Guide to Engagement Photos at Old Salem
March 24, 2026
Dreaming of engagement photos in Historic Old Salem? This is the guide you need!
Old Salem in Winston Salem, North Carolina is full of historic charm. The cobblestone streets, restored brick buildings, and whimsical gardens make for the most perfect backdrops for an engagement session. Whether you want spring blossoms or fall colors, this site is stunning year round. Even in the dead of winter, the location doesn’t disappoint. In this guide I’ll walk you through what to expect for your session and how to plan to make the most of our time together.
Let’s get started!
First let’s talk about booking your session. After you’ve reached out to me through my contact form to set up your engagement session, we will need to determine the best day to book. The buildings are usually open Wednesday – Saturday and close at 4:00, so I prefer to schedule your session after operations end so that we can avoid the crowds. The best lighting is usually 1-2 hours before sunset (or an hour after sunrise if you’re an early bird!)
There is a $50 permit fee to photograph there, so we will need to fill out the form on the website and pay that before arriving. There are a lot of options for photos, so I typically suggest a minimum 1 hour session to allow time to walk around. Main street offers cobblestone sidewalks and historic buildings, I personally love the pink building.
The gardens are another stunning backdrop. You can go from cozy downtown to whimsical fields in a moment. I love the way the glowy sunlight hits the trees in the evening. There are some open fields, but in the areas that are actual working gardens, we must be very respectful to stay on the grassy or stone path and not trample any plants growing.
The Market House in the Square has a beautiful arched doorway. I love using the different architectural elements in Old Salem to provide visual interest during our session together.
The square is another more grassy-park like area with beautiful trees. We can walk through this area and snap a few photos on our way up to Salem College.
As long as classes aren’t in session, the iconic white columns of Salem College make for an elegant and classy background. The nooks in the old building are the perfect spot to sneak away for a few quiet photos together.
If you’re chasing those classic engagement images that never go out of style, then Old Salem might be that perfect photo location you’ve been searching for. If you still need some more engagement photo location inspo, check out my Winston Salem engagement guide.
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