Best Photo Locations on the Outer Banks (From Local Photographers)
Families visiting the Outer Banks often ask us where the most beautiful places for photos are. As Outer Banks Photographers , after years of photographing sessions across the islands, we’ve discovered that some locations consistently create the most beautiful and relaxed images.
Below are some of our favorite photo locations across the Outer Banks.
The Beach (Often the Best Choice)
One of the best things about the Outer Banks is that nearly every stretch of beach is beautiful.
From Corolla and Duck to , Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, and Hatteras Island, the coastline offers wide open sand, natural dune landscapes, and soft evening light. Because of this, the best location for a photo session is often simply the beach closest to your vacation rental.
Choosing a nearby access keeps the experience relaxed and easy — especially for families with young children or larger groups — and you almost never lose anything visually by staying close to where you’re already spending time.
Outer Banks beaches tend to offer:
- wide shorelines
- beautiful dune grass and sea oats
- warm sunset light
- plenty of space even during summer
Many of our favorite family sessions happen right near our clients’ beach houses, where everyone already feels comfortable and at ease.
Jockey’s Ridge State Park (Nags Head)
Jockey’s Ridge is home to the largest sand dune system on the East Coast.
Standing on the dunes at sunset can feel almost surreal — endless sand, huge skies, and warm golden light stretching across the landscape.
Because the park faces the sound, sunsets here are often spectacular.
The location offers:
- dramatic dunes
- wide open views
- glowing sunset skies
- minimal backgrounds that highlight people and light
Because reaching the dunes involves a short walk, this location tends to work best for smaller groups or couples.
Bodie Island Lighthouse (Nags Head)
Another striking landmark on the Outer Banks is the Bodie Island Lighthouse near Nags Head. Surrounded by maritime forest, wetlands, and open boardwalk paths, the black-and-white striped lighthouse creates a dramatic backdrop for photographs. The area around the lighthouse offers beautiful natural textures — tall grasses, reflective water, and wide views of the sky — which can be especially lovely in the soft light before sunset. Because of its unique landscape and iconic lighthouse views, Bodie Island is a wonderful option for couples or smaller portrait sessions looking for something distinctly Outer Banks but different from the beach.
Currituck Beach Lighthouse & Whalehead Club (Corolla)
The Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the nearby Whalehead Club sit just steps from each other in Historic Corolla Park, making this area one of the most versatile portrait locations on the northern Outer Banks. Around the lighthouse you’ll find towering live oak trees, charming brick walkways, and glimpses of the red-brick tower rising above the village. Just a short walk away, the grounds of the Whalehead Club open up to wide coastal lawns, wooden bridges, and beautiful views over the Currituck Sound. Together, these locations offer a wonderful mix of historic architecture, coastal scenery, and peaceful park landscapes — perfect for couples, engagement sessions, and families who want something a little different from beach portraits while still keeping that relaxed Outer Banks atmosphere.
Soundside Locations.
While the ocean side of the Outer Banks gets most of the attention, the soundside can be just as beautiful — especially at sunset. Locations along the Currituck Sound often offer calm water reflections, tall marsh grasses, and quiet shoreline views that feel peaceful and naturally coastal. One favorite spot is Friedman’s Point in Corolla, a small soundside access with easy parking and wide sunset views across the water. The light here can be especially soft and golden in the evening, and the relaxed atmosphere makes it a wonderful option for portrait sessions that feel calm, natural, and a little more secluded than some of the busier beach areas.
Elizabethan Gardens (Manteo)
For something completely different from beach scenery, the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo offer one of the most elegant landscapes on the Outer Banks.
The gardens feature:
- winding pathways
- seasonal flowers
- fountains and sculptures
- centuries-old live oak trees
The setting feels lush and peaceful, almost like a hidden garden tucked away on the island.
Because this is a curated garden space, admission and photography permission are typically required.
Downtown Manteo
The historic downtown area of Manteo offers a charming small-town coastal setting that feels very different from the beaches of the Outer Banks. Along the waterfront boardwalk and around Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, you’ll find sailboats in the harbor, wooden docks, colorful coastal buildings, and quiet streets lined with trees. The scenery here creates a relaxed maritime atmosphere that works beautifully for couples, engagement sessions, or families who want something a little different from the typical beach portrait. In the evening, the soft light over the harbor and the reflections on the water can make this area especially photogenic.
Duck Boardwalk (Duck, NC)
The Duck Boardwalk offers a charming soundside setting that feels very different from the open beaches of the Outer Banks. The wooden boardwalk winds along the Currituck Sound past marsh grasses, small docks, and beautiful waterfront views, creating a relaxed coastal atmosphere that photographs wonderfully in the evening light. It can also be a great option on days when the ocean side is especially windy, as the soundside areas in Duck often feel a bit more sheltered. With its mix of natural scenery, charming coastal shops, and peaceful sunset views over the water, the boardwalk makes a lovely backdrop for couples and smaller portrait sessions.
Tips for Choosing the Best Photo Location on the Outer Banks
When planning a portrait session on the OBX, the “perfect” time and location often depends on a few practical factors:
- how far the location is from your rental home
- the age of children in your group
- sunrise/sunset timing during your vacation week
- wind conditions along the beach or sound – some evenings the ocean side can be quite breezy, while soundside locations remain calm and peaceful.
In many cases, choosing a nearby beach access ends up being the best decision. The Outer Banks coastline is naturally beautiful, and staying close to your rental home keeps the experience simple, relaxed, and enjoyable for everyone.
Planning Your Outer Banks Photo Session
Every part of the Outer Banks offers something a little different — from the historic charm of Corolla to the sweeping dunes of Nags Head.
Whether you are staying in Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, or Nags Head, we always help you to choose a location that feels natural and fits your week on the island.
If you’re planning portraits during your OBX vacation, check out our Outer Banks Photography page to learn about how we create relaxed, natural images during beach sessions.
Map of Our Favorite Outer Banks Photo Locations
Here is a map of some of our favorite photography locations across the Outer Banks, including Corolla, Duck, Nags Head, and Manteo.
