Best Places in Austin for Photo Sessions

by admin | Aug 6, 2019 | location information, photography

So Step 1 is done – you’ve booked your photo session in Austin this year. Now you’re ready for Step 2 – what’s the location going to be? What are the best places in Austin for Senior or Family Photos?

By answering a few simple questions, we can narrow down your search. There are over 50 suggestions below on where you could have your family photos this Fall.

Question 1:

Do you want to leave your house?

If no, search over, let’s have a cozy, in-home lifestyle session. You can snuggle on the couch and play in the yard. Pets always welcome.

1. Your house – indoors/outdoors

Question 2:

Are you ok with a location fee ($50-$250*)?

If yes, some great options include

1. Sekrit Theater – East Austin, $150/hour
2. The Woodbine Mansion – Round Rock, $300/session (1.5 hours)
3. Laguna Gloria – Central Austin, $150/hour
4. Mayfield Park – Central Austin, $50/session – can only book up to a month in advance
5. Jones Center Rooftop (Contemporary Austin) – Downtown, $100/hour (only during Museum hours)
6. Jennifer’s Garden – Central Austin, $125/hour (2 hour minimum)
7. Pioneer Farms – Northeast Austin, entrance fee only if during regular hours ($8/adult, $6/kid)
8. Zilker Botanical Gardens – South Austin, $50/hour
9. Wildflower Center – South Austin, $100/hour (during business hours – $250/weekends)
10. Lake Austin or Lake Travis boat rentals (price varies) – various companies
11. Roadhouse Relics/Greetings From Austin mural – South Austin, $150-$200/hour (Weekday vs. Weekend prices)
12. Star Hill Ranch – West Austin, $125/hour
13. Wayback Hotel and Cafe – $125/hour
14. Greenhouse at Driftwood – Driftwood, TX $400 for two hours
15. Chapel Dulcinea – out near Driftwood, TX; Monday-Thursday, $200/hour
16. Ice Plant Building – La Grange, TX – $100/hour
17. Barr Mansion – Northeast Austin; Monday-Thursday 10am-5:30pm and Friday-Sunday 9am-1pm *depending on our event schedule – $150/hour
18. One Eleven East – Hutto, TX – $120/hour
19. The Lumen Room – South Austin – can book online, $75/hour
20. Elgin Christmas Tree Farm – Elgin, TX – only available to photographers on certain dates
21. Wish Well House – Georgetown, TX – $250/hour
22. A Light Collab Studio – Pflugerville, TX – $110/hour (2 hour minimum)
23. Peerspace – prices vary
24. The Spot Studio – Central Austin – $100/hour
25. The Commune – Central Austin – $200/session (two-hour block minimum)

*2024 prices – may be subject to change

Question 3:

If you want a free spot, do you prefer an urban or a nature setting?

If you want an urban setting, some spots include (Outside of Austin, then North to South):

1. Downtown Georgetown – Main Square
2. Downtown Round Rock – Main Street
3. Old Settlers Park – Round Rock
4. Shops at the Domain – North Austin (Rock Rose Ave.)
5. State Capitol – Central Austin
6. University of Texas campus (various locations including: Blanton Museum exterior/Ellsworth Kelly exterior) – Central Austin
7. Mueller Development (Thinkery exterior, shops) – Central Austin
8. 2nd street/City Hall – Downtown Austin
9. Central Library – Downtown Austin
10. Springdale Road – East Austin, buildings around Springdale Station, Dimensions Sculpture Park, etc.
11. Seaholm Power Plant – Downtown Austin
12. Tau Ceti mural / garage rooftop (or other downtown garage rooftops)
13. Butterfly Bridge – Downtown Austin
14. Waterloo Greenway – Downtown Austin
15. Lady Bird Lake pedestrian bridge – Downtown Austin
16. Lady Bird Lake Trails (Lou Neff Point)
17. South Congress shops – South Austin
18. View of downtown skyline from the Austin Rowing Club dock or the Boardwalk
19. View of downtown skyline from various Rooftop Bars
20. Greetings from Austin mural (or any mural around town) – South Austin (and various locations)
21. Zilker Park (Rock Island)
22. Butler Park – South Austin
23. Long Center (and nearby parking garage roofs) – South Austin
24. Jester King Brewery – South Austin
25. Your favorite spot in town

If you want a nature setting, some spots outside of Austin (North to South) include:

1. Sweet Eats Farm – Georgetown
2. Brushy Creek Community Center – Round Rock
3. Twin Lakes Park – Cedar Park
4. Champions Park – Cedar Park
5. Brushy Creek Park – Cedar Park
6. Stagecoach Park – Buda
7. Meadows Center – San Marcos
8. Gruene Hall – New Braunfels
9. Pedernales Falls – Johnson City

If you want a nature setting in town, some spots in Austin (North to South) include:

1. Balcones District Park
2. Mills Pond Recreation Area
3. St. Edwards Park
4. Bull Creek District Park
5. Bull Creek Preserve
6. Central Market Pond
7. Seider Springs Greenbelt
8. Mueller Park or Mueller Southeast Greenway
9. Northwest Park
10. Bartholemew District Park
11. Pease Park and Treehouse at Pease Park Conservatory (Kingsbury Commons)
12. Red Bud Isle (very dog-friendly but limited parking)
13. Lady Bird Lake Trail/Pedestrian Bridge
14. Commons Ford Ranch
15. Woodlands Park (near River Place Nature Trail)
16. McKinney Falls
17. Bee Caves Park
18. Wild Basin Trail
19. Zilker Park
20. Greenbelt Trail
21. Austin Nature & Science Center
22. Circle C Park
23. Waterloo Park / Greenway

So what’s your best match? Or do you have other ideas for great locations? Contact me and let me know. Let’s find you the best place in or around Austin for your family photos.