A 2024 Comprehensive Guide to Engagement Photo Locations in Austin
Don’t Missed The 29 Amazing Engagement Photo Locations In Austin!
Finding engagement session locations in Austin is such a fun journey, but narrowing down the options is another story! Like when picking your wedding venue, the location choices are plenty. Lucky for you, my dear reader, I've been a wedding photographer in Austin for years, so I know some of the best engagement photo locations.
Engagement sessions are one of the most fun parts of wedding planning. It's a time to relax with your honey and just be for a moment. Engagement photos are also a great way to have more photos of the two of you together. Down the line, as your marriage grows, you'll still have this special moment of your relationship documented.
I've often been asked by engaged couples, "Do I need an engagement session if I've already had one?" and my answer is always yes! Even if a friend gifted you an engagement session, it's vital to create a relationship with your wedding photographer.
After all, your wedding photographer is with you the longest out of any wedding vendor on your big day, outside of a wedding planner.
This can also be sort of an "audition" for your wedding photographer to see how you both work together and provide any feedback if there's something that you weren't a fan of. That's why planning an engagement session with them can build that really important relationship that will affect how your wedding day pans out.
While some of my favorite engagement photo locations in Austin are focused on South Austin, East Austin, Downtown Austin, and other places that offer so much variety, I'm more than willing to travel around Austin to make sure you get your dream engagement photos.
So let's dig into this blog post about finding the perfect location for your engagement photos. If you find yourself having any questions, make sure to reach out!
Should You Take Engagement Photos at Your Wedding Venue?
This is a great question and one I'm often asked when planning engagement sessions. Honesty, it's really up to you. Some couples want variety in their images. Since we'll take plenty of photos at your wedding venue, it's worth considering if your engagement session should have the same backdrop.
An option to consider is whether you want to even have an opposite feel from your wedding venue. If it's an outdoor venue surrounded by trees, then perhaps an engagement session location with grit, graffiti, and a mural or two could add a special touch.
Goodness knows that downtown Austin offers many locations like that!
Do You Need to Know How to Pose for Engagement Photos?
Another common concern of engaged couples is feeling pressure to know how to pose and act "correctly." I'm a firm believer that there's no right way to take engagement photos, but there's also no "right way" to capture the unique dynamic between you and your honey.
Because I'm an extremely experienced wedding photographer, I know exactly how to make you relax. No matter whether you feel comfortable or awkward, it's my job and pleasure to make your photos as fun as possible.
Your engagement shoot should be a time to revel in your love, not sink into stress.
How to Prepare for Engagement Photos
Well, first, make sure to bring a sense of fun. Maybe take a nip of booze. Also, make sure to wear comfortable shoes if you think there is a walk between spots. I know you might think those cute shoes will be okay, but especially if it's a downtown Austin engagement session, it might be hard to walk around in fancy shoes!
Can You Bring a Dog to an Engagement Session?
If you're looking for truly memorable and dreamy images, as long as your engagement session locations allow pets, it could be a great idea to invite friends to escort your pup and include them for photos, whether at your wedding venue or whichever engagement session location you pick.
Your Favorite Bier Garden!
With so many breweries in and around Austin, this is a fun way to relax and enjoy a cold brew on a hot day. Some couples choose the bar they first met at or a bier garden that they spent many a date night toasting the night away.
Austin East Ciders
Nestled next to the industrial and contemporary event venue, Springdale Station, this brewery is a fantastic place to take engagement photos. With a stunning blue bridge, beautiful metal walls, and other eye-catching features, you’re sure to love taking photos here.
Austin Beer Garden Brewing
When I tell you I love this brewery, I mean it! It features inside and outdoor spots with picnic benches, yummy pizza, and it’s dog-friendly! It’s easy: grabbing a pint and a bite, smiling the whole time!
Beerburg in Dripping Springs
The Texas Hill Country always has something to do, and this sustainable brewery is a Dripping Springs fan favorite! On days that end with Y, you can find live music, greasy snacks, brunch, and so many flavors of beer; the hardest part of the day will be picking one!
McKinney Falls State Park
Waterfalls, waterfalls, and did I mention waterfalls?! Mckinney Falls State Park is located in South East Austin and is perfect for both a spring engagement session and a bluebonnet engagement session (sometimes, the rain comes before or after the other).
As a heads up, this also requires a fee for photographers to take dreamy photos, so be prepared for that. Aside from that, the site has trails, waterfalls, fields, and other nooks/crannies that I can show you.
The "I Love You So Much" Austin Mural
Located directly on the wall of Jo's Coffee Shop, this iconic mural on South Congress Avenue is an incredibly popular engagement session location in Austin.
Be warned: it's one of the most sought-after spots for photos in Austin, but if it seems too crowded, we can take a moment and visit nearby food trucks for a snack.
The Austin Capitol Building
Also known as a popular downtown Austin wedding location, you can get some classic Austin engagement photos at this spot. Located in downtown Austin, the Texas State Capitol has sprawling lawns, free admission inside, and beautiful trees as a background.
The Texas State Capitol is also close to some locations, including a short drive to Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Botanical Gardens, Blanton Museum, and a short drive to Jo's Coffee.
Zilker Park
Another popular spot for Austin engagement photos, located in the city center, this sprawling park is located in downtown Austin. It's located next to Lady Bird Lake as well.
Every Austin wedding photographer knows what a sweet spot this park is! Be warned, though: We might run into other engaged couples with the same engagement session idea!
The University of Texas
The question of the day is: are you looking for an engagement shoot that has diversity? Or are you avoiding walking from location to location? The University of Texas has stunning fountains, buildings, and at certain times of day, no one is around!
Zilker Botanical Gardens
Next to Zilker Park, this garden in downtown Austin is a refreshing background for engagement photos. With a plethora of locations that offer unique backdrops, it's one of my favorite engagement photo locations in Austin. While this garden really shines during Spring, with all of the flowers, it's beautiful any time of the year.
There is always plenty of parking, and the fee for professional photography is minimal. Like Zilker Park, this is near Lady Bird Lake and Butler Park. When it comes to your engagement photos, you can't go wrong with this spot!
Barton Springs
If you're seeking memorable Austin engagement photos, then this is a fabulous summer location to dip your toes, and, in certain spots, invite your dog-friendly pet to chill out in the chilly waters of Barton Springs Pool.
This sport is an icon of Texas as a whole, home to floating, and swimming, and near enough to the city that with a long enough amount of time investment, we can also bring your engagement photos to another location.
Downtown Austin
Easily one of the most diverse Austin engagement photo locations, downtown Austin offers an incredible variety of backdrops. We can walk from South Congress Bridge to South Congress Avenue (albeit driving might perhaps be easier).
If you really want to dive into what keeps Austin weird, we can make a plan for visiting multiple downtown murals, head to Barton Springs, visit some food trucks, street art, take photos listening to live music, and even walk around to find new art.
On that note, new art is always being added to downtown Austin. Prior to your engagement pictures, I recommend checking to see if a new piece of art or mural has been added to the location you want. It can change quickly!
South Congress Bridge
A downtown Austin staple, this is a great spot for sunset images, capturing the Mexican bats, including Lady Bird Lake, and other fun images that will make your photos pop. We can walk from Butler Park to this spot, capturing the stunning sunset and Austin skyline (up close).
South Congress Avenue
Directly parallel to Downtown Austin, South Congress Avenue is a hop, skip, and jaunt away from South Congress Bridge. We can find an iconic Austin mural, street art, live music, the city skyline, food trucks, and other art that may have recently popped up.
There are other stunning buildings that will make your engagement photos stand out, like San Jose Hotel, Jo's Coffee, 800 Congress Hotel, and South Congress Hotel.
Lady Bird Lake
Easily the most iconic downtown Austin engagement photos location, this park is next to Butler Park and South Congress Bridge and is a popular spot for photographers of all kinds. We can walk around and discover little nooks devoid of people, or you can pose on the sprawling lawn with the downtown Austin skyline in the background.
Especially for engaged couples where the city of Austin holds a special place in their heart, we can capture stunning sunrise or sunset engagement photos here. And if you want to take it a step further, do an outfit change, slap on some cowboy boots, and have your honey dip you in one of the photos while the city shines.
Retro Boats
A truly unique take on engagement photos, let's all go down to Retro Boats, located off Lady Bird Lake and take an unforgettable cruise. I love this activity, especially during sunset. We can get pictures of not only downtown Austin but South Congress Bridge, the skyline, and, if we're lucky, bats!
Your Home!
Stepping outside traditional photo locations of Austin, did you know we could also shoot inside your home? I love it when engaged couples request this because it not only is a way to capture your everyday life, but we can also capture any pets you might not be able to bring in public, like a kitty cat.
While not every wedding photographer is able to shoot in tight and dim photo locations, I'm fully capable of bringing experience and skill to your home, making the images look as natural as possible.
Alamo Drafthouse
An absolute Texas staple, this is an incredible event venue. With locations in downtown, East, North, and South Austin, these cinemas offer an experience like no other. We can take pictures in a reserved theatre or shoot in the unique bars each location has.
If we aim for engagement photos at the Mueller location, we can revel in the different art all around that area. It's always being built up, but there's one thing I'm always positive about this place: the art is phenomenal and eye-catching.
Austin Skyline Pictures
Speaking of the Austin skyline, one of my favorite downtown Austin engagement photo backdrops is the ever-growing city that we know and love. As I mentioned before, it's next to South Congress, the capitol, and smack dap in the heart of downtown.
360 Bridge Overlook
A short hike from ample parking, the 360 Bridge Overlook holds a special place in any Austinite. The highest point of this short walk can be the spot for either a wedding or an engagement session. And don't fret, because when I use the word "hike," it's not as serious as it sounds.
Long Center
Right next to Butler Park is the Long Center. With its iconic architecture, its undeniably one of the best views of Austin. We can go from Zilker Park to Butler Park in a jiffy without having to drive anywhere!
Hotel San Jose, SoCo
If you want your engagement photos to sing, this downtown Austin hotel is not only iconic but chic. We can shoot from inside and outside of the hotel. They're pretty chill, and if we catch it at a good time, stop for a quick happy-hour drink at the bar.
Mueller Park
Right next to the Mueller Alamo Drafthouse is a stunning lake. I love this spot for sunset, where ducks swim in the water and the sun shines warm and gold. There are plenty of options for parking, and we can pop into some shops for ice cream or a drink.
Butterfly Bridge
Situated right next to the downtown Austin Public Library, Butterfly Bridge will create some of the most stunning engagement pictures you can imagine. I love taking photos here, especially at sunrise. No traffic, great light, and parking is super easy.
Mount Bonnell
If you're looking for truly authentic engagement photos in Austin, and not too far from downtown, this location can serve. A popular spot for fireworks-related holidays, it's one of my favorite spots for those seeking memorable Austin engagement photos.
It's a quick walk to the top of Mount Bonnell, and while it can be crowded during the day, the views are breathtaking.
Red Bud Island
If you're hoping to bring your dog to include in your engagement photos, Red Bud Island is perfection. With stunning old trees, a trail, and downtown Austin as a backdrop, you can't go wrong with this spot. However! There is virtually no parking in this spot.
I recommend sunrise sessions if you'd like to shoot here.
Austin East Side
One of the last remaining pieces of the "Keep Austin Weird" personalities, East Side Austin has gorgeous art, murals, restaurants, and bars that will make your engagement photos come alive.
It's easy to walk around the East Side and has some of the best art and murals in Austin that you could ask for. Also, a lot of the bars are open to taking photos in them.
If you're looking to skip local parks or downtown Austin, this is the spot to do it.
Blanton Museum
Le Sigh This is a great spot for engagement photos. It's exactly what the name implies: a museum. But it's not just any museum—it's renowned for its staircase, with white stairs and blue walls.
They're pretty amenable for engaged couples looking for photos, but keep in mind it's also absolutely perfect for an Austin wedding.
Laguna Gloria
Chic, modern, and classic all at the same time. Location in West Downtown Austin, Laguna Gloria is right off the lake, with ginormous trees, shade, and art that will take your breath away.
And as a wedding photographer, I can attest to the fact they're amazing for weddings. And the sunset view is nothing short of stunning.
Sekrit Theater
Not so much a secret anymore, but Sekrit Theater retains its charm, even after transplants tried to shut it down. Since the legal battle from a few years ago, this absolute perfection and unique location is perfect for the kinds of photos in Austin they talk about.
Austin has so many unique wedding and engagement locations, but this place is the place for "Keep Austin Weird" vibes. Old school buses, treasured repurposed items, and enchanting knick-knacks promise to keep your shoot better than anyone else.
South Congress Hotel
This is one of my favorite downtown Austin engagement photo locations. It's also home to some of my favorite weddings. The photos here promise to be unique and will capture the chill dynamic between you and your babes.
There are also lots of surrounding Austin engagement photo locations that require almost zero effort to reach!
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
No matter the time of year, this venue has everything an outdoorsy couple can home for. I've seen many wedding and engagement sessions happen here. No one walks away disappointed, even in the deepest of winter.
Final Thoughts
As a wedding photographer, I know how important planning the best engagement photos can be, but I'm hoping this engagement session guide helps. Granted, these photo locations can work for anyone, even if you're planning a small wedding.
From downtown Austin to South Austin, TX, you really can't go wrong picking your favorite Austin engagement photo locations. At the end of the day, you get the kind of photos you want, and in the future, you'll realize they are the kind of photos you need.
If you're still looking for a wedding photographer, I'd love to chat with you! I'm a firm believer in making art for my couples and providing the kinds of pictures you can print and frame on every wall of your home. So, let's connect and begin the journey together.