Downtown San Antonio Photo Shoot

It’s been a busy week, here in San Antonio! In this week’s blog post, I’ll be sharing with photos from my portrait session with Cassandra and Jose on Sunday. Our downtown San Antonio photo shoot took us from the San Pedro Creek to the San Fernando Cathedral. So, get ready for a city tour that spotlights some of the best locations the city has to offer.

Meet Cassandra and Jose

My heart always melts a little when I meet high school sweethearts and Cassandra and Jose are a classic example. These two met two years ago in school. And why they didn’t connect in the classroom, Cassandra would always walk into the shop where Jose worked. Jose liked Cassandra‘s selection of snacks and a tasty relationship started.

Why San Antonio?

These two are from Edinburg, Texas, but have many happy memories of trips together to San Antonio. When their two-year anniversary came up, they decided there was no better place where they would like to celebrate this milestone. While enjoying the sites, they decided a photo shoot was the best way to commemorate their relationship, and so I got a call. They decided to take advantage of my ‘neighborhood discount‘: a one-hour photo shoot in downtown San Antonio for $300 (normally $450). The next step was to decide where they wanted to explore during our session.

Downtown San Antonio Photo Shoot: San Pedro Creek

Cassandra and Jose are very private people, and as such, I selected the San Pedro Creek as a starting point for their session. The San Pedro Creek area at Nueva Street is, in my opinion, the nicest bit of green space within the downtown area. It also happens to be one of the most private. If you want a glorious waterfront view with blooming plants, but don’t want the crowds of the River Walk, then San Pedro Creek is where you should start. The pathways are wide, and you have interesting architectural elements as you head north.

Downtown San Antonio Photo Shoot: UTSA

From the San Pedro Creek, the next location on our shoot schedule was the UTSA School of Data Science building. The colorful mural on the outside of the building plus the wooden stadium seats by the picnic tables offer interesting photo opportunities. There is also some overgrown bushes by the lot leading to the building that look great in the morning sunlight.

Downtown San Antonio Photo Shoot: City Hall

Once you have finished up at UTSA, it’s time to take photos at City Hall. The security guards at the building are very welcoming, and have always allowed me to take photos on the steps and the surrounding lawn. City Hall looks great from both the back and the front of the building. The best light will be found on the north and south sides of the building depending upon the time of day. Finally, you will find your most colorful plants on the north side of the building by the parking lot.

Downtown San Antonio Antonio Photo Shoot: San Fernando Cathedral

San Fernando Cathedral can prove to be a tricky photo location simply because it is such an active parish. While we were there on a Sunday morning, church was just letting out. For any photo shoots that include the cathedral, I recommend an afternoon time slot as this will give you your best light. Note that there is also a small garden behind the church that offers a private space for photos.

Downtown San Antonio Photo Shoot: Commerce Street

To me, Commerce Street offers New York City-style vibes. If you have enough crowds, waiting at crosswalk of Commerce Street and North Main Avenue, then you have a great ‘moment in time’-style shot. But even better is what’s waiting for you on the corner at Commerce and Main Streets.

The empty storefront which used to be home to a Bill Miller’s barbecue may look like an deserted wreck to the anyone but a photographer. The abandoned building with huge floor-to-ceiling windows makes for some fantastic reflection shots. Pair this with some cool morning shadows, and you have the makings of an interesting photo or two.

Downtown San Antonio Photo Shoot: Lovelock Bridge

The final location on our session was the Lovelock bridge. This tiny bridge is hidden on a ‘street’ called Kailson Walk just south of Market Street. Quite frankly, the bridge is not much to write home about. It is a basic fence covered in locks with unremarkable views on either side. But it is still a testament to love, and so my advice is to crop in close on your photos to avoid scenes of the surrounding construction.

Final Thoughts

San Antonio is not boring. If you are looking for a photo shoot location that does everything from starting at a green park and ending with a cool, city setting, then you can’t go wrong with downtown San Antonio. Seriously, you’ll find lots more than construction when you come downtown.

Enjoy the images, and I’ll have more photo adventures for you next week!

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If you found this article on a ‘Downtown San Antonio Photo Shoot’ useful, then check out my other family portrait articles here:

Are you interested in scheduling a 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