Top Photography Spots on South Padre Island, Texas
YES, you read that right! I am giving up my TOP 10 spots that I personally love to take my clients too. These locations are all beautiful in there own way, but again it’s not the spot that makes the photo. It’s the artist behind the camera which makes those spots worth raving about later on to other photog friends. A little background about yours truly, I have been photographing on South Padre Island, Texas for about 4 years now and absolutely LOVE IT! Everyone is very nice and usually welcomes you with opens arms. Some locations are private property or they have a small session fee, so PLEASE ask for permission before taking photos and stepping foot onto anyones property. Basically use your manners that the good lord gave you, lol.
*Again these are just Iliasis Muniz Photography’s favorite spots*
Isla Blanca Park
Address – 33174 State Park Road 100 South Padre Island, TX 78597
Cell – 956-761-5494
Fee – $10 per car
The Isla Blanca Park is a pretty large with lots of parking. They do have a $10 fee per car before entering. You have many options here with rocks, the beach, and even a hidden little bay section. Make sure to arrive 30 minutes early to scope out the many hidden treasures before shooting. They have bathrooms for clients to change and a few stands that sell water.
Birding and Nature Center
6801 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597
(956) 761-6801
Free (In the front)
The Birding Center is a peaceful location. It has many free features in the front of the property for photo ops. They have a beautiful long white bridge, a smaller bridge with a waterfall and a lots of nice green grass. This location does have free parking and more hidden spots in the back of the building. Once you enter the building and into the back there is a small fee for adults and children. It leads out to the bay and will make for stunning sunset portraits.
Beach Access 4
Past the SPI Convention Center on 3rd right
Free (Open to public)
Beach access 4 is one of my ultimate favorite locations on the island! There are so many beach access on the island that it’s hard to choose one, but this is the best for me. They recently just added a brand new bridge/wheelchair accessible where you don’t have to walk on the sand anymore. This location is beautiful in so many ways. It has a great area with greenery, lots of pretty purple flowers, and of course the ocean! Below is one of my fave images taken here.
Peninsula Beach Resort
340 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597
1-800-761-2514
Free (Call and ask for permission)
This adorable hotel has a gorgeous dark wooden bridge that leads straight to the beach. They also have a rinsing station where you clients can rinse there feet off. It has free parking in the front of the hotel area. Great location for small families.
The Shores
Franke, Realtors 8605 Padre ~ South Padre Island, TX 78597
1-956-761-2606
Free (Call and ask for permission)
Ah, this place is where a lot of photographers love to take their clients. It’s an all white little gazebo with a beautiful view out to the ocean. This location is at the end of the island and owned by the Franke Realtors. They have gorgeous shore houses all around the gazebo for rent and is mainly used for families, weddings, and couples. This location is private property, so be sure to ask for permission before taking your clients here.
Casa Mariposa Event Venue
112 W Corral St, South Padre Island, TX 78597
(956) 433-3005
Fee (Call for pricing)
Casa Mariposa has a very rustic and boho feel to it. The building is bright burnt orange with lots of beautiful plants and adorable refurbished wood. It sits in the middle of the island on Corral st, so it’s a bit hidden from the main road. It’s outdoor feel gives it enough space to take photos with the sky right above you. This location is all outdoors and has a few rooms where you can even rent. Perfect place for an outdoor wedding!
Bay
Behind the convention center
Free
The bay area is located right behind the convention center on spi. It’s pretty large area where you can choose to drive your car on the sand if its not high tide or you can park and just walk to the water. The sun sets on the bay side, so it makes for breathtaking photos! The photo below was a recent session I did for a client and I simply added the sky to make it have a pink hue. Make sure to check the tide reports the night before to ensure you can either drive on the sand.
SPI Convetion Center
7355 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Free (Open to the public)
I love the SPI convention center! There are so many little spots hidden in this area that it’ll take you a long while to find them all. This bridge is one of my favorite spots because it not only has a ton of beautiful greenery, but it also over looks the bay. The sun sets right behind the walkway so makes for perfect lighting. The convention center also has a ton of unique painted walls. Be sure to check out the big hibiscus flower that was just added this year!
Namar Event Center
8505 Padre Boulevard South Padre Island, TX 78597
956-761-2350
Free (Call and ask for permission)
The Namar building is a perfect location for bridal, wedding, senior, family, and pretty much any kind of photo shoot. The Namar location has tons of big beautiful windows that surround the building. Be sure to ask for permission before stepping foot on premises for photos. Did I mention this place has free parking? Well, it does and it offers a spectacular view to the bay!
Schlitterbahn Water Park
33261 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597
956.772.7873
Free (Open to Public/seasonal)
I love Schlitterbahn Waterpark! This place is very friendly and has views that you will never forget. This location will be full of people during the summer and only recommend during the fall for photos. Of course, be sure to check ahead with the front desk. I mainly take my clients to the Shrimp Haus Restaurant where they have restrooms for changing.
