DIY Savannah Photowalk
Savannah is a city rich in history and beauty, making it a perfect destination for photography enthusiasts (or the perfect place to get some amazing pics for your ‘gram!)
Every street and square here tells a story, and Savannah is always eager to share her magic with you.
In this DIY photowalk guide, we’ll take you through some of the most photogenic locations while sharing historical anecdotes along the way. How will you capture Savannah with your lens?
DESTINATION 1: Franklin’s
One of the best ways to experience Savannah is with a drink in hand! Franklin’s is a local coffee spot that has a wide array of specialty lattes and espresso drinks, teas, and cocktails. If you want to start with a bite to eat, they also have some tasty treats and to-go meals!
This little garden-level coffee shop is tucked into the cozy corner of Liberty and Bull and gives Parisian coffee house vibes. It’s the perfect spot to start your trip as it’s a gorgeous location for portraits- between the woodsy wallpaper and the ivy clothed front, there’s no shortage of photogenic spots!
destination 2: madison square
Heading south on Bull Street, the first square you’ll enter is Madison Square! This square (as do many in Savannah) has a haunting history, as it was home to the Siege of Savannah. This spot is a great location to practice a little street photography or snap some sweet photos of people in the square- oftentimes you can find SCAD students posted up here working on projects!
Seated on the northwest corner is the Green-Meldrim House, a brilliant example of Gothic revival architecture. While this house was initially constructed as a private home, it served as Union General Sherman’s headquarters until the end of the Civil War.
Aesthetically speaking, the exterior of the home shares a courtyard with St. John’s Church and is a great spot for portraiture or to snap some gorgeous shots of the house itself!
Destination 3: Jones street
Continuing south down Bull Street, you'll intersect with Jones Street! This street is one of the widest in Savannah and it’s lined with stunning historical homes. The old oaks stretch their limbs across the street and Spanish moss drips over the street.
This is an awe-inspiring spot for photos, with the winding tree limbs and charming house fronts, it’s also a great stretch for your morning fit pics ;) Just be wary of blocking traffic!
Destination 4: forsyth park
Keep pushing on down Bull Street and you can’t miss the city’s prime jewel- Forsyth Park! While most visitors assume that River Street is the heart of the city, the truth is, it’s Forsyth! You’ll find a blend of tourists, small vendors, SCAD students, and locals milling around here. The north end of the park is great for getting those dreamy light-dappled photos and iconic fountain pics. (Fun fact! The fountain at the top of the park was actually picked out of a Sears catalog!)
South of the fountain is where you’ll discover the large sunny lawns, the city’s trees framing the sky and creating a large liminal space for photos. Staying in Savannah over the weekend? Be sure to hit up the Saturday farmers market, happening weekly from 9AM-1PM! (This is another great way to get some discreet photos of tourists and locals alike!)
Destination 5: Abercorn street
After wrapping up at Forsyth, we recommend walking along Abercorn back north towards our next destination. We decided to make this street its own destination as it has plenty of pretty hidden alleyways, gorgeous stoops, and a few squares along the way to our next stop! On the east side of the street you’ll also eventually pass Clary’s Cafe, made famous by the novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt.
Destination 6: cathedral basilica of st. john the baptist
As long as we’ve been in Savannah, we can never get over the beauty of this next stop! Lafayette Square, nestled in front of the basilica perfectly anchors the lofty cathedral, peeking out of the trees like a fairytale castle. Though it’s tempting to want to walk right up to the cathedral to shoot it, we recommend shooting from or through the square, as you’ll be able to fit more of the building in your shot and have some dreamy framing from the trees!
If you’re lucky, you’ll bump into the local giant tortoise wandering the lawns of the square!
We hope these stops inspire you to create your own photowalk, adding additional stops that you find interesting (like maybe E. Shaver Booksellers and Pinkie Master’s) to your walk! While it may be tempting to take a trolly, bus, or Uber around the city, we can’t help but recommend walking it or biking it if you’re able! Truly the best way to get a feel for the city is by being out in the open air! Just be sure to stay hydrated :)
Happy snapping!
Want to join a photowalk with other local Savannah photograhers? Check out Savannah Photo Club on Instagram, hosting monthly photowalks!