Austin, TX Location Guide

One of the first questions clients have for me is: ‘Where will we shoot?’ This is an understandable question as I don’t (usually) operate in a studio…and, as you may have noticed from my gallery, I enjoy photographing in many places all over the great city of Austin. Though I consider myself adaptable, I do have one preference: natural light. Indirect sunlight, when it comes to photography, is my very best friend and might I add, it makes you look most like YOU - glowing, beautiful, authentic you. There are always exceptions; should you require a studio or alternate light sources just drop a line and we'll make that happen!

Below you will find some of my favorite locations to shoot in Austin. I won’t choose for you but I will provide guidance so that you can pick the best one for your vision. Each space has something unique to offer and the most important element here is that you’re represented just how you want to be.

Laguna Gloria is a beautiful fourteen-acre art-in-nature site on Lake Austin. It’s building looks like an Italian Driscoll Villa. Inside you’ll find checkered floors and a beautiful, rich, velvet blue sofa. A fountain, charming garden, benches, vibrant palms, majestic oak trees and a lush scenery surround the villa providing a peaceful, gorgeous backdrop. I’m sure you’re not surprised that this spot sits at the top of my list.

• Address - 3809 W. 35th St. 78703

• Cost - $100/hour (sometimes I have free sessions, just ask!)

Jennifer’s Garden is a hidden gem. I met Jennifer, her husband and their 4 (wait…5?) dogs last year. They are all absolutely charming and provide a beautiful, intimate, historic venue. It’s essentially a 1 acre garden. It’s eclectic, vibrant and your dream backyard (mine too).

• Address - 1101 W. 31st St. 78705

• Cost - just ask :)

Zilker Botanical Gardens (I just realized I have a thing for gardens…) sits across the street from Barton Springs (another favorite). It’s so beautiful and dreamy and GREEN. Not to mention, we refer to it as ‘the jewel in the heart of Austin’. Heart. Throb. Zilker has theme gardens such as rose, herb and Japanese Gardens. You’ll find streams, waterfalls and Koi-filled ponds. The prehistoric garden is one of my favorites; it’s DECKED out with plants you’ve probably never seen before.

• Address - 2220 Barton Springs Rd. 78746

• Cost - $50

Barton Springs Pool is a very special place. Often, when people hear me suggest it as a photoshoot location they look at me funny. But this spot at 7:30am on any day (unless it’s sleeting) is pure magic. It’s quiet, glow-y and still, providing ample space to chat, frolic and play. Whether it’s the stone wall, the giant trees, the bathhouse (YEP), crisp, clean, clear water that stays 68 degrees year round or the plants blowing in the breeze…you’re sure to feel like you’re in a fairyland. I’ve taken some of my best pictures here (in my whole damn life) and I attribute that to the natural springs. I think there’s something in that water. Words don’t do it justice so I’m going to stop here.

• Address - 2131 William Barton Dr. 78746

• Cost - $3/person for Austin residents

Downtown (Austin Public Library, City Hall, 2nd St.) for my urban girls. This is where we get lots of open, industrial space - great for fashion, fitness, lifestyle, clean head shots. I especially love the area surrounding Trader Joes/True Food Kitchen and the Seaholm Power Plant. It’s fun to shoot under bridges too and alleyways always provide a neat backdrop. Not to mention, if we’ve got 4 hours together, I’m all about a lunch intermission. Hello Flower Child!

• Address - 710 W. Cesar Chavez St.

• Cost - Free! (besides parking)

I heard that the students at the UT Architecture School will yell down to people: “THIS IS OUR SCHOOL!” because it’s a pretty popular spot for photoshoots. I’ve never experienced it myself but I’m also crafty about scheduling. ;) In the sought after courtyard, the palm trees are almost as tall as the building and the architecture reminds me of Madrid. There are walls to climb on, pretty arenas to stand in and ivy crawling up vast buildings. And, as long as it’s not ‘senior portrait season’ you’re likely to get the space to yourself.

• Address - Meet at Caffé Medici: 2222 Guadalupe St. 78705

• Cost - Free! (besides parking)

Lyndon B. Johnson Library has the biggest, prettiest, textured off white wall in central Austin. It’s a blank canvas just waiting for paint.

• Address - 2313 Red River St. 78712

• Cost - Free! (besides parking)

South Congress is ideal for the explorer at heart. Every time I shoot there I find something new (and I live in the hood… so that’s saying something). We’re talking hotel exteriors like South Congress Hotel, San Jose and Austin Motel (interiors too if you’re willing to go that route), graffiti, the famous Jo’s Coffee, Thom’s, and loads of quaint, little streets to walk down. It’s a great blend of city and nature.

• Address - Meet at Jo’s Coffee: 1300 S. Congress Ave. 78704

• Cost - Free! :)

Little Stacy Park (Travis Heights Neighborhood) is, well, just that…a park. The greenbelt runs right through it and its filled to the brim with oak trees. I’m pretty sure every single one is protected by the city. They’re that special. The light hits the park perfectly at sunset and I just love all of the yellow, orange and green hues. It’s right down the street from South Congress too, so variety is always an option.

• Address - 1500 Alameda Dr. 78704

• Cost - Free! :)

One Eleven East in Hutto (northeast of Austin) has gorgeous architectural elements and a timeless setting providing the perfect canvas to make your photo session truly your own. (Ok…ok…I stole some of that from off of their website. It was just too good!) You’ll see that it’s great as a wedding venue but truly, it’s a multipurpose space for just about any venture. If you’ve got a big vision that might involve creating a set or individual props, this would be a great choice. It’s also just a great, clean aesthetic…and for those of you who might want to get a little more risqué, it’s completely private.

• Address - 111 East St. Hutto, TX. 78634

• Cost - Quoted upon request

Elisabet Ney Museum is historic with a Euro vibe. Here we stroll around the outskirts of the museum (no indoor imagery) and frolic through Hyde Park. Thick stone walls, large green plants in Spring-Fall and flowers blooming the majority of the year. The fields are also lush and green when in season and there's a pretty bridge over a stream of water. Requires a little creativity and thinking outside the box but you can leave both of those aspects to me. :) 

• 304 East 44th Street Austin, 78751

Austin’s Downtown Wall Art is Instagrammable, if you must. Otherwise just fun backdrops to play with. You can choose just how much you want the wall to take part (i.e. stand far enough in front with the right settings...and it's just a bunch of funky colors). These are great for Austin centric imagery and fun, color poppin', urban content.

The Carpenter Hotel is a union hall turned hip, trendy hotel...that's so Austin. The exterior is a pretty, light brick with picnic tables, a vast walking path, large grey brick in a courtyard filled with pretty plants. There are cool stools and a bench for sitting. The indoors has a cute coffee shop with all of your favorite drinks and a cozy, lavish sitting area decked out with old school lamps, leather seating, a communal table and record player. This is a favorite and it's no wonder why.

• 400 Josephine St, Austin, TX 78704

McKinney Falls — Wanna feel like you're in the desert? On Mars? Or just another city entirely? Both the lower and upper falls are magical, wild and perfect for lifestyle, portrait and product photography. 

• 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744

Sekrit Theater is an abandoned garden photography space. As they say on their site...explore, discover, create, capture some magic...this space is designed by artists, architects, craftsmen, wanderers, dreamers and makers. It's also super private, dynamic and easily one of my favorite places to shoot in the world.

• 1145 Perry Rd, Austin, TX 78721

• Click here to see their booking fee

Mayfield Park is a historic cottage, garden, and nature preserve in West Texas on a bluff overlooking Lake Austin (sign me up). It's the home for many gorgeous peacocks and is pretty diverse with building elements, archways, ponds, benches and large, majestic trees. It's also near Mount Bonnell and Jennifer's Gardens if you opt for more than one location.

• 3505 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703

Red Bud Isle is a lakefront with 13 acres of recreational space. It's kinda witchy and forest-y. Mostly cool trees, some flowers and water with neat bridge elements. Requires an open perspective. Absolutely gorgeous in spring and fall.

• 3401 Redbud Trail, Austin, TX 78746

East Austin is ever evolving, eclectic and diverse with homes ranging from modern to bungalow, brand-new to dilapidated. A great place to park, walk and shoot along the way. Unusual murals, walls painted with different colors, quaint hotels/inns, coffee shops and just so many options. Highly recommend for those looking for a vast array of scenery with potential for skyline and urban settings.

Bull Creek is a hidden gem in northwest Austin. Walk along the creek for pretty pools, waterfalls and large rock formations. Less populated as it's off the hidden path. A great spot if you're up for exploration, adventure and nature.

Access Points

• Bull Creek District Park: 6701 Lakewood Dr, Austin, TX 78731

• Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt: 5343 Old Spicewood Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78731

• Upper Bull Creek Greenbelt: 6958 Old Spicewood Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78731