Walden Retreats Johnson City Engagement

Engagements

An Engagement Session at an Iconic Texas Hill Country Glamping Wedding Venue

Walden Retreats in Johnson City had been on my dream list of venues for a while. So when we did Sara & Kyle’s engagement session there, I was over the moon. They were hoping for a more outdoorsy Hill Country engagement location (instead of something in the city), and this was the first spot that came to mind. They were instantly in love with it!

Walden is tucked into the rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country with wide-open views paired with beautifully modern details. You can explore the grounds—complete with river access to the Pedernales—and instantly feel the pace slow down. It’s so serene being out there, surrounded by 96 acres of stunning Texas scenery.

Sara & Kyle are one of my sweet 2025 couples, getting married at Prospect House this fall (sooo excited!!). We had so much fun wandering the property together and wrapped up the session with a spontaneous canoe ride that are some of my all-time favorite photos. Sara and Kyle were smiling and so joyous the entire time. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend the afternoon. ♡

Couple holding hands in front of the modern wood-paneled event pavilion at Walden Retreats Johnson City.
Sara and Kyle walking hand-in-hand toward the Walden Retreats event space, surrounded by Hill Country views.
Black and white photo of the couple laughing and embracing with sweeping Hill Country views behind them at Walden Retreats.
Engagement photo of the couple sitting beneath the iconic greenery wall inside the Walden Retreats event space.
Sara twirling in her blue floral dress during a fun, light-filled moment inside the Walden Retreats event pavilion.
Black and white image of the couple dancing and laughing in front of the Walden Retreats venue during their engagement session.
Candid close-up black and white photo of Sara and Kyle laughing and holding each other during their Walden Retreats engagement session.
Portrait of the couple sharing a kiss with overcast skies above the Hill Country at Walden Retreats in Johnson City.
Black and white photo of the couple kissing in a canoe on the Pedernales River at Walden Retreats Johnson City.

Why Walden Retreats in Johnson City is a Dream

Wedding Venue Details

As a photographer, I’m always looking for spaces that give couples the freedom to relax, connect, and just be themselves. Walden Retreats is that and more. It’s tucked just outside of Johnson City (perfectly situated not too far from Austin and just a short hop to Fredericksburg) and offers a beautiful slice of solitude away from it all. 

Couple sitting on the bench outside the modern event pavilion at Walden Retreats in Johnson City, surrounded by native plants and natural wood architecture.
Wide shot of the Walden Retreats event venue in Johnson City, featuring Hill Country views and warm wood tones under a bright Texas sky.
Couple sharing a cozy moment while sitting in front of the lush indoor greenery wall inside the Walden Retreats event pavilion—natural light streaming in from the windows.
Sara and Kyle sitting together on a rock ledge overlooking the Pedernales River at Walden Retreats Johnson City—surrounded by wild Texas landscape and soft skies.

It’s easy to see why they named it after the Walden quote:

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

The event pavilion has big glass doors that open to views of the river and hills. The glamping tents are beautiful and comfortable for overnight stays, and the entire property is impeccably designed. There’s space to roam and plenty of room for your people to spread out and enjoy the weekend with you.

It doesn’t feel like a traditional wedding venue—it feels peaceful, warm, and easy in the best way. Whether you’re planning a big celebration or something smaller and more intimate, Walden makes room for all of it. And if you’re simply wanting a beautiful spot to slow down and soak it all in for your engagement session, this would be the dream.

Engagement Session Idea:

Book a couple nights in one of their luxury tents and have your photographer come out for a couple hours for photos.

Sara & Kyle’s Engagement Portraits at Walden Retreats | Johnson City, TX

Sara and Kyle met on Hinge just last summer. Their first date? A game of pickleball… and then Kyle ended up meeting all of Sara’s friends that very night. 

Sara was drawn to my work because of the way it feels natural, crisp, and authentic to the moment. I really feel like their session was full of exactly that, and it was such an honor to capture their infectious joy and love.

For Sara & Kyle’s shoot, we took our time exploring the property—starting with some clean, minimal portraits by the greenery wall, followed by wide shots with the epic hill country views, and ending with the cutest canoe moment that was completely unplanned. (More on that below.) Every corner of this space photographs beautifully, which makes it a dream for photographers—and a hidden treasure for couples looking for a more off-the-beaten-path feel.

Couple embracing on a cliffside at Walden Retreats Johnson City, overlooking the Pedernales River and lush Hill Country views.
Black and white photo of Sara laughing as Kyle hugs her during their engagement session at Walden Retreats in Johnson City, Texas.
Wide-angle portrait of the couple sharing a kiss at the edge of the bluff at Walden Retreats, surrounded by sweeping Texas Hill Country views.

A Serendipitous Canoe Ride & Other Favorite Moments from Walden Retreats

One of my favorite parts of this session came right at the end, when Kyle gently helped Sara into the canoe and they floated out together, just the two of them. It was such a simple gesture, but it felt like something out of a movie.

These are the kind of moments I want to bottle up forever. And it’s why I do what I do—to give couples space to live their truth and celebrate their love in a way that feels natural, joyful, and entirely their own.

Black and white photo of Sara and Kyle sharing a quiet moment in a canoe on the water at Walden Retreats Johnson City.
Close-up of the couple snuggled up in a green canoe on calm water during their engagement session at Walden Retreats Johnson City.
Sara and Kyle holding hands and smiling in the middle of the river, their canoe gently floating near the shore at Walden Retreats.
Wide black and white photo of the couple floating in a canoe on the Pedernales River with Walden Retreats visible in the distance.
Sara and Kyle walking hand-in-hand near the rocky trails at Walden Retreats in Johnson City, with dramatic limestone cliffs in the background.
The couple laughing and running hand-in-hand near the canoe launch point at Walden Retreats, surrounded by natural Hill Country cliffs and trails.

“KARI I’M LITERALLY CRYING AT WORK 🥹🥹🥹😭😭😭 a puddle!!!! They are sooo incredible!!! So excited for you to shoot the wedding”

-Sara

Dreaming about a Walden Retreats Johnson City session or wedding?

Whether you’re planning your wedding, celebrating your engagement, or just want to mark this chapter of your love story in a meaningful way—Walden Retreats is the kind of place that beautifully holds space for it all. 

Behind the scenes photo of Kari photographing a Texas Hill Country wedding.

As a Fredericksburg wedding photographer, I’d love to meet you under the big skies of Johnson City or wherever your love feels most at home.

If you’re dreaming of a setting that lets you just be—unrushed, grounded, and full of heart—I’d be honored to capture it for you.

If you’re a kind soul who wants your story, your love & your truth celebrated, I’d love to chat with you!

BOOK A CALL WITH ME HERE

♡ With joy, Kari

Reply...