The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Stellar Shot List in Nashville, TN: Top Spots, Services, and Styling Tips

Nashville isn’t just a city of country music and southern charm—it’s also a hotspot for brand photography that tells your story with style. Whether you’re a boutique hotel owner, an entrepreneur, or a creative looking to elevate your online presence, Nashville has the perfect mix of vibrant settings, luxe accommodations, and unique shops to bring your brand to life. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about brand photography in Music City, including standout locations, must-have services, and styling resources.

Why Brand Photography Matters for Your Nashville Business

Your online presence is often the first impression your audience gets of your brand. High-quality, intentional brand photography helps:

• Build trust and credibility.

• Showcase your unique personality and story.

• Connect with your ideal audience.

• Drive more conversions with scroll-stopping visuals.

Whether you’re in the hospitality industry or running a boutique business, having a curated image library that reflects your brand’s vibe is essential. Now let’s explore how Nashville’s best can set the stage for your brand’s success.

Top Locations for Brand Photoshoots in Nashville

If you’re looking for spaces that offer both versatility and stunning backdrops, these Nashville locations are tried and true favorites:

1. The Graduate

   • With its whimsical, retro-inspired decor, this boutique hotel offers vibrant pops of color, playful murals, and vintage touches. Ideal for brands seeking a fun and eclectic aesthetic. Female decision-makers, creative entrepreneurs, and professionals looking for a colorful, fun brand voice would be ideal target audiences for this type of brand photoshoot.

2. The Hutton Hotel

   • Modern elegance meets cozy sophistication. The Hutton’s chic interiors and warm lighting make it perfect for polished yet inviting visuals.
     The Hutton has a more masculine feel for brands like female Lawyers, web developers, and SEO experts!

3. The Westin Element Vanderbilt Lobby & Outdoors

   • The mix of contemporary design and natural elements offers endless options for clean and versatile shots. We love the clean, sleek lines in the lobby, lush greenery, and lots of natural light…and it smells heavenly! The Westin Element near Charlotte Ave would be my go-to for copywriters, website designers, brand coaches, and virtual assistants in Nashville.

4. The Heritage Hotel

   • in Nashville is a haven for brands seeking a timeless, sophisticated aesthetic with a touch of Southern charm. Perfect for personal brand shoots, boutique businesses, or lifestyle brands targeting a discerning, upscale audience, the hotel’s interiors blend vintage elegance with modern design. Its soft neutral tones, grand architectural details, and warm, inviting spaces set the stage for creating visuals that exude class and refinement. Whether you’re capturing content for a luxury lifestyle brand or an entrepreneur looking to elevate their image, the Heritage Hotel offers the perfect backdrop to convey polished professionalism and subtle opulence. The Heritage is perfect for event planners, floral designers, graphic designers, and realtors looking to uplevel their websites and social media marketing content.

5. Noelle

   • A masterpiece of art deco design, Noelle features striking architecture, dramatic lighting, and a rooftop bar with views of the Nashville skyline. Perfect for upscale and refined branding. If you are a beauty or hair professional, stylist, or hip realtor, this is a great pick with tons of different photo ops in one amazing space!

6. Thompson Nashville

   • Located in the heart of The Gulch, this contemporary boutique hotel combines urban sophistication with artistic touches. Its rooftop bar and stunning interiors offer bold, stylish settings for a brand voice that will get you standing out fast! Choose from The Marsh House bar, sleek rooms and suites, and a to-die-for rooftop with a variety of seating to pose beautifully. Whatever your business is, if you’d like a modern, moody, and upscale look for your brand imagery, this is for you!

Where to Eat (and Snap Photos!) in Nashville

Let’s be honest—a successful photoshoot day needs fuel. These local gems are perfect for grabbing a bite and even incorporating some foodie shots into your brand session:

1. Evelyn’s

   • A delightful spot known for its fresh, seasonal dishes and cozy yet stylish interiors. Ideal for food-focused brands or lifestyle shoots with a hint of culinary flair. I love Evelyn’s for their Gluten Free options and the feeling of being outside when we were inside! Their floor to ceiling sliding doors and exposed ducts in the ceiling gives an industrial feel with nature flanking the perimeter of the restaurant. With The Hutton Hotel a few steps away, you CANNOT go wrong!

2. Avo

   • This plant-based haven boasts a clean, modern design and beautiful natural light. Their vibrant, artfully plated dishes and chalk-drawn plant walls make for Instagram-worthy content.

3. Doughbird

   • Doughbird Nashville is a vibrant spot where delicious culinary creativity meets a stylish, welcoming ambiance. Perfect for brand photography, it offers an inviting blend of modern interiors, warm lighting, and beautifully plated dishes that can elevate your visual storytelling and showcase your brand's unique personality…especially if eating pizza fits your brand!

4. Harpers Nashville

   • Harpers Nashville is a chic destination that blends timeless elegance with a modern edge. Its sophisticated decor, cozy atmosphere, and beautifully crafted details make it an ideal setting for brand photography that captures both style and authenticity.

Prop Shops to Elevate Your Brand Aesthetic

Props can take your photos from standard to standout, and Nashville has no shortage of spots to find unique pieces:

1. White’s Mercantile

   • A treasure trove of vintage-inspired decor and artisanal goods. Great for adding texture and character to your shots. I took so many of my own reels here last summer that I have to say I am a little biased. Those craving props for vintage brand aesthetics NEED to check out this good-for-the-soul and your brand, mercantile.

2. The Paper Source

   • Stock up on beautifully designed stationery, wrapping papers, and small accents that complement your brand colors. And if you are looking for color, I highly recommend choosing a sheet of paper from their huge selection of patterns and colors. You can place these on a wall behind you in your home office or use them as a foundation for flat lays and product photography.

3. Jolie Marche

   • *Interior Design for an old-world look: Known for its curated selection of upscale home decor, Jolie Marche offers unique textiles, elegant furnishings, and one-of-a-kind accent pieces perfect for elevating your brand imagery.

The Best Brand Photography Services in Nashville

Here’s what you should look for when hiring a brand photographer in Nashville:

1. Customized Planning

   • Great brand photography starts with understanding your unique business needs. Look for a photographer who offers brand audits, strategy sessions, and mood board creation to ensure your vision comes to life.

2. Location Scouting

   • Nashville is full of hidden gems. Our rule of thumb is to think like a travel agent! That means choose a location first and everything else will feel easy! Keep this list handy because you can’t go wrong with any of our favorites.

     • Don’t rush into a photoshoot, take your time and create a strategy for your online use and goals for your photography.

3. Styling Assistance

   • From props to wardrobe, having a professional’s input can save you time and ensure that your style feels like an extension of you AND your brand.

4. Post-Shoot Support

   • Your photographer should deliver a curated gallery of images ready to use across your website, social media, and marketing materials. Don’t hire anyone before you see if they create photoshoot timelines!
     
     Our timeline goes like this: Free 1-hour consult call (no sales pitch, just listening and recommendations for moving forward), Booked us? 1. Brand Strategy Call 2. Photoshoot Date Set 3. Prop and Location Call 3. Style Guide Created 4. Style Guide Approved, 5. Custom Shot List created, then approved 6. Photoshoot Day! 7. Sneak peaks sent! 8. 2 weeks later: Digital Image Libraries are delivered. 9. Follow up call and support if needed. We reserve at least 4 weeks for planning before our photo shoot days. The entire process takes at least 6 weeks from start to finish.

How About Coworking Spaces for Women? Photoshoot? Yes, please.

1. The Saffire Suite in Franklin

   • Saffire Suite offers a refined, elegant space ideal for creating elevated brand photography. Its luxurious interiors, with attention to detail in every corner, provide the perfect backdrop for capturing a polished and professional vibe.

2. Collective615

   • Designed with women entrepreneurs in mind, Collective 615 is a bright and inspiring coworking space. Its modern aesthetics, natural lighting, and collaborative atmosphere set the stage for brand photography that exudes creativity, connection, and empowerment.

Tips for a Successful Photoshoot in Nashville

1. Plan Around Natural Light

   • Nashville’s golden hour is stunning, so schedule your shoot to capture the best natural light for your chosen locations.

2. Coordinate Your Wardrobe with the Setting

   • Choose outfits that complement your brand’s colors and the vibe of your photoshoot locations. Of course, bring several outfit changes!

3. Bring Props That Tell Your Story

   • Whether it’s a laptop for a lifestyle shot or local finds from The Mercantile, props should enhance your visual narrative and tell a story that makes emotional connections.

4. Incorporate Movement

   • Candid shots of you walking through the Noelle lobby or enjoying a meal at Evelyn’s can add authenticity and a dynamic touch that not everyone in your niche taps into.

Why Boutique Hotels Are Perfect for Brand Photography

Boutique hotels like The Graduate and Noelle aren’t just beautiful—they’re also versatile. Make your brand photoshoot a time to remember by making it a staycation! Book a room and include room shots in your shot list! You’ll love having the variety in your new digital image library. Content creation will be easy to delegate to a virtual assistant or to DIY it! Their thoughtfully designed spaces offer endless opportunities for:

• Lifestyle Shots: Capture moments that feel authentic and relatable, not pose-filled and blazer-heavy. (GAH!!!)

• Product Showcases: Use chic tabletops, styled locations, and textured backdrops to highlight your offerings in a way that shows them “in the wild.”

• Team Photos: Set a professional yet approachable tone for your brand. Plan to take headshots for social media accounts, the team section on your website, and printed marketing materials, but don’t stop there. Grab shots in front of big windows, movement shots such as walking up or down stairs, and laughing & talking together.

By investing in brand photography at these high-end venues, you’re also elevating your brand’s perceived value. Showing up online as the go-to in your niche guarantees a return on your investment 100%!

Ready to Level Up Your Brand in Nashville?

Nashville is bursting with opportunities to create stunning brand visuals that connect with your audience. With its unique blend of southern charm, modern sophistication, and artistic flair, it’s the ideal city for businesses ready to stand out.

If you’re ready to invest in brand photography that authentically reflects your vision, let’s work together to make it happen. Reach out to book your session today, and let’s create something unforgettable—in true Nashville style.