your upcoming session.