This shoot was particularly special for me, as it was for someone I deeply admire—a real estate expert. I had an opportunity to capture his stunning classic vacation property, just 90 minutes from Charlotte, was truly a pleasure.
The drive through the scenic NC and SC countryside, with its nature-filled, single-lane roads, set the tone for what I already knew would be an incredible shoot. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a grand gated entrance leading to a charming, simple house with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, complete with all the essentials. The property also boasts a game room with a beautiful pool table, a heated tub, rain showers, Jack and Jill bedrooms, and a stunning covered porch overlooking a serene pond, complete with a walkway leading to the deck and boat dock.
With a pool, outdoor fire pit, and 20 acres of land, this place is a nature lover’s dream. The pond is perfect for sitting back and enjoying some peaceful fishing while listening to music. Capturing this property from the sky with a drone was the cherry on top.
As I drove those South Carolina roads, I couldn’t help but recall my favorite song, “Country Roads, Take Me Home.” It’s the perfect soundtrack for relaxing at this beautiful property. How about you—what would you listen to while unwinding here?
Photographing a property this size
With 20 acres, a pond, a pool and a long wooded drive, the challenge was showing scale without losing the details. I built the gallery as an arrival story: the gated entrance and the tree-lined drive first, then the wooden walkway down to the house, then the screened porch, the pool deck and the boat dock on the pond. A guest flipping through it gets a feel for what it is like to pull in for a weekend.
The screened porch and outdoor spaces
The long screened porch with its hot tub, ceiling fans and lounge seating looks out over the water, so I photographed it looking toward the pond to keep that view in frame. The round pool on its own deck and the fire pit area each got wide shots, since outdoor space is the main draw for a country retreat.
Inside the house
The interior is classic and warm, with terracotta walls, wood wainscoting, a dining table with wood chairs and a game room with a red-felt pool table under a stained-glass light and a mounted marlin on the wall. I balanced the window light against the warm interior tones so the rooms feel cozy without looking dark.
Details worth a close-up
- A green bathroom with shelves of rolled towels and toiletries.
- A peacock feather styled on the bedding.
- Lamp posts lining the walkway to the house.
If you host a rural or lakefront retreat, see what the packages include or how I approach lake house photography around Lake Norman.
