An Enchanting Christmas at The Kentucky Castle | Luxury Portrait Photography in Versailles, Kentucky

One of my favorite Kentucky venues is The Kentucky Castle in Versailles, Kentucky, literally just a few miles down the road from the Keeneland race track and Bluegrass Airport.

This Christmas portrait session was photographed in December of 2018 at The Kentucky Castle on Pisgah Pike in Versailles, Kentucky, just outside of Lexington, KY. It remains one of my favorite locations in Central Kentucky to photograph.

Years ago we co-owned a boutique Hotel and Restaurant known now as The Kentucky Castle down in Versailles (pronounced ver-sales) Kentucky. It sits just a few miles down the road from both the beautiful Keeneland racetrack and the Bluegrass Airport.

The Kentucky Castle is more than just a beautiful backdrop. It is a place with a long and complicated history, and that sense of time and resilience is part of what makes it such a meaningful location for portrait photography.

During this session, we photographed a traditional Santa Claus throughout the Castle grounds during the Christmas season, using natural winter light and the structure itself to guide the images. The result was a set of holiday portraits that felt classic, calm, and grounded in place.

The History of The Kentucky Castle in Versailles, Kentucky

The Kentucky Castle was originally built beginning in 1969 by Rex Martin and his wife, Caroline. Inspired by European stone architecture, they set out to build a castle-style home on rolling farmland along Pisgah Pike, near the Woodford County and Fayette County line.

Construction stopped in the mid-1970s following their divorce, and the structure sat unfinished for decades. For many years, it became a familiar landmark for locals traveling between Versailles and Lexington, known simply as “the castle on the hill.”

In the early 2000s, the property was purchased by a new owner with plans to restore it and turn it into a destination. During renovations in 2004, a major fire broke out and severely damaged the building. Many people assumed that would be the end of it.

Instead, the Castle was rebuilt.

By the late 2000s, the structure reopened as an inn and event venue, eventually becoming what is now known as The Kentucky Castle. Today, it stands as a fully restored property offering lodging, dining, and event spaces while still carrying the marks of its long journey.

That history matters. You can feel it when you are there.

Why The Kentucky Castle Is a Meaningful Place to Photograph

As a Kentucky photographer, I am drawn to locations that feel rooted in this state. The Kentucky Castle in Versailles feels solid and real. It has weathered time, change, and loss, and it still stands.

For portrait photography, that matters.

The stone walls, the open grounds, and the quiet setting outside of Lexington create a sense of calm that translates beautifully in photographs. It is a location that does not need to be dressed up or heavily styled. It already has presence.

For clients searching for luxury photography in Lexington KY or Versailles KY, The Kentucky Castle offers a refined setting that still feels connected to Kentucky land and history.

A Classic Christmas Session at The Kentucky Castle

This 2018 Christmas session focused on simplicity and tradition. The Santa was styled in a classic way, and we allowed the setting to guide the images rather than forcing moments.

Christmas photography at The Kentucky Castle works especially well because the location carries weight on its own. The stone architecture, winter light, and natural surroundings create images that feel steady and timeless rather than trendy.

These are the kinds of portraits that still feel right years later.

Luxury Portrait Photography in Lexington and Versailles, Kentucky

When clients look for luxury portrait photography in Lexington KY, they are often looking for something quieter and more intentional. They want a photographer who understands pacing, light, and location.

That is how I approach my work.

I focus on clean color, natural skin tones, and gentle direction that allows people to feel comfortable. Whether the session is at The Kentucky Castle, a private property, or another meaningful Kentucky location, the goal is always the same. Create portraits that feel honest and well crafted.

Hoping to Host Another Session at The Kentucky Castle

Although this session was photographed in 2018, I would truly love to host another photo session at The Kentucky Castle in Versailles, Kentucky. It remains one of my favorite portrait locations near Lexington KY, and I am always grateful for the opportunity to work in a place with this much history and character.

If you are located in Lexington, Versailles, Woodford County, Fayette County, or surrounding areas of Central Kentucky, and you are interested in a luxury portrait session at The Kentucky Castle, I would love to talk with you about planning something thoughtful and unhurried.

Serving Lexington KY, Versailles KY, and Central Kentucky

I serve clients throughout Lexington, Kentucky, Versailles, Kentucky, and the surrounding Central Kentucky area who value meaningful locations, calm guidance, and portraits that are meant to last.

If The Kentucky Castle has always caught your eye as you drive along Pisgah Pike, you are not alone. It is a special place, and one I would be honored to photograph again.