Engagement Photos at The Blanton Museum of Art

As an Austin wedding photographer, I’ve worked with all kinds of couples. Some people love being photographed. Others, not so much. I get it! Sometimes, getting your photo taken is the most intimidating part of your wedding. That’s why I offer engagement sessions as part of all of my wedding photography packages. These sessions are an opportunity for you to practice being in front of the camera, get to know me, and, of course, get some amazing photos for your save the dates, invitations, or to hang on your walls!

Lauren and John knew that they wanted photos to commemorate their engagement, but they were nervous about feeling awkward and rigid. Our session at the Blanton Museum of Art was the perfect opportunity for them to see what it actually feels like to be photographed, to get familiar with my style, and get out some of those nervous jitters. I guided them through natural, comfortable prompts to get them laughing and moving. And, if I do say so myself, I think their photos turned out amazing. You can see their joy and love in every frame.

A couple in jeans kiss in front of the large arched building with square stained glass windows at the Blanton Museum of Art

Casual engagement photos at the Blanton Museum

A man gives a woman a piggy back ride during an engagement session in downtown Texas

The Blanton Museum of Art

The Blanton Museum of Art is one of my favorite places for engagement photos. The clean, minimalist architecture is what originally drew Lauren and John to the location. It’s just such a cool location, with modern sculptures, rich greenery, and great views of the capitol building. But because it’s such a popular place, there are a few things we had to plan around.

First of all, the Blanton Museum doesn’t allow any photos indoors. This wasn’t a problem for us, since the grounds are what Lauren and John really wanted. We ended up planning their engagement session right around sunrise, to ensure we wouldn’t have to navigate around crowds. This was especially tricky considering how community-oriented the museum is! The Blanton hosts events nearly every weekend, so we kept careful track of the calendar to make sure there wouldn’t be an event happening during our shoot.

A man and woman stand in a garden with large archways

A woman in a polka dot dress laughs while her fiance kisses her neck with the Austin capitol building in the background

A woman leans her head against her fiancé while exploring the Blanton Museum grounds

Casual, Comfortable Photos to Capture the Moment

All of that planning paid off. We had the grounds almost entirely to ourselves for the hour-long shoot! Lauren and John brought two outfits to their session, starting with a fancier “date night” look. Lauren wore a simple polka-dot dress and John wore a timeless suit and grey button down. We started the session in front of the Blanton Museum’s iconic block-shaped stained glass windows. From there, we traveled all over the grounds, getting portraits in the gardens, in front of the arched buildings, and even sneaking in a few shots with the capitol building in the background.

Then, the couple changed into their second look. This required some advanced scouting on my part, since the museum wasn’t yet open and there are no public restrooms nearby. Luckily, Lauren and John knew about this challenge in advance and were completely unphased. Not surprising, considering they got engaged during a three-day trek through the Grand Canyon!

A man and woman hold hands in front of the white, arched building with nine square stained glass windows

A man and woman walk on the white paved walkways around the Blanton Museum of Art

Their second outfit was a more casual, “day date” type of look. I made sure to get some unique backdrops, all while directing Lauren and John with easy prompts that help them look and feel their best. Once the nerves wore off, they were absolute naturals. Their smiles, laughter, and comfortable love was such a pleasure to capture, and they hardly needed my help posing!

A woman in a white top wraps her arms around a man in a green button up in front of the Blanton Museum

Austin, Texas Engagement Photos

Engagement photos carry a special type of magic. This season of your life is so precious, and it deserves to be commemorated—without the pressure that can come with a wedding. Lauren and John understood that, and it was such an honor to capture their love story.

In their words… “Naomi was an absolute joy to work with. She communicated quickly and often during the planning process, and she gives fantastic guidance as well. During the photo shoot, she was extremely personable, professional, and enthusiastic. The final edits were incredible, and the turnaround time was fast as well. She is incredibly talented, and we will definitely book her again for future photo needs.” – Lauren & John

If you want a low-pressure, fun, and casual way to practice in front of the camera (and get some amazing photos!) I would love to discuss my engagement session options with you! Whether you want to add an engagement shoot to your wedding photography package, or book an entirely separate one, we can build a collection that works for you. Explore my photography services here, and inquire to start building your custom experience!

Location: Blanton Museum of Art