LOCATIONS
To help you plan your next photo session, here is a list of locations where I have previously had sessions. You can choose from this list or suggest another location you have in mind. See the end for some locations on my "bucket list".
Confluence
Address: 310 W Mitchell St, San Antonio, TX
Best time of Day: Morning or Evening Golden Hour
Best time of year: Spring and Fall
Fees: None
Pros: Offers a variety of backdrops in a small area, a mix of urban and natural elements, and signature architecture unique to SA. There's also a parking lot.
Cons: There is occasionally events or yoga occurring under the pavilion on the weekends
Need to Knows: Kids may be tempted to get into the river
Hardberger
Address: 8400 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX
Best time of Day: Morning or Evening golden hours
Best time of year: Any time of year
Fees: None
Pros: There is a large parking lot within walking range, beautiful golden colors, great spot for sunset
Cons: Very busy during October - November
Need to Knows: Grass is itchy so best to bring a blanket or ask for me to provide one
Brackenridge
Address: 3700 N St Mary's St, San Antonio, TX
Best time of Day: Morning
Best time of year: Spring and Fall
Fees: None
Pros: Plenty of parking within park or at the Zoo, an iconic staple of San Antonio, on a cold fall morning steam rises from the river
Cons: Afternoons are extremely busy with joggers and families
Need to Knows: I prefer one location within the park over others due to crowds and large number of birds in other sections, but always open to venture around entire park
Walker Ranch
Address: 12603 West Ave, San Antonio, TX
Best time of Day: Evening
Best time of year: All year
Fees: None
Pros: Beautiful foliage and light and a bridge for great backdrops without venturing far from your car
Cons: Small parking lots are usually full because its a popular park for exercising, photography, and kids
Need to Knows: Its a very popular spot (for good reason) in the Fall for family photos
Cibolo Nature Center
Address: 140 City Park Rd, Boerne, TX
Best time of Day: Mornings
Best time of year: All year
Fees: $20 photo permit (included in session fee)
Pros: Beautiful fields, pathways, and creek offer stunning backdrops year round
Cons: Very popular spot for photos, especially in the evenings, and crazy busy during November
Need to Knows: Small parking lots are available but fill up fast in the evenings. This location is also available for my River Sessions
Botanical Gardens
Address: 555 Funston Pl, San Antonio, TX
Best time of Day: Morning
Best time of year: All year
Fees: $195 photo permit (paid by client on day of session) will be required for photography (7 ppl max)
Cons: Very steep photography fee
Need to Knows: Sessions begin based on opening and closing times. As of 2022, this location is best choice for longer sessions
Hays Street Bridge
Address: 803 N Cherry St, San Antonio, TX
Best time of Day: Morning or Evening
Best time of year: All year
Fees: None
Pros: Great views of Downtown
Cons: Need to park on the streets surrounding entrances to Bridge
Need to Knows: Evenings are more popular whereas mornings have the occasional yoga class
The Pearl
Address: 312 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX
Best time of Day: Weekday mornings
Best time of year: All year
Fees: None
Pros: Great mix of urban and natural elements
Cons: Can be extremely crowded on weekends and in the evening.
Need to Knows: I do not recommend sessions on the weekend and will not do them weekend mornings due to the Farmer's Market. I also do not recommend the Pearl on weekend evenings during the holiday season in the fall.
Hemisfair
Address: 434 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX
Best time of Day: Mornings
Best time of year: Spring and Summer
Fees: None
Pros: Great urban space with fun, colorful backdrops including flowers, murals, and waterfall features
Cons: Downtown can be busy and distracting so it is not for every family
Need to Knows: There are a few parking lots available nearby. Spring and summer are best for beautiful flowers in the park and option for kids to play in the fountains
Essex Modern City
Address: 51 Essex St, San Antonio, TX
Best time of Day: Morning or Evening, within business hours M-F only
Best time of year: All year
Fees: none
Pros: Best location for graffiti and murals without worrying about traffic
Cons: Weekends are not available, after operating hours require a fee
Need to Knows: Some days may be unavailable if they are hosting events or closed for maintenance
McNay Art Museum
Address: 6000 N New Braunfels Ave, San Antonio, TX
Best time of Day: Morning
Best time of year: All year
Fees: $30 photo permit paid by client
Pros: Beautiful building surrounded by gardens and sculptures
Cons: Evenings are very popular for bridals so getting spots with good lighting may require patience
Need to Knows: Only outdoor photography is allowed. Special permission is required for inner courtyard access
J Street Trailhead
Address: 3500 J St, San Antonio, TX
Best time of Day: Evening
Best time of year: Spring and Fall
Fees: None
Pros: Spanish moss hanging from the trees
Cons: Just need to watch out for cyclists
Need to Knows: It's a small stretch of the trailhead so most images will be taken on the path, bridge, and near the path
Landa Library
Address: 233 Bushnell Ave, San Antonio, TX
Best time of Day: Evening golden hour
Best time of year: Spring and Summer
Fees: None - a permit is required with 10 days advance notice
Pros: Elegant backdrop
Cons: Small space
Need to Knows: No photos are allowed indoors. There is a small parking lot
Government Canyon
Address: 12861 Galm Rd, San Antonio, TX
Best time of Day: Evening Golden Hour
Best time of year: Any time but summer
Fees: $6 per adult
Pros: Easy to have an area all to yourselves. Great for hikers who want to go further into the park during a longer session
Cons: Requires some hiking to reach some spots not covered by trees.
Need to Knows: Dogs are only allowed in the "front country". Reservations are currently required
Denman Estates
Address: 7735 Mockingbird Ln, San Antonio, TX
Best time of Day: Morning or Evening
Best time of year: Spring and Fall
Fees: None
Pros: Unique spot in San Antonio
Cons: If the pond is low, it can be look less appealing
Need to Knows: Entrance to the park is a one way, so make sure you're entering correctly
Park in Heltoes
Address: a Secret until you book
Best time of Day: Morning or Evening
Best time of year: Year round
Fees: $40 photo permit, paid by client
Pros: small, somewhat hidden natural area
Cons: very few parking spaces (hence my keeping location secret)
Need to Knows: There is a bumpy dirt road when you enter. Portapotty is available
Joshua Springs
Address:716 FM 289, Comfort, TX
Best time of Day: Evening
Best time of year: Year round
Fees: None
Pros: Large parking, several backdrop options with the river and grassy hill
Cons: Can't swim in the river
Need to Knows:
Hot Wells
Address: 5503 S Presa St, San Antonio,
TX 78223
Best time of Day: Evening or Morning
Best time of year: Year round
Fees: None
Pros: Parking, unique to SA, restrooms, close to the River
Cons: Not a lot of shade
Need to Knows: Bug spray is recommended
Southtown
Address: Brick and Blue Star Arts Complex
Best time of Day: Hour after Sunrise or Golden Hour/ Sunset
Best time of year: Year round
Parking: The lot is for customers and fills up quickly so be prepared to buy a coffee or stay for dinner or park on the streets
Pros: Urban feel with access to the San Antonio River and King William neighborhood
Cons: Can be busy
Need to Knows: Can be distracting for young kids but also lots of things to see and explore
Enchanted Rock
Address: 16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Best time of Day: Sunrise or Golden Hour/ Sunset
Best time of year: Fall through Spring
Fees: $8 per vehicle
Pros: Parking, unique to hill country, beautiful scenic views
Cons: Requires a permit - must purchase 30 days ahead of session - no earlier
Need to Knows: Hill is steep, dogs not allowed on Hill.
Bullis County Park
Address: 27583 Old Blanco Rd,
San Antonio, TX 78260
Best time of Day: Golden Hour/ Sunset
Best time of year: Spring
Fees: $0
Pros: Parking, wildflowers in spring
Cons: Its a bit small
Need to Knows: Park closes at sunset ( 8 pm in Spring - Summer)
Studio
to view studio options in
San Antonio
Keep in mind that Studio Sessions will be dependent on availability at your preferred studio location.
Eilan Hotel & Shops
Address: 18603 La Cantera Terrace, San Antonio, TX 78256
Best time of Day: Golden Hour
Best time of year: Year Round
Fees: Free
Pros: City scape with a European vibe
Cons: Busier in the evening when the lighting is best
Need to Knows:
Canyon Lake
Over Look Park Address: 601 Coe Rd, Canyon Lake, TX 78133
Comal Swimming Park Address: 1178 Comal Park Rd, Canyon Lake, TX 78133
Best time of Day: Golden Hour/ Sunset
Best time of year: Year Round
Fees: $8 per vehicle
Pros: Lake, Grass and Tree backdrops beautiful scenic views, perfect for summer sessions
Cons: Limited parking
Need to Knows: Hill is steep to reach rocky beach, trails are steep and rocky, must leave before blue hour
Location Bucket List
I'm looking for a family or couple to join me at one of these locations! Will you be the first to explore a new location with me?
*I may give a discount if you are the first to choose & have your session take place at one of these locations marked with a *. To receive a discount, you must sign a model release. If you choose a location not marked with a * and sign a model release, you may be allotted more time for your session at no extra cost.
Downtown
San Antonio
Location: Courthouse & Plaza, Market Square
Medina or Boerne Lake*
Must be willing to get in the lake in summer
Location: Lakehills, Texas
Southtown
San Antonio
Location: Neighborhood near Rosario's/ Liberty Bar/ Good Kind
West Texas*
Location: Big Bend, White Sands, Marfa, etc.
Japanese tea gardens
Location: San Antonio
Guadalupe River State Park*
Must be willing to get in the river
The Beach*
Location: Corpus to Port A