If you’re envisioning a quintessential Texas engagement session, consider taking your photos in the stunning bluebonnet fields throughout our state. Coleman and Camila wanted a beautiful outdoor setting that featured bluebonnet flowers, and the recreation area at Muleshoe Bend was the perfect fit. 

After meeting at University of Texas in 2017, Coleman and Camila became friends which slowly blossomed into their forever. They enjoy so many activities together, from cozy movie nights at home and cooking, to swing dancing, and even to rockclimbing! 

During their session, we focused on taking photos that not only showcase their love for one another, but also their playful and sweet personalities. I loved spending time with them and soaking in the joy that they felt about their upcoming marriage. 

Bluebonnet Season

Bluebonnets are wildflowers, and in wide open spaces all over the state of Texas. If you’re dreaming of frolicking in bluebonnet fields for your engagement photos, it’s almost the ideal time of year to get the most gorgeous blooms. Late March and early April is the peak of bluebonnet season where you’ll find the fullest fields throughout the area. This is also a great time of year to take outdoor photos because the temperature is still manageable without being too overwhelming or hot. 

Local Bluebonnet Fields

There are many options for taking photos nestled in the Texas bluebonnets around San Antonio and Austin, but some of the best fields do require a little bit of a drive. Read through to learn more about my favorite local spots. 

Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area

The Muleshoe Bend Recreation area is one of my favorite spots to take photos surrounded by bluebonnets—you can see from Coleman and Camila’s engagement session that there are flowers as far as the eye can see! There are also water views at this location which create gorgeous images, but due to the water levels, there is a possibility that it may be hit or miss depending on the season. 

McKinney Falls State Park

This park is one of my favorites because it offers so much in a convenient location. It has water views, bird watching, hiking trails, scenic views, and a beautiful wildflower field (including bluebonnet flowers!). One thing to keep in mind is that this park fills up quickly since it’s located so close to the Austin, Texas airport. If you’re planning on choosing this spot, make sure you book a reservation ahead of time.  

Lady Bird Johson Wildflower Center

This botanical garden is one of the best places to take photos with the bluebonnets, but it does require a fee for formal photography. That means if you want to visit and snap a few photos for your social media, there’s no charge. However, if we want to hold your engagement session on their property we need to pay in addition to the entry fee. On weekdays, the fee is $100, but on weekends and during off-hours the fee is $250. 

There are plenty of beautiful parks and bluebonnet fields that are either free or having a low-cost entry fee, so unless your heart is set on the Lady Bird Johnon Wildflower Center, it doesn’t land in my number 1 spot. 

Mission Reach

To find Texas bluebonnets close to San Antonio, Mission Reach is a great choice. Featuring historical landmarks, hiking, canoeing, and hot springs, it offers a full day of activity that you can enjoy following your session. It’s an 8-mile linear park that is truly a hidden gem in San Antonio, and will a serene and romantic location to celebrate your engagement. 

Notes

While there are beautiful bluebonnet fields in our area, there are also many other places to explore if you’d rather go farther from home. I’ve also discovered a few other locations I’d love to share that are my go-to spots for taking photos surrounded by a variety of colorful wildflowers, including bluebonnets. 

To capture the best images, prepare for your session by choosing clothing that will complement the bluebonnet colors rather than compete with them. More muted shades of blue can look beautiful, as well as pops of warm colors or a neutral palette. Just make sure that your clothing choices are coordinated to each other so all of the images look cohesive! 

If you want to learn more about planning the perfect wedding, read my post featuring my favorite Austin and San Antonio wedding vendors. 

Find your dream Hill Country wedding venue here.

See my proposal and engagement session services here.  
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Bluebonnet Engagement Session at Muleshoe Bend

the latest

Chris and Alma are getting married at Devil’s River Distillery so naturally, we had their engagement session there. We walked around downtown and then took some pictures at their wedding venue, and just walking around made me so excited to photograph their wedding day! After we took some photos near the River Walk, we went to a rooftop and I am in love with those shots. Even though this was their first time getting pictures taken, Chris and Alma were so natural in front of the camera.

Before the session, Alma told me that she was pretty nervous. But afterwards, she told me she felt so much more confident and ready for the wedding day! This is why I always recommend scheduling an engagement session with your wedding photographer. It is the perfect, low-stress moment to not only get more comfortable in front of the camera but more comfortable with your photographer. Alma said after this session she felt relieved because her trust in me as her photographer strengthened.

To see all the photos from this gorgeous Devil’s River Distillery engagement session, keep scrolling.

I hope you loved these photos as much as I do! For more engagement session inspiration, click here. To book me for your big day, click here.

Kind Words

“Lois was so great for my engagement photoshoot!! She was super kind and patient with us and she gave us recommendations for poses to help us feel more comfortable in front of the camera. Our sneak peek and full gallery came to us so much quicker than I expected and all the pictures looked amazing! When there were issues with viewing my gallery she responded quickly with a solution! I would recommend Lois to anyone who is looking for someone fun and professional to do their photoshoot!”

– Meghan Hartzell

Engagement Session at Devil’s River Distillery