Many think wedding day planning begins with securing a wedding venue, selecting a color palette, and choosing vendors. But there’s a sentimental part of planning that deserves thoughtful and special attention, too: finding the perfect location for engagement photos in Houston.
You can take the romantic route and select a place that is meaningful to you as a couple — say, the site of your first date or where you got engaged. But to achieve best engagement photos in Houston, consider all the backdrops that are available to you. Love the lush look of a natural setting? A park or garden may be the ticket. Are you both art lovers? Head to one of Houston’s many museums or galleries.
For a little help narrowing down the options, Houston wedding photographer Aisha Khan of Ama by Aisha – Photography & Cinema shares some professional insight. Read on for her favorites as well as our picks for the best locations to take engagement photos in Houston and the surrounding area.
1. Buffalo Bayou Park
A beautiful greenspace that stretches 160 acres, Buffalo Bayou Park offers an array of backgrounds perfect for Houston engagement photos. The Water Works, the entry point to the park, features a grassy plateau, an elevated pavilion, and spectacular views of the Houston skyline. Lost Lake is a prime photo opportunity with its verdant wetland gardens and charming paddle crafts. Meanwhile, Eleanor Tinsley Park, a subsection of the larger park, is a great grassy backdrop for posing with pets on a leash.
2. Cullen Sculpture Garden
Located at Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts is the lovely Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden. Framed by concrete walls, it mixes the beauty of a lush setting with outstanding works of art. Nature-loving couples will love the rolling lawns, native trees, flowering creeping myrtle, and bamboo plants. There are also sculptures by Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Henri Matisse, David Smith, and Auguste Rodin, among others.
3. Discovery Green
Situated downtown, Discovery Green is a popular public park perfect for Houston engagement photos. It serves as an urban oasis amid the impressive skyscrapers of the city. Oaks, sycamores, trees, and wetland plants are among the lavish vegetation covering nearly 12 acres between La Branch Street and Avenida de las Americas. Kinder Lake makes a beautiful backdrop for photos, as does the Houston skyline visible from the Andrea and Bill White Promenade. Public artworks, interactive water features, event spaces, and a playground round out the park’s photogenic offerings.
4. East of Downtown (EaDo)
“Full of warehouses, graffiti, and even some abandoned buildings, East of Downtown is definitely a cool spot for edgy couples,” Khan says. “The Houston Graffiti Building is a great place to start, but be sure to explore Canal Street, Navigation Boulevard, Buffalo Bayou, Commerce Street, and Congress Street. You’re bound to find hidden gems all over!”
5. Galveston
“The Galveston Historic District is full of old architecture, coffee shops, candy and gelato shops, bars, restaurants, and really cool back alleys,” describes Khan, who loves using the area as a backdrop for Houston engagement photos. “The nearby Pleasure Pier looks great at sunset both above and beneath!” Featuring attractions such as thrill rides, midway games, and an array of eateries, this Gulf Coast hotspot is teeming with excitement and photo ops. For a more romantic scene, just head under the pier!
6. Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
This striking, sculptural fountain in the Uptown District recirculates 11,000 gallons of water through its multi-story structure, making Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park one of Houston’s most memorable outdoor attractions. Concrete and brick accentuate photogenic cascades of water to create romantic backdrops for photos. Meanwhile, stone columns add a regal touch and the surrounding park offers plenty of greenery for nature-loving couples. “Close to the Galleria Mall, it attracts many visitors which can make it challenging photographing with the crowds,” explains Khan. “If you can arrange it, a sunrise or weekday shoot is best, but the park also features rows of trees that can serve as a second photo location. Plus, the scenery is just as beautiful on the backside of the waterwall, so you’ll find it easier to not get so wet.”
7. Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
This sprawling, 155-acre nature sanctuary is located in Memorial Park. It features 5 miles of nature trails that wind through a variety of scenic habitats including forest, wetland, and prairie. Specialty gardens offer plantings specifically designed to attract wildlife such as hummingbirds and butterflies, which makes for beautiful photo backdrops. Admission is free, but professional photography requires a one-time fee. You could also opt to pay a yearly rate of $150, which comes with a membership. See the front desk for details and to check-in prior to your engagement session.
8. Japanese Garden
Situated in the heart of the city, Hermann Park is home to a variety of picturesque highlights on its 445 acres, including the Japanese Garden. The garden was built in a traditional Japanese design known as the Daiymo Style, which dates all the way back to the 17th century and is based on the Zen philosophy. A traditional Japanese gate flanked by trees marks the entrance to the garden and boasts a stone lantern, waterfall, teahouse, and small arbor. Hours change seasonally, so confirm it will be open before planning your engagement session.
9. Kemah Boardwalk
“Neon lights and carnival rides – need I say more?!” Khan says. “[Kemah Boardwalk is] very relaxed with the photography policy, too. Just be sure to get tickets for rides and have some fun! Close by, there’s also El Jardin Beach, which is a quiet beach spot that can serve as a second photo location.”
10. Main Street
“[Main Street is] one of the best locations in Houston due to its age, versatility, and many interesting spots,” explains Khan. “Start on the north part of downtown at the historic Allen’s Landing Park featuring the city’s birthplace and original port. A gorgeous view of the city can be seen as soon as you walk out of the park with the light rails going north and south. Keep going south and more historical buildings, bars, and restaurants will be along the way, which make perfect backdrops for romantic engagement photos. The city lights allow for great photos even at night!”
11. McGovern Centennial Gardens
Also located in Hermann Park covering an area of eight acres, McGovern Centennial Gardens features a Rose Garden, an Arid Garden, a Woodland Garden, more than 50 species of trees, and an ornate Friendship Pavilion perfect for photographs. Artwork abounds throughout the area, with beautiful sculptures and monuments taking center stage. Hours change seasonally, staying open later during the warmer months and closing earlier during the winter.
12. The Museum District
Positioned downtown, the Museum District is a popular cultural attraction with a collection of 19 museums located within a 1.5-mile radius. “Between the Museum of Fine Arts – Houston, the Contemporary Arts Museum, Glassell School of Art, and the Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden, you’ll find yourself very entertained!” Khan says. “The sites feature modern architecture mixed with nature, so you get the best of both worlds.”
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