Updated Sept. 2023
15 Best Engagement Photo Locations in College Station
You’re engaged and that’s is amazing! Congrats by the way. And now you have to figure out where to take your engagement photos. Sure your friend took theirs in a nice field last year, but is that really your style? You want the best photo locations in College Station, and that’s what I have for you.
Here are a few of my the best locations in the College Station, Texas area, and for sure my favorites. From open fields to nature trails to on top of a parking garage, we should be able to find the perfect spot for you and your fiancé on this list. These are in no particular order.
1. Research Park
Style: Open fields, with some trees and a couple water features.
There are a few hidden gems that I LOVE! And the water feature is really great, especially when the willow trees are full.
Cons: Usually pretty busy with other photographers and there are some buildings nearby which can show up in the background. As well as the airport and University drive, but a photographer who knows the park well, will position you in ways where you won’t ever see those things.
View on Google Maps
2. George Bush Library Gardens
Style: Garden, lots of trees, water feature, and a nice bridge.
This one is great no matter what time of day and the diversity in the background options are fantastic.
Cons: Usually pretty busy with other photographers. The bridge usually has a line waiting for it. Can be tough because of how open it is to bright sun even late in the day, but we can use that harsh light for some amazing dramatic shots.
View on Google Maps
3. Downtown Bryan
Style: Downtown Urban, lots of exposed brick, coffee shops, bars, and nearby parks.
This is one of my top favorites because of how you can use indoor locations like coffee shops, then walk the streets, jump into alleyways, and end up at a park. So much diversity.
Cons: Not a ton of greenery, and cars can get in your way a lot. A lot of the brick is pinkish and doesn’t look the best against peachy skin tones.
Pros: Did I mention you can take photos in a coffee shop, where there is coffee and you can drink coffee. Sorry for saying coffee so much. I think I just drank too much coffee today. Ok. coffee.
View on Google Maps
4. Lick Creek Park
Style: Nature trails, red dirt roads, open fields with tall grass, small bridge but it’s not that cool.
This place is great most of the year. There are nature trails with lots of shade from trees so it’s great for the summer sessions.
Cons: Another popular spot for photographers but it’s large enough you wouldn’t be in each other’s way. About 6-8 months out of the year everything is brown, still pretty, but brown.
5. Lake Bryan
Style: Woodsy, open fields, nature trails, and a “beach.”
I put beach in quotes because there is a fairly nice beach, especially for landlocked Bryan, TX, but it’s small and popular. You can get some great shots that look like Galveston or something though, so that’s something. I LOVE the woodsy area near the entry to the park!
Cons: There is a $5 entrance fee, weekends are pretty busy with campers and beach-goers. In the summer and early fall the mosquitoes are ridiculous. Like swarms! Bring bug spray, or you can use some of mine. I’ll definitely have some.
6. Texas A&M University Campus
Style: Small parks, lots of trees along walking paths, The Century Tree, all the hot spots for Aggies, and parking garages.
Some of the more popular spots are of course the Century Tree, the Admin building with the columns out front and the stair case inside, outside Kyle field, and in the parking garages. That last one may not sound cool, but we can get pretty creative in there, and the rooftop shots are sweet.
Cons: Crowded during the school year, very popular for Aggies so you usually have to wait in line for the Admin building, and everything is spread apart so there will be a lot of walking.
7. Century Square
Style: Urban modern, lots of different textures to be creative with, coffee shops, and parking garage.
I love this location because there are so many options in such a small place. You can get fun reflections from the fountain, or cool lighting by using the twinkle lights. Of course Harvest coffee is great to hit up and even the parking garage makes for some great shots.
Cons: There is a $50 fee to photograph there, the main green area is pretty crowded on the weekends.
8. Gardens at Texas A&M
Style: Garden (duh), open fields, green houses, long bridge, and buildings for reflections near by.
This is becoming one of my new go-to locations! The green houses are my favorites. You can’t go inside them, but they make a really great backdrop and during the spring there are a ton of blue bonnets surrounding them. The garden area is fantastic with so many different flowers, and backgrounds to choose from. There is also a big open field within walking distance and a long bridge that makes for fun photos.
Cons: Lots of buildings in the background, lately a lot of photographers as well in the garden area since it’s fairly new. Paid parking ($2-4) in lot 96 if you can’t find free spots.
9. Wolf Pen Creek
Style: Open fields, great tree lines, nature trails, small water feature.
I do love that Wolf Pen has a couple big open fields that are large enough that you can usually find a spot without other people. There are some good trails, but they do have sidewalks on most of them. By the amphitheater, there is a steep hill which makes for some good “walking on the top of the world” shots.
Cons: Crowded in some areas and during the weekends there is usually a concert or event going on. Some buildings in the background but not everywhere.
10. Coffeeshops
Style: Chill vibes, exposed brick, modern white, of and coffee!
If you’ve been reading through the rest of these places, you’ve probably already noticed I really love coffee. And I LOVE photographing in coffee shops. My favorites in town are Harvest Coffee in Bryan (with the exposed brick), The Brew on Harvey Rd (rustic and dark), Harvest at Century Square (modern and bright white), and Classic Rock Coffee in Navasota (only 20 mins away and filled with Classic rock guitars, posters, tons of vinyl, and a cute downtown area outside.)
Cons: They are businesses that sell coffee so they are going to be crowded most of the time. All of these places are open for photoshoots as long as we don’t get in people’s way.
Harvest Bryan – View on Google Maps
The Brew – View on Google Maps
Harvest Century Square – View on Google Maps
Classic Rock Coffee – View on Google Maps
11. Central Park
Style: Good nature trails (with sidewalks), some open fields, good water feature with fountain, and little fishing dock.
This is a great park with lots of room to find a great spot away from everyone else. The trails are nice and covered with some great trees for shade cover.
Cons: There is a lot of concrete around, sidewalks, basketball courts, parking lots. So if you are in the open fields or near the water, you have to be mindful of what is in the background.
12. Hensel Park
Style: Small neighborhood park, trails, tall grass, and open fields.
Being a neighborhood park, this one is less popular and most of the time, I’m there by myself. The trails are great because even if people are playing at the playground or in the fields, you’re nice and secluded on the trails.
Cons: There is a tall radio tower nearby so you just need to make sure it’s not in the background.
13. Antique Rose Emporium
Style: Garden paradise, open fields, colorful, lots of trees.
This one is about 30-40 minutes away from College Station, but it’s a fan favorite so I wanted to include it. It’s a garden center where people can purchase plants but it’s also a wedding venue. It’s absolutely gorgeous all year ’round. So colorful with all the flowers. There is a sweet little water feature pond, and the big red chapel is a great background too.
Cons: There might be a wedding going on if it’s a weekend, but you can still take photos on the garden center side. It’s popular with other photographers so you’ll have to share the space but it’s large enough for sure.
14. Old Baylor Park
Style: Open fields, wildflowers, ranch feel, and large old trees.
This is another one that’s out of town. It’s actually just 2 minutes from the Antique Rose Emporium. The wildflower fields are insane during the spring! There is a nice rustic ranch style fence on one side of the park, and the large old trees are lovely.
Cons: Super crazy busy during the spring because of the blue bonnets.
15. Sam Houston National Forest
Style: Forest, so many trees, lots of shade, nature trails, adventurous.
This one is definitely a great fit for the adventurous couple and still great if you’re not all “hiking to the top of Estes Peak” type. This spot is a little under an hour drive from College Station, but it’s SOOOO worth it! Magical forest spots within a 5 minute walk from the parking spot. Tons of tall pine trees for that true forest feel.
Cons: Can be hot during the summer since there isn’t any breeze, bring bug spray in the fall, and it’s a good drive from Cstat.
16. Your Favorite Local Establishment
Style: Indoor, café, bar, fancy or casual
This is a great way to incorporate a little more of your personalities into your engagement session. Maybe it’s a restaurant where you had your first date, or a food truck you eat at frequently, or maybe an underground speakeasy that you need to know a password to gain access.
Wherever you chose, make sure that you ask permission. Especially if they are busy around that time of day, they may not be cool with you taking professional photos around.
Cons: Could be busy with other patrons and may not be available.
17. A Wedding Venue
Style: Usually very nicely manicured all year ’round and will match the style of your wedding photos if you’re getting married at that same venue.
If your wedding venue is local, you can always ask them if you can come out for your engagement photo session.
And if you’re getting married outside of College Station, a lot of venues will allow you rent a day during the middle of the week for a fee.
Cons: Availability is limited since weddings and events are most likely happening on the weekends, and if it’s not your wedding venue, you’ll probably need to pay a fee ranging from $100-$500/hr
Best Locations for Photos in College Station
- Research Park
- George Bush Library Gardens
- Downtown Bryan
- Lick Creek Park
- Lake Bryan
- Texas A&M Campus
- Century Square
- TAMU Gardens
- Wolf Pen Creek Park
- Coffee Shops
- Central Park
- Hensel Park
- Antique Rose Emporium
- Old Baylor Park
- Sam Houston National Forest
- Favorite Establishment
- Wedding Venues
Hope these are helpful!
These are some of my favorites around town. I hope you found at least a couple locations that would be a good match for you and your fiancé. If you have any questions about these or want to see more photos of the locations, feel free to email me (allheartphoto@gmail.com) or hit me up on Instagram (@allheartphoto) I respond to every DM.
And if you are still looking for a photographer, definitely come say hi. I would love to get to know you and help you chose a fun location that matches your personalities and style. Contact me HERE.
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We are Houston Texas wedding and portrait photographers and seek out real and raw moments of you and your loved one. Although based in the Houston area, we travel around Texas and around the country often for weddings, photoshoots, and charity events. Book us for a local shoot you can Contact Us here.
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