Photographer's Guide to Richmond: Terrific Photo Ops in This Great Virginia City

The exciting, historical city of Richmond, Virginia is full of great photo opportunites. It mixes Southern architecture with modern charm. Richmond was once the capital of the "Confederate States of America" during the Civil War, and there are many stories associated with the town and its environs.

Richmond boasts of old homes, intriguing attractions, and natural scenery to stop and photograph. One of the best things about this destination is that many Americans living on the East Coast will be able to reach the city without any significant trouble. Make sure to research Richmond's history; don't just photograph the city, learn about it. Know what to take pictures of. If you want photos of authentic buildings, make sure you photograph the 19th century cottage instead of the store built in the last few decades.

Richmond's Historic Homes of Particular Interest

(1) White House of the Confederacy. This lovely mansion, constructed in 1818, is located in the area of the city known as Court End. With a decidedly Roman and Italianate flair, the "White House" is beautiful both inside and out. The rooms in the house are definitely worth a visit, but keep in mind that you may be asked not to take photos of the interior. If this is the case, make sure to capture the many exterior views, such as the huge front columns and the view from the street. Richmond is very proud of its heritage.

(2) Virginia House. This is one of Richmond's most amazing (and most photogenic) attractions The building's elements were taken from an old English priory (constructed between the Middle Ages and the Tudor era) and Virginia House as it now appears was transported from England and put together in Virginia in the 1920's. Walking to the entrance is like stepping back in time; it is a beautiful building but seems to have a hint of mystery as well. Virginia House can be found on Sulgrave Road. Try to soak in the ambiance. Photos of the many windows and the striking facade should create some great shots.

(3) The Egyptian Building. This Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center building is aptly named since it resembles an ancient Egyptian temple in many ways. Hieroglyphics and Egyptian hymns decorate the interior, and the exterior is anchored by two huge columns. This unusual and beautiful place can be found in the Shockoe Hill area.

Various homes in the area of Grace Street and Franklin Street:

(1) Shelton House. Famous for its connections with Edgar Allan Poe (he was in love with the woman whose name the house bears), the lovely, elegant red-brick Shelton House was built in the 1800s and is located on Grace Street. Its black wrought-iron fence is of particular interest.

(2) Mayo-Carter House, constructed in 1895, is one of this area's unique homes. Red and white bricks vie for attention in the stately facade; the Romanesque doorway and one dormer window are other architectural treats.

(3) Ginter House is another unique Richmond home. It is red-brick and has an interesting round section that adds depth and elegance to the facade. Ginter House was built in the late 1880s.

The Franklin Street area has many other beautiful homes that make it a prime target for photographers, especially those who want to capture Richmond's architectural details. Spend at least an hour here, checking out the old homes and capturing some unusual angles.

Other Photographic Opportunities in Richmond

Though old homes contribute to Richmond's beauty, there are other places for a photographer to explore:

(1) If at all possible, make the trek to the top of the Richmond City Hall Observation Deck for some amazing views of the city of Richmond. This is a photographer's dream.

(2) Richmond Battlefield Park. Richmond is rife with Civil War history, and many battlefields are located in the vicinity. If you enjoy photographing fighting fields, historic places, and natural scenery, this is a great suggestion. Richmond Battlefield Park not only has Civil War significance but nice scenery as well. If you can it into your schedule, try to visit during autumn when the leaves sport amazing colors.

This is only a small collection of ideas for the photographer in Richmond. The whole city is full of such places. To get the most out of nature photography, make sure to capture different views of the scenic James River.