San Antonio Engagement – Beth and Brent

If you are friends with Beth or Brent then you already know they are a really cool couple.  I met up with them at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Antonio for their engagement photography session.  It not only was a great location for their photos but it was a wonderful chance to get to know them.  These two are on a whirlwind year, with a great deal going on.  Their plans are mixed with both known, and yet-to-be-decided events, but they are both taking it in stride and ready for whatever life throws at them.

Such was the case with the engagement shoot, as we tried to find a date that would work.  Between their out of town traveling and my hectic photography schedule we were finally able to set aside a date and create some gorgeous photos of the two.  I will save all the wedding details for Beth and Brent to reveal; I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag but I am sure it will be a fantastic wedding.

Now you need a permit!

The Japanese Tea Garden has seen a good deal of renovation and improvement over the past few years.  I can remember for many years the pond sat empty, and only the most hearty foliage survived the hot summers.  Now the park has been restored to its former beauty,and is once again a hot spot for tourism.  This has also brought some additional restrictions in regards to photography.

The Tea Garden has long been one of the iconic locations for portraits and photos of all kinds.  The park is typically filled with the usual visitors capturing their snapshots and the professional looking to create a gorgeous portrait or family photo.  I assume this has lead to the current restrictions and need for a photo permit when taking professional portraits.  The San Antonio Parks Foundation has implemented a photo permit program and requires those photographers who are taking professional portraits to purchase a $20 permit before arriving.

The $20 permit can be purchased from the Japanese Tea Garden website through paypal.  This is something I was not aware of until yesterday when discussing details of an upcoming engagement shoot with a couple.  Wanting to have the shoot at the Tea Garden, the bride-to-be noticed something regarding a fee to shoot there.  After some searching of the usual websites I found the details and thought I would pass the info along through the blog here.

The last engagement shoot I did at the Japanese Tea Garden was with Melissa and Chris and the photo below still remains one of my favorites from the location.

Japanese Tea Garden Photos

The Japanese Tea Garden in San Antonio is a wonderful location both for enjoyment and its beauty.  With a rich history, and a recent renovation it is once again one of the premier attractions in San Antonio.  For this reason it makes a fantastic location for family and individual portraits, and is my choice for this month’s family portrait sessions.  For some recent image samples follow this link.

I am booking portrait sessions for Saturday June 19th.  The 45 minute sessions start at 9am and will run throughout the day.  This is a great photography opportunity to get family portraits in a fun casual location.  If you are a couple looking for engagement photos, or just some fun casual images together this is a perfect time.  I recommend casual attire such as jeans and matching t-shirts, or khaki shorts with coordinating tops.  Sessions will be $60, and include a CD of edited images. Each session will provide enough time for a family of 4-8 to get several group shots plus individual portraits if desired.

Contact me to schedule your session.

The address and link to google maps for the Tea Garden is:

3853 N St Mary’s

San Antonio, Texas 78212

Missy and Chris’ Engagement

Missy and Chris had been waiting for the perfect weekend photography weekend for some time.  With the dreary early year weather here in San Antonio we all had to be patient.  The choice of the Japanese Tea Garden and Brackenridge Park sounded like a delightful choice for engagement photos, so it was a matter of waiting on clear skies and moderate temps.  Easter weekend provided those conditions and without a second thought we set out to capture some lovely engagement shots.

We all didn’t anticipate the annual Brackenridge Park Easter egg hunt, with hundreds of campers lining the park.  Some slight adjusting of plans and on the move creativity made for a successful shoot.  The Tea Garden offered its own surprise with ongoing renovation of the main building, but fortunately the grounds were in fantastic condition.  Here is a sampling of the shots from the day.