A hot air balloon photoshoot is one of those sessions that makes me want to grab my camera and go have an adventure, and that’s exactly what we did for Joy + Mike’s five-year wedding anniversary and their baby’s first birthday!

As a Greenville SC photographer, I loved getting to document these two milestones with a colorful hot-air balloon adventure right here in Greenville. Mike is a pilot, so having hot air balloons as the backdrop made this session extra fun. He even taught me something new about aircraft tags that both planes and hot air balloons have!

And as someone who is a little obsessed with documenting life, I loved that we weren’t just taking photos for the sake of having them on a phone. We were creating colorful, joyful images that we printed as heirloom prints afterwards!

Scouting the Hot Air Balloon Festival

It was a HOT summer day, and this particular hot air balloon festival drew a lot of crowds in!

I came early to scout out the best colorful balloons before Joy + Mike arrived. With so many bright and bold balloons, I wanted to be intentional about which ones we photographed with. We definitely weren’t going for the clown balloon 😂, the purple and yellow colors were pretty cute, though.

The festival was hosted at Historic Hopkins Farm, a Greenville SC wedding venue I’ve actually photographed at before. They have so much land, which makes it such a unique setting for an event like this.

The vendors had a specified parking route, which was helpful, and we opted for VIP parking so we could get as close to the entrance as possible. With a one-year-old, this was easy peasy.

Making a Greenville SC Outdoor Session Comfortable

Although a hot air balloon festival is a much busier environment than a typical couples session, I wanted to make the experience as comfortable as possible for their family.

I brought a blanket for their little one to sit and play on, and for hot summer sessions like this, I typically bring water bottles for my couples and a portable handheld fan. Because yes, we’re here for beautiful photos, but I also don’t want you melting while we’re taking them!

I also asked Joy + Mike to bring a few toys and books for their baby to play with throughout the evening. Those little things can make a BIG difference during a session like this.

Planning an Anniversary Session With a One-Year-Old

One of my favorite parts of this session was planning ahead so we could make the most of our time.

With a one-year-old, I knew we couldn’t just wander around the festival and hope everything came together. I planned which balloons we’d start with, along with the poses and prompts I’d use to transition from one spot to the next.

Of course, photographing a baby means staying flexible! We followed his lead when he needed a break, and we even got some couples-only anniversary photos while he took some time to rest. It was also incredibly helpful that Joy’s mom came along to help with their little one.

What to Know About a Hot Air Balloon Photoshoot

If you’re dreaming of a hot air balloon photoshoot where you’re actually inside the basket, there’s one thing to know: festivals can make this a little tricky.

Unless you book a private hot air balloon ride, festivals typically have a set number of people who can ride in the basket. The number is calculated based on weight and the conditions needed for the balloon to fly safely, so we definitely want everyone staying with the balloon! 😂

Because of that, I brought a long lens with me just in case Joy + Mike wanted photos from below as they ascended. It’s always better to be prepared, especially when we’re working with an experience that has so many moving parts.

Choosing Outfits for Colorful Balloons

When you’re surrounded by colorful, bold balloons, I always recommend choosing an outfit that can make a little statement of its own (or go opposite and play it neutral).

For Joy + Mike, we went with fun pastel colors that complemented the balloons without competing with them.

And for a session like this, don’t forget to choose something you can actually move in. Comfortable shoes are your friend when you’re walking around a festival, and I love outfits with movement that photograph beautifully as you walk, laugh, and interact.

My Tips for a Hot Air Balloon Couples Session

If you’re planning your own hot air balloon adventure session, here are a few things I’d recommend:

• Arrive early. Give yourself time to park, explore, and get settled without feeling rushed.
• Book your balloon ride early if you’re hoping to actually ride. The lines can get long, and I’d recommend riding around sunset if the schedule allows.
• Bring water. Summer in South Carolina is no joke!
• Pack a portable fan. Trust me on this one.
• Bring a picnic blanket or chairs so you have somewhere comfortable to relax after photos.
• Keep a light jacket in the car. Once the sun goes down, you’ll be glad you have one.
• Choose outfits that move well and don’t be afraid of color or softer tones.
• Bring comfy shoes. You’ll likely be doing more walking than you expect.
• Trust your photographer. Relax, enjoy the experience, and let us worry about what to do next.

Hot Air Balloon Photoshoot Q&A

How much does a hot air balloon photoshoot cost?

It truly depends on the experience you’re planning. If you’re attending a hot air balloon festival, you’ll have your photography session fee plus any festival admission, VIP parking, or ride tickets you’d like. If you’d like a more private experience, you’ll also need to account for the cost of booking a private hot air balloon ride.

Where can I book a hot air balloon photoshoot for couples?

Greenville SC has a rare once-a-year hot air balloon festival, while surrounding cities may have balloon festivals and rides at other times throughout the year.

If you’re specifically dreaming of colorful balloons as your backdrop, I’d recommend looking at the festival schedule first and then planning your photography around the event.

What is the best time of day for hot air balloon photos?

From the hot air balloon festivals I’ve attended, many of them take place in the evening and finish with a glow show. For photography, I generally recommend arriving toward golden hour so we can take advantage of that beautiful evening light.

One thing I keep in mind when scouting is where the sunlight is falling on the balloons. If there’s a particular color combination I love, I want to make sure there’s still enough light filtering around it. Otherwise, a gorgeous colorful balloon can photograph a little flat once it’s completely shaded.

What should I wear for a hot air balloon photoshoot?

For colorful balloons, I love a dress that makes a statement! Personally, I love soft pastel colors because they complement the bold colors of the balloons without competing with them.

Flowy pieces are especially fun because they give us movement to work with. If you’re going for a more casual date-night look, a soft linen set can also photograph beautifully and gives us plenty of opportunities for prompts like walking, dancing, or a piggyback ride.

I would avoid anything extremely stiff unless you’re intentionally going for more of an editorial fashion look, and definitely wear comfortable shoes. You’ll probably be walking more than you expect!

Can you take photos from inside a hot air balloon?

Yes, but this is something we’ll talk through during your design consultation because it depends on the type of balloon experience you’re booking.

If you’d prefer photographs from above, with the other colorful balloons surrounding you, we can most likely capture that perspective with a wider lens. If you’re attending a festival where private rides aren’t available, I’ll help you think through what photography options will work best for the experience you’ve booked.

A Balloon Festival Date Night For Us!

After our hot air balloon photoshoot, my hubby came after our session and we made it into our own date night (I love when that happens with sessions)!

We got to stay for the glow show and even met some fellow Filipinos at the concessions. It was such a fun way to end an already memorable evening.

Looking for a photographer for your Greenville SC engagement or celebration?

If you’re dreaming up a colorful adventure for your engagement, anniversary, birthday, or just because, you don’t have to wait for a traditional milestone to make photos happen. I love helping couples plan sessions that feel like them, whether that’s exploring somewhere new, celebrating five years of marriage, or chasing hot air balloons around Greenville.

I’ll help you plan the session, guide you through the photos, and create images designed to live beyond your camera roll as prints, wall art, and heirlooms you’ll actually enjoy in your home.

Explore my investment options and get in touch to start planning your session.