Location Guide
engagements + bridals
St.Joseph’s Chapel in the woods - st.martinville
This is a very pretty property in St.Martinville that has a long gravel road leading up to the grounds. They have acres of sugar cane fields when it’s in season and even a large pond! You will also find a quaint little garden area and a big wooden house. There are so many pretty spots on this property - the photo opportunities are endless!
Photo fee: $40 cash/check
*good for engagements
Jungle Gardens at avery island
“Jungle Gardens offers wonderful attractions that will appeal to nature lovers, bird watchers and any visitor interested in experiencing the beauty of nature and abundant wildlife in a pristine, tranquil setting.
Azaleas, irises, and wisteria fill the property in spring, the summer provides lots of greenery, in the fall, the grounds explode with colors as our many tree species change into yellows, oranges, and reds, and as fall turns to winter, our camellias and Japanese magnolias begin to bloom. Our property covers over 170 acres and provides an endless amount of backdrops for your special photos.”
Photo fee: $75
*good for engagements and bridals
UL Alumni center at Ul
If you’re from Lafayette, you probably know this location - while it is very popular, there’s a good reason for it! This is a beautiful property with a large, neutral toned house. There is a small, green garden area with a cute little fountain and so many pretty spots to choose from! The only downside is that the booking fee does not reserve the entire property for you - other people are allowed to shoot here at the same time, so it can get a little crowded at times.
The fee for this location is $25 (for gardens only).
*good for engagements and bridals
Afton Villa Gardens in St.francisville
“Originally begun in 1849, Afton Villa was a grand estate renowned for its classic Southern charm. Over the years, the estate’s gardens evolved into a sprawling oasis, carefully curated to blend the old-world grandeur of the mansion with the vibrant colors and textures of a flourishing garden. . A fire destroyed the gothic plantation in 1963, which led to the estate’s abandonment and a second period of decline for the gardens… Genevieve and Morrell “Bud” Trimble acquired the property in 1972 restoring its gardens… [they] also converted the ruins of the mansion to a garden, added a pond and a lake, and restoring the various highlights of the garden.
Afton Villa Gardens features a stunning array of landscapes, each offering its own unique charm. From the graceful curves of our manicured lawns to the vibrant splendor of our flower beds, every corner of our gardens is designed to enchant and inspire.”
Photo fee: $125 (cash only)
*good for engagements and bridals
Walking park - Eunice
Back in my hometown of Eunice, LA there’s a quiet little park where residents can go walk, run, feed the ducks, or just take their kids to go play. There’s a large pond and a wooden bridge that connects 2 walking paths to one another. Such a cute little spot for those wanting a more relaxed, quick session.
Photo fee: free
*good for engagements
Windrush gardens in baton rouge
“Strolling through Windrush Gardens you will marvel at the majestic live oaks and ancient crapre myrtles that create a shady canopy over the numerous azaleas and camellias.
The semiformal garden areas include symmetrically designed beds, open lawns and water features. Steele Burden acquired a taste for sculpture and garden ornamentation on European tours, and he collected many pieces to adorn these gardens. The garden areas provide intimacy, with each "room" offering a different design expression.”
Photo fee: $80
*good for engagements and bridals
Longue vue house and gardens in new orleans
“Longue Vue House & Gardens is a stunning backdrop for portraits of all kinds. With eight acres of gardens, twenty-two water features, gorgeous live oaks, and exceptional landscape design, you are sure to find the perfect spot to capture your special moment!”
Photo fee: $150/hour
*good for engagements and bridals
rip van winkle in new iberia
“Joseph Jefferson, built a hunting lodge on Jefferson Island in 1870. He was an actor and played the part of Rip Van Winkle on stage over 4500 times. That is where the island got it's name: Rip Van Winkle Gardens on Jefferson Island.
Take a stroll through approximately 15 acres of semi-tropical gardens nestled among 350 year old oak trees. The branches of these old oaks drip with moss that shimmer in the sunlight.”
Photo fee: $50/hour for engagements; $100/hour for bridals. They do charge an extra fee for after hours.
*good for engagements and bridals
the gilmour in baton rouge
“The Gilmour is renowned for its picturesque settings, making it a favorite spot for photography sessions. Whether you’re capturing bridal portraits, engagement photos, maternity shoots, or family pictures, our venue’s lush Live Oak flora and timeless architecture create stunning backdrops that enhance every photo.”
Photo fee: Mon-Thurs sessions only - engagements/family are $150/hour; bridals are $300 for 2 hours.
*good for bridals
arlington mansion in franklin
“In the early 1960s, Carl Bauer saved Arlington from a worn and battered state. Carl brought back the life and vitality into Arlington by investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into the home, guest house and gardens. Since 2016, major renovations have been done to the property to restore it to its original beauty all while making updates to the grounds, siding, structure and interior to keep the property modern and inviting.
The english garden project started in 2016 by Mullin Landscapes includes brickwork with large lawns and immense landscaping, as well a sugar kettle fountain feature and several other details to accentuate the traditional elements of the home's architecture.”
Photo fee: $200/hour and every additional 30 min is $100
*good for bridals
Hotel Bentley
“The Hotel Bentley was constructed in 1907 by Joseph Bentley, a native of Pennsylvania who became wealthy in the lumber industry in Central Louisiana. Bentley was an eccentric fellow, and legend has it that the only reason he built the hotel is because he was turned down for a room in the former Ice House Hotel. During World War II, the United States military trained over a half a million troops in the Alexandria area. The commanders of these troops, Dwight Eisenhower and George S. Patton, resided for long periods of time at the Hotel Bentley, sometimes joined by Omar Bradley and Henry Kissinger planning the historic Louisiana Maneuvers…
The hotel has undergone a multi-million dollar restoration which included converting the seven-story tower portion of the property into private residential units. The original portion of the property has remained a hotel with 93 guest rooms.”
Photo fee: $150/hour
*good for engagements
John nickerson house in lafayette
“The John Nickerson House is a serene and elegant venue for unforgettable events. Our 1891 Victorian mansion is in the Sterling Grove district, just a stone's throw from Downtown Lafayette! The John Nickerson house offers modern conveniences while blending the charm of a bygone era. Capture your special moments with our unique backdrops - indoors in our carefully preserved mansion or outside in our picturesque outdoor areas, perfect for photoshoots!”
Photo fee: $150 for 2 hours
*good for bridals
Hilliard Art Museum in Lafayette
“Notable spaces adjacent to The Hilliard — the A. Hays Town Building, the Plaza, with its water wall fountain, and the Museum’s Great Lawn are available as backdrops for your photography sessions.”
Photo fee: $25
*good for engagements and bridals
The Yard Studios in Lafayette
“The-Yard Studios is a full service photography and videography studio built to suite creatives looking for a way to elevate their work and give their clients an amazing experience.”
Your choice of backdrop color included in rental price!
Rental fee: 1 hour $75, 2 hours $125
*good for engagements and bridals