Secret San Antonio Photo Shoot Locations

I have to be very honest: when I moved to San Antonio in December 2023, I was a little worried that the city would be lacking in photography opportunities. Certainly, San Antonio does not have the bright lights, big city atmosphere of New York City. But in my six months of living here, I have been pleasantly surprised at the wealth of scenic spots. In today’s blog post, I will be sharing with you my favorite secret San Antonio photo shoot locations. These are the little nooks and crannies where you can get a completely different look from the typical Texas vibe everyone is expecting. So, come along with me as I travel through the city exploring these unappreciated locations in San Antonio.

Secret San Antonio Photo Shoot Locations: Perhaps Not So ‘Secret’

Let me start by saying that these secret San Antonio photo shoot locations are perhaps not so ‘secret’ to local photographers. It is just that, in doing my research for photo shoot locations in San Antonio, none of these spots were mentioned. Instead, the usual spots were always mentioned: the McNay Art Museum, Haye Street Bridge, and the Pearl, chief among them.

I do not mean to take anything away from these locations, but surely we can branch out as photographers and discover new lands, so to speak. My goal with this article is to raise awareness of the wealth of beautiful backgrounds the city has to offer. It is time we take another look at the city and make use of all the locations it has to offer.

Industrial Vibes

Industrial nook by Alamo Music Center. The gritty, industrial look of New York City is pretty hard to come by in San Antonio. In general, that’s a good thing for those of us living here. But sometimes you need a little grit in your photos, and this spot supplies it. I mean, nothing says industrial wasteland like five electric meters all stacked together. Oh, and don’t forget to walk around to the front of the Alamo Music Center. The neon signs are top notch.

Essex Modern City and Hoefgen Street graffiti wall. I am a bit confused about the current status of Essex Modern City. If you look on Google maps, the area has been completely removed from the map. Rest assured, however, that the beautiful graffiti walls are most certainly still there at the corner of Essex and Cherry Streets. In theory, you need a permit to take photos here, and you should contact the property directly through their website. The visiting hours listed on the site’s Instagram page state that it is open Monday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If for some reason Essex Modern is closed to the public,  you can always go next door to the Hoefgen Street graffiti wall to get your daily dose of spray paint.

Corner of Flores, Nogalitos and Cevallos Streets. If you are interested in a more downmarket look for your graffiti background, then there is an abandoned building at the corner of Flores, Nogalitos, and Cevallos Streets that provides an excellent background. For added ambience, you will have to climb through a hole in the fence to access the wall.

Secret Romantic Spots

Peacock Alley. To me, Peacock Alley is magical. The colorful murals go all the way up the walls of the alleyway, and fairy lights are strung overhead. My recommendation is that you check out the alleyway between Broadway and Jefferson Street. The alleyway closest to Navarro has some large garbage dumpsters that can’t be avoided. Even fairy lights can’t make dumpsters photogenic.

Abandoned lot behind Landa Library. Let me start by saying that I am not sure about the legal particulars of this property. All I know is that if you walk through the gardens at the Landa Library, the exit will take you to an empty cul-de-sac. This is the end of Schreiner Place in Monte Vista. Here you’ll find a beautiful abandoned lot with mature oak trees and an abundance of photogenic foliage. Clients always want to head to the Hill Country for beautiful trees and meadows. But wouldn’t it be great if you could get that look within the city limits? Now you know you can.

Best Vantage Points in the City

Eighth floor of the parking lot above Whataburger. This parking lot offers one of the best free views in the city, and looks directly down on the Torch of Friendship statue. It’s not a great spot for sunset, but it is fantastic if you need a view of either the Battle of Flowers or Fiesta Flambeau parades during Fiesta (check out my photos here).

Koehler parking lot at the Pearl. At sunset, go to the elevator shaft and head up to the fifth floor. Here you can get some great light and a lovely view over the Emma Hotel. And if you check out the stairs facing the Riverwalk, you can get an even better view at sunset.

Secret Nature Spots

San Pedro Creek at Navarro Street. This is one of my all-time favorite places to shoot in the city. It’s where I would begin any downtown family portrait, and where I had a very successful model headshot. There is a lot of green by this part of the creek; enough so that you can make it look like you are standing in the middle of a park. In general, you will have the whole place to yourself, and you are also guaranteed a bit of shade from the Navarro Street overpass. I also particularly like the rocks in the creek at this point and the Bill Miller water tower off in the background. You can make this part of downtown look more industrial, or more family friendly, depending upon your photo shoot needs.

Super Cool Architecture

Patio in front of the Central Library. If you want the perfect stylized set for a surreal photo shoot, then you can do no better than the Central Library. While the building is most often noted for its red color, the huge shapes in the patio out front are what draw in my eye. I have already taken photos here in black and white, and can’t wait to have an actual human jump into the frame.

Back side of Market Square. Market Square is pretty much always crowded, except when the stores close at 6 PM. While the restaurants will still be open, there are several little nooks and crannies that can give your photos a taste of old Mexico without the crowds. In particular, check out the little alleyway behind the La Margarita restaurant.

Tower of the Americas fountains. I’m a big fan of the old school amusements that San Antonio has to offer. The iconic Tower of the Americas isn’t amazing just for the iconic skyline features. At the base of the tower is a garden of fountains. I have talked about this area in depth in my article on ‘How to Propose at the Tower of the Americas,’ but trust me – this place is great with or without a ring in hand.

City Masquerading as the Suburbs

The homes in Yanaguana Gardens.  The Hemisfair area, in general, has a wealth of shooting locations. Civic Park, when it finally gets completed, is going to be a great place for family portraits. Just around the bend from Civic Park is Yanaguana Gardens. In addition to the very creative playground on the premises, there are also several historic homes that serve as nonprofit headquarters. I have yet to walk past here and actually see anyone opening the doors of these homes. So as far as I’m concerned, the neighborhood is up for grabs. If you need to make it look like you’re in the suburbs, this area will work in a pinch.

Guenther Upper Mill Park. King William is, in my opinion, the most beautiful neighborhood in San Antonio.  Unfortunately, it does not have a lot of parks. Your best option is to visit the Guenther Upper Mill Park along Washington Street. This is a tiny ledge of green space right along the River Walk.  It is the perfect amount of space for a family portrait, especially when you need a green background or corner to corral the little ones. And while there are a lot of people who pass through the park into the neighborhood or onto the River Walk, in general, you have the edges of the park all to yourself.  Oh, and don’t forget to take photos by the Johnson Street Pedestrian Bridge around the corner.

Spooky Spots

River Walk grotto. Down at the end of the River Walk, there be dragons. Or at least, it looks like this is where dragons would live if they lived on the River Walk. This place is located underneath the convention center, beside the Tower of the Americas. And even though you would think this location would be crawling with people, I never find anyone down here. Also, the lighting here is usually surreal. Most days it looks like you have walked into a literal pit of hell, and I love it.

The other River Walk grotto. It’s not every city that has a flowing fountain coming out of a troll’s mouth. This tiny divet along the River Walk between Newell Avenue and Camden Street is really something special. It’s only when you are standing at the top staircase or across the river that you can see the spray-concrete monstrosity in all its glory. Halloween is my favorite holiday, so you know the grotto is going to be at the top of my list for photo shoot locations.

Bonus Location

Best location for bluebonnet portraits. Believe it or not, the parking lot behind IKEA in Live Oak is the best location for bluebonnet portraits. You’ll have to trust me because I did not take a photo of it while I was there in May. The grassy knoll behind the parking lot is covered in bluebonnets during the season. And because the parking lot is slopes downhill, that hill completely obliterates any cars or other parking lot visual clutter in the background.

So, which secret San Antonio photo shoot location is my favorite?

It’s a tough call, but I am going to have to side with Peacock Alley and the Grotto as my two favorite spots in the city. Granted, these would be locations for a decidedly different style of shoot, but I just know there is a couple or family out there who shares my love of the unique side of this city. So, who among you is game? Did I mention that I am offering 60-minute downtown portrait sessions at a ‘neighborhood discount’ rate of $300?  Drop me a line, and let’s get curious about the city of San Antonio together.

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If you found this article on ‘Secret San Antonio Photo Shoot Locations’ useful, then check out my equally interesting articles here:

• Are Couples Still Getting Married?
• How to Select the Perfect Wedding Venue
• Downtown San Antonio Family Portrait Itinerary

Are you interested in scheduling a portrait session in San Antonio?  Drop me a line and let’s chat about how I can help you.  All portrait sessions include editing and high-resolution files.

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