I was sitting there thinking and thought “Self” (which is what I call me), “Self, what are your favorite places to shoot in Houston?”
So here they are, in no particular order:
- Brazos Bend State Park - Okay, it’s not “in” Houston, but it’s close. I probably have taken more shots and more photo expeditions here than anywhere else. Great nature landscapes, gators, birds, hogs, butterflies, gators, stuff, and gators.
- Houston Zoo - Where I test my lenses and techniques. Also a place I used spend early Sunday mornings alot when first learning photography.
- St Pauls UMC - One of the best buildings in Houston to shoot and shoot in. And also Dawn’s church, so I get great access with no crowds.
- Downtown - I love to just wander downtown for shots - architectural, abstract, art, even a trash the dress. At the west edge of Downtown is Sam Houston Park, which has some historic buildings, gazebos, skyline view, and a pond. The new Discovery Park on the east side also has plenty of photo ops.
- Glenwood Cemetery - Gawds I love this place, reminds me of the UK. I probably shoot here at least a dozen times a year.
- San Jacinto State Park - Just a few minutes Southeast of Houston, but usually a peaceful place to shoot nature and stuff. The San Jac Monument is here, and Battleship Texas. Also nearby Lynchburg Landing is a fun shooting spot (channel ship traffic, waterbirds).
- Anahuac/High Island - Okay, it’s about an hour - 90 minutes from Houston, but it’s nature galore. I also have a few “Secret” places in the area I hit where I am almost guaranteed to be undisturbed with wildlife.
- Katy Prairie - The west side of Houston, from the Barker Reservoir to the wide prairie land up near Hockley. Lots of birdlife, even if the land is being overcome with developments. Supposedly a few bald eagles are still out here sometimes, but I have never caught one.
- Warehouse/Industrial Districts - I spend alot of time driving through these areas looking for neat concept shots and backgrounds. Districts are between Washington & I-10 west of Downtown (although that is becoming gentrified with townhomes) and the ship channel area east of Downtown.
- Everywhere - Keep your camera with you - you never know what you’ll see or find.
One that used to be on the list:
Japanese Gardens / Hermann Park - quite near the zoo and a great place for nature shots, abstracts, and portraits. They also have a nice rose garden and gazebo that are cool to shoot in. But they recently put up a new sign not allowing “professional” photography in the Japanese Gardens - and no interpretation and poor training has led staff to think anyone with a “big” camera is a professional.