Top 8 Engagement Photo Locations in Austin

Austin is known as the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’ and it truly lives up to its name, with surprises in every corner. The city is filled with history and architecture in every turn, with breathtaking cityscapes and skylines, a delight for our Austin engagement photographers. Apart from city life, Austin has the right share of rivers, waterfalls, and a picturesque countryside vibe. The wide-open vistas coupled with natural backdrops entail numerous engagement session inspirations. Also, known as the ‘Hill Country’, Austin is home to mesmerizing lakes, prairies, and limestone cliffs along with the most famous Colorado River. We have curated a list that comprises the top destinations to have engagement photography in Austin.

Jacob's Well

Just outside Austin, is the scenic Jacob’s Well, which is one of the largest underwater caves in Texas and an artesian spring, that is surrounded by lush green foliage and luscious landscape. This blue creek can be a respite for you as a couple, to celebrate your love during the summers of Texas. You can check with the swimming guidelines of the place and dive right into the blue waters, while our photographers capture and frame your love story. This gorgeous location is the perfect location if you are looking for a tranquil location for summer engagement session ideas. Jacob’s Well engagement photography is very popular among Texas couples, as it is a blissful retreat away from the city hum and you can bask in the precious moment amidst the wilderness of nature. However, it is highly recommended to indulge in dipping or swimming in the well, with permission.

Website: https://www.austintexas.org/listings/jacobs-well-natural-area/7726/

Address: 1699 Mt Sharp Rd., Wimberley, TX 78676

Fees or Permits: The cost of admission will be $9 for adults. No photography permit is required. 

Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt

What is Austin without a little live music? Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt is a boutique hotel that celebrates the true vibe of the city with creativity and a dash of glamor. The funky character of Texas which is proudly weird is truly depicted in the corners of this engagement session location near Austin. With unending photo ops, this iconic destination takes you through the musical universe of Austin, with a twist of stunning architecture and glamorous decor. You can take the hand of your love and walk through the grand lanes of this downtown hotel, and play with different moods of the shutterbugs while creating evergreen portraits. If you are looking to flaunt your classic collection of formal wear, then Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt engagement session might be the one you would love to indulge in. As you pose underneath the long rope lights and the dreamy chandeliers, it looks sheer timeless in silhouette candid photographs.

Website: https://www.hotelvanzandt.com/

Address: Hotel Van Zandt, 605 Davis St, Austin, TX 78701

Fees or Permits: Contact the hotel staff before the photoshoot to get the admission and permit details as they are subjected to change.

Mount Bonnell

Celebrate the diversity of Austin at this engagement photography destination known as Mount Bonnell, which is a famous geographic landmark of Texas. As Lake Austin flows by quietly, surrounded by panoramic vistas of hills and green foliage, this scenic spot seems like a dream captured in the frames. You can partake in a little adventure with your love and hike to the hilltop which goes up as high as 775 feet. Once you reach the top, you can witness the warm glow of sunset together and get lost in the moment with your love while creating beautifully candid engagement portraits. The couple can wear the poppy and pastel-colored casual clothes or even semi-formals, to stand out in their Mount Bonnell engagement photography session. The poppy and pastel colors can help you to get top billing in portrait mode with the green and blue natural backdrop blurred in the photographs. You can silently rest arm-in-arm or hold hands to look silently at the rolling tiers of densely packed trees, as the photographer captures you from behind.

Website: https://www.austintexas.org/austin-insider-blog/post/mount-bonnell-for-beginners/

Address: Mount Bonnell, 3800 Mt Bonnell Road, Austin, TX 78731

Fees or Permits: Admission is free. A photography permit must be obtained from the city of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD).

University of Texas

Who would have thought a university campus can look like a dream in engagement photography? If you are an alumnus, then The University of Texas engagement photoshoot can surely leave you smitten and make your dream come true like no other engagement destination. The grand architecture casts a magic spell as the urban campus is filled with scintillating landscapes and famous landmarks. The sprawling campus offers a lot of photo ops for the love-struck couple to pose and steal a kiss every now and then. The best thing about this campus is that it has something for everyone, that is if you are architectural aficionados, you can get your session done in front of the arched doorways, the grand hallways, or the magnificent staircase with spiral railings. Likewise, if you are a great fan of nature, you can head out to the front side of the campus that has the famous Big Ben inspired clock for your backdrop, or to the quaint little pond that is filled with water plants. The great architecture is glorified in the white marble hallways and sitting areas, along with the pristine green hedges along the way. Each and every corner of this campus brings delight to one’s heart. You can dress up in complete formals which are pastels in color to accentuate the beautiful university’s environment. You can also walk to The LBJ Presidential or museums to create pretty candids or pose for portrait photography. The cherry on the cake is the Harry Ransom Center, an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum that is an out of the world brilliance in itself. 

Website: https://www.utexas.edu/

Address: The University of Texas, Austin, Texas, United States

Fees or Permits: Entrance is free. University Communications is responsible for evaluating all filming requests and processing all required paperwork including UT Austin location permits, insurance certificates, and fees.

The Vineyards at Chappel Lodge

It takes one simple glance to fall in love with  The Vineyards at Chappel Lodge engagement photography destination, as this enchanting place is surrounded by huge oak trees and wildflower fields in 53 unspoiled acres of land. The California-inspired vineyard with a magnificent stonework building, this is one of the timeless Austin engagement photography locations. This private estate features a naturally rustic charm with a blend of modern elegance. The ambiance sets the tone of romance and love in every picture taken at this destination and turns The Vineyards at Chappel Lodge engagement session into a magical experience. The real charm of this space can be witnessed during sunsets when the entire venue radiates a warm glow of love and warmth. You can wear your long-flowy gown and chic formal attire to cast a spell in your session with the manicured lawns and unending lines of grapevines in the vineyard. Steal a kiss under the big trees or walk the winding trail with towering trees, nestling right in the middle of the lawn to create breathtaking candid photographs.

Website: https://chappellodge.com/

Address: 1215 Chappell Lane, Austin, Texas 78748

Fees or Permits: Contact the venue staff before the photoshoot to get the admission and permit details as they are subjected to change.

South Congress

Do you want to capture the true spirit of Austin’s blinding city lights? Then you can indulge in a South Congress engagement session that is going to sweep you off your feet and send you home with an experience like never before. This eclectic and trendy place celebrates the true vibe of Texas featuring some of the hippest places to shop, dine, and entertain. This place is perfect if you are looking for an engagement destination and haven’t decided the exact time, that is whether you want it to happen during the day or night hours. This vibrant and dynamic destination offers a variety of photography backdrops, that someone once rightly said: “On a sunny day, there’s no place like the SoCo District in Austin.” Featuring some of the prettiest vintage shops, cool boutiques, funky bars, and dining with live music, South Congress district has something or other for everyone. The food scene here is impeccable, starting from ricotta hotcakes topped with bananas and maple syrup to gourmet tea, there is something or the other to tickle your tastebuds. And likewise, the music scenario ranges from vinyl classics to funky hip-hop, from the street music to the old rocks, you will find something that will be a meditation for your ears. You can indulge in the cruise and catch sight from Lady Bird Lake. Speaking about the couple’s wardrobe, there is no swear-by attire as this destination offers you the flexibility and comfort of choosing whatever you would like to be photographed in. Visit any of the shops or restaurants, or even run to the streets when the lights turn red and pose for our photographers to capture the best of this precious time.

Website: https://www.austintexas.org/austin-insider-blog/post/around-town-south-congress/

Address: South Congress, Austin, TX 78704

Fees or Permits: Entry is free. No photography permit is required. 

Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park

Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park is nestled along the famous Colorado River, which is sprawled in a gorgeous 215-acre retreat that is filled with captivating panoramic vistas at every turn. Featuring The Waterfall Trail just over a mile, this is considered to be one of the stunning locations for engagement photography sessions in Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park with a quaint wooded creek, surrounded by wild grass and flowers. This country-side location is great to capture intimate moods and nuances with incredible native flora and fauna in the backdrop. The rolling hills and prairie grasses make up to the perfect combination of wild and pristine, all at once. Sit atop the trees or take a dip in the creek or even pose in front of the old tin-house to create stunning engagement photographs. You can wear light pastel-colored clothes during summers and spring or color-coordinated pop colored informal clothes during autumn and winter.

Website: https://austinparks.org/commons-ford/

Address: 614 N Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX 78733, United States

Fees or Permits: Entry is free. A photography permit must be obtained from the office of special events.

Le San Michele

Le San Michele is the place where the Mediterranian meets Southwest gem with the beautifully placed sun-bleached building and multiple-themed surroundings. The rustic backdrop of the bleached and uneven bouldered walls, with the tiny wooden windows and the big blue door, looks like a magical spell on your Le San Michele engagement photo session. Be it the naturally lit indoors, with the long spiraling railed stairways or under the vintage chandelier, the place has multiple photo ops for the couple to celebrate love. The outdoor areas are filled with stunning and romantic backdrops like the wild cacti plants which add a desert-feel in the middle of nowhere. The true southwest vibe is celebrated amidst the golden fields where you can sit with your love and watch the sunset on the horizon, and then move to the iron gazebo which gets lit with dreamy string lights that can reverberate a warm glow in your engagement photography. The long bouldered wall, and the arched vineyards, can bring out the true Texas vibe in this location. The couple can wear formal or even semi-formal clothes, and pose by the vintage swimming pool adorned with date trees which sheerly looks like an oasis in the middle of a desert. Light pastel clothes look best in this location, as it does not call for too much attention and help you to blend with the beautiful backdrops.

Website: https://lesanmichele.com/

Address: Le San Michele, 219 Hy Rd, Buda, TX 78610

Fees or Permits: Entrance is free. The photography permits can be availed either through an online form or by calling the venue staff.

Please note that permits and fees are subject to change. Please confirm the policies with the location before planning your session.