Whether you travel with a high-end camera or just your smartphone, Folly Beach offers numerous picture-perfect spots where you can capture forever moments. These are the standout places and tips to make your trip shine in your photo album.
1. Morris Island Lighthouse
Best time to shoot: Sunrise (and sometimes moonrise)
The iconic Morris Island Lighthouse is a must-capture landmark. From the northern tip of Folly Island, you can frame this 161-foot historic structure (dating to 1876) against the serene pastel skies of dawn. On calm mornings, you might even spot dolphins passing by or seabirds circling overhead.
Want to get even closer? Consider booking a guided tour that takes you by boat (or kayak) — these excursions often provide narration on local ecology and history, as well as fresh angles for photos.
Tips:
- Use a lens with a moderate zoom to compress the lighthouse against the sky.
- Add human elements (silhouettes, people walking) to add scale and drama.
- Arrive early; the light window is narrow.
2. Folly Beach Pier
Best time to shoot: Golden hour, sunset, and low-light
The Folly Beach Pier, stretching about 1,045 feet over the ocean, is a classic scene for coastal images. It’s dramatic from the beach looking toward it, and equally photogenic when you walk on the pier itself. You can pause, order a drink from Pier 101’s bar or grab an ice cream from the gift shop, and let your lens wander across ocean swells, pelicans, and distant sailboats.
From the pier, the horizon lines up beautifully, creating leading lines toward sunset or stormy skies. Back toward shore, you’ll get complementary reflections in wet sand or tidal pools.
Tips:
- Shoot from just before low tide to capture wet-sand reflections.
- Use the pier’s railing or timber beams as compositional frames.
- Bring a tripod for those moody dusk or early-evening shots.
3. Kayak & Boat Tours (Water-Level Views)
One of the most fun ways to find hidden photo gems is by getting into the water. Many local outfitters offer kayak, paddleboard, or small-boat tours that allow you to see Folly, the lighthouse, and wildlife from new vantage points.
These tours are goldmines for:
- Dolphins riding bow waves
- Reflections in calm inlets
- Wading birds, marsh grasses, and tidal textures
- Quiet moments in secluded coves
Tips:
- Bring a waterproof camera bag or sleeve.
- Pack a lens cloth — salt spray will fog your glass quickly.
- Ask your guide for “photo stops” or pullovers at scenic spots.
4. The Washout & Coastal Groins
Folly’s shoreline changes with tides and storms, and you’ll often find dramatic ruptures (the “Washout”) or long groin structures extending into the sea. These features create natural lines and textures that are strong photo elements — especially in contrast with soft waves or glowing skies.
Tips:
- Use a wide-angle lens to exaggerate foreground patterns.
- Look for reflections in puddles along the broken beach edges.
- Experiment with long exposures (1–2 seconds or more) to blur waves.
5. Center Street & Folly’s Colorful Nooks
Don’t miss the charm inland. Center Street, Folly’s main beach-town corridor, offers colorful storefronts, murals, quirky surf shops, and local street life. The architecture, local shops, and art details are perfect for candid shots, lifestyle portraits, or detail textures (weathered signs, surfboards, palm shadows).
Tips:
- Shoot during “magic hour” (early morning or late afternoon) when shadows are long.
- Use a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/4) to isolate details.
- Include locals or visitors in your frame to tell a story.
6. Dune Edges, Marsh Vistas & Back Island Paths
Walk past the beach into the dune grasses or along marsh-view trails, especially during sunrise or dusk. The interplay of silhouetted grasses, soft sky gradients, and glimmers of water make for peaceful, contemplative images. Also, if accessible, trails that lead toward the river or backwaters often reveal unexpected angles of light and reflection.
Tips:
- Use backlighting to capture blades of grass glowing.
- Lower perspective: get down low to capture sky-dominant compositions.
- Try shooting through grass or fronds to create natural frames.
7. Creative Ideas & Composition Hacks
Golden-hour overlays: Use lens flare intentionally — position the sun just outside the frame for dreamy light.
Reflections & symmetry: Use tidal pools, wet sand, or puddles to mirror skies or structures.
Silhouettes: Shoot against bright skies (sunsets or sunrise) and expose for the sky.
Forced perspective: Place a person close to the camera and the lighthouse or pier farther — it adds depth and fun scale.
Panorama sequences: Stitch beach + pier + horizon to create wide storytelling panoramas.
Vertical frames for social media: Don’t forget vertical crops (9:16) for Instagram Reels or Stories.
