Engagement sessions are a wonderful way for couples to celebrate their love and capture their unique story before the big day. While classic spots like parks and museums popular choices, stepping outside the traditional frame can result in stunning and memorable photos that truly reflect who you are as a couple. If you’re looking to break away from the norm, here are some engagement session locations that might just inspire you.

Downtown Views

Rooftop views always make for a great backdrop and San Antonio has some great ones! Below is one of my favorite sessions where we transitioned from sunset to nighttime. I used flash to create some unique lighting which was such a fun and creative experience! Shout out to Demi & Luis for being down to try anything! Also no one was injured standing in the street LOL!

Date Night – Bar Scene

Another fun idea, a bar or restaurant! We can beat the heat in the summer months by being inside, relax with a few cocktails and can also be extra special if we can photograph at the place you met! This session was taken at Devil’s Whiskey Distillery in downtown San Antonio. (Shout out to them!). Not every place is as accommodating so to pull something like this off may require planning, calling ahead, etc to ensure we can have our session! Shout out to Erica & Joseph for this fun idea and session!

Festivals, Carnivals and… Wurstfest?!

One of Alyssa and Miguels traditions as a couple is to attend Wurstfest in New Braunfels every year. So that is exactly what we did for their engagement session! This was so fun and super challenging as a photographer, BUT the results were perfect and perfect for them! It’s also the ULTIMATE third

wheel experience LOL. We even took a romantic ferris wheel ride together 🙂

Things to consider for a location like this:
– Pick a less popular day if you can, like a weekday
– Pack light as a photographer, for this session I had my camera, one lens, one off camera flash and a friend to help me place the light.

Gear: Canon R5, RF 28-70 Lens
Lighting: Godox V1, MagMod modifiers

While I pride myself on taking great photos, no matter where we are, a great location can make your photos that much better! There are so many great locations in and around San Antonio, below are my favorites spots for photos! This is all based on my experience and opinion – I’m always open to exploring more places! If nature is more of your vibe, check out my blog with my top 5 nature spots!

Eilan La Cantera – San Antonio, TX

If I had to pick ONE favorite location, it might be here. The colorful buildings and architecture makes it feel like you’re no longer in San Antonio. The buildings provide great shade as well for optimum lighting. The complex is large so there are plenty of spots for photos!

Additional fee: None
Accessibility: Easy, stairs or elevators are available to move up and down the levels.
Cons: None really. It can be a popular place for photos during Spring and Fall.

McNay Art Museum Grounds – San Antonio, TX

A historic San Antonio location! The main grounds host beautiful sculptures, a fountain, pond and the mansion as the perfect backdrop!
Additional Fee: $30 for grounds photography, Courtyard is also available but requires reservation and $200 fee.
Accessibility: Easy
Cons: More rules to follow, but they are not dealbreakers! Just takes a little more planning on our part 🙂 Grounds are open until 6 or 7pm depending on the year and close promptly at those times.

The Pearl – San Antonio, TX

A classic San Antonio location! With a mixture of industrial vibes plus the river and nature, you never run out of backgrounds here! It does get busy in general with events going on, restaurants and shopping so I prefer weekday evenings for sessions at the Pearl.
Additional Fee: None
Accessibility: Easy
Cons: It’s a popular place for photos during fall and spring, it can get very busy!

Parking Garages Roof Tops – Anywhere Downtown!

One of my absolute favorite vibes, especially for couples! Something about the skyline view that just gets me! I have my favorite garage in town, pictures below!
Additional Fee: Pay to park in the garage if you prefer, or you can park elsewhere and walk!
Accessibility: Easy, parking garages have stair and elevator access.
Cons: None really. I do find it best to park in the actual garage, I was once kicked out of one that we walked into 🙂

Landa Library – San Antonio, TX

A hidden gem!  Beautiful garden area that looks gorgeous in Spring plus the historic library building with interesting architecture and plenty of spots for unique photos!
Additional Fee: None, but a permit is required ahead of time
Accessibility: Easy
Cons: Not really a con, but does require more planning ahead of time to acquire the permit and ensure no other events are going on.

Where is your favorite spot? Let me know in the comments below!

There’s something truly magical about the anticipation of a new life, and when Nate and Renee approached me for a maternity photography session, I knew it was going to be special. Set against the stunning backdrop of Canyon Lake, their session was a perfect blend of natural beauty and intimate moments.

A Picture-Perfect Location

Canyon Lake, with its serene waters and rugged landscapes, provided an ideal setting for this session. The lake’s tranquil surface mirrored the calm and excitement that Nate and Renee were feeling as they awaited the arrival of their little one.  We arrived for an evening session, it was only 99 degrees LOL!

They were such troopers, especially Renee who absolutely rocked it! Seriously in awe!!

I had the opportunity to meet Hannah and work with her to create some updated photos that she can use for her branding and content! Hannah is the host of the Past the Plate, a podcast focusing on emotional eating, healing and faith. Another one of my BODi sessions, Hannah was visiting for the conference in town – always so fun to be able to work with clients who are visiting town.

She came ready with ideas and inspiration which made this session so fun! We met up at the cutest AirBNB in Southtown which was absolutely perfect in order to capture Hannah in her element.

I’m newer to branding/content sessions but OMG – these are so fun and creative!

When planning a branding session its so important to come with your ideas and goals of what you want to achieve from your session! As I get more into these types of sessions I will be developing a questionnaire and more to make sure I know exactly what you are going for and all about your brand! I can’t wait to do more of these in the future!

Here are some of my favorite photos – hard to pick just a few!

Gear:
Canon R6 Markii, RF 28-70 2.0 Lens
Godox V1 Flash

Check out Hannah’s Podcast:
Apple
Spotify

San Antonio, TX
Branding, Content Photography

While I pride myself on taking great photos, no matter where we are, a great location can make your photos that much better! There are so many great locations in and around San Antonio, below are my favorites nature settings for photos! This is all based on my experience and opinion – I’m always open to exploring more places!

Cibolo Creek Nature Center – Boerne, TX

A summertime favorite, this place has access to the creek if you want to dip your toes in for some fun nature photos!  There is also ample are for great nature photos with the trees and grasslands.  

Additional fee: $25 photo permit (I cover the cost)
Accessibility: Easy/Medium, depending on if you want to get in the creek
Cons: None really. The creek section is popular so we may have to wait our turn to get some photos on the stepping stones.

Joshua Springs Park and Preserve – Comfort, TX

One of my absolute favorite places!  It has a little bit of everything:  Hills, water, pathways, grassland and sunset views.  
Additional Fee: None
Accessibility: Easy
Cons: None!

Phil Hardberger Park – San Antonio, TX

A favorite location!  Centrally located and easy to get to, I love shooting here!  Lots of overgrown fields and trees! 
Additional Fee: None
Accessibility: Easy
Cons: It’s a popular place for photos during fall and spring, it can get very busy!

Overlook Park – Canyon Lake

This location is beautiful, providing access directly to Canyon Lake!  With beautiful sunset views, its an amazing place for photos!  If you want to take photos by the water there is some hiking involved.  The terrain can be rocky but is ok to navigate.  Bring comfortable shoes and water if taking photos here during summer months. 
Additional Fee: None
Accessibility: Easy to Difficult, depending on the spot
Cons: The park closes promptly at sunset, no exceptions. It can get busy with swimmers and fishing by the water.

Madla Park – Scenic Loop

A hidden gem!  Grasslands, hills and an epic view if you’re willing to do a little hiking!  Its a beautiful place for photos!  Bring comfy shoes for walking if you want to go to the top.
Additional Fee: $25 photo permit (paid by me)
Accessibility: Easy to Difficult
Cons: Very limited parking, weekday evenings would be best. The hike up the hill isn’t too bad but more difficult to navigate with littles.

Where is your favorite outdoor spot? Let me know in the comments below!

I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Brittany, Grace and Renee this past weekend while they were in San Antonio for the BODi Summit! I could tell within our first 5 minutes that these women are pretty amazing, exuding positivity and just so fun to be around!

I had two sessions schedule for this evening and weather was NOT cooperating this past week so I booked time at The Loft Studio just incase! We decided last minute to just go ahead and meet at the studio and honestly, I think it worked out for the best. I LOVE these photos and how they came out. All three women totally KILLED it and I can’t wait to see how they use these in their own personal brand and socials!

A Bridal Session a Western Sky in Bulverde, TX

This bridal session was an absolute dream! Perfect weather, a glowing sun and a STUNNING bride to be! Erica totally killed this bridal session, just see for yourself below.

I felt like this session was the perfect example of the benefits of a bridal session. Since Erica and Anthony already had engagement photos, we swapped out their complimentary engagement session with a bridal session instead. When I first started photography, I didn’t see a bridal session as a requirement, BUT the more I’ve done them, the more I appreciate the value of having this session before the wedding!

Here is what I’ve learned so far..

A bridal session is great time for a dress rehearsal before the big day! You can schedule your hair and makeup trial for the same day!
Bring your maid of honor and or bridesmaids to hype you up, PLUS they can learn how they can best help you get ready the day of, buttoning buttons, learning how to bustle, etc.

If you want to keep your look a total secret then that is ok too, I am fully ready to help you in any way to get ready!

Sometimes on the wedding day, timelines need adjusting and we are really busy trying to get in all of the photos needed after the ceremony, plus my goal as your wedding photographer is to get you to the party as quickly as I can! Having a bridal session before the wedding day means we can slow down, take our time, and get some amazing shots of just you looking beautiful in your dress!

Location

For Erica’s session we were able to take her photos at her wedding venue, Western Sky in Bulverde! Check with your venue to see if you are able to schedule bridal portraits there! If not we can pick a fabulous location around town that fits your vibe.

In studio is always a great option, I’ll share more of those in another blog post!

Don’t forget the accessories

Bring everything that you plan to wear, shoes, jewelry, veil, bouquet… all of it! I can use this time to take some detail shots of your accessories, we can practice the veil fly and all of that jazz!
If you plan on having fresh flowers on your wedding day, any bouquet will be fine for your session. Artificial flowers are great, or picking up a bouquet from a local florist is great too! Try to stick to your colors/theme if having to bring a different bouquet during bridals than what you will have on your wedding day!

Your secret is safe with me…

I absolutely will not share your bridal photos until your wedding day so no need to worry about that!

Shot on Canon R5, 50mm 1.2

Western Sky Venue

A Downtown San Antonio Engagement

I had the best time photographing Alyssa and Matt’s engagement downtown! We chose a parking garage rooftop as our primary location, which has quickly become one of my favorite places for engagement sessions! There is something about the skyline and a gorgeous couple that just works!

They came prepared with champagne PLUS a glass for me which was super sweet! A quick toast and we were off to the streets to capture more fun images. One thing about me, I WILL get in the middle of the street (safely of course) to get the shot!

One last thing… the outfits!

Alyssa and Matt’s outfits for this session sang to me and are great examples for other clients if on the fence on what to wear! Colorful, playful, yet polished. Such a VIBE and I absolutely love how their session turned out!

Shot on Canon R5, RF 28-70 2.0 Lens

Downtown San Antonio, TX