My FAVORITE Engagement Session Locations
We’re in April and the wildflowers are starting to POP! That means it’s almost time to get those springtime engagement photos!!
I have this awesome giveaway going on until May 18, 2022… you can WIN a FREE Engagement session! How AWESOME is that?! Just fill out the book now form and I’ll be in touch.
My engagement sessions are collaborative, unique, fun, and meant for my couples and I to bond. I love the pre wedding time I get to spend with my clients, especially the engagement session.
With any session, it’s all about location. The first question I get from my brides and grooms when setting up their engagement photos is “Do you have any suggestions where we can do this??”
When the couple approaches me with this, I usually respond with a couple of questions:
(1) is there a place in Austin that is special to you (like where you met or got engaged)?
(2) is there something that represents the two of you or something you enjoy together?
and even with this info, narrowing down a location is tough.
Because Austin (and Dallas and San Antonio) offers a wide variety of stellar locations for your engagement, bridal, or even your boudoir session; from boho, to rustic, to urban settings. Plenty of wedding venues do give the option of an hour long session on their grounds during a weekday….. but I can understand a couples desire for a little variety with their pics.
Plus, this is kind of the last opportunity to grab pics of just the Bride and Groom, in their normal attire, having a good time with one another. :-)
So, that said
Here are a few of my personal favorite spots for Engagement Pics!!
Nestled in the hills near Upper Bull Creek, this super sweet, somewhat secret greenbelt offers fields of tall grass, tons of trees, walking trails, AND a FANTASTIC waterfall for your engagement or family photos. I would highly advise you to bring comfy walking shoes and to only carry the essentials (bottled water, blotting papers, lip gloss, powder, hehe)….. because it is LITERALLY a hike to get to the best spots for photos!!! This has been a CCPhotoFactory favorite for engagement and family clients for the last few years.
I honestly would NOT recommend this spot for a bridal session….. unless you’re REALLY willing to hike it in your gown and you have something to protect it, hehe.
The Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge And Austin Public Library:
Two iconic pieces of Austin… right on Ladybird Lake, and offering up lots of great spaces for photos….and they’re practically on top of one another! Outside the library is just as stunning with tons of planters, sculptures, and gorgeous architecture…. There is a way to photograph Inside the Library itself (friends of mine have done it and I am GREEN with envy over it)…. but there is a fee and an application process involved (which has to be completed at least 21 days prior to the shoot date). The Pfluger Pedestrian bridge offers up a fantastic view of downtown and Ladybird Lake. Take a peek at a few of my fave pics from both locations <3.
New Braunfels, TX. already offers a nice variety of places to photograph, but this bridge is something special. Comal County states this bridge was constructed to aid in crossing the Guadalupe River during periods of flooding. Among the last wrought iron bridges built in Texas and one of the first long-term toll-free structures completed over a major waterway in the state… this bridge tops the many super cool New Braunfels spots for engagement pics!
Quirky, Cute, TOTALLY 100% Austin, this uber popular spot is AMAZING for engagement photos! Not only does it have the iconic “I love you SO much” wall (Jo’s Coffee, thank you!) , but it has several other murals, doorways, planters, boutiques and other fun spots to get some dazzling pics! Take a peek at Sarah and Paul’s engagement session from earlier this year :-).
I was honestly not anticipating this spot. Emily and Zeke were having a hard time narrowing down their engagement session location. Then Zeke’s mom, Tina (who’s wedding I had the pleasure of photographing in October), suggested downtown Bastrop. Not having had an opportunity to photograph there before…I got there early to explore and narrow down a few spaces. I was totally floored by how charming, clean, and unique this spot is! Take a peek at some of their engagement pics :-)
AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas
I know, its Dallas… but a weekend in Dallas is always worth the drive. It has fantastic food, nightlife, shopping…. and a whole bunch of brand new parks Downtown…. and especially the AT&T Performing Arts Center. The facade itself is BRIGHT Red and is an integral part of DT Dallas. I absolutely adore the reflecting pool, neutral grays (to allow the red to stand out), and the ivy all around the outdoor concert stage… it is a HUGE favorite of mine in Dallas.
The Historic Pearl, San Antonio
Growing up in San Antonio, I’ve driven past the Pearl Brewery more times than I can count. It had been shut down and sealed up, left to depreciate on San Antonio’s skyline. I’m seriously impressed with what it has become and absolutely love any opportunity to work there! No fees, no issues, and no crowds in the early morning…. full of color, texture, history, and positive energy,… the Historic Pearl is Absolutely a favorite!
There are a few more faves, but I’ve not had an opportunity to have an engagement session there recently. These include:
The Austin Contemporary, Laguna Gloria: I love this place. It’s chic AF, gives off a Gatsby vibe, the staff there is WONDERFUL and so easy to work with… but with this facade, comes a price. They do require a reservation and a $100 fee to photograph on the grounds. The benefits to this is there are NO other portrait sessions occurring at the same time as yours, and you get priority use of the grounds. I absolutely recommend this location and would be THRILLED at another opportunity at an Engagement session there. For now, enjoy Heather’s Bridal Portraits.
Zilker Park Botanic Gardens: Conveniently located beside Zilker Park off of Barton Springs Blvd., is filled with topography including local plants, theme gardens like Taniguchi Japanese Garden, The Riparian Streambed, The Hartman Prehistoric Garden, and The Mabel Davis Rose Garden. “These and other gardens are woven together with pathways, streams, and Koi-filled ponds, creating an urban oasis full of shaded hideaways, sunny lawn areas, and thousands of native and cultivated plants.” (from their website). There is a $50 fee for photography, but it is a day long pass and it includes 2 admission tickets.
Texas State Capitol Grounds The Tallest State Capitol Building in the country, the Pink Marble dome used to be the tallest building in DT Austin. It’s 22 acres of beautifully maintained grounds include monuments, sculptures, and several gardens to give couples a huge variety of images. You can photograph INSIDE the Capitol building as well, though, you can no longer go up inside the Dome.
The Grand Lady this gorgeous Victorian mansion has several bedrooms, living rooms, a library, kitchen, and dining room for you to really make your Engagement session uniquely yours. The expansive patio offers a ton of space for some great outdoor images, along with the trees that surround the grounds. I’ve done boudoir sessions at this fabulous home… and am excited to have my first portrait session out there at the end of this month…. but I am DYING to get an engaged couple out there for a session. There is a $125 fee to shoot at this location.
I love, love, LOVE Engagement Sessions! They’re always fun, adorable, challenging (in a good way for me), and an awesome way for me and my clients to connect before the big day. I love engagement sessions SO much, they’re complimentary in my wedding packages. I can’t wait to share more supersweet engagement session pics with y’all!
Stay tuned for the next post: helpful tips for engagement posing, makeup, and attire :-)
