My Favorite Photography Locations in and Around Knoxville, Tennessee
May 26, 2025
For Engagements, Family Sessions, and Maternity Sessions
As a Knoxville-based photographer, one of the questions I get asked most often is: “Where should we take our photos?” And the truth is — East Tennessee is full of incredible options. From mountain views and lakeside sunsets to charming historic buildings and quiet trails, we’re surrounded by beauty.
Over the years, I’ve photographed families, couples, and expecting mamas in so many places, and I’ve found a handful of locations that I come back to again and again. They’re not just pretty — they offer something special. Whether it’s the way the sun hits the water at golden hour or the peace you feel walking down a tree-covered trail, each spot on this list has its own personality.
So if you’re planning a family, maternity, or engagement session and need a little help deciding where to go, here are my absolute favorite locations in and around Knoxville — along with what you can expect from each one.
Melton Hill Park – Knoxville, TN
Best for: Engagements, Family, Maternity
Aesthetic: Lakeside, open fields, woodlands
Busy times: Weekends in the summer
Cost: Free
Melton Hill Park is one of those spots that feels like a breath of fresh air. With access to the Clinch River, wide-open fields, and wooded trails, it’s a versatile location that offers both scenic beauty and room to roam.
Why I love it: It’s perfect for relaxed, lifestyle-driven sessions. Little ones can run through the grass, couples can sit along the water’s edge, and the sunset light here is truly golden. It feels calm and natural, which always helps people feel at ease in front of the camera.
Songbird Trail (near Norris Dam) – Norris, TN
Best for: Family, Maternity
Aesthetic: Wooded trail, riverside, peaceful
Busy times: Afternoons on weekends
Cost: Free
Songbird Trail is a bit of a hidden gem tucked along the Clinch River near Norris Dam. It’s flat and stroller-friendly, making it ideal for young families or maternity sessions. The trail runs alongside the river and is shaded by tall trees. It’s beautiful year-round, but it’s especially dreamy in the fall.
Why I love it: It’s so quiet and peaceful, and that helps people really settle into the moment. The soft greens in spring and summer make for gorgeous natural backdrops, and the fall color here is unreal.
Ijams Nature Center (Quarry Side) – Knoxville, TN
Best for: Engagements, Family, Maternity
Aesthetic: Natural, woodsy, quarry views, boardwalk
Busy times: Weekend afternoons
Cost: Free
Ijams has two main areas, but I’m especially drawn to the quarry side. With its still water, rock cliffs, and elevated boardwalk, it brings a unique and slightly wild vibe to your photos.
Why I love it: It feels like a little escape from the city. The quarry is stunning at sunset, and there are so many great nooks — open spaces, trails, and rocky edges — that give us tons of variety.
Spout Springs Winery – Blaine, TN
Best for: Engagements, Maternity
Aesthetic: Vineyard, rustic charm, rolling hills
Busy times: Weekend afternoons/evenings
Cost: Contact winery for session access
This one is a bit off the beaten path — but absolutely worth it. Spout Springs Winery offers a romantic, rustic atmosphere with rows of vines, open hillsides, and a peaceful country setting.
Why I love it: The setting is both elegant and relaxed, making it perfect for couples or maternity clients who want something unique but approachable. And if you want to celebrate your session with a glass of wine afterward, you’re already in the right place.
Little Egypt – Caryville, TN
Best for: Engagements, Family, Maternity
Aesthetic: Waterfalls, creek, woods
Busy times: Evenings in summer
Cost: Free
Little Egypt is known for its cooling waterfalls in the summer and fall and the beautiful views from the top of the mountain year round. When you get to the trail it immediately runs parallel to the creek about half a mile up the trail you will see the first waterfall after that the rest are in a in the rock.
Why I love it: It looks like you’re in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, but you’re just right outside of Knoxville.
Cove Lake State Park – Caryville, TN
Best for: Family, Maternity, Couples
Aesthetic: Mountain views, lake, grassy areas
Busy times: Weekends
Cost: Free
Just a short drive north of Knoxville, Cove Lake State Park is worth the trip. With views of the Cumberland Mountains, lake access, and open green spaces, it offers a fresh, outdoorsy feel.
Why I love it: I love photographing families here. There’s space for kids to play, walkways to explore, and a peaceful lake that reflects all the natural beauty around it.
Seven Islands State Birding Park – Kodak, TN
Best for: Family, Maternity, Engagements
Aesthetic: Meadows, rolling hills, birds, foggy mornings
Busy times: Mornings and weekends
Cost: Free
If you love wide-open skies and sprawling meadows, Seven Islands State Birding Park is for you. It’s especially beautiful in the early morning when the fog settles over the grass and the light filters through the trees.
Why I love it: It feels untouched and wild in the best way. It’s a great place for barefoot babies, big family snuggles, and maternity sessions that feel deeply connected to nature.
The Bleak House – Knoxville, TN
Best for: Engagements
Aesthetic: Historic, formal gardens, Southern charm
Busy times: Evenings, especially spring/summer
Cost: Requires permission/fee for sessions
The Bleak House is a stunning, historic venue in the heart of Knoxville. With ivy-covered brick, wrought-iron details, and perfectly manicured gardens, it’s ideal for more formal or romantic engagement sessions.
Why I love it: It’s full of Southern charm and elegance. If you’re envisioning something timeless and a bit more polished, this location is perfect. It’s also a great location if it rains.
Downtown Knoxville – Market Square, Old City
Best for: Engagements, Urban Family Sessions
Aesthetic: Urban, colorful murals, city vibes
Busy times: Evenings and weekends
Cost: Free
For a fun, modern feel, Downtown Knoxville has so much to offer. We can explore alleyways, find pops of color, and even sneak onto rooftops for a skyline view.
Why I love it: It’s upbeat, different, and great for clients who want a little more edge or personality in their photos. Every session here feels like a mini adventure.
Knoxville Botanical Garden
Best for: Engagements, Maternity, Family
Aesthetic: Romantic, garden paths, stone walls, greenery
Busy times: Spring weekends
Cost: Photography permit required (around $50)
This Knoxville Botanical Garden is a go-to for romantic, lush images. With old stone walls, wide lawns, blooming flowers, and shaded paths, it has so much variety packed into one place.
Why I love it: It feels magical. It’s ideal for maternity sessions that feel soft and elegant, or engagements that look straight out of a storybook.
What Sets Hayley Howard Photography Apart
I know there are so many talented photographers in East Tennessee. I truly do. What makes my approach unique isn’t flashy or trendy — it’s personal. I care deeply about creating space for people to feel during their session. To slow down. To breathe. To connect. Whether we’re in your favorite park or dancing barefoot through a field, I want you to feel safe, seen, and celebrated.
I don’t believe in stiff poses or perfect smiles—I believe in real moments. Laughter. Movement. The quiet in-between glances. And I’ll guide you through the entire session so it never feels awkward or forced.
My background in social work, my love for storytelling, and my experience as a mom help me see your story in a different light. Every session is a chance to honor that story — and I’d be so honored to tell yours.
Ready to plan your session?
If you’re interested in working together, I’d love to connect. Just head over to my contact page and send me a message. I’ll be in touch soon with next steps and we’ll dream up the perfect session — location, light, and all.
Let’s create something beautiful together.
—with love,
Hayley
