8 Best Family Photo Locations in New Braunfels, TX
As a New Braunfels based family photographer, you bet I’ve got a whole treasure trove of all the best spots in the city for photos—and today I’m passing along all those gems to you! New Braunfels may not be as well known as bigger cities like San Antonio or Austin, but I’ll be darned if I don’t give it the same amount of recognition for its unique beauty and warm, welcoming crowd. Photographing families in my hometown is incredibly special and a privilege that I hold close to my heart, whether it be exploring the creekside with you and your little ones, or documenting a romantic lakeside picnic in those last few weeks where it's just the two of you.
While my hope is that this guide helps you start envisioning your family, maternity, or motherhood session in New Braunfels and potentially narrowing down a location, know that I am absolutely here to help you decide, too! I know how overwhelming it can be seeing all these picturesque places and having no idea which would fit your session best; which would fit the vibe you’re going for. I know these locations inside and out—rest assured that I’ll be by your side, supporting you the entire way.
If you’re looking for locations closer to San Antonio for your family session, you may want to peruse through this guide instead!
8 Best Family Photo Locations in New Braunfels, TX
1. Cypress Bend Park
Kicking off this list is the beautiful Cypress Bend Park, which is this massive forested area along the Guadalupe River. Named after the abundance of—you guessed it—cypress trees that line the shores, this park spans over 100 acres of land that boasts an easily-accessible beach area, a colorful playground, places to go fishing, and plenty of covered pavilions. It’s the kind of place where you’d spend a sunny Saturday with your kiddos, floating on the water, taking advantage of the volleyball net, climbing on the playground, and maybe ending the day with a cozy picnic under a pavilion. I’m a firm believer that the best photo sessions are the ones that feel the most natural, the most organic; what’s more natural than inviting your photographer along to document your family play time? There’s no need to force any stiff poses or bribe the little ones with snacks when they’re already running along the shoreline having the time of their lives! (And if there does need to be some bribery involved, then no harm, no foul) ;)
2. Dry Comal Trail
Do you and your fam love to hit the trails together? Venture into the woods? Wander through the wilderness? If so, then you’re going to love the Dry Comal Trail, located just off Dry Comal Creek! This 2.25-mile loop winds through quite the collection of environments and habitats, from upland forests full of towering old-growth oaks to savannas with prickly pear cacti. The tranquil atmosphere of this wooded area makes it a beautiful place to find connection as a family, admiring the views and looking out for wildlife as you meander along the path. Early mornings make for the best summertime hikes due to the daytime heat, but the trail does have quite a lot of shade that you can retreat to as needed. Play a little game together by having your little ones watch for different wildflowers + birds, and spot as many colors as they can along the way!
3. The Downtown Room
I’ve been a huge fan lately of in-studio sessions, and fortunately, we’ve got the perfect place to do ‘em here in downtown New Braunfels: the Downtown Room! It’s an absolutely GORGEOUS studio right in the heart of downtown, full of natural light, beautiful decor, and all the charming quirks that you’d only get from a historic building like this. I personally love this option so much for families who want that home-y vibe but don’t actually want to hold their session in their own home — or don’t want to have to deal with moving around any furniture, cleaning up, etc. The studio has EVERYTHING you need, from cozy couches to cute chairs, plus two different dressing rooms to use. I am so glad this studio opened up and that we now have such a gorgeous indoor space to use in town!
4. Landa Park
If you’re a New Braunfels local, then you’re no doubt familiar with Landa Park—it’s only one of the most iconic spots in town! With just over 50 acres of picturesque parkland to explore and endless opportunities for water activities, Landa Park is the dream place to take your family on a blistering Texas weekend. Escape the heat with paddle boards, floaties, or kayaks out on the Comal River, or stick to dry land and enjoy the miles of walking + hiking trails, arboretum, picnic spaces, outdoor amphitheater, even the miniature train. How fun would it be to take this 15-minute scenic ride together on the Landa Park Train during your family session?! Your pets are also welcome to join you for your family session at Landa Park, as long as they’re on a leash at all times and you keep ‘em away from Comal Springs + the waterways.
P.S. Landa is gorgeous year-round, but it’s absolutely STUNNING in the fall. The way the changing leaves and transitioning colors create reflections in the water. . . to die for. If you know Texas, then you know that it stays pretty warm into September and October—so you’d likely still have plenty of chances to go for a swim even in the autumn months!
5. Faust Street Bridge
Looking for something a little more unique? Consider taking your family photos on Faust Street Bridge, one of New Braunfels’ most popular attractions that towers over the Guadalupe River! This landmark is steeped in historic significance, serving as a crossing for caravans back in the 18th century and later becoming a major crossing between Austin and San Antonio in the early 1900’s. Since then, it’s been restored into a beautiful, antique-style pedestrian bridge that tourists and locals alike flock to when looking for a good view! Not only is the bridge itself a prime spot for photos—you can also venture under the bridge for a walk or even a swim. You’ll often find people grilling, picnicking, and just lounging around, enjoying the scenery! There’s plenty of parking available close to the bridge, so it’s pretty easy to access and then explore the nearby area. Keep in mind that the bridge can get super busy on weekends, especially when it’s not too hot out, so if you can get there on a weekday or earlier in the day you’re more likely to have a bit of privacy!
6. Torrey Park
For families who’d prefer a smaller spot that doesn’t get quite as crowded, I’d recommend checking out Torrey Park; a quaint little neighborhood park just a couple miles north of Cypress Bend. I’d honestly say this park is a bit underrated, given how many fun things there are to do among the lush greenery and across the forested grounds, from the picnic tables to the walking paths. Brimming with wildlife and a variety of vegetation, it’s a great little area to explore with the kiddos and watch for + listen to birds, play fetch with your dogs, or just run around together playing a game of tag. It may be small, but Torrey Park is such a fantastic place to enjoy the shade on a warm summer day with your little ones!
7. Fischer Park
I’ve got one more park for ya, but this time it’s actually the biggest one in the New Braunfels park system: Fischer Park! If your kids love to play in the water but can’t actually swim yet, they’ll have a blast splashing around at the “sprayground” that Fischer Park has to offer. The Splash Pad boasts all sorts of spraying, sprouting, and misting toys that they will NEVER wnat to stop playing with! Combined with more than two miles of tree-lined trails, an abundance of sunshine, multiple playgrounds, and even a couple of fishing ponds, you’ll never run out of ways to spend time as a family at Fischer Park. And after playtime is over, you can head to the hilltop to watch the sunset over New Braunfels—maybe with a little picnic basket in hand? The opportunities are endless in this picturesque 60+ acre park.
8. Your own home/property
Now this one isn’t a specific location in New Braunfels, but rather your own home or property! Taking your family photos at home is truly one of the most personal, heartfelt ways to capture this chapter of your life. There’s something incredibly meaningful about documenting your family in the place you call home; the space filled with cherished memories and all the comforts of your daily life together. Preserving those candid, everyday moments where your family feels most at ease is what I LIVE for as a family photographer—whether you’re curled up on the couch playing games or whipping up your favorite Saturday morning brunch, these simple, real-life moments are where the magic happens. All you have to do is live, and I’ll be there to capture the heart of your family’s story as you do it.
If you’re liking the sound of that, be sure to check out my guide to How to Get Ready for In-Home Family Photos to ensure you’re prepped + ready to go when the day arrives!
New Braunfels Family Photographer
I absolutely cannot wait to see which of these New Braunfels family photo locations is calling to you—whether a day in the park or a cuddle sesh in your home feels more authentic to you, I’d be honored to tag along + document it all for you. These moments are the ones you will treasure forever; the ones you’ll frame on your wall for years to come; the ones you’ll showcase in albums just to embarrass your kids when they become teenagers. They’re ones you never want to take for granted, and as a New Braunfels family photographer, it’s my job to freeze them in time for you. Learn more about me here to see if you feel a connection, and if so, inquire with me here so we can start planning, dreaming, and bringing your vision to life!
