Christine Scott Photography

3 tips for having photos taken on hot days:

1. Sunrise can be less hot than sunset. You also might not run into as many people because sunrise is so early this time of year.

2. Bring a change of clothes in case you get sweaty.

3. Choose a location with shade, or at least be open to also using a shady spot near the spot you want.

There are so many more suggestions on my blog for beating the heat that we have right now!
https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/Taking-photos-in-hot-weather

Ben and Hanna were engaged this morning at Chimney Rock! We got there right when it opened, so we had the whole overlook to ourselves for a few minutes before the people who took the stairs got there.

christinescottphotography.com/blog/chimney-rock-state-park

I always work with at least one Clemson couple each year, and I always work with at least one couple on Clemson’s campus each year, but those two don’t necessarily overlap. Over the years, I’d spend less time on campus since I don’t have as many connections there anymore, but that’s all seemed to change this year. I’ve also met so many cool Clemson people this year, on and off of campus. We share memories of our time at Clemson, we talk about what’s changed, and we find purple and orange flowers to use for ring photos.

For more ideas on engagement and elopement photos at Clemson, head over to the blog!

Where to elope at Clemson: https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/where-to-elope-at-clemson-university
Clemson elopement ideas: https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/how-to-elope-at-clemson-university
Engagement photo ideas at Clemson: https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/clemson-engagement-photos

Alex and Ian were engaged at Clemson on a hot summer evening! Since it hadn’t rained in forever, the Reflection Pond was extra reflective that day, which made for some cool photos!

Check out more from Alex and Ian’s engagement on the blog:
https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/clemson-engagement-alex-and-ian

Here’s your annual reminder to celebrate your country responsibly and be mindful of the people (and animals) around you. Here’s to the country we call home 🇺🇸

Read more about Chimney Rock State Park:
https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/chimney-rock-state-park

When I talk about being an elopement photographer, I always get questions about why a couple wouldn’t have their parents there.

First of all, some couples DO choose to have their parents with them when they elope.

Second of all, you have to remember that families don’t all look the same. Sometimes it’s not physically possible for people to have their parents there, and sometimes there’s a valid reason why a parent is not included.

A lot of times, though, couples tell me that they just don’t like the idea of having people watching them. And in that case, the parents are usually aware that the couple is planning to elope, and they understand that there’s nothing negative against them.

Eloping doesn’t feel right for everyone, but neither does a traditional wedding. Focus on what parts of a wedding matter most to the two of you, and go from there ❤️

christinescottphotography.com

Elopements aren’t always spontaneous, but they give you the option to be spontaneous with your day!

When you’re not accounting for a gathering of people, it’s easier to pivot! You can change locations if the trees look prettier in a different spot that day, or if it’s crowded in the spot you chose. You can hang at your AirBnB instead of going downtown if you’re tired. You can visit more places together throughout the day.

Check out the blog for ideas on how to spend your elopement day in Greenville!
https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/how-to-elope-in-greenville-sc

Hi! I’m Christine (Scott) Gow! I’m a photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina who loves intimate weddings and engagements with couples who love doing things their own way. Here are a few things about me that are totally unrelated to that:

🗻 This photo was taken in Ireland, and we’re already dreaming of going back! This was taken right before I slipped in the mud and had to strategically slide to somewhere grassier.

🍦 One of the things on my travel bucket list is the Ben and Jerry’s factory in Vermont.

🇺🇸 I have been to 30 states so far, including everything east of the Mississippi River except for Wisconsin.

🌶️ My tolerance for spicy food is pitifully low.

🎸 I love classic rock, and I tend to not know that big new Taylor Swift or Beyoncé song until it comes up in one of my dance classes.

📷: Dan

“But why would we want to rent a venue if we’re eloping?”
1. It can ensure that nobody else is around.
2. You have a solid plan for a place to go, and you won’t show up and have it be closed.
3. A venue will have bathrooms and usually better accessibility.
4. There are usually designated places within a venue, like a place to get ready and a place to eat, so you can keep your whole day in one place and between the two of you.

If you’re looking for ideas on where to elope, or where to have your small wedding, I have lots of suggestions on the blog!

Where to elope in South Carolina:
https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/where-to-elope-in-south-carolina

Where to elope in upstate South Carolina:
https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/elope-in-greenville-sc

Venues for small weddings in upstate South Carolina:
https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/venues-for-small-weddings-greenville-sc

Would you believe we took these photos on the 4th of July in Central Park? As in a holiday in one of the most-visited places in the world? Here’s how we pulled this off:

1. Christian and Tommy knew where to find some of the less-visited places in Central Park that still looked cool.
2. They also had a better sense of the day-to-day life in New York and said they don’t normally see people out and about before 10 AM, so we met up at 9 AM.
3. When we got to higher-traffic areas, like Bethesda Terrace, I kept them close to one side and waited for gaps in people passing by. This is also a good time to do close-up photos.
4. A few people still got edited out later.

Check out the blog to see some more tips for avoiding crowds in your photos!

https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/Central-park-portraits-christian-tommy

Clemson is the place I’m most familiar with when it comes to taking pictures. I didn’t just graduate from there and marry another alum there—I’ve walked through that campus with close to 100 different people, from soon-to-be graduates to wedding couples. I’ve taken note of the places that stand out to them, whether it’s their first visit or the end of their Clemson chapter, and the places I think are underrated.

I know where the plants are peaking at different times of year, and I’ve seen buildings come and go over the years. I know where the light is best at different times of day, and I know which places are covered in case it rains. I follow the schedules for the school year and athletics to make sure we account for traffic and places being closed.

If you’re looking for somewhere to elope in Clemson, or what to do in Clemson on your elopement day, I have tons of suggestions on the blog!

Where to elope in Clemson: https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/where-to-elope-at-clemson-university

What to do in Clemson on your elopement day: https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/how-to-elope-at-clemson-university

How do you choose a place to get married if you need to account for a few friends and family members, but not hundreds? Check out my blog post with some ideas for venues for smaller weddings!

https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/venues-for-small-weddings-greenville-sc

Did you know that most of the couples I work with are visiting from a place that doesn't have mountains?

In the past year, I've had couples travel from Texas, Indiana, Florida, Ohio, and some of the flatter parts of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Sometimes they have a spot in mind, and sometimes I help them choose one. Other times, I help them choose a backup location in case the place they have in mind is closed or super crowded.

My favorite spots in the mountains of South Carolina are on the blog to help you choose the best spot for you!

https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/South-carolina-mountains

: Today on the blog, you can read about the waterfalls in South Carolina that I've been to and would recommend for your photos! Only a few involve hiking, and these two have an elevator that takes you to a paved path nearby!

https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/waterfall-elopement-in-south-carolina

If you’re thinking about a fall elopement or proposal, start planning as soon as you can!

The last three months of the year are always the busiest, and in some places, the most crowded. People will be traveling for long weekends and to experience fall in different places. More people will be outside since it’s so nice outside at that time of year. Lots of weddings are planned around the foliage and the cooler temperatures. And in South Carolina, you also have to work around football schedules to make sure hotels aren’t booked up and you don’t get stuck in gameday traffic.

Head over to my website to get started with the planning process, and check out my blog post about finding the best spring and fall color!

https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/finding-spring-and-fall-colors

We’re staying away from the places that’ll probably be crowded this weekend, but I’m hoping to get back to the mountains of North Carolina in the next few weeks to see the rhododendrons again! I remember seeing them mid-June a couple years ago at Craggy Gardens and hadn’t realized that they bloom so late there. I love color in general, but I especially love reds and pinks against the green grass and blue sky.

christinescottphotography.com

“Wait, how are you part Asian if you have red hair?” — everyone

Short answer: genetics can be weird.

Long answer: My grandma came from the Philippines and my other three grandparents were not Asian. Both of my grandpas had a dad with red hair, a recessive gene that got passed down. My Filipino grandma is actually the grandparent I look the most like.

May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. It’s important to remember that so many different cultures fall under the term “Asian.” Asia is huge and has a lot of the biggest and most densely populated cities in the world. The Philippines, for example, has Southeast Asian, East Asian, Pacific Islander, and Spanish influences. I’ve found that a lot of people actually don’t know what people eat in the Philippines unless they have a Filipino friend. If you’re like me and you like tropical fruit and have zero tolerance for spicy food, you might like Filipino food 😁



(Location is Killarney National Park in Ireland, song is by Journey with Arnel Pineda from the Philippines on vocals)

Caleb and Hannah were engaged at Pretty Place Chapel on a perfect spring evening! We went down the road afterwards and watched the sunset from Caesars Head.

More on the blog:
https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/south-carolina-mountain-engagement-hannah-and-caleb

This spring, I’ve taken two couples to Caesars Head for the first time. Caesars Head is one of my very favorite parks in South Carolina, but I realized that I’ve spent the most time there in the fall. The landscape isn’t usually so green, the sun sets in a slightly different spot, and I actually saw FLOWERS! Most of South Carolina is done with the spring blooms, but the mountains aren’t. I’m hoping to get up to the North Carolina mountains in the next few weeks to see the rhododendrons too!

More about Caesars Head:
https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/Caesars-head-state-park

More about finding spring and fall color:
https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/finding-spring-and-fall-colors

Throwing it back because it’s (Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month) and I love the photos we got with this dupatta ✨ I also love the way the color of the dupatta contrasts so much with the background.

More from this session:
https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/shehzad-semeen-table-rock

If cake isn’t your thing, you can switch it up for something else on your wedding day! Jenna and Chris like ice cream more than cake, and since it was just the two of them at their wedding, they split one ice cream cup from Andee's Custom Blended Ice Cream!

To see more from Jenna and Chris’s elopement, check out the blog!

https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/clemson-elopement-jenna-and-chris

Embracing the chaos of life like…

On a more serious note, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I’ve spent most of my post-college life working in mental health, so here are a few of the many things I’ve learned:

1. Everyone is different. What helps you might not be helpful to someone else. Sometimes people want someone to listen, not necessarily someone to give advice.

2. The first step to a better situation can be really hard. Be happy for people who are taking that step.

3. You never fully understand someone’s situation or why they’re doing the things they do.

📍 Giants Causeway, apparently “the windiest point in Ireland” (I was struggling to stand up in this photo)
📷: Dan

Jenna and Chris eloped on May the 4th (because why wouldn’t you if it’s on a Saturday?) and knew they wanted spring scenery. It wasn’t just pretty and colorful in the botanical gardens—it smelled amazing too. There were flowers and herbs that smelled good, but we passed through one area that smelled like bubblegum and another smelled like fruity candy! Check out the blog to see more from Jenna and Chris’s wedding day!

Locations: South Carolina Botanical Garden and Lake Hartwell
Officiant: Debbie Eliopulous
Hair and makeup: Jake and Meg with Cotton Rouge & Company: Makeup & Hair Artists
Dress: Evelyn's Bridal
Ice cream: Andee's Custom Blended Ice Cream
Photography: Christine Scott Photography

https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/clemson-elopement-jenna-and-chris

These Clemson sunset photos need a moment to shine ✨ check out the blog to see more from Jenna and Chris’s elopement photos at Clemson!

https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/clemson-elopement-jenna-and-chris

Locations: South Carolina Botanical Gardens and Lake Hartwell
Officiant: Debbie Eliopulous
Dress: Evelyn's Bridal
Hair and makeup: Cotton Rouge & Company: Makeup & Hair Artists
Ice cream: Andee's Custom Blended Ice Cream
Photography: Christine Scott Photography

Jenna and Chris’s elopement day started off with pouring rain, but ended with a perfect Clemson sunset over Lake Hartwell! I can’t wait to show you more from their beautiful day!

Locations: South Carolina Botanical Garden and Lake Hartwell
Officiant: Debbie Eliopulous
Dress: Evelyn's Bridal
Hair and makeup: Cotton Rouge & Company: Makeup & Hair Artists
Ice cream: Andee’s Ice Cream
Photography: Christine Scott Photography

christinescottphotography.com

, featuring some of Madison and Clay’s engagement and wedding photos, some I love to look back on ☺️

https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/river-road-jasmine-madison-clay

Leah and Dejour were engaged in the mountains on the most beautiful spring day!

Leah’s red dress was perfect against the blue and green landscape we had all to ourselves. We even got some pink flowers blooming in the bushes in front of the chapel!

Head over to the blog to see some more of my favorites from Leah and Dejour’s engagement!

https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/Pretty-place-engagement-leah-and-dejour

How would you spend an elopement day in downtown Greenville?

Would you celebrate afterwards at a new restaurant you’ve always wanted to try, or one of your favorites?

Would you see a Broadway show at the Peace Center?

Would you explore Falls Park and the Swamp Rabbit Trail together?

Maybe buy something to remember from the day?

Head over to the blog to see some of the things Tori and Michael did in downtown Greenville!

https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/greenville-sc-elopement

Where else can you have a waterfall elopement and still walk to everything else you want to do that day?

The most famous place in Greenville, South Carolina is Falls Park on the Reedy River. This was right below a pedestrian bridge that runs from a hotel to the restaurant where we had brunch afterwards. We didn’t even get in the car the whole time we were taking photos!

We were here early on Sunday morning before the rain came in, which is probably why it was so empty and quiet. We had the most iconic part of the city to ourselves, and the waterfall was the only thing we could hear.

Shoutout to Tori and Michael for helping me make these photos happen!

For more ideas on places to elope in upstate South Carolina, head over to the blog:
https://christinescottphotography.com/blog/elope-in-greenville-sc