MY FAVORITE
AUSTIN, TEXAS
PHOTOSHOOT LOCATIONS
Let's be real, Austin is incredibly special and filled with a lot of unique spots to take photos! Having so many beautiful places to pick from can make the decision difficult. I've compiled a comprehensive list of some wonderful photoshoot options to choose from. The list is filled with all sorts of locations, some are free and some charge a fee. Each location provides a variety of backdrops that would be great for any type of session. If there isn't a gallery link below that means I haven't gotten a chance to take photos there but I've heard or seen from others that these places are special. I would love to check them out with you!
PARKS + NATURAL AREAS
Free
AUDITORIUM SHORES -
In the heart of downtown Austin, showcases Lady Bird Lake and the skyline.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/downtown-austin-proposal
900 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
AUSTIN BOARDWALK -
East of 35, great for anyone that loves the water. Can be crowded with pedestrians!
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/katelyn-andrew/
1800 S Lakeshore Blvd, Austin, TX 78741
Auditorium Shores
One of my favorite parks, features unique rocks and shallow waters to play in.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/sarah-colin/
6701 Lakewood Dr, Austin, TX 78731
CIRCLE C PARK -
Lovely open fields in South Austin, a great spot for family sessions. Filled with bluebonnets in the spring!
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/circle-c-park-family-session-ellies-first-birthday/
6301 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78739
Commons Ford
My favorite spot! You will feel like you're in the middle of the hill country. It is breathtaking.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/common-fords-engagements-lauren-ryan/
614 N Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX 78733
A little island on Lady Bird Lake. Perfect for photos with your pup. Usually pretty crowded!
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/the-castaneda-family/
3401 Redbud Trail, Austin, TX 78746
AUSTIN ROOFTOP -
This rooftop is so much fun and perfect for more of an edgy vibe!
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/downtown-austin-rooftop-engagements/
300 San Antonio St, Austin, TX 78701
BUTTERFLY BRIDGE -
A dreamy yet very architectural bridge offers a very different outdoor setting!
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/austin-texas-baby-announcement
2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701
Mount Bonnell
MOUNT BONNELL -
A natural overlook with a perfect view! A decent walk uphill to the picture perfect spot!
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/mount-bonnell-proposal
3800 Mt Bonnell Rd, Austin, TX 78731
Photo Fee
A pink granite mountain about an 90 minutes from Austin. Trust me, the views are worth the drive!
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/enchanted-rock-engagements-megan-matt/
16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Entrance Fee: $8/adult
An intimate natural pool preserve with a stunning waterfall.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/lindsey-austin/
24300 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Entrance Fee: $12/vehicle + $8/adult
Hamilton Pools
16-acre botanical garden of Texas. Offers a lot of different backgrounds!
4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739
Entrance Fee: $15/adult
Photo Fee: $100 (weekday) $250 (weekend/after hours)
McKinney Falls
Such an incredible park! Features beautiful waterfalls and unique rock formations.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/mckinney-falls-baby-announcement
5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744
Entrance Fee: $6/adult
Photo Fee: $25
A lovely garden with lots of different backgrounds to choose from! Weekends tend to be crowded.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/mary-ryan/
2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746
Entrance Fee: $8/adult
Photo Fee: $50
Zilker Botanical Gardens
BUILDINGS + HOTELS + RESTAURANTS
Free
SOUTH CONGRESS -
City look with lots of fun photo spots including restaurants and coffee shops! https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/south-congress-engagements
South Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704
The most adorable place for fun headshots!
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/downtown-atx
1120 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703
Swedish Hill
Great lawns with lots of shade! Usually not too crowded.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/the-person-family/
1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Quirky Austin hotel with several unique indoor and outdoor spots.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/the-hisse-family/
400 Josephine St, Austin, TX 78704
The Carpenter Hotel
My alma mater! Hook 'em! UT's campus is absolutely stunning and has so much to offer!
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/austin-texas-engagements
Austin, TX 78712
UT at Austin
Photo Fee
Gorgeous venue featuring a historic mansion, glass ballroom, and lovely gardens.
10463 Sprinkle Rd, Austin, TX 78754
Photo Fee: $150/hour
Restored historic building featuring a large indoor space, outdoor courtyard, and skylight room.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/one-eleven-east-maternity-session
111 East St, Hutto, TX 78634
Photo Fee: $95/hour
Laguna Gloria
One of Austin's original estates turned into a stylish hotel and event venue.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/the-yorks/
1900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
Photo Fee: Yes
14 acre art-in-nature site nestled on Lady Bird Lake. Features an Italianate-style villa.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/laguna-gloria-engagements-brandi-mike/
3809 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703
Photo Fee: $150/hour
Lumen Room
Whimsical garden photography space with a beautiful greenhouse.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/sekrit-theater-engagements
1145 Perry Rd, Austin, TX 78721
Photo Fee: $100 - $200/hour
A unique venue in the Texas hill country with multi-story greenhouses and sweeping fields.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/greenhouse-at-driftwood-bridals
850 Darden Hill Rd, Driftwood, TX 78619
Photo Fee: $600/two hours
Sekrit Theater
A Texas historical landmark featuring a two story mansion, garden trellis, and elegant gazebo.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/woodbine-mansion-wedding-the-rathgebers/
405 E Main St, Round Rock, TX 78664
Photo Fee: Yes
A studio that can be transformed with details and props or kept simple. Great natural light!
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/lumen-room-maternity-session-the-rothbauers/
2307 Thornton Rd #213, Austin, TX 78704
Photo Fee: $75/hour
PARKS + NATURAL AREAS
Free
AUDITORIUM SHORES -
In the heart of downtown Austin, showcases Lady Bird Lake and the skyline.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/downtown-austin-proposal-sierra-chandler/
900 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
AUSTIN BOARDWALK -
East of 35, great for anyone that loves the water. Can be crowded with pedestrians!
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/katelyn-andrew/
1800 S Lakeshore Blvd, Austin, TX 78741
Auditorium Shores
One of my favorite parks, features unique rocks and shallow waters to play in.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/sarah-colin/
6701 Lakewood Dr, Austin, TX 78731
CIRCLE C PARK -
Lovely open fields in South Austin, a great spot for family sessions. Filled with bluebonnets in the spring!
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/circle-c-park-family-session-ellies-first-birthday/
6301 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78739
Commons Ford
My favorite spot! You will feel like you're in the middle of the hill country. It is breathtaking.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/common-fords-engagements-lauren-ryan/
614 N Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX 78733
A little island on Lady Bird Lake. Perfect for photos with your pup. Usually pretty crowded!
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/the-castaneda-family/
3401 Redbud Trail, Austin, TX 78746
Circle C Park
Photo Fee
A pink granite mountain about an 90 minutes from Austin. Trust me, the views are worth the drive!
16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Entrance Fee: $8/adult
An intimate natural pool preserve with a stunning waterfall.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/lindsey-austin/
24300 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Entrance Fee: $11/vehicle
Hamilton Pools
16-acre botanical garden of Texas. Offers a lot of different backgrounds!
4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739
Entrance Fee: $12/adult
Photo Fee: $100
McKinney Falls
Such an incredible park! Features beautiful waterfalls and unique rock formations.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/britney-will/
5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744
Entrance Fee: $6/adult
Photo Fee: $25
A lovely garden with lots of different backgrounds to choose from! Weekends tend to be crowded.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/mary-ryan/
2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746
Entrance Fee: $8/adult
Photo Fee: $50
Zilker Botanical Gardens
BUILDINGS + HOTELS + RESTAURANTS
Free
My favorite restaurant for photos! Love their neutral exterior and fun patio furniture!
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/jason-carroll/
5811 Berkman Dr, Austin, TX 78723
The most adorable place for fun headshots!
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/britney-reeves/
1120 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703
Great lawns with lots of shade! Usually not too crowded.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/the-person-family/
1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Swedish Hill
Quirky Austin hotel with several unique indoor and outdoor spots.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/the-hisse-family/
400 Josephine St, Austin, TX 78704
Carpenter Hotel
My alma mater! Hook 'em! UT's campus is absolutely stunning and has so much to offer!
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/taylor-mcintyre/
Austin, TX 78712
Photo Fee
UT at Austin
Gorgeous venue featuring a historic mansion, glass ballroom, and lovely gardens.
10463 Sprinkle Rd, Austin, TX 78754
Photo Fee: $75/hour
A fantastic art museum featuring an incredible atrium with stunning blue walls.
200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78712
Entrance Fee: $9/person
One of Austin's original estates turned into a stylish hotel and event venue.
https://kellyoconnorphotography.com/gallery/the-yorks/
1900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
Photo Fee: Yes
Laguna Gloria
14 acre art-in-nature site nestled on Lady Bird Lake. Features an Italianate-style villa.
3809 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703
Photo Fee: $100/hour
Whimsical garden photography space with a beautiful greenhouse.
1145 Perry Rd, Austin, TX 78721
Photo Fee: $100 - $200/hour
Hotel Ella
A unique venue in the Texas hill country with multi-story greenhouses and sweeping fields.
850 Darden Hill Rd, Driftwood, TX 78619
Photo Fee: $400/two hours
A Texas historical landmark featuring a two story mansion, garden trellis, and elegant gazebo.
405 E Main St, Round Rock, TX 78664
Photo Fee: Yes
Sekrit Theater