Austin Engagement Session Guide: Locations & Tips

Engagement season brings a lot of couples our way, especially those wanting to slow down and document this in-between moment before the wedding planning picks up. Sam and Dom’s Austin engagement session is a beautiful example of how meaningful that time can be! A chance to be together, explore the city, and have photos that reflect who you are right now.

We spent the afternoon exploring Austin; Auditorium Shores, Seaholm District, and Red Bud Isle. And what made their session so great wasn’t just the locations, it was how they showed up. They came in saying they weren’t very comfortable in front of the camera, which is something a lot of our couples tell us. But by leaning into the moment and trusting us, they ended up with engagement photos they love! Images that are fun, beautiful, and so full of the joy of the moment.

Whether you’re planning your engagement photos in Austin or you’re newly engaged and searching out ideas for your engagement session, here’s what we walk through with our couples before every session!

1. Choose a Location That Feels Like You

Where you choose to take your photos sets the tone for your entire session. Instead of picking a spot just because it’s popular or close by, choose a setting that is meaningful to you as a couple, and the kind of imagery you want to remember this season by.

Here’s how we encourage couples to think about it:

Make it personal
Where do you naturally spend time together? What places feel like your go-to spots in Austin? Is there a spot that’s woven into your story? A cafe? A bookstore? A ____?

Let it be an adventure!
Your engagement session can be an excuse to explore and do something new + fun together. Maybe it’s a scenic overlook you’ve always wanted to visit, a quiet trail, the water at sunset, or a rooftop. You and your partner can get creative and choose a spot that feels inspired and exciting!

Share your ideas with your photographer
This is one of the only times you’ll document your relationship before your wedding. If you’ve always imagined photos somewhere specific, let your photographer know what you’re thinking. We’re here to help bring your vision to life.

For Sam and Dom, moving through places like Auditorium Shores, the modern lines of Seaholm District, and the quiet nature at Red Bud Isle gave their gallery a mix of city energy and beautiful scenic moments. It felt like Austin, but more importantly, it felt like them.

See more Austin engagement session inspiration from Brooke and Carter’s session!

2. Pick Outfits That Photograph Beautifully + Feel Like You

You don’t have to reinvent your style or dress like someone you’re not. The best engagement session outfits are the ones where you feel confident and comfortable.

A few tips we always share with our couples:

• Neutrals and earthy tones always photograph beautifully and keep the focus on you.

• Avoid super saturated or neon colors, which can reflect onto skin or distract from the environment.

• Movement matters. Dresses or pieces that flow bring life and softness into your photos.

• Coordinate instead of matching. Think complementary tones, not identical outfits.

• Bring one casual outfit and one dressier look if you want variety.

• Dress with the location in mind. What works in the Hill Country looks different in downtown Austin.
  
  And above all: choose outfits that feel like you. If you’re uncomfortable the entire time, it will show in the photos. Confidence is always going to photograph better than any trend!

If you want an example of how outfits can reflect a couple’s vibe perfectly,
check out Tommy + Sophie’s engagement session at the Texas State Capitol.

3. Be Intentional With Your Time + Energy

This part matters more than anything else.

It’s extremely common for couples to feel nervous before their engagement session. Sam and Dom said the same thing. They weren’t sure what to do, how to pose, or if they would look natural. And we get it. We still get nervous before being photographed!

That’s why we always spend the first few minutes grounding the session. Talking through how it will go, addressing any nerves, and helping you settle into the rhythm of being together without pressure.

Here’s what we tell our couples:

Treat this as protected time for just the two of you.
For the next 90 minutes, nothing else matters. Not your to-do list, not perfection, not the camera, just the two of you.

Show up with good energy.
Let this be a small celebration of your relationship! Laugh, play, hold each other close. The energy you bring is what makes the photos come alive.

Lean into the moment instead of performing.
We’ll guide you, but the magic happens when you make those prompts your own. Whispering an inside joke, brushing hair behind a shoulder, walking hand in hand, or simply leaning into each other.

Trust is everything.
Trust us to guide you, and trust yourselves to just be. The most genuine images come from the in-between moments when you forget the camera is there.

This is why Sam and Dom’s gallery feels so effortless. Once they relaxed and focused on each other, everything shifted and just felt so natural. That’s the heart of an engagement session, and why we love photographing them.

Thinking About Your Own Austin Engagement Session?

If you’re newly engaged (or planning ahead), we’d love to help you create an engagement session that feels genuine, intentional, and true to your story. Whether you’re thinking of downtown Austin, the water at sunrise, the Hill Country, or somewhere completely unique to you, we’ll help you plan a location, choose outfits, and design an incredible engagement session.

Your engagement season deserves to be documented in a way that feels meaningful! If you're ready to start planning, we’d be honored to photograph this part of your story.