One of the best things about planning your engagement photos is deciding on the style and location. There are many beautiful options in the Houston area, so you’re sure to find a spot that perfectly reflects your personality as a couple.
Having traversed the city, I have acquainted myself with all of the coolest spots for engagement photoshoots in the area, as well as a few hidden gems you may not have considered. Check out some of my favorite locations below and see if any of these spark your interest!
1. DOWNTOWN HOUSTON
Downtown Houston is easily my first pick for an engagement shoot location. The bustling, busy streets and romantic city lights create the perfect fashionable and classy ambiance for a photoshoot. There’s no better way to represent your hometown than this! I enjoy walking up and down the streets and exploring new areas that inspire myself and my couples. Want to grab a drink inside one of the local bars? Heck yea, let’s do it! Pair this location with the Sabine Street Bridge right down the street and we can get a little greenery in your photos.
2. HERMANN PARK
This iconic park stuffed in the heart of Houston’s Museum District offers the perfect balance of urban and rural that suits any style of engagement shoot. The gorgeous reflection pool is surrounded by plenty of lush greenery, statues, bridges, fields, and other props to incorporate into your photoshoot. Bring your dog, some blankets, bubbly, or any other fun things that represent you two as a couple! Be sure and give yourself a little extra time to find parking if you’re shooting here on a weekend - As one of Houston’s largest parks and a popular spot for photoshoots, it can get pretty busy.
3. LAWLESS KITCHEN & SPIRITS
This posh downtown Houston restaurant is one of the more unique and secluded backdrops for any engagement photoshoot. Located in the Rice Hotel, a grand staircase leads you into a romantic, naked brick room lined with head to toe windows on one side, and a classy cocktail bar on the other. The outdoor patio displays stunning views of Downtown Houston and offer more diversity to your engagement shoot. Let’s photograph half of your session in the restaurant and the other half on the streets of downtown! This location is also perfect for any type of weather Houston throws our way. They do charge a $250 photography session fee but it’s well worth the money!
4. CLAY FAMILY EASTERN GLADES
I recently stumbled upon this massive 100 acre hidden gem in the middle of Houston when one of my couples suggested it for their engagement shoot location. This area absolutely blew me away! Connected to Memorial Park near Rice Military, the park has everything you could ask for in a backdrop for photos of you and your fiance. Large fields with tall grass, dense woods and swamplands surround a picturesque lake just begging to be photographed. Onsite bathrooms and plenty of parking are just icing on the cake. Nice!! Recently Memorial Park started charging $250 photo session fees for this park. It's unfortunate but totally worth the price in my opinion! Clay Family Eastern Glades Website
5. POST HOUSTON - DOWNTOWN
This newly-transformed, dynamic multipurpose building was once Houston’s USPS headquarters built in 1933 and sits on the sidelines of Downtown Houston. This place is one of my favorite spots to eat lunch or dinner and has what feels like 20 different food court-style restaurants inside. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is lively and vibrant, and of course it’s a really sweet spot for engagement to take engagement pictures.
Post HTX not only has a beautiful interior, but the rooftop gardens offer a lovely combination of greenery and striking views of Downtown Houston. Are you planning your engagement portraits during a hot month or rainy season? Post Houston is the perfect spot. The price to reserve Post HTX for a photoshoot is just $160 and they accept money order or cashier’s check. Be sure and book your spot a few weeks in advance to ensure you snag a spot - it’s definitely worth the cost. Post HTX Houston Website
6. HOUSTON ARBORETUM
The sheer size of some of these parks scattered throughout Houston is pretty mind-blowing. The Houston Arboretum is the perfect natural setting for your engagement shoot with the most dense rural environment Houston has to offer. Exploring the 155 acre property’s limitless trails in every direction is kind of a little adventure and offers something new and different every time I visit. The Houston Arboretum has plenty of parking off of the 610 feeder and another lot off of Woodway. Even if the park is packed with visitors it’s rare that you run into them. The vast amount of real estate will ensure our engagement shoot has minimal interruptions.
7. SABINE STREET BRIDGE
The Sabine Bridge sits just outside of Downtown Houston and is a great way to include both an urban and rural vibe in your engagement shoot. You’ll find this awesome spot just a few minutes West of downtown sitting on top of the massive Eleanor Tinsley Park. The bridge itself has a great view of Downtown Houston and is a cool way to show off your Houston pride! Take the stairs down to the park next to Buffalo bayou and you’ll find rolling grass hills, plenty of trails and bridges, and tons of walking and biking trails.
8. GALVESTON ISLAND
Galveston Island isn't only great for beach days - this romantic and quaint town is the perfect spot for an engagement shoot. The cute, historic downtown region, also known as The Strand, is filled with old-timey shops, brick roads, and rustic alley ways. Perfect for a romantic, serious feel. After photographing your formal outfits, let's change into something a bit more casual and head down to the beach for some fun! I love kicking off my shoes and playing in the water with my couples.
9. RIVER OAKS GARDEN CLUB
The River Oaks Garden Club is another quaint and private venue you can rent out for an engagement or bridal shoot. Hidden in the River Oaks area of Houston, this 1910 historical building is surrounded by lush gardens, fountains, and a really cool tunnel of greenery arches. The inside of the building hosts a couple of quaint rooms furnished with antique couches, chairs and tables. A small fee will grant you 2 hours of shoot time for your engagement or bridal session and is unlike any other location in Houston.
Your engagement photo shoot is a reflection of the love you share as a couple. It should be an experience that captures the essence of your unique bond and allows you to express yourselves freely. So take the time to explore different locations and styles that resonate with you as a duo, and don't be afraid to try something new and exciting.
And to all the lovebirds out there, I want to remind you that your engagement shoot isn't just about capturing pretty pictures - it's also about celebrating and preserving the beginning of a new chapter in your lives. So take a deep breath, take in each moment and enjoy the process with your partner. After all, these photos will serve as a cherished memory for years to come.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and I wish you all the best on your journey to wedded bliss. Happy shooting!