Lynncey and Logan couldn’t choose between elegant and outdoorsy for their engagement session, and instead of picking one, we just did both! We started at Hotel Ella in downtown Austin and then drove about thirty minutes out to McKinney Falls State Park, and the contrast between the two was so good. Two completely different vibes, two outfit changes, two different engagement photo locations, but one really beautiful session. It’s one of my favorite ways to approach an engagement session, and this one is a really good example of why.
Why Two Engagement Photo Locations Are Better Than One
If you’re in the research phase of planning your engagement session and you’re torn between two completely different vibes, I’d really encourage you to consider doing both instead of forcing yourself to choose. Most engagement sessions run between 1-2 hours, which gives you plenty of time to shoot at two locations comfortably, especially if they’re within thirty minutes of each other.
The variety it adds to your gallery is so worth it. Instead of every photo having the same backdrop and the same light, your gallery ends up feeling like it has two distinct chapters. It also gives you a natural reason to bring two outfits, which adds even more variety and makes the whole session feel more dynamic. And practically speaking, moving locations gives both of you a chance to reset and shake off any initial nerves, which usually means the second location ends up producing some of the most relaxed and genuine photos of the whole session.
Hotel Ella — Where to Go When You Want Elegant
Hotel Ella is one of those Austin engagement photo locations that does a lot of the work for you. It’s a Greek Revival mansion built in 1898 as a wedding gift, which already gives it this really romantic and storied quality before you even pick up a camera. The columned porches, the historic architecture, the wraparound veranda, the Parlor Bar inside- all of it creates so many different backdrops within one property.
For Lynncey and Logan, the hotel gave the first half of the session this really elevated and timeless feeling. The columns and the architecture photographed beautifully, and the property itself is so well maintained that every corner feels intentional. If you’re a couple who loves a classic, elegant look for part of your gallery, Hotel Ella is genuinely one of the best engagement photo locations in Austin for that.
A few things worth knowing before you shoot there: Hotel Ella is an active boutique hotel, so the property is open to guests. It’s worth being mindful of that during busier times and having a photographer who knows how to work within the space naturally. Early morning or late afternoon on a weekday tends to give you the most flexibility.
McKinney Falls State Park — Where to Go When You Want Natural
McKinney Falls State Park is about thirty minutes from Hotel Ella, and it was the perfect second location for this engagement shoot! For couples who want that more natural, outdoorsy feel in their engagement gallery, McKinney Falls is one of the best engagement photo locations in Austin for exactly that. It doesn’t feel manicured or overly styled; it just feels like a really beautiful place that you happened to be in together, which is exactly the kind of energy that makes for really genuine candid photos.
A few practical things worth knowing: McKinney Falls State Park does require a day-use fee per person, so factor that into your planning. It can also get busy on weekends, so a weekday session or arriving later in the afternoon tends to work better for photos. Wear shoes you’re comfortable walking in since the terrain around the falls is rocky!
How to Plan a Two-Location Engagement Session in Austin
If you’re planning to shoot at two engagement photo locations in Austin, here are a few things that make the day run smoothly:
Build in a buffer between locations so you’re not rushing the transition. Thirty minutes of drive time plus a few minutes to get settled at the new spot means you want at least forty-five minutes between wrapping at one location and starting at the next.
Plan your outfits for each location intentionally! Hotel Ella calls for something a little more elevated, a dress, a blazer, something that feels polished. McKinney Falls is the perfect place for something more relaxed and casual. Switching between the two gives your gallery a really natural flow.
Book your session for late afternoon if you can. The light in Austin in the late afternoon is really beautiful at both locations, and it gives you that warm golden quality that makes engagement photos feel so dreamy. For more outfit inspiration, check out this guide on What to Wear for Engagement Photos, and for more engagement session ideas, this blog on Romantic Engagement Photo Ideas for Couples Who Want Their Session to Feel Like a Date is worth a read.
Looking for an Austin Engagement Photographer?
If you’re planning an engagement session in Austin and you want a local photographer who loves making the most of great locations, I’d love to be there for it! You can inquire with me below! Or if you want to see more inspiration, I share a ton of wedding, engagement, and proposal inspiration over on Pinterest!
For more from the journal, you can also check out this Fall Engagement Photos at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
and this blog, What to Wear for Engagement Photos: Field Engagements.
