Family Portraits
So, the question is where should we do our Summer & Fall Family portraits. The answer is there are places all over San Antonio and within 30 miles. Here are ten places in order of my preference:
1) San Antonio Riverwalk - We love to shoot here. It is our number one go to spot. First of all, the place we choose, has plenty of free or close to free parking. Easy access to the riverwalk, which can help if you have elderly people. Also, this spot has very low traffic of tourists. No cost to be there.
2) King William - Very close to downtown with a centrally located with plenty of free parking. Also, it is free and tourist traffic is low. 2 different areas including the bridge, green park like area and the river. This location is free.
3) Confluence Park - Excellent place for family portraits and senior portraits but not great for large families. Concrete, green, lots of green, and the river too. Wildflowers and trees. Excellent choice. It is also no cost to capture portraits there. Parking is sometimes iffy.
4) The Denman Estate - Near northwest area and great for large groups. They have a lake, a Korean pagoda, lots of trees and normally not over crowded. A pro is that it is free.
5) The Pearl - Over crowded, over rated, more industrial and hard to get portraits without having lots of people in the background. The river is there and some green, not too much. Hard for larger families. This place is my least favorite locale. It is free.
6) Cibolo Nature Center - Located in Boerne, lots of trees, grasses, river with shade and open fields. Not over crowded and convenient if one lives in the NW. It is very rural and great for families. Cost is reasonable, last time it was $25 for permit.
7) The Japanese Tea Garden - Located in the near Northside, this place is not what it used to be. All the vines that were running up the wall died in the 2021 freeze and the fact that they had been there for years made it hard to remove them. The waterfall is so green with algae. It is crowded normally. Better for a senior or a quince portrait. Not the best for families. But it is currently free.
8) The McNay Museum - Over sold. It can be nice but the space is limited and it does cost to go there. $35 gets you the outside and $125 will get you the courtyard but limited days to do that. It is true that your mom, your grandma and probably your great grandmother did their bridal portraits there. This place is a good back up place if you can not think of any other place.
9) The Missions - $100 for pulled permit but worth it. Only San Jose really works best for doing portraits. There are different buildings and if one is looking for truly, "puro" San Antonio vibe, then this place will give it to you.
10) Government Canyon - Rural, free and lots of open space and green. Better for that golden hour.
11) Hayes Street Bridge - No no no! Not a fan. Limited for moving around and no space for extra poses.
12) Guadalupe State Park - Excellent choice for images that are rural, old Texas feel. If your family wears cowboy boots, this place is for you. Harder on older people as there is some climbing and walking to get there. The cost is $7 per person, a reasonable price.
13) Dos Kiwis Studio - No worry of rain, only a session fee, not great for large families but can accommodate smaller families. Many different backdrops and furniture from which to choose.
14) Your House - This can be a great place to shoot if you have a house you want to showcase in your family portrait. Also, if you have a ranch, it adds to the significance or your portrait.
15) Landa Library - Still free and near Northside. But the do require a permit retained 2 weeks in advance. There are not that many spots to choose for a family but good for senior or single portrait.
Let us help you to decide among some of these great choices. We can come up with the best place that fits your family well.
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