8 Best Family Photo Locations in San Antonio, TX
If you’ve found your way here, I’m assuming you’re somewhere in the process of planning a family photo session in the San Antonio area—in which case, I’m excited to be the one to show you around! San Antonio is a lovely place to take your family or newborn photos thanks to its rich variety of historical landmarks, spacious parks, luscious gardens, and charming architecture. It’s not hard to see why anyone would want their session to take place in this warm, welcoming part of south-central Texas; it fosters such an inviting atmosphere for a personalized, unposed, and experience-based session.
As someone who’s photographed many a session in this vibrant city, I wanted to put together a list of my favorite family photo locations in San Antonio to make the planning process just a tad easier on you. In this blog post you’ll find a variety of options to choose from, and hopefully by the end you’ll have found the perfect match for your unique session. Let’s explore!
8 Best Family Photo Locations in San Antonio
1. Landa Library
Landa Library is up first, located in the Monte Vista Historical District of San Antonio near Alamo Heights. This isn’t just another branch of the San Antonio Public Library; it’s a full-on conservancy boasting some of the most gorgeous grounds in the city. Brimming with lush greenery, manicured gardens, and stunning architecture featuring stucco & European-inspired decor (including a crystal chandelier brought from Italy!), this historic property is an ideal location for families who want their session to take place among pristine landscaping and the beauty of nature. The community gardens (home to over 7,000 plants) are simply breathtaking—great for Christmas-card-worthy shots of the whole family—and there’s even a playground for the kiddos to enjoy during your session. This is part of the reason I love Landa so much for families: there’s a little bit of something for everyone, and your kids will be able to run around, have fun, and play, even amongst the immaculate landscapes that feel oh-so-elegant!
The library grounds were the perfect spot for Peyton’s newborn session, providing an intimate and tranquil atmosphere to capture her little one. The sun came through for this brand new mama and gave us just the soft, inviting energy we were looking for.
2. Phil Hardberger Park
Nestled on 330 beautiful acres in San Antonio, Phil Hardberger Park is one of those places that’ll make you forget you’re even in a city. What used to be a simple city park has been turned into an incredible conservancy and nonprofit organization, committed to preserving the undeveloped beauty of the park and increasing access to sustainable natural landscapes in this urban area. You may be surprised to learn that the park has 7.5 miles of trails that connect to the Howard Peak Greenway, offering an incredible place to escape the hustle and bustle of San Antonio and into the serenity of nature! Throughout the park there are endless spots to enjoy during your family photo session, including three trail loops, a restored wetland, open fields, dog parks, butterfly gardens, and two different playgrounds. There’s even a nature play area, where your kiddos can safely climb, explore, and just be kids! It’s safe to say that your fam will have no shortage of fun things to do during your session, just spending quality time together exploring the park as you might on a regular weekend :)
Joelle and her sweet family took advantage of the beautiful park grounds by snuggling up on a blanket together, enjoying the sunshine and being present in some of their last few moments as a family of three. What a joy to be in such an amazing place with such special humans.
3. Confluence Park
Confluence Park offers an 8-mile stretch of woodland ecosystem, making it a popular place for outdoor lovers to congregate in San Antonio and enjoy the beauty of nature together. With a focus on sustainability and stewardship toward the environment, it’s a lovely park for families to enjoy time together amongst the trees and the woodlands, with many opportunities to hike, bike, and paddle. How fun would it be to enjoy a little bike ride together along the trails while I snap photos? Much better than anything posed, in my opinion; you’d have those memories to remember forever, a new experience to treasure (and maybe repeat again in the future).
4. Japanese Tea Garden
The Japanese Garden is another fabulous location for family photos in San Antonio if your family is looking for a breathtaking garden setting filled with vibrant flowers and gorgeous foliage, plus the unique touch of Japanese art and architecture. A stunning locale in Brackenridge Park, the garden is home to a diverse array of super photogenic spots including lily ponds filled with koi, stone archways, a Japanese pavilion, a waterfall, and even a little island. Colorful florals are on display year-round, making this a popular destination for anyone exploring the city. Due to its popularity, it’s important to be aware of other visitors crowding the gardens; I’ll be happy to recommend a specific time of day & day of the week that I think would make for the most privacy for your session!
The gardens are dog-friendly (as long as your pup is on a leash), so feel free to bring your fur babies along, as well. After all, they’re just as much an important part of your family as you and your kids! Note that if you or any of your family members need additional accessibility, the upper garden and pavilion areas of the garden offer ramps, as well as designated accessible parking in the lot.
I explored the gardens with Christy for her maternity session, and the greenery made for the most spectacular setting for her photos; the blue floral dress she wore was a stunning pop of color against the deep greens of the foliage around her. What a beauty!
5. Cibolo Nature Center
Yet another picturesque conservancy that would be a dream come true for family sessions. With over 6 miles of trails and a serene environment brimming with native foliage, the Cibolo Nature Center invites every visitor to connect with the beauty of nature; with the power of the outdoors. You and your little ones can spend time exploring the marshes and looking for wildlife, dipping your toes in the creek, and soaking up the calming effects of the landscapes around you. How fun would it be to pick up a field guide at the visitor center and see how many birds your kiddos can identify, or to pack a picnic to enjoy as you admire the beauty around you? The Cibolo has even created exact track replicas of dinosaur tracks that were uncovered in a flood back in 1997—just imagine your kids’ faces when you find them at trailheads throughout the center!
6. Joshua Springs Park
Joshua Springs Park is one of the best destinations in San Antonio for outdoor enthusiasts, boasting 8 miles of trails amidst over 350 acres of terrain in the Texas Hill Country. I can just picture a sweet little fam walking along the trails to the lake to go fishing together, or munching on a yummy picnic under one of the covered picnic areas. Whether you want to take it easy and relax by the lake or bring your bikes for some family fun on the trails, Joshua Springs Park has something to offer everyone. Wildlife viewing and bird watching will never fail to be a great time for both kids and adults alike, and neither will admiring the scenery. There’s even an off-leash dog park if you want to let your four-legged friend(s) run loose and you need a little break from the camera!
7. Denman Estate Park
Denman Estate Park may not be the biggest park on this list, but it sure is a hidden oasis in the middle of a charming San Antonio neighborhood. A duck pond, meditation path, and incredibly beautiful Korean monument make this one of the more unique parks in the area, just a short drive from the city but with an atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re in a land far, far away. With such a wide range of photo opportunities including the Denman mansion, a short walking trail, the pavilion from Gwangju, and gorgeous tree-lined pathways, Denman Estate Park offers an easy escape from city life that anyone would crave. The park may be small, but it’s incredibly tranquil and so worth a visit during your San Antonio family photo session!
8. Your own home/property
Finally, having your family photos taken at your own home is SUCH a special way to capture this season in your lives. What could possibly be more intimate and meaningful than having your fam-bam documented in the place you call home? The place you’ve turned into your own, where you’ve created thousands of unforgettable memories already, where you will always come back to at the end of the day? Plus, having an experience-based, personalized session is pretty much effortless when it takes place in your home; all you have to do is whatever you’d normally do on a day at home together. Maybe that means snuggling up on the couch and reading a book as a family, or maybe that means cooking breakfast together in the kitchen, the two of you doing most of the work making those delicious pancakes while your kiddos run around and throw powdered sugar everywhere. The beauty is in those small, every day moments, and documenting them is a breeze when you’re in the space where you’re most comfortable, and most yourselves.
I’m obsessed with in-home family photos, newborn photos, you name it. . . they will always hold a special place in my heart. In fact, I even wrote a quick & easy guide to getting ready for your own in-home sesh—check it out here!
San Antonio Family Photographer
If you’re finding it hard to choose from this huge variety of amazing family photo locations, don’t you worry—that’s exactly what I’m here for! As a San Antonio family photographer, I know a lot of these spots inside and out, and the rest of them I can’t wait to explore with you. You’ll be able to fully relax and be present during your session knowing that you’ve got a trusted professional guiding you whenever you need—but also allowing you the space and freedom to be yourselves in front of the camera. You’ll NEVER find me pressuring you into stiff poses, or forced portraits; it’s just not my vibe, and if you’re still reading this, I’m guessing it’s not yours, either.
Learn more about my San Antonio family photo packages here, and then reach out when you’re ready to work together. I absolutely cannot wait to connect and create with you!
