Planning to take your engagement photos in Austin this summer? The Texas heat can be intense, but that doesn’t mean you have to sweat through your shoot.
With triple-digit temps, staying cool is key. Luckily, Austin has plenty of unique spots perfect for celebrating your love — and a lot of them are indoors! Whether you’re envisioning something lush and romantic or bold and modern, this guide covers the best indoor and outdoor engagement photo locations in Austin, Texas to keep you comfortable and camera-ready.
Indoor Austin Engagement Photos Locations
I love indoor locations because you can take photos any time during the day (and in any weather), whereas with outdoor locations you have to work with the weather. For most locations, I recommend planning your engagement session during the week in the morning or afternoon because these locations will be less crowded. Some of these locations also require a rental fee or getting permission from the business owner.
Austin Central Library or Your Favorite Bookstore
For my bookish couples, why not incorporate your shared hobby into your photo session? Austin has a lot of bookstores and a gorgeous public library downtown to choose from. For the public library, plan to have your photographer contact the city of Austin to get a permit. They also need business liability insurance. Other local bookstores that would make a beautiful backdrop for your photos include Vintage Books and Wine, First Light Books, Book People, and Birdhouse Books.
Your Favorite Local Coffee Shop
Austin has many gorgeous coffee shops with well-designed and fun architecture. A few of my favorite coffee shops for photo sessions include Halcyon in Mueller, Carpenter Coffee, and the Medici Roasting at Springdale General.
Get inspired by this engagement session at Halcyon and Mueller Lake Park.
East Sixth Dive Bars
Choose your favorite local bar to be the backdrop of your engagement photos. Austin has no shortage of cool, one-of-a-kind joints, like the Liberty Bar. I suggest you choose a bar with built-in activities, like arcade games or a pool table.
Find inspiration from this east Austin dive bar engagement session.
Your Wedding Venue
Venues like Woodbine Mansion and Barr Mansion are a classy backdrop for your engagement photos. It’s also a great way to get to know your venue and find your favorite photo spots ahead of your wedding day.
Inside Your Home
You’re most comfortable in your own home, which makes it a great engagement photo location option! There are endless ways of showing off your personality and interests during an in home session. You can cook a meal together, play with your dogs, or do an activity you love to do together.
Outdoor Engagement Photos Locations
The key to getting gorgeous outdoor engagement photos when it’s regularly hitting 100+ degrees is to have a sunrise session. Even if you’re not a morning person like me, getting up early is worth it. Not only is it significantly cooler, but these locations will also be less crowded than they are in the evening.
Laguna Gloria
Laguna Gloria is an all-time favorite engagement session spot. Walking around the grounds makes you feel like you’ve been transported to a European villa. It also has a stunning indoor option, as well, making it a perfect summertime photo spot.
South Congress
You could easily spend hours wandering up and down South Congress and never get bored. For an early morning session, you can grab a coffee at Jos or stop inside Manana Coffee before taking photos in front of iconic murals down the street. My dream session on South Congress includes photos at the Salty Donut.
This engagement session on South Congress is full of ideas.
Sekrit Theater
Sekrit Theater is a one-of-a-kind venue perfect for engagement photos. It’s primarily outdoors, but it is well-shaded and has an indoor room you can use to cool off.
Barton Springs Pool
Locals know the key to enjoying Barton Springs is to go for a swim before 10 AM, when there is no cover charge and there are way less people.
Chapel Dulcinea
You might know Chapel Dulcinea as the iconic free wedding chapel in the hill country, but you can also take your engagement photos here. Chapel Dulcinea makes the perfect backdrop to announce you’re “going to the chapel and we’re gonna get married” in your save the dates.
Ready to schedule your engagement session with Tess Leslie Photography? Submit an inquiry today.
