Organ Lutheran Church - Salisbury, NC

I was thoroughly impressed by using Organ Lutheran Church as a photography venue because I had never stopped to appreciate all of the architecture and posing opportunities that it had to offer. I made the trip to the venue with Denise and her daughter Mackenzie, who was the lucky tween getting to do the cool photo shoot. It was Denise's idea to try Organ Lutheran Church as the venue, and I wasn't sure because I had never been there. But, I kept my mind open because the key to good photography is being able to make any place the perfect photography venue.

Organ Lutheran Church has a new church building and the old church that sits in the middle of the cemetery. For a church you would think that this place doesn't have the pizzazz that other non-church location may have, but you're definitely wrong. First, I want to show you the best parts about shooting at the old church site, and then prove that you can get the same great photos at the new church building.

For those of you that don't know why I'm referring to the old church site better, well that's because the old church was made out of beautiful stone and has and Old World feel to it.

Old Organ Church

Mackenzie was absolutely wonderful! She patiently walked with me around and tried out different locations around the old church. We used everything from the stone walls, doorways, windows, outbuildings, and even ventured for a few non-morbid shots in the cemetery. You'll just have to see the photos to get my excitement:

Old church entrance

Behind the church until the covered patio

Beautiful stone wall

Cement path leading to the old church through the cemetery

Looking in the old church window

Taken in the cemetary

Cemetery wall

Now, I promised to show you that you can get the same results with the newer construction church. You just have to be a little more creative when it comes to these photos because you don't have the ornate structure to work with. Plus, these types of photos can be taken at any church.

New Organ Church building

New church entrance

Tree planted at the new church

The gray and white cement/stone backdrop

Organ Church has a variety of different styles and looks for the photographer and the client. You've just got to be willing to walk through the venue prior to the shoot to find them or have a willing client walk with you so you can test them in those areas. Like I mentioned above, I was extremely pleased with how this location turned out, and I would definitely suggest that you check it out. Be sure to first check with the church schedule so that you are not there shooting while they are holding service or an event. No need to get in their way or have them get in yours.

Old church cemetery wall meets new church


Organ Lutheran Church
1515 Organ Church Rd
Salisbury, NC 28146

Hurley Park

Located in Salisbury, NC, Hurley Park is the optimum place to take photographs, especially in the Spring. The park seems to go on forever with green walking trails and small pond with geysers. Overlooking the pond is a long deck with seating that brings a new texture into the background. As you can see in the background of the unedited photo below, a high school student was using the park for prom photos.

Trees shade the perimeters of the walkways and can add a new depth to your photographs. Sisters Angela and Heather Bailey took advantage of greenery.

Angela (below) found a beautiful flower to pose next too.

My absolute favorite spot is along the walking bridges. These bridges let you frame your subjects and give them something to hide behind if you want to focus on the head and shoulders or to combat shyness.

By the bridge, we located a interesting looking tree. The branches were perfect for seats and to get some unique photographs. I asked the sister if they would pose together in my favorite shot of the day:

Finally, the most whimsical part of the part are the Weeping Willow trees near the pond. You can utilize these trees as beautiful backgrounds or get your subject within the branches. Nevertheless, you can always use to the trees to take a break from shooting on a hot, sunny day -- that's what we did.

For this shoot, I used a point-and-shoot FujiFilm camera, which is a little different than the Canon Rebel XS DSLR that I use now. The camera was easily portable, but was overall slow compared to the camera I use now; however, I always grab my Fuji just in case I spot something while I'm out. It's always good to have a point-and-shoot backup because it's easier to toss in your bag than a DSLR.

These pictures are from my first ever photo shoot. I didn't know as much about cameras as I know now, but as you can see, you can still get beautiful photos as long as you use your imagination in your venue.

Hurley Park is a wonderful start for anyone who wants to take some photographs.

Be sure to check out this venue:

Hurley Park
302 West Franklin Street
Salisbury, NC 28144