Hendersonville Couples Session at Bearwallow Mountain
How sweet morning sessions are! This Hendersonville Couples Session at Bearwallow Mountain seems taken from the pages of a Jane Austen novel! In the heart of North Carolina's scenic beauty, this popular trail offers panoramic views, lush meadows, and towering trees that wave in the wind. Having researched this location in depth, I was so excited to explore this location in person and had the best couple to adventure with: my parents!
My parents, Kyle & Kimberly, have been married for 30 years and while they have both a photographer daughter (me) and daughter-in-law, family sessions are the only times they get pictures together. I’ve definitely captured some precious candid moments between the two of them over the years but setting aside time for a session dedicated to just the two of them hadn’t happened for some time.
Too often, couples who have been married for years put off photography sessions together or only have a few stages of their lives together professionally documented: engagement, marriage, and possibly additions to their family in the form of children or pets. Those “big” moments, though, only show a portion of their experiences together. Making intentional plans to book sessions “just because” allows for a fuller picture of love to be shared with the world.
When I heard my parents were planning a weekend visit, I convinced them to wake up at 4:00 am and hike the trail in the dark so we could catch the magic of the sunrise on top of the mountain. When we arrived, we were alone at the summit except for a handful of cows. They seemed hardly interested in humans except for a few curious glances as we walked up and down the open field. With the sun behind the highest peak of the mountain, we didn’t have to worry about the light being too harsh. And the views…wow! We truly couldn’t have picked a more gorgeous spot!
High in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Hendersonville, North Carolina, this overlook is a popular spot for western NC residents and visitors alike. In the morning, you will only find a handful of hikers exploring the short 2 mile trail but during sunset, more adventurers arrive to enjoy the skies changing colors. With this in mind, mornings are recommended if you desire an intimate settling for your Hendersonville Couples Session at Bearwallow Mountain, however weekday evenings can work, too, if you’re not a morning person.
Given the incline of the trail, wearing hiking shoes to reach the top is very helpful! If you take the access road instead of the switchback trail, you’ll have a steady climb the whole way but avoid a steeper ascent. Do watch your step for manure however despite sharing the space with cows, you won’t need to worry about unpleasant smells due to the fresh mountain air.
Eloping at Bearwallow Mountain is possible, too! Considering the close proximity to Hendersonville and Asheville, I would rate this location high on my list of recommended elopement and small wedding locations! No permit is needed however if you desire to drive up to the overlook instead of making the hike, opening the gate to the access road costs $60. Even if you’re not planning to have the gate opened for you, I suggest contacting the land trust, Conserving Carolina, for the most up-to-date information.
Whether you’re interested in a Hendersonville Couples Session at Bearwallow Mountain or wishing to elope there, you can expect a storybook experience straight out of Europe! As your photographer, I’ll help bring your vision to life so send me a quick message so we can connect to get this party started.
