Confluence Park Family Portrait Tips

The miracle of Confluence Park is how seamlessly it blends architectural, industrial forms into the natural landscape. The park’s unique, concrete structures make it a captivating location for photo shoots of all type. I recently had the pleasure of photographing a Confluence Park family portrait, and I will be sharing all the details in this week’s blog post. From navigating the photo permit process, to the best locations for photos, read on for everything you need to know before scheduling your next shoot at Confluence Park.

Confluence Park Family Portrait – Photo Permits

For anything above the level of casual photography, you will need to obtain a photo permit through the San Antonio River Foundation. While this may seem like a hassle, the good news is that the process is easy and all of the funds go towards this great nonprofit organization.

Photo Permit Cost

The permit for any portrait photography – this includes engagements, family portraits, graduations, or weddings – is $50. The permit can be purchased online through this link. Please note that any commercial photography, such as photography for a film shoot or advertising, costs $300. Also, if you are a student, the cost for a photo permit is just $20.

Book Your Permit Now Or, Reserve

Photo permits can be purchased the day of your shoot by simply going to the website and clicking on this link. However, if you would like to plan ahead for your photo shoot, you may check the Confluence Park event calendar in order to reserve your session (through this link).

As stated on the website, park reservations have priority over photo permits. In other words, if you have reserved Confluence Park for a photo shoot ahead of someone who simply clicks on the photo permit button on the day of your photo shoot, that photographer will be blocked. Your reservation has the priority. My recommendation is that if you have a planned date for your session, always reserve your photo permit in advance.

Confluence Park Family Portrait – Photography Rules

As you might expect, there are rules for taking photos at Confluence Park. This is a public space, and more importantly, the park is located right next to the San Antonio River. Some of the rules, such as no confetti, are created so that trash doesn’t flow directly into the river. Here are the rules:

Take only pictures, leave only footprints.
Avoid using rice, confetti, fake flower petals, candy, glitter, or cascarones.
Do not use candles, bonfires, or any open flames.
Stay on designated paths
Respect natural habitats by avoiding disturbances to plants and wildlife

And by the way, pets are absolutely allowed at the park.

When is the best time to take photos at Confluence Park?

In this photographer’s opinion, the best time to take photos at Confluence Park is early in the morning. The park is open daily from sunrise to 11:00 p.m., so you technically could be there at the crack of dawn.

While there is no need to go to this extreme, just know that Confluence Park is a very small park. Once visitors start to arrive, it will be difficult to take other people out of your sight lines. Your best bet is to schedule your session first thing in the morning so that you can have the venue all to yourself. This is also the best light of the day.

Don’t get me wrong: Confluence Park is gorgeous at sunset. However, you are going to run into the issue of both crowds and events in the park. As you can see by the park’s active calendar, there is a lot going on at Confluence Park. From yoga sessions to educational events through the San Antonio River Foundation, the park is always in use.

Things to Consider During Your Confluence Park Family Portrait

For anyone taking photos in Confluence Park, there are three things I would warn you about before your session. The first issue is, as discussed, the crowds. Because of limited space within the park, I highly recommend that you schedule your session first thing in the morning.

Along with the crowds comes the second issue, which is the tiny parking lot. If you’re going to be photographing a large family, tell everyone to carpool to the park. The parking lot is the size of a postage stamp with only 35 spaces available, and there is no overflow parking.

Lastly, Confluence Park is located in a, shall we say, colorful neighborhood. Early in the morning, you are prone to have the unhoused using the restroom facilities. I have never had any issues with the homeless during my early morning photo shoots, but just be on guard and do not be surprised when you go into the restroom.

Best Photo Locations for a Confluence Park Family Portrait

My photo shoot with Joe and his family started from the parking lot. We then worked our way through the main patio, to the Riverwalk, and back to the parking lot. Using this map as your guide, here is my list of the best photo locations in Confluence Park.

All concrete arches. The concrete arches are the most unique features of Confluence Park, and I would make use of every single one of them in your photo shoot. From the small arch that greets you as you go from the parking lot into the main patio, to the mega arch in the center of the park, each arch has its own character. A wide lens is useful here to take in the entirety of each arch, but close-ups work as well for portraits alongside the legs of an arch to get details with the concrete texture itself.

Staircase shooting back towards the main patio. This is perhaps the most iconic shot at Confluence Park. It’s a little bit tricky in the morning because the light will be coming into the eyes of your subjects. However, if you can position them off to the side, there is a pool of shade that will keep your subjects from squinting and give you enough shade to cut down on bright highlights.

Wooden slots of the education building. Confluence Park is awash with distinctive textures. One of the most interesting is the back wall of the education building. The wooden slats of the structure are an excellent background for portraits.

Pathway circling the patio area. The walkway circling the main patio area is a great spot to let your subjects get out and run. In my case, I let the little ones roam free. But it was also an excellent location for some long strolls for the couples in my family group. You can take close-up photos here, or wide shots that incorporate the Riverwalk landscape beyond.

The Riverwalk. With the Riverwalk at your back door, you really have the best of both worlds. On the one hand, Confluence Park offers an industrial vibe found nowhere else in San Antonio. On the other hand, the Riverwalk here is beautifully landscaped and shows off the gorgeous local scenery with a fast-moving river, huge limestone rocks, and leaves that change colors in the fall.

If you’re brave enough and want to commune even closer with nature, walk farther north down the pathway and you’ll find an area where it is easier to get closer to the river for portraits without running the risk of falling in. Also, there are plenty of wildflowers in bloom throughout the season along the banks. Finally, if you’re up for a walk, there is a bridge close to Concepcion Park. The bridge is about a five-minute walk from Confluence Park.

Parking lot bridge and stairs. Finally, make sure you don’t overlook two smaller areas in the park: the parking lot bridge and staircase leading down to the Riverwalk. Most people focus on the arches and the Riverwalk, but these smaller architectural elements can be great for photos as well.

Final Thoughts

Confluence Park is such a unique space in San Antonio, and I wish more of my clients would choose this location for portraits. The park has so many different themes to choose from, vacillating from an industrial vibe to a tranquil natural oasis. As opposed to many of the parks in Texas that have the same terrain throughout, you can get many different looks within one photo shoot here at Confluence Park.

My top tip for a Confluence Park family portrait is to reserve your photo permit early, and to book your session first thing in the morning. The key to a successful shoot in this park is to get a jump on the crowds and to start your session when the light is at its best. Once you’ve nailed those two things, the rest is all smiles.

Enjoy the images of Joe and his family accompanying this post, and I’ll have more photo adventures for you next week!

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Looking to book a family portrait session in San Antonio, Austin, or anywhere in the Hill Country? 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