Nashville's Best Portrait Locations

Digital cameras have made do-it-yourself photo shoots both easy and inexpensive! You can take 500 photos and only develop the very best shots.

A Sense of History:
I like backdrops with natural stone or old concrete benches. Many of Middle Tennessee's historic homes charge admission for tours, but not to their grounds! Perhaps you can discreetly use the exteriors and outbuildings of:

• the Belle Meade Mansion (privately owned)


• Two Rivers Mansion (city owned)


• Sunnyside Mansion in Sevier Park (city-owned)


• Belmont Mansion with its frilly gazebo (on campus)


• Cool Springs House in Brentwood's Crockett Park (city-owned)


• Cheekwood mansion and garden spots ($10 admission).

Natural State:
I never walk through the Ellington Agricultural Center on a weekend without seeing at least one professional photographer snapping away. This free estate houses Tennessee's agriculture and wildlife departments. You get the benefit of several different settings, all without leaving the Ellington grounds. Popular photo spots include:

• in the Iris Garden gazebo


• in the demonstration gardens around the museum


• against the white-washed horse fences


• near the woodsy log cabins

Public Parks:
We're lucky to have so many beautiful parks in Nashville. A few favorite backdrops:

• the stone steps at Percy Warner Park


• the Warner Park Nature Center porch and stone courtyard


• Centennial Park's lake and/or spring tulip display


• the colorful tile dragon at Fannie May Dees Park


• TN Bicentennial Mall amphitheatre and native plant gardens

Public Landmarks:

• Nashville's Downtown Library and its formal fountained courtyard


• the steps of the Parthenon in Centennial Park


• TN State Capitol building on a weekend


• Schermerhorn Symphony Center downtown


• Shelby Street pedestrian bridge has 4 scenic overlooks with downtown backdrop

If you've found a great portrait location in the Nashville area, let us know in the comments!

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