Shelby & Matt's Riverwalk Engagement Session // San Antonio, TX

Shelby & Matt’s magical Riverwalk Engagement Session in San Antonio Texas

Getting to walk around on the San Antonio River Walk for an Engagement Session, right before Christmas, was MAGICAL y’all!

Shelby & Matt had their heart set on this gorgeous landmark, and I happily obliged.

If you’ve ever been to the Riverwalk, you know that it is a big tourist attraction. As it should be! It has gorgeous architecture everywhere you look, and it feels so serene…even with people everywhere.

The challenge for any photographer in this space, is trying to find a way to create clean backgrounds WITHOUT a crowd of people around your couple! I think we do pretty good. People were super kind, and waited as we got a shot here, and a shot there. There is just beauty everywhere you turn, and it made for a spectacular Engagement Session.

3 tips for Engagement Session on the Riverwalk, San Antonio TX

You MUST get a permit to shoot there (as in the photographer must have one). It’s free, you just have to apply thru the San Antonio Film Commission. Movies, commercials, big photo shoots etc go on there, and they want to know who is there and why. We didn’t get asked to see our permit, but I felt much better knowing I had taken the time to get one in case we were asked.
If taking any portraits on any of the gorgeous little bridges, be kind to the crowd and they will be kind in return! Let them pass in droves and then take your opportunity to shoot in short spurts so the next crowd sees what you are doing and knows you aren’t going to block their way forever.
Look for the less obvious places! The GORGEOUS San Fernando Cathedral is right off the Riverwalk, and my couple definitely wanted a shot in front of this stunning landmark. However, there was a Wedding taking place, or really portrait time AFTER the wedding was taking place. So we did the next best thing! We walked around the side of the building and found a beautiful spot that worked absolutely perfect. We waited for a few minutes but it was clear they were going to be longer than we wanted to wait so we began to walk in the other direction. As we did so, we walked in front of the courthouse across the street. It had a beautiful little fountain in the courtyard, and no one was using it…so we did! And those are honestly probably some of my favorite shots of this session…potentially ever! The light was absolutely perfection, Shelby’s red velvet (umm hello! Yea obsessed!) dress complimented her creamy skin and red lips, and Matt was so sweet and nuzzled with her just right! I literally couldn’t have asked for a more perfect scenario!!

The Riverwalk was a blast! Walking and talking, taking in the landscape as we shot this Engagement Session was just amazing. I’m all about traveling for your perfect Engagement Session location, so don’t be afraid to ask!!