South Congress Downtown Austin Engagement Photos

Engagements

Cali & Brandon

The early days of Cali & Brandon’s relationship found them living and loving in the city of Austin. So it was a no-brainer for them to explore downtown Austin for their engagement photos. Cali really wanted a classy and elevated vibe, and South Congress locations like the State Capitol, strolling the bustling avenue near Jo’s Coffee, and cozying up in the South Congress Hotel fit them so perfectly.

Grand staircase engagement portraits at the Texas State Capitol in downtown Austin
Downtown Austin engagement photos at the Texas State Capitol
Cinematic engagement photos at the Texas State Capitol
Trendy Austin engagement photos on South Congress
Jo's Coffee I love you so much mural engagement photos on South Congress Avenue
At the bar for engagement photos at the South Congress Hotel
Cinematic hallway engagement photos at South Congress Hotel in downtown Austin

Part One: Texas State Capitol Engagement Photos

With all the classy & elegant vibes

Our first stop for their downtown Austin engagement session was the majestic Texas State Capitol. The capitol building’s iconic architecture was the perfect backdrop for capturing their romance with a timeless and elegant aesthetic. 

Cali looked stunning in a little white dress from Oh Polly and pearl-accented sheer gloves as she and Brandon wandered the sweeping staircases, balconies and book stacks. Cali & Brandon were looking for photos with filmy, flash photography vibes and allll the emotion. 

Every swoon-worthy moment felt like it came straight from a movie.

Elegant engagement photos on the staircase inside the Texas State Capitol
Classy and elegant engagement session photos with the historic architecture of the Texas State Capitol
Detail shot of the couples cozying up together in the Texas State Capitol building
The couple sneaking kisses in the book stacks of the historic Texas State Capitol for their downtown Austin engagement session
Dancing outside the Texas State Capitol building for the downtown Austin engagement photos
Classy downtown Austin engagement session outside the Texas State Capitol

A bonus about shooting at the capitol building is there is no photography permit or fee required!

Part Two: Strolling South Congress Avenue

Downtown Austin engagement photos

 It wouldn’t be a downtown engagement shoot without strolling along the sidewalks of South Congress Avenue! After spending time at the State Capitol, we walked along the lively streets of SOCO where Cali & Brandon lived out an iconic city romance. They joked and laughed together, danced and stole kisses through all the hustle and bustle. With the vibrant colors and the eternally classic “I love you always” mural outside Jo’s Coffee, this part of their session was a love letter to the heart of Austin.

Taking retro and classy engagement photos under the Austin Motel sign on South Congress Avenue
Cute downtown Austin engagement photos incorporating the street art of South Congress Avenue
Walking the crosswalks of downtown Austin for their elegant city engagement session
Iconic Austin engagement photo location of the I love you so much mural outside Jo's Coffee on South Congress Avenue

Part Three: Iconic South Congress Hotel Engagement Photos

A cozy romantic getaway right off South Congress Avenue

After all that walking, it was time to put their feet up and get cozy. South Congress Hotel has some of the trendiest lounge and bar vibes in the city – and is a perennial favorite for tourists and locals alike. 

Cali opted for an outfit change, going for a longer silk dress from Hello Molly that fit effortlessly with the chic and sophisticated ambiance of the hotel. Against the backdrop of plush furnishings and dimly lit corridors, the hotel was the perfect sanctuary to end the night. We even stole away for some quiet moments in the hotel hallways, and I had so much fun capturing some cinematic and flash moments for them in every nook and corner.

Cozying up with drinks at the bar and lounge in the South Congress Hotel during their downtown Austin engagement photos session
Downtown Austin engagement photos cozying up in the elevator of South Congress Hotel
Romantic and classy hotel hallway engagement photos at the South Congress Hotel in downtown Austin

BOOKING AN ENGAGEMENT SESSION AT THE HOTEL:

The South Congress Hotel does require you to book photo shoots in advance + a $150 per hour photography fee. I recommend going during the week as the weekends are busier for them and harder to book a shoot!

As the sun set on our downtown Austin engagement session, I felt so grateful Cali & Brandon chose me to be part of their stunning love story. They’re both so easy-going and sweet, and even though they had some nerves at the beginning, they melted away as soon as we got going.

I believe the most candid photos are about being real on both sides of the lens. In trusting yourselves and trusting the heart of your photographer – and it’s always so moving to me when couples like Cali & Brandon open up and let their love shine through. It’s everything.

♡ From Cali

“I finally just got all the pictures downloaded 😂 there are so many and they’re all incredible 😭😭 thank you so much for all your hard work on these! I’m putting them on a gallery wall in our bedroom & I’ll probably be posting for the rest of my life lmao it’s gonna be so hard to choose from these for the save the dates!”

The couple cozied up on a classy sofa at the South Congress Hotel for their downtown Austin engagement session

Their gallery is FULL of photos I’m head-over-heels for, and I can’t wait to shoot their wedding this year!

If you’re dreaming of your own downtown Austin engagement session, I’d be honored to bring your vision to life! Let’s celebrate your love, your story, your truth – frame by frame.

I’m an Austin wedding and engagement photographer for the laid back lovers and intentional ones. I travel the TX Hill Country (& beyond) for love– and I can’t wait to hear all about yours. Let’s get candid here!

♡ With joy, Kari

Reply...