If you’re heading to Lackland AFB in San Antonio, this location guide is for you! Ellison Hardison of E. Hardison Photography has scoped out the best the area has to offer and is ready to share it all. Keep reading for her local insight in this Lackland AFB Photography Spotlight!

What are your top three favorite locations for sessions? Briefly share about each.

King William Historic District

This area has neat historic houses and streets lined with beautiful trees. There is also access to the river, which makes it a diverse spot overall. It was one of my favorite locations, no matter the time of year! I usually parked on King William Street because it has the historic homes and a few entrances to the river walking path.

Phil Hardberger Park

This spacious natural area park is a very popular spot among photographers. Shaded walking paths wind through the grounds and open up to wide expanses of tall grass, giving a nice variety of backdrops in one location.

Cibilo Nature Center

This one is a bit of a drive, but it is well worth it! It has lots of open fields and tall grass for photos. The trails take you to a beautiful creek area that has huge cypress trees. I did one of my last sessions in San Antonio here and I wish I would’ve checked out this location sooner!

Are there any particularly busy seasons for photographers in this area? Any events an incoming photographer should know about?

The work can be seasonal here, with Christmas and spring time being busier seasons. I feel like those are great times to offer mini sessions. It gets very hot in the summer, so work is typically slower during the those months.

Lackland has BMT graduations every week, so there is definitely an opportunity to photograph those events if you’re interested.

What should an incoming photographer know about permits in this area?

Most of the parks require a permit. Some offer a one-time permit, while others have an annual option too. Also, some parks require at least a week’s notice, so be sure to check their website.

What is the biggest piece of advice you’d give to an incoming photographer?

Definitely get out and explore! There are so many lovely spots throughout the city. Word of mouth and referrals among the military community helped my business a lot here, so utilize the spouses pages! There were always posts inquiring about photographers.

Any other local expertise you’d like to share?

It is very hot in Texas in the summers! Plan your sessions accordingly during the hotter months and go somewhere with more shade or opt for earlier in the day. There are tons of creative spaces/indoor studio options available to rent if your clients are looking for something indoors during the hotter months.

Where can other milspouse photographers connect with you?

Website: https://ehardisonphotography.mypixieset.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e.hardisonphotography

---

Are you a milspouse photographer interested in contributing? I’d love to have your insight! Please send me an email at erin@erinthompsonphoto.com and I’ll be in touch with the details!

If you enjoyed this Lackland AFB photography spotlight, be sure to check out other featured location guides and tips for moving your business!