It was a wet sunday morning in north Austin, but the forecast called for the afternoon to be clear downtown. This was good, because I had an engagement session at the Zilker Botanical Gardens, and the couple didn’t want to postpone because of the weather. We were going to make it work.
I showed up early to take care of the paperwork and fees. Yes, they charge for any kind of professional shoot. Don’t try to sneak in, they have people patrolling, and if you look like a serious photographer, you are going to get busted, and kicked out, and only make things worse for the pros that do follow the rules. Besides, there are tons of great places to shoot in the area for free. But when you do pay, the Japanese garden inside the gates is worth it.
The couple showed up right on time, and I gave my usual talk about how I run engagement photo sessions. Some fun stuff, some creative, as well as the standard posed stuff that mom and dad want.
We had a bit over an hour to roam the gardens. Sunday afternoon was crowded, kids were running all over the place and adults yelling at them to get out of the flower beds. I was able to find some great, quiet places, and we got some killer shots. And as the afternoon got later, the light got better, and people started to go home.
That’s when we got kicked out too. Just sun was just about to set, and the light got really sweet, no less than two different employees came and told us the park was closing and it was time to leave. I tried to push it, but they were adamant. I was getting kicked out of another facility (this was the 5th place in Austin I’ve been kicked out of).
We finished up with some sunset shots in the parking lot, but again one of the employees came up and told us that it was time to go.
I think the shots came out great, and I know the couple loves them too, they are all over her Facebook page!
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