“Everything good for us happens at a coffee shop.” That’s what Gabby and Illiana told me as we planned their engagement shoot at La Villita Historic Village in San Antonio. And as their engagement photographer, I have to agree! Gabby and Illiana have been together since high school, and their quiet, comfortable love was a joy to capture on digital and film.
Planning the Perfect San Antonio Engagement Shoot
Gabby proposed to Illiana in St. Thomas, but they both wanted their engagement photos in their hometown of San Antonio. When they reached out, they told me they wanted coffee shop engagement photos mixed with iconic old San Antonio vibes. What a dream!
I immediately suggested La Villita Historic Village, an artisan village in downtown San Antonio. Its historic buildings and colorful murals would be the perfect backdrop for their photos! I also suggested we could stop at a local coffee shop for the second half of the shoot. Gabby and Illiana thought it was fate, since I unknowingly suggested one of their favorite coffee shops in the area!
Coffee Shop Engagement Photos & Exploring La Villita Historic Village
Gabby and Illiana planned two outfits for their shoot. I recommend one “dressier” outfit and one casual one—think of this as date day and a date night outfits! The love birds started in their dressy outfit, and we wandered throughout La Villita Historic Village, enjoying the historic architecture, colorful streets, and gorgeous stonework. We even followed the riverwalk, stopping for photos in all of the incredible locations along the way. Engagement shoots are the perfect opportunity to capture photos that feel laid back and natural. And for Gabby and Illiana, nothing was more natural than holding hands and exploring a beautiful piece of San Antonio.
On the day of their shoot, the coffee shop we chose was unexpectedly closed. But if you know San Antonio, there is no shortage of cute coffee shops. I suggested Local Coffee near the Pearl District, which is where the three of us had met for our pre-session meeting. We were already comfortable with the atmosphere, and it proved to be the best decision. Here, they changed into their casual outfits. These coffee shop engagement photos are some of my favorites. They were cozy and effortless, letting Illiana and Gabby’s love for each other shine through. I simply had to step back and admire how beautiful it is when two souls are so deeply in love! We even recreated Illiana’s proposal to Gabby, and I was squealing!
San Antonio Engagement Photographer
The best part of working with me isn’t just how well I know the city and my ability to pivot plans at the last minute (though I’m amazing at that, if I do say so myself). No, the best part of working with me is the way I prioritize you. Gabby and Illiana didn’t want anything flashy. They wanted their engagement photos to feel comfortable and natural, just like their love.
So if you want engagement photos that reflect your love and personalities, I would love to work with you! My highest priority is making sure you feel comfortable, seen, and celebrated through every photo. Whether you want a cozy coffee shop session, to explore La Villita Historic Village, or go somewhere completely different, I am always up for an adventure. Engagement sessions are included in every wedding photography package, or you can schedule one on its own! Either way, we can find a package that suits you. Explore my photography services and contact me to start planning your session!
