Columbia SC Winter Engagement Session at Golden Hour

If you’re dreaming of your own Columbia SC engagement session with golden hour light, let Karsen and Reid’s photos inspire you. We had the most unexpectedly perfect December evening—one of those rare days where the temperature was comfortable, the light was incredible, and everything just felt easy. This session on private land just outside Columbia was exactly what I hope for every couple: genuine connection, beautiful light, and the kind of moments that feel timeless.

Karsen and Reid are getting married this September at The Pavilion at Patriots Point in Charleston, and if this engagement session is any indication, their wedding day is going to be filled with so much joy. They brought their sweet dog Oakley along (because honestly, what’s better than including your pup in your engagement photos?), and we spent the evening laughing, walking through the open field, and letting the light do its thing.

What Made This Columbia SC Engagement Session So Special

Every session has its own rhythm, and with Karsen and Reid, everything just clicked. The evening gave us comfortable temperatures (a gift for December in South Carolina), that soft golden hour glow that makes everything feel warm and romantic, and a beautiful private location where we could move freely without distractions.

This is what I love about Columbia SC engagement sessions—we have access to stunning locations that feel personal and unhurried. Open fields, beautiful light, and the kind of scenery that photographs as timeless today as it will twenty years from now. For couples who want their engagement photos to feel natural and classic rather than overly styled or trendy, Columbia offers exactly that.

The key to a great engagement session isn’t about the time of year—it’s about beautiful light, a comfortable setting, and creating space for real moments to unfold. When those elements align, like they did for Karsen and Reid, the photos speak for themselves.

What to Expect During Your Engagement Photos in Columbia

One of the questions I hear most often from couples is: “What do we actually do during an engagement session?” And I get it—it can feel awkward to stand in front of a camera if you’re not used to it. But here’s the thing: my approach isn’t about posing you into uncomfortable positions or asking you to act a certain way. It’s about creating space for you to be yourselves.

With Karsen and Reid, we started simple. I asked them to walk with Oakley, hold hands, talk to each other. I gave them little prompts—”whisper something that makes you laugh,” “spin her,” “bring her in for a kiss”—and then I stepped back and let them do their thing. The moments that came from that? The real smiles, the way Reid looked at Karsen when she wasn’t paying attention, the way they both bent down to love on Oakley—those are the frames that matter.

This session felt easy because they trusted me, and that trust allowed them to relax and just be together. That’s exactly what I want for every couple—an experience that feels less like a photo shoot and more like an evening spent with someone who genuinely cares about documenting your story well.

Choosing the Right Location for Your South Carolina Engagement Photos

Location matters, but not in the way you might think. It’s less about finding the “perfect” spot and more about finding a place that feels like you. For Karsen and Reid, this location gave us the freedom to explore without crowds, to move through open fields and along white fences without interruption. It felt personal and unhurried—which is exactly what I want for every couple.

If you’re based in Columbia or the surrounding areas, we have incredible options for engagement sessions. From private properties with rolling fields to beautiful landscapes along the river, there’s no shortage of stunning backdrops. The key is choosing somewhere that allows you to relax and be present, not somewhere that feels overly staged or too crowded.

And if you’re planning a Charleston wedding like Karsen and Reid, having your engagement session in Columbia can be a great way to represent both meaningful places in your story—where you live now and where you’re celebrating your marriage. It also means we can incorporate locations that feel more personal to your everyday life, rather than only focusing on your wedding destination.

What to Wear for Your Columbia Engagement Session

One of the things Karsen and Reid nailed was their wardrobe. They kept it simple, timeless, and comfortable—which is exactly what I recommend for engagement photos. Karsen wore two outfits: a soft blue floral dress with a feminine, effortless feel, and then a cozy cream sweater with jeans for the second half of the session. Reid complemented her perfectly in a navy blazer with neutral tones, and then switched to a cream sweater that matched her vibe beautifully.

Here’s what worked about their choices: nothing was overly trendy, nothing was too matchy-matchy, and everything felt like them. When you look back at these photos in ten, twenty, thirty years, they’ll still feel classic. That’s the goal.

For your Columbia SC engagement session, I always recommend choosing outfits that feel authentic to who you are as a couple. Stick to neutral tones, soft colors, or classic patterns that won’t date your photos. Layers add texture and visual interest—a sweater, jacket, or cardigan can completely change the feel of your images. And most importantly, wear something you feel confident in. If you’re tugging at your dress or uncomfortable in your shoes, it shows. Comfort equals confidence, and confidence always photographs well.

Including Your Dog in Your Engagement Photos

Let’s talk about Oakley for a second. If you have a dog and you’re on the fence about including them in your engagement session—do it. I promise it’s worth it. Yes, it adds a little unpredictability, but it also adds so much heart and personality to your photos.

Dogs bring out genuine laughter and ease. There’s something about having your pup there that makes couples relax instantly. Plus, these photos become even more meaningful over time. Your dog is part of your story, part of your family, and having them documented during this season of your life is something you won’t regret.

We kept it simple with Oakley—let him roam, included him in some walking shots, captured a few sweet moments of Karsen and Reid loving on him, and then gave him some space when we wanted more intimate couple portraits. It was the perfect balance, and it felt authentically like them.

Why Golden Hour Makes All the Difference

If there’s one thing I want you to take away from Karsen and Reid’s session, it’s this: golden hour is magic. That soft, warm light in the hour before sunset creates a glow that you simply can’t replicate at any other time of day. It wraps around you, fills in shadows naturally, and makes everything feel cinematic and timeless.

This particular evening gave us nearly two hours of perfect light. The sun sat low in the sky, creating that buttery, warm glow across the fields. We weren’t racing against the clock or dealing with harsh midday sun—we had time to move slowly, to try different spots, to let moments unfold naturally. That’s when the best images happen. Not when we’re rushing, but when there’s space to breathe and just be.

This is why I almost always recommend scheduling your Columbia SC engagement session during golden hour. Yes, it requires a little planning around your schedule, but the results speak for themselves. The images feel warmer, softer, and more romantic—exactly what you want when you’re documenting this chapter of your story.

Planning Your Own Columbia SC Engagement Session

If you’re newly engaged and starting to think about your wedding timeline, engagement photos are one of the first things you’ll want to book. Not only do they give you beautiful images to use for save-the-dates, wedding websites, and guest book displays, but they also give us a chance to work together before your wedding day. It’s like a practice run where we get to know each other’s rhythm, and you get comfortable in front of my camera.

For couples planning a South Carolina wedding—whether in Columbia, Charleston, or anywhere in the Carolinas—I recommend scheduling your engagement session at least 6-8 months before your wedding. This gives us plenty of time to choose the right location and season, and ensures you have your photos back in time to use them for your save the dates.

Karsen and Reid’s session is a perfect example of what I hope for every couple: a calm, intentional experience that results in timeless imagery you’ll treasure forever. If you’re dreaming of your own engagement session in Columbia with beautiful golden hour light and a photographer who will guide you gently and let real moments unfold, I’d love to work with you.

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Location: Private Property, Columbia SC
Wedding Venue: The Pavilion at Patriots Point, Charleston SC
Session Date: December 2024

If you loved this Columbia SC winter engagement session and want to see more of my work, explore recent weddings and sessions on the blog. And if you’re planning your own South Carolina wedding and looking for a photographer who values connection and intentionality, let’s talk. I can’t wait to document your story.