Plenty of local venues available for prom photos

If you or your child is still looking for a place to take prom photos, it's not too late to make a decision.Several local venues are available for photoshoots in the coming weeks, though some do require advance notice. Below are some of the most popular locations.Netherland InnVolunteer Janet Gillenwater said the Netherland Inn allows prom photos, but parties must sign a contract and schedule an appointment in advance by calling (423) 245-5449. For a two-hour session, the inn charges $75 on Saturdays and $50 on all other days.Gillenwater said the inn hasn't always charged for prom photos, but it recently became necessary due to damage that some groups were causing to the grounds during photoshoots. The inn is available any Saturday except May 4, as other events have already been scheduled for that day.Exchange PlaceThe Exchange Place allows prom photos with advance notice, according to volunteer Marshall Adesman. For a $20 fee, couples can spend an hour on the grounds taking outdoor photos. Reservations should be made by calling (423) 288-6071. The site will be available every weekend except April 27-28, when it will host a spring garden fair."As far as the actual times, they need to work that out with the caretakers," Adesman said. "Our caretakers, who live on the grounds, also have regular, full-time jobs, so you need to work it out when they're going to be around."Kingsport CarouselIf you're looking for an indoor photo location, the Kingsport Carousel is a great option. Prom photos are allowed with no advance notice required during normal operating hours, which are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 1-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.Pictures can be taken on the ride and during the five-minute breaks between rides. Once four of the five minutes have passed, prom-goers will be asked to either exit or pay $1 for a ticket to ride the carousel.Old Deery InnSheila Hunt, director of the Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism, said the Old Deery Inn and Museum is available for prom photos at no charge. The inn dates back to the early 1800s and is located in the heart of downtown Blountville.Prom-goers should call the department at (423) 323-4660 to schedule a time, as the site is sometimes booked for other events. They'll also need to stop by and fill out a form ahead of time.Bush MillThough the mill itself is only in operation on certain days of the year, Bush Mill still provides a picturesque backdrop for prom photos. Visitors are welcome to stop by the site anytime to take outdoor photos in front of the mill or along the creek, all at no charge.Bush Mill is located at the intersection of VA 680 (Twin Springs Road) and VA 681 (Bush Mill Road), two miles outside of Nickelsville in Scott County.Local parksYou can't go wrong with photos at one of the region's many parks. Some of the most popular options include Bays Mountain Park, Warriors Path State Park, the Greenbelt, Steele Creek Park and Natural Tunnel State Park.The Times News features prom photos in school-by-school galleries on its website. Each school has its own email address (i.e. dbprom@timesnews.net or gatecityprom@timesnews.net) for easy sharing, with a complete list available on Page 6 of Sunday Stories and online at TimesNews.Net. You can also tag @timesnewsonline on Twitter using #Prom2019 or send us a Facebook message (@timesnews). Selected photos may also appear in print.