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

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