Houston is a pretty big place, so finding a spot to do your engagement session can be overwhelming! I have compiled a list of my favorite spots around Houston to help everyone with this arduous task. And honestly? Don’t feel like you have to find the most exciting or best spot ever. Truth be told, I have put couples in a ditch because the area around them looked great! I kid you not! What is most important is showing off the love between the two of you!
The first thing you need to think about is your love story. Where did you meet? Get engaged? What do you love to do together? Any of these answers can help you find a spot for your engagement session. Is there a spot in Houston you have your heart set on? I encourage doing it where you will most happy.
Park
There are a ton of parks in the Houston area. Also, a lot of them are now charging fees. Centennial Gardens? Fee. Arboretum? Fee. Japanese Garden in Hermann Park? No professional photography is permitted there. Disappointing, right? But, there are other parks that are just as beautiful and are free. Eleanor Tinsley Park has the skyline of Houston behind it, and it’s on Buffalo Bayou, which is perfect. Discovery Green has a wealth of spots, and is a short walk to downtown, where you can do some urban looking pictures. Sam Houston Park, Helen’s Park, Fernland Historical Park are all awesome options! Most couples choose parks because they like the greenery in the photos, they might love a bridge or water feature as well. You can set up a picnic or sit on a bench. Plus there are usually places you can get changed in if you want to do more than one outfit.
Wedding Venue
Some wedding venues will let you do the engagement session there for free or a small extra fee. Places like Bell Tower on 34th or Peach Creek Ranch do this. It’s a great idea to do them there so we can get to know the space together in a relaxed setting. That means that on your wedding day we will know all the best spots to take pictures.
Graffiti Walls
Houston has a ton of graffiti walls, and some of them change throughout the year. I love the ones on Leeland Street, and have done many a session there. There’s also the biscuit wall, with the colored dripping paint. In fact, Montrose is a hot bed of cool graffiti walls! Just take a drive down the street and I bet you will find a wall you love. One of my favorite walls has been painted over recently: the Sugar & Cloth color wall. They even had colored steps!! I was super sad to see it go. What is even cooler is there is a list of all the graffiti walls in Houston, which has proven to be helpful to me many times!
Studio
Did you know I have a studio? It’s true!! All white walls, concrete floors, a couch and cute chairs! I have captured several sessions in the space. But, if you are wanting a space that has exposed brick or simply a different feel, there are places like the Houston Rental Studio, Studio HTX or Houston Warehouse Studios to name a few. They all have different characteristics and all work for a great session.
Beach
We live so close to Galveston! And they have the coolest areas to photograph at! There’s the Pleasure Pier, the beach, the Strand, Beachtown! For such a small area, it has so much you can work with. These sessions work best either at sunrise or sunset, when the sun isn’t at its full strength. Plus, when the sun is juuust right, you get the dreamiest photos!! 
Random Cool Places
Ha ha, random places? Yeah, I said it! There are places that defy categorization but are super cool!! Like the 1940 Air Terminal or the Sugar Land Regional Airport. Because planes!! And some of these places even let you in a plane, which is badass! Or, for a totally different vibe, there’s Old Town Spring, which has a super cute buildings and lots of tall grass and greenery around for a country-esque feel. But one of my favorites? Pubs or bars with a great vibe. One of my favorite places is Down House in the Heights. There is this great leather couch there, plus a beautiful exterior.
Have you been inspired? Feel like you have a better idea of what you want from your engagement pictures? Let me know in the comments!
Love my work? Want me to capture you and yours? Let’s talk!! It’s easy, my email address is Christine@swishnclick.com. Let’s have a heart-to-heart, get excited about the possibilities of your wedding or session and come up with a plan that is uniquely you! I want to hear from you!
