18 Best Family Photo Locations in Austin, Texas
Ahhh Austin, the up and coming capital city of Texas that more and more people are coming to know and love. Living just an hour away from the big city in New Braunfels is such a gift—I love being able to experience the more suburban lifestyle of our smaller hometown, but then easily being able to head into the city (“easily” being subjective, of course; traffic can do a lot to what’s supposed to be an hour drive). I love going up to Austin for in-home family sessions, but I’d so love to explore a little more with my clients and have fun checking out all the unique places the city has to offer! That’s why I put together this guide to 18 of the best locations in Austin for family photos, from historic mansions to iconic city parks to lush botanical gardens. Can’t wait to see which one you pick for your upcoming session!
What to Consider When Planning Your Austin Family Photo Session
Before we get into this list of incredible locations, I wanted to go through a few key things you’ll need to know when planning your family photo session in Austin. Certain places in the city tend to have more requirements when it comes to commercial activities than, say, little local parks in New Braunfels, so it’s important to do your research + know what you need to do before the day of your session arrives. As your Austin family photographer, I’ll be helping you out with all of this, so don’t worry about having to do it all on your own!
Drive time/traffic
First things first: traffic is kinda inevitable in the big city, and you’ll need to plan accordingly when figuring out what time you need to leave for your session/how long the drive to your location is going to take. Austin ranks #19 for the worst traffic levels in the country, so hey, it’s not THE worst. . . but it’s not the best either. A drive that should take you 30 minutes could end up taking you an hour depending on the time of day—especially if you’re planning for an evening session, and will be driving to your location during rush hour 😅
So with all that said, make sure to plan accordingly when it comes to picking your location! Figure out how far you’re willing to drive to get a location you’re in love with, and what traffic might look like at the time of day you’re shooting. If you have young kiddos, think realistically about how long they’ll be willing to sit in the car (and how long you want to have to deal with impatient little ones if you end up stuck in traffic). Pro tip: bring along plenty of snacks in case a little bribery is needed ;)
Private vs. public property
Next, you’ll want to look into whether your ideal location is on public or private property. Places like parks or gardens are typically managed by the city and are open to the public at any time, whereas privately-owned locations, such as certain mansions or ranches, may only have certain times that they’re open to the public. They may also require you to reserve a time slot, park in a certain place, get permission in advance, or pay a higher fee to shoot there. Same thing goes for photo studios that you’ll be required to book in advance. Overall, just make sure you’re familiar with the expectations and rules put in place by the location you’re considering for your session so that you’re always respecting the land/property you’re visiting!
Admission fees
Admission fees may be required for certain locations around the city, such as botanical gardens. These fees are often waived for children under a certain age, so you may not have to pay for your kiddos! Some places may also require a reservation in advance, which is why it’s super important to do research beforehand.
Photo fees
In addition to admission or entry fees, some of the locations on this list may come with photoshoot fees that you need to pay on top of your entry fee. These are typically in place to make sure that the property owners know when photographers will be on site, and to ensure that commercial work doesn’t go without any contribution toward the property being used. This is something I’ll look up in advance before your session! I’ve also included all admission + photo fees required for each location on the list below to make it easy-peasy for ya.
Outfits
Last but not least, outfits are a huge part of getting prepared for your Austin family photoshoot! What you wear will set the tone for your session and help you bring your one-of-a-kind vision to life, and I will alwaysss be more than happy to provide you with recommendations, advice, or just to tell you how amazing you guys look when you text me a pic of the outfits you’re planning to wear ;)
I’m personally a HUGE fan of thrifting outfits for family photoshoots, so I put together a guide with all my best thrifting tips. Read it here!
18 Best Places to Take Family Photos in Austin
Ready to get into whatcha came here for? Have fun making your way through this list of 18 beautiful places for family photos in Austin!
Mansions & Estates
Barr Mansion
Admission Fee: None
Photo Fee: Starting at $150/hour
Reservation Required? Yes
Barr Mansion is a breathtaking estate located just northeast of downtown Austin, featuring beautifully landscaped gardens, sprawling grassy lawns, and a historic mansion brimming with elegance + charm. It’s actually a wedding venue, but is available for photoshoots from Monday-Thursday between 10am-4pm! The property is truly an idyllic place to take your family photos if you don’t really want those big city vibes, and would rather feel like you’ve escaped to some enchanting European countryside estate.
Laguna Gloria
Admission Fee: $10 for adults
Photo Fee: $150
Reservation Required? No, but advance ticket purchase is encouraged
Located just five miles from downtown Austin, Laguna Gloria is home to a gorgeous villa and expansive scenic grounds that provide the perfect setting for a family photoshoot. With an on-site cafe, shop, and visitor center, visiting Laguna Gloria is a whole-day affair—how fun would it be to take your family photos here, and then spend the rest of the day having fun as a family, checking out all that the property has to offer?! Your kids will love admiring all the artwork, sculptures, and the quiet wooden pathways that were just made for a sweet little nature walk with the fam.
Parks
Mueller Lake Park
Admission Fee: None
Photo Fee: None
Reservation Required? No
This 30-acre park boasts gorgeous scenery, a tranquil 6.5-acre lake, an open-air amphitheater, and multiple spots to have a picnic, take a walk, and play with your little ones. Such a lovely place to walk around as a family and be present together in nature, and you can also check out the Mueller Southwest Greenway if you’d like to see native plant gardens, admire the wildflowers, and explore the prairie.
Bull Creek Greenbelt
Admission Fee: None
Photo Fee: None
Reservation Required? No
Want a fun, family-friendly hike to check out during your family photo session? Check out the Bull Creek Greenbelt Trail! The Upper Greenbelt starts at St. Edward’s Park (which is a great spot for family photos in itself) and ends at Bull Creek District Park, considered the Bull Creek Lower Greenbelt. You can also start the trail at the intersection of Spicewood Springs and Adirondack Trail, which has a small parking lot and a restroom. While the trails aren’t stroller-friendly, they are great for exploring with your kiddos and watching for wildlife!
Red Bud Isle
Admission Fee: None
Photo Fee: None
Reservation Required? No
Red Bud Isle is the cutest little park in central Austin that would be amazing for a family session centered around nature! Located right on the Colorado River, it’s such a pretty island park with stunning river views, lush tree-lined shores, and a dog park for your fur babies to run around and play. It’s not the biggest park that Austin has to offer, but the shores are perfect for fishing, walking, and simply enjoying the tranquility of nature in the middle of the city.
St. Edwards Greenbelt
Admission Fee: None
Photo Fee: None
Reservation Required? No
The St. Edwards Greenbelt is a hidden gem in Austin, offering a landscape that is both a park and a nature preserve. Ideal for families who love being outdoors and hiking together, this area has so much natural beauty to offer, including a scenic creekside trail, beautiful views of the Bull Creek valley, and even a small waterfall!
Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
Admission Fee: None
Photo Fee: Varies; permit needed from APARD
Reservation Required? Yes
Palm trees in the middle of Texas? Who knew! Mayfield Park is a really beautiful and unique 23-acre nature preserve in west Austin, home to a historic cottage from the late 1800s, landscaped gardens, and quaint little ponds. And did I mention the peacocks that roam freely around the property?
Auditorium Shores
Admission Fee: None
Photo Fee: None
Reservation Required? No
Auditorium Shores is an iconic Austin destination, offering a popular setting for city events such as festivals and concerts. It’s a great urban park with spectacular views of the Austin skyline, but beware of the crowds you’ll find here—it’s definitely not the place to go if you’re envisioning a quiet, peaceful family session away from the city, surrounded by nothing but nature.
Emma Long Metropolitan Park
Admission Fee: $5
Photo Fee: None
Reservation Required? No
Families looking for wide-open space, picnic tables, and beach access will love Emma Long Metropolitan Park, which sits right at the edge of Lake Austin. This park offers plenty of outdoor activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, boating, swimming, and even beach volleyball!
McKinney Falls State Park
Admission Fee: $6
Photo Fee: None
Reservation Required? No
If you’re down to drive a little further out of Austin (about 13 miles, to be exact), you’ll be hugely rewarded with the spectacular scenery at McKinney Falls State Park. Wanna go swimming? You can! Maybe your fam loves to fish together? Do it here! How about geocaching? Biking? Picnicking? Waterfall-chasing?! This park has it all, and the views are picturesque everywhere you go—perfect for a scenic, activity/experience-focused family session.
Gardens & Greenhouses
The Greenhouse at Driftwood
Photo Fee: $600-$1,000
Reservation Required? Yes
You’d never believe this estate is just a few miles from Austin—it literally feels like it’s straight out of a fairytale. The Greenhouse at Driftwood is more than just an elegant greenhouse (two greenhouses, actually!), also boasting gorgeous gardens, lush tropical foliage, a spacious deck, and an expansive lawn that’ll make all your enchanting storybook dreams come true.
Zilker Botanical Garden
Admission Fee: $6 for adults, $3 for youth ages 3-17
Photo Fee: $50
Reservation Required? Yes
Zilker Garden is a magical 28-acre property that makes you feel as though you’re far, far away from the big city. With 28 acres of breathtaking land to explore, you and your kiddos can explore all sorts of cascading waterfalls, shimmering koi ponds, vibrant flowers, lush foliage, and a multitude of pathways to stroll through. The themed gardens are such a fun aspect of this botanical garden, including the Taniguchi Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Hartman Prehistoric Garden!
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Admission Fee: $15 for adults, $8 for youth ages 3-17
Photo Fee: $100-$250
Reservation Required? Yes
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center boasts a whopping 284 acres of picturesque land, its main features including a collection of well-manicured gardens, a beautiful arboretum, and all sorts of protected wildlands full of native plants. You and your fam will have such a blast exploring this property and all its magic, whether you head first to the central gardens, the Savanna Meadow bursting with colorful sunflowers, or the interactive family garden!
Other Landmarks + Unique Locations
Pennybacker Bridge
Admission Fee: None
Photo Fee: None
Reservation Required? No
If you’d like your family photos to feature gorgeous views of downtown Austin, check out the Pennybacker Bridge—also known as the Austin 360 Bridge thanks to its easy access from Loop 360. There’s a super cool overlook that you can take a quick, 10-minute hike to, where you’ll get great views of the bridge itself, as well as west Austin and the green countryside. You can’t beat golden hour at this overlook, even if it does get a little busier around sunset!
Sekrit Theater
Admission Fee: None
Photo Fee: Varies; see fee table here
Reservation Required? Yes
Sekrit Theater is one of the freaking coolest locations on this list by far; it’s this abandoned movie theater space that’s been turned into an award-winning wedding and event venue in Austin’s Eastside. You get access to SO many cool spaces and props including an enchanting greenhouse, lush gardens, a goldfish pond, a spacious backyard with a chandelier tree, and even this awesome vintage Ford truck!
The Lumen Room
Photo Fee: Starting at $75/hour
Reservation Required? Yes
If you’re picturing a contemporary studio session for your family photos, look no further than the Lumen Room—a modern, natural light photography studio with so much to offer. I love studio sessions for a more cozy, home-y vibe, except you don’t have to actually take the photos in your own home, or worry about cleaning everything up. The studio has everything you could need for a creative session, including a variety of couches and chairs, gorgeous natural lighting, and 1,100 square feet of space to use.
Commons Ford Ranch
Admission Fee: None
Photo Fee: None
Reservation Required? No
Want a little more of a rustic setting for your Austin family photos? Located on Lake Austin, Commons Ford Ranch is a fantastic option for a laid-back, playful family session! It’s dog-friendly with a boat dock, picnic area, and swimming area, along with beautiful lakeside scenery. I can just picture a cute little family picnic on the shores, with your little ones playing in the water or running around in the grass!
UT Campus
Admission Fee: None
Photo Fee: None
Reservation Required? No
The University of Texas at Austin is well-known for its gorgeous campus, boasting incredible architecture and unique design that make it an ideal spot for family photos. Check out buildings like the Littlefield Home, the UT Tower, the Gregory Gymnasium, and Claudia Taylor Johnson Hall for stunning backdrops!
BONUS: Your own home
Finally, your own home is an amazing option if you live in the Austin area! I’ll always adore the way in-home sessions feel a little extra cozy, intimate, and personal. . . there’s nothing like spending time with the people you love, in the place you call home. For my best tips on how to prepare for your in-home session, read through this guide I put together!
Austin Family Photographer
If we haven’t met yet, then hi friend—I’m Madison! I’m a family photographer based out of New Braunfels, Texas, but I love venturing up to Austin with clients who live in the city or want to get a slightly more urban vibe for their session. It would be a freaking dream to document your family at whatever stage or season of life you’re in, whether it be a relaxed session in your own home or a playful session at a scenic park. Inquire with me here to start chatting—I cannot wait to help you create & capture these special memories together!
Looking for family photo locations outside of Austin? Browse through my San Antonio & New Braunfels guides below!
