The Best San Antonio Parks for Family Portraits

One of the first things I noticed I moved to San Antonio was how many patches of green space dot the city. But with so many park options across the city, where do you go for the perfect family portrait? Thankfully, I have compiled a helpful list to get you started. Whether you value privacy or shade, interesting background details or a bit of waterfront, I have all the details for you in this list of the best San Antonio parks for family portraits.

Quick Summary:

• Parks in San Antonio can generally be broken down into four different options: large parks; boutique parks with unique features, river-front parks, and busy urban parks.
• What you want in your background will largely determine which park you choose.
• There are no photo permits required for taking photos in San Antonio public parks, though there are some simple rules to follow

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How To Classify Parks in San Antonio

According to the San Antonio Parks and Recreation website, there are over 250 parks maintained by the city. While each park differs in terms of size and features, the parks of San Antonio can roughly be broken down into four groups: large parks with vast acreage smaller boutique parks with unique architectural features, parks located alongside major rivers and water features, and very popular urban parks.

The Largest Parks in San Antonio

As the southern saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas. And this is of course true when it comes to the vast acreage of some of the city’s parks.

While Pearsall Park is by far San Antonio’s largest park with 505 acres, Brackenridge and Olmos Basin parks are the largest and most popular parks closest to downtown. Along with McAllister and Phil Hardberger/Walker Ranch parks, these parks offer lots and lots of space.

The terrain for each of these parks is your typical, Texas flat, forested areas with plenty of oak trees. And while these parks do not offer distinctive architectural elements or water, you do have plenty of beautiful woodlands and privacy. If you are looking for a true Texas background for your family portrait, then you can’t go wrong with any of these parks.

Furthermore, crowds are less of an issue with these large parks. If another family photographer has taken your spot, simply walk off into the distance and find your own piece of paradise for your family portrait.

Smaller, Boutique Parks

If you don’t necessarily need your family portrait to look like it took place out in the country, then perhaps one of the city’s boutique parks is for you. In this case I might recommend a series of parks that while smaller in scale, instead feature unique architectural elements that can photogenically-speaking transport your portrait session out of Texas entirely. These are my favorite parks in the city and include Confluence Park, San Pedro Springs Park, the Japanese Tea Garden, and Denman Estate Park.

Confluence Park is a tiny park located south of downtown next to the San Antonio River. The main area of the park is covered by innovative concrete structures that add an otherworldly feel to the park. Confluence offers the best of both worlds since it has a defined modernity in the front of the park, and the lush natural terrain of the San Antonio River at the back of the park.

By contrast, San Pedro Springs Park is one of the oldest parks in San Antonio. It features a natural spring, a gazebo, and some interesting stone infrastructure surrounding the pool. Likewise, entering the Japanese Tea Garden feels as if you have stepped into a stone amusement park with a waterfall, koi ponds, and a grand gazebo. Finally, there is Denman Estate Park. In addition to the estate itself, beautiful forest walkways and plenty of deer, there is a spectacular Asian platform covered in colorful decoration called the Pavilion of Gwang-Ju. You won’t find this structure anywhere else in the city.

Parks Close to Waterways

The rivers flowing through San Antonio are the lifeblood of this city. It is only fitting that the next group of parks is noted for their nearness to water.  Concepcion Park and Roosevelt Park are both located in south San Antonio next to the Riverwalk, while Martin Luther King Park runs along the Salado Creek. All three parks offer beautiful landscaping, waterfront views, and a playground or two.  In addition to taking in a view of the river, each of these parks has a great playground for the little ones.  In addition, Roosevelt Park is located across from the Flood Control Tunnel Outlet Park, in case you want to add a touch of industrial flair to your photo shoot.

Busy Urban Parks

I am classifying Elmendorf Lake Park, Woodlawn Lake Park, and the Civic Park at Hemisfair in the busy, urban park category. All three of these parks offer interesting background elements that range from the Tower of the Americas to the lighthouse at Woodlawn Lake. You can’t go wrong with any of these three parks, however, keep in mind how popular they are. As such, plan your family portrait session accordingly during a weekday or early in the morning to avoid the crowds. You can definitely get great photos in either of these parks, but you just need to plan ahead.

The BEST San Antonio Park for a Family Portrait

So which San Antonio park would I recommend for a family portrait? Let’s breakdown my list of favorite parks by group. As far as the big boys go, I think Olmos Basin Park is my favorite large park in the city. Olmos Basin Park has a very tranquil feel to it and the park is never very crowded, at least during the week. There is a creek that runs through the park which adds an interesting background element in addition to the majestic live oak trees which you can find everywhere.

For the boutique parks, my favorite is Denman Estate Park. While Confluence Park is one of my favorite spots in the city, the park is very small. If you were to take photos here on the weekend, it would be difficult to prevent other people showing up in the background of your photos. San Pedro is also one of my favorite spots in the city since its natural spring harkens back to the springs I grew up with in Florida. However, once the swimming pool opens in late spring, you are dealing with a whole different crowd level. By contrast, Denman Estate Park is a bit off the beaten path, and the Asian architectural elements are just so unique and beautiful.

Of the parks closest to the river, Concepcion Park is my hands-down favorite. In addition to the beauty of the river itself, Concepcion Park has some lovely meadow areas located near the entrance of the park closest to Mission Concepcion.

Finally, I am a huge fan of Hemisfair Park. I will devote a separate article to the Tower of the Americas soon, but needless to say, I think this park is under-utilized for photo shoots. Be it a surprise proposal or a family portrait, this area is a magical maze of fountains and photo opportunities.

Park Alternative Locations for Family Portraits

If none of these public parks suit your fancy, then you have some other options in San Antonio. Note that all of these locations require payment for photo permits and planning ahead of time, but they are all a great way to take your family portrait to the next level.

The grounds of the McNay Art Museum are the perfect spot for a family portrait. Purchasing a photo permit for the McNay Art Museum is an easy, online process, and best of all, it is one of the most affordable permits in the city. The grounds offer a grand fountain, a koi pond, a huge sculpture of a deer, and of course, the exquisite mansion itself. For all the details of where to go and how to secure a permit, check out my article here.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden is another great photo opportunity in the city. Permits cost $195 for up to eight guests, and you have the full run of the gardens. No advance registration is required, and you can simply purchase your photo permit at the Admissions Kiosk.

Finally, don’t forget about the historic San Antonio Missions. From the beautiful bell of Mission Espada, to the hidden grotto of Mission Concepcion, nothing says San Antonio pride like a photo shoot with one of the beautiful mission buildings in the background. Photo permits cost $50 and are generally required for all but the simplest of photo shoots. A photo permit application can be filled out online through the National Park Service website.

Are there any rules for taking photos in San Antonio parks?

Not really; the city of San Antonio does not require a photo permit for portraits taken in any public park. Each park is different, however, and there may be specific rules regarding props. For instance, piñatas and balloons cannot be hung from the trees in Phil Hardberger Park.

Finally, as with any public space, there are a few rules of common courtesy: animals should be on a leash and always pick up after yourself. It is my personal pet peeve to see trash left behind after any photo shoot.

Family Portrait Tips for San Antonio Parks

These are my top tips for taking family portraits in San Antonio parks:

Taking photos in Texas requires first addressing the issue of heat. It is April 2nd, and the thermometer is already beginning to rise. To avoid the intense midday sun, always schedule your photo shoot either first thing in the morning or at the very end of the afternoon. This is how you avoid crowds as well as sweating through your session. In addition, shooting at the very beginning or the end of the day takes full advantage of the best light, a.k.a. ‘golden hour.’

You can’t beat bluebonnet season for a classic family portrait session. The flowers are in bloom from March through May and you can find them all through parks in the city. Check out some out-of-the-way areas, such as the athletic fields in McAllister Park to avoid the crowds. And by the way, it goes without saying to try and do as little damage to the flowers as possible.

The huge live oak trees found throughout San Antonio parks offer epic southern Gothic vibes. But beware of dappled light. You always want to have every family member in consistent light. You never want one person highlighted by light through the trees while everyone else is in shade. Take a look at your subjects and make sure everyone is consistently lit.

I have written a very detailed article on family portrait clothing tips, but in short, my recommendation is that family members should be dressed in coordinating colors. This does not mean that everyone is dressed in the same outfit. The 90s are over, and no one should be wearing the same white shirt and jeans. I encourage individuality, but it is best to have everyone color coordinated to a certain extent. The idea is that you don’t want your family to look to matchy-matchy, but you do want it to appear that you all belong in the same household.

For more detailed family portrait tips, check out my blog. Be it specific information about what to wear, or how to pose, check out my past articles for tips and tricks.

Conclusion

So there you have it – the top parks in San Antonio for capturing those perfect family portraits. Whether you are seeking lush greenery, charming historic backdrops, or stunning water features, San Antonio has a park to suit every family’s style. Enjoy the images, and I will have more photo adventures for you next week!

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If you found this article on ‘The Best San Antonio Parks for Family Portraits’ useful, then check out my equally interesting ‘How to…’ articles here:

• How to Get Married on Marriage Island
• How to Take Photos at the McNay Art Museum
• How to Find a San Antonio Wedding Photographer

Are you interested in scheduling a family portrait 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 family photography portfolio, please visit my website – KellyWilliamsPhotographer.com