Best San Antonio Botanical Garden Photo Locations

The beautiful colors and wide variety of backgrounds make the San Antonio Botanical Garden a prime location for photographers. The 39 acres has got it all: from densely wooded forests to modern greenhouses. So, no matter your aesthetic, the Botanical Garden can adapt to any shoot and model. But with so many excellent choices, it can be tough to choose. In today’s blog post, I’ll save you some time with a list of my top San Antonio Botanical Garden photo locations. Knowing where to go will make sure that your next photo shoot comes up roses.

Best San Antonio Botanical Garden Photo Locations – Kumamoto En Japanese Garden

Let’s start with one of the Botanical Garden’s most unique spaces, the Kumamoto En Japanese Garden. This little oasis of calm can be found just to the left as you enter the garden. As Japanese gardens go, the space is quite small. Yet, it has everything you need, from a sturdy gazebo to classic stone lanterns.

I have a few tips to make your photos here pure zen. Since the space is so small, it will be difficult to take photos without having others in the background. As such, my recommendation is to visit this garden during a less crowded time.

Also, the garden can – and should – be photographed from many different angles. Most people will concentrate on either the azumaya (Japanese-style gazebo) or the pond. However, the garden is split up such that you can segment your photo shoot with a focus on the stone lantern, the azumaya, the bridge and pathway, and then the pond itself. Pay special attention to taking photos from across the pond and of the tiny stone bridge.

Best San Antonio Botanical Garden Photo Locations – The Greenhouses

Lucile Halsell Conservatory

The most iconic structure at the San Antonio Botanical Garden would, of course, have to be the Lucile Halsell Conservatory. This is the pyramid-like glass conservatory that dominates the skyline of the garden. Unfortunately, the conservatory is undergoing major renovations, and will be closed to the public through October 2025. The lily pond in front of the conservatory, however, is still available for photos. Just be aware that there will be a large crane in the background of your image.

The Other Greenhouses

Also down for the count is the Exhibit Room. This is the greenhouse that everyone thinks of when you think of orchids and tropical plants. This greenhouse is getting a major overhaul, and will be out of commission through 2026.

As a worthy substitute, however, I might suggest you take photos in the fern grotto. The fern grotto has an eye-catching waterfall at the back of the space. Stone walls cover the sides of the greenhouse and are dotted with tropical plants. If your hair can withstand the humidity, then this greenhouse should definitely be on your shot list even without the orchids.

The desert greenhouse, likewise, is a unique space. Depending upon your taste in plants, this greenhouse may or may not appeal to you. The odd geometric shapes of the cacti offer stylized and artistic options for photos that you just can’t find in any other part of the garden.

The Staircase

There is one little architectural gem that often goes unnoticed by photographers at the botanical garden. That is, the staircase leading from the greenhouses into the old-fashioned gardens.

The staircase is covered in part by shade. It is the perfect reprieve if your photo shoot is scheduled during the hottest part of the day. You can have your subjects coming or going, as well as sitting on the stairs, provided there is no traffic. Sometimes it’s the simple shots that make the best photos.

Best San Antonio Botanical Garden Photo Locations – Amphitheater

The amphitheater, with its vine-covered trellis, is hands-down, my favorite photo location in the San Antonio Botanical Garden. No matter how high the sun is in the sky, this area always provides enough shade to give you fantastic photos.

The amphitheater provides a huge variety of portrait options. You can have wide shots on the lawn immediately in front of the amphitheater. Your subjects can be running towards you, or simply sitting on the stone steps. You can also do close-up shots with the vine covered trellis.

I find the space fantastic for one-on-one portraits, but it is equally good for group portraits.Indeed, the amphitheater would be the ideal location for a bridal party portrait.

Best San Antonio Botanical Garden Photo Locations – Classic Gardens

Rose and Old-Fashioned Gardens

The rose and old-fashioned gardens are the most colorful section of the San Antonio Botanical Garden. This area of the park receives the most love and care from the gardeners, and it shows. Any photo shoot at the Botanical Garden would have to include images in these gardens.

My recommendation is that you use this garden as a ‘stolen moment’ portrait. Shoot over the flowers at your subject and make it appear that you’re lost in a meadow. Flowers in the old-fashioned gardens beds are grown in the English style with multiple varieties grown close together, making it ideal for flower bokeh.

I have two important tips for taking photos in is section of the Botanical Garden. The first is that you have to schedule your session so that you hit the old-fashioned gardens when the sun is lower in the sky. Unfortunately, this area of the garden has virtually no shade. If you are visiting the Botanical Garden when the sun is directly overhead, your photos here will be horrible. If you want your images to showcase the beauty of the gardens instead of your blown out highlights, then schedule your photo shoot as close to golden hour as possible.

Second, take note that the rose and old-fashioned gardens are the most popular gardens in the park. If these gardens are going to be an important part of your photo shoot, then it is imperative that you schedule your session on a weekday when crowds will be at their lowest. The Botanical Garden is busiest on the weekends all throughout the day. But the good news is that the garden has extended hours on Wednesdays until 8:00 p.m. all throughout the month of August in 2025. Trust me, if you can visit during the week, you’ll have the garden all to yourself.

Sacred Garden

As an alternative to the old-fashioned gardens, you might spend your time in the sacred garden, found just to the side of the rose garden. This tiny little space surrounds a stone sculpture and has a few benches. There’s not much room here, but there is definitely more shade.

Best San Antonio Botanical Garden Photo Locations –Forested Gardens

Overlook

There is an area just in front of the amphitheater as you are walking towards the Texas native trail called the overlook. During my visit to the Botanical Garden, this section was undergoing a bit of a makeover. However, this is temporary maintenance work. If you can use some imagination to see beyond the piles of dirt, then please envision a beautiful skyline with your subject sitting on the bench.

Next to the overlook is the acequia, or water irrigation system. This is a lovely little fountain of sorts that could be great for reflective photos. In addition, the corner of the area has some beautiful trees that offer a wonderful amount of shade.

East Texas Pineywoods and Lake

The trail surrounding the lake in this part of the garden offers quite a bit of privacy. While it is not as appealing during the summer, this part of the garden really comes into its own during the fall.

One thing to note is that during the summer, the lake tends to have a thick layer of (what I am assuming is) algae on top. It’s not the most photogenic. In addition, you have to visit the pineywoods either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. If you are here during the middle of the day, you risk running into dappled light. As we all know, inconsistent light is the bane of any photographer’s existence.

My Top Tips for Taking Photos at the San Antonio Botanical Garden

Schedule your session during the week. The weekend is the most popular time to visit the Botanical Garden. While there is a vast amount of acreage, the gardens become very small once you have a crowd of photographers competing for the same locations. Do yourself a favor and book your session during the week.

I was there for my venue check on a Wednesday afternoon in August. There were perhaps all of five other guests in the garden with me. It was paradise.

Oh, and it goes without saying: don’t dare try to schedule a photo shoot on the Botanical Garden’s annual free day. The garden is an absolute zoo on this one day of the year.

Schedule your session as late – or as early – in the day as possible. Due to the fact that there is precious little shade in the garden, you need to schedule your photo shoot as close to golden hour as possible. This means you want to arrive either as early or as late in the day as you can so that the sun is not directly overhead producing harsh shadows.

By the way, you cannot schedule your session when the garden is closed, after hours, or during any private events.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden has seasonal hours as follows:

• November – January – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Daily
• March – October – 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Daily, and 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Sunday

I was told at the front desk that the garden will be open until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays through the month of August. I will note that this is not listed on the Botanical Garden website.

Botanical Garden members have special privileges and are allowed to come into the garden early from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. I confirmed with the Botanical Garden that if two members are coming into the garden and wish to have a photo shoot, they are allowed to bring in a non-member photographer for the early-hour session.

You must purchase a photo permit. Don’t even try to sneak around without purchasing a photo permit. The price is only $50, and this is in addition to the price of admission. Garden members must also pay for a permit.

The photo permit cannot be purchased ahead of time. Instead, you purchase your permit at the entrance kiosk when you purchase your ticket. You (or your photographer) will be given a sticker to wear signifying to the security guards that you have paid the permit fee.

Bring water and snacks with you. I’m here to tell you, it gets really hot when you’re walking around the gardens. Bring enough water and stay hydrated. The water fountains are few and far between. If you are counting on buying food at the Botanical Garden, there is some food for purchase in the gift shop and a few vending machines occasionally scattered throughout the gardens. Unfortunately, the restaurant closed in May.

Pack light, and wear comfortable shoes. Plan to do a good bit of walking during your photo session at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. While you will be starting your session around the entrance, if you have plans to take photos all the way in the pineywoods forest area, you are really going to be hoofing it. Wear shoes that can handle walking over unpaved terrain.

Abide by the garden rules. No one needs to get banned from the garden. Here are the official photography guide guidelines:

• Tripods, light reflectors, and small standalone flashes are allowed.
• Small, hand-held objects are welcome, including stuffed animals, bouquets, birdseed, blankets, and small signs.
• Wardrobe changes in the Garden or facilities, restrooms, or parking lots are not allowed.
• Keep pathways, entrances, or other access areas clear. Always remain on the pathway.
• Drones, furniture, helium balloons, confetti, and flower petals are prohibited.

Final Thoughts

The San Antonio Botanical Garden is a beautiful corner of our beloved city. Best of all, it changes with every season, and always has something new to offer in every photo shoot. I will have my first photo shoot here in two weeks, and I’m looking forward to sharing the images with you. My clients, Emily and Ian. Have asked me to photograph their engagement portrait. We will be concentrating on the amphitheater, main flower garden, and fern grotto.

In addition to taking photos in the Botanical Garden itself, we will also venture over to Mahncke Park. Mahncke Park is the small park found between the two roads leading to the garden from Broadway. Emily and Ian wanted a wild, meadow look to their photos. Since you don’t have free rein to run through the flowers in the Botanical Garden, I found them the next best thing in Mahncke Park. We’ll see how it all works out.

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If you find this article on ‘Best San Antonio Botanical Garden Photo Locations’ useful, then check out these articles:

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• Secret San Antonio Photo Shoot Locations
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Looking to book a portrait session in San Antonio? Drop me a line and let’s chat about how I can help you. I have hourly rates, and all photo shoots include editing and high-resolution files.

To view more images from my photography portfolio, please visit my website – KellyWilliamsPhotographer.com

Mahncke Park