Private Photo Sessions Along Forested Trails Beside House Boheme Babbling Brook
We built House Boheme with photographers in mind. Not just because one of us is a photographer, but because we know that the moments you're chasing don't wait for setups or staging. They happen when light filters through towering pines at just the right angle, or when a couple forgets the camera exists and leans into each other beside a babbling brook.
Our 22 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains give you space to roam. The forested trails wind through the property, and you'll hear the creek before you see it. That sound becomes part of the shoot, a natural rhythm that helps couples relax into the frame. The private waterfall is tucked back in the trees, and it's quieter than you'd expect. We've watched photographers work there for hours, moving between the water and the moss-covered rocks, finding angles that feel both wild and intimate.
The Trails Give You Options Without the Crowds
When you book a private photo session here, you're not sharing the trails with hikers or timing shots around other groups. The forested paths belong to your session. We've seen photographers start at the grand front entrance, where rhododendron and Indian Hawthorne frame the doorway, then move down to the brook without ever feeling rushed.
The creek runs through the property with enough movement to catch light but not so much that you're shouting over it. Couples can sit on the banks, wade in if they want, or just walk alongside it while you shoot. The 4-acre meadow opens up past the tree line if you need a completely different look, wide and grassy, with the Appalachian horizon stretching behind your subjects.
Light Moves Through Pine and Water All Day
Golden hour here is what you'd hope for. Sunlight filters through the pines and hits the water at angles that change by the minute. But we've hosted sessions at noon, mid-afternoon, even overcast mornings, and photographers tell us the tree cover works in their favor. The canopy diffuses harsh light naturally.
The brook reflects whatever sky you're working with. On clear days, it picks up blue. On cloudy days, it goes soft and moody. You're not fighting the environment, you're using it.
If you want to break up the outdoor shots, the Italian wrought-iron glass doors to the bridal suite balcony give you an architectural moment with mountain views behind. Or the large sliding double doors that open to the walk-out patio, that panorama reveals works for portraits that feel both intimate and expansive.
The Gardens and Flagstone Patio Add Layers
Past the trails, the Peninsula Garden is 12,000 square feet of grass surrounded by fruit trees. We've set up the garden living room there, handmade willow furniture with fringed umbrellas and cocktail tables, and it reads like a styled shoot without any additional props. Blueberry bushes line parts of the garden, and depending on the season, you might catch blooms or fruit in the frame.
The flagstone patio at the basement level flows right out to more greenery. It's shaded, textured, and gives you a grounded setting if the trails feel too ethereal. Photographers mix it up, bouncing between the patio's structure and the trails' organic flow.
We Handle Access So You Can Focus on the Work
Private photo sessions get dedicated time on the property. You're not working around event guests or Setup crews. We coordinate with our two on-site liaisons to make sure you have what you need, whether that's access to certain spaces or just the freedom to wander.
If you're shooting a wedding day, couples can start getting ready at 10 a.m. in the bridal suite, then move outside for portraits without leaving the property. The in-house photography we offer follows the same approach, using the trails and brook as part of the story instead of treating them like bonus backdrops.
Engagement sessions, anniversary shoots, creative projects, we've hosted them all. The trails don't change their character based on what you're shooting. They just are what they are: quiet, layered, and ridiculously photogenic.
The Aesthetic Shows Up in the Details
House Boheme was designed by a collective of artists, a jewelry designer, a photographer, and a pianist. We're maximalists who believe in wabi-sabi, so nothing here looks brand new or overly curated. The 60-year-old vintage Moroccan rugs, the hand-built speakeasy bar from reclaimed tiger-wood, the brass string lights, and velvet lanterns, they all add texture to indoor shots if you want to pull your couple inside for a different vibe.
The live plants cascade indoors and out, blurring the line between the house and the surrounding forest. It's not styled for social media. It's styled because we live here, and we wanted it to feel like a place where art and nature actually coexist instead of just posing next to each other.
Hannah Pace called it a "masterpiece of creativity and tranquility" where "every corner whispers of artistic vision." Ben Haney said, "House Boheme provides an experience." That experience extends to photo sessions. You're not just shooting in a pretty location. You're working in a space that was built to honor beauty in all its forms.
Book Your Session and Bring Your Vision
We're at 872 Freemantown Rd in Rutherfordton, NC, about 22 acres tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains. The forested trails and babbling brook are here whenever you're ready to use them.
Fill out the inquiry form on our website at houseboheme.com, or contact us at 804-314-2812. We'll talk through timing, access, and what you're hoping to capture. Then we'll get out of your way and let you work.
FAQs
Can we access the trails during our wedding day for portraits?
Yes. Couples and their photographers have access to the forested trails, babbling brook, and private waterfall on the wedding day. If you book with us for your celebration, those spaces are yours to use for portraits without additional fees.
What time of day works best for photo sessions on the trails?
The pine canopy diffuses light throughout the day, so harsh midday sun isn't as much of an issue here as it would be in an open field. That said, golden hour through the trees and along the water is stunning. We've hosted successful sessions at all times of day, depending on the look you're after.
Do you provide photography services, or do we bring our own?
We offer in-house photography, but you're also welcome to bring your own photographer for private sessions or wedding day coverage. Both options work. Our in-house team knows the property well and can guide you to the best spots, but outside photographers love the creative freedom here too.
Is the property private during our photo session?
Yes. When you book a private photo session, the trails and outdoor spaces are reserved for you. You won't be working around other events or guests. Our two on-site liaisons coordinate access so you have the space you need.