10 Cool Instagram Photo Ideas in Austin

What do you think of when Austin comes to mind? Many people immediately think of the city’s slogan: “Keep Austin Weird.” That just about sums up what’s so fantastic about this Texan city. Its default cultural ethos is to embrace the strange and unexpected — which makes it an interesting and enjoyable place to live. Austin is brimming with creativity, as artists and musicians are continuously drawn to the city. In addition, Austin is home to more than 200 parks, cutting-edge architecture, and other impressive landmarks and attractions. All these features add up to a city that’s perfect for a photoshoot, whether you’re looking for conventionally beautiful sights or a fun, quirky direction.

The relatively casual and accessible platform of Instagram allows professional and amateur photographers alike to capture and share all that Austin has to offer, visually speaking. Whichever of these categories you fall into, there are practically limitless stylish, beautiful, and quintessentially “weird” attractions to be found in Austin. Thankfully, you can effectively browse this amazing array of options on Peerspace, which lets you search hundreds of venue listings to locate the one that’s right for your needs, budget, and aesthetic preferences. But if you’re still not quite ready to jump right into the search, we’ve compiled a list of 10 super-cool Instagram photo ideas in Austin to help you get your bearings.

1. A unique rock ‘n’ roll photography gallery

Soak up the vibes at this surprising rock ‘n’ roll photography gallery. It’s a little bit unexpected to use photos as a backdrop for your photos, which we think is cool and kind of meta. The many dramatic photos of musicians will offer some inspiration for your own, perhaps more casual photoshoot. 

2. A contemporary urban farmhouse with a pool

“Urban farmhouse” might sound like an oxymoron, but it’s no surprise that Austin residents figured out a way to combine the two in a way that looks amazing — you might even say better than the sum of its parts. Plus, let’s be honest: whether you’re floating in it, or maybe just using it as a backdrop, what’s more Instagrammable than a bright blue pool in a lovely garden? 

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3. A gorgeously landscaped 22-acre sanctuary overlooking a valley

Here’s a major standout among Instagram photo ideas in Austin! This sanctuary offers an upper landscape with a pool, lawn, fountains, seating areas, rock walls and gates, vegetable garden, water fountains, and lots more. The lower natural area, meanwhile, has waterfalls and a fire pit, among other features. Nature, nature, and more nature: that’s what you’ll find on these breathtaking 22 acres. If that’s what you’re looking for, it’s the ideal choice. 

4. An urban plant studio tucked away in East Austin

This space managed to bring Mother Nature inside, and the result is absolutely stunning. Just about anywhere you turn in this 525-square-foot studio, you’ll see lots of plants of all different shapes and sizes. (And honestly, nothing could be better suited to the platform of Instagram, where the #succulents tag alone has about 7.5 million posts.)

5. A downtown Prohibition-era 1920s bungalow with a lounge/cocktail bar

There’s a reason this 1920s lounge and bar has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, BravoTV, Paste Magazine, Out, CNBC, and more. It’s a truly unique Instagram photo idea in Austin. The bungalow preserves its rich history — with original hardwood floors and other details that honor “the character of the original structure,” as the hosts put it — but with modernization and renovation that make it truly comfortable and inviting.

6. A historic train station event venue

Talk about historic details! This train station includes details like stained-glass windows, 1930s brass lamps and other vintage light fixtures, an antique awning, and lots more. The ceiling, with its dramatic wooden beams, are especially eye-catching, adding major texture and visual interest to your photos. This gorgeous and unusual venue is one of the most beautiful Instagram photo ideas in Austin.

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7. An artsy Eastside gallery in a converted warehouse

One manifestation of the thrilling Austin arts scene that we mentioned in the intro is this gallery in a converted warehouse (the Flatbed Building). It’s got a cool, industrial feel and, of course, tons of rotating exhibits of contemporary art that’ll make an impressive background for your photography. And the space’s dramatic LED track lighting will add equally dramatic flair to your pics, too.

8. A spectacular downtown rooftop deck event space with skyline view

One of the best things about living in a decently sized city with plenty of tall buildings is the near-unmatched beauty of a skyline, especially at night, when all the lights are shining. On this luxurious roofdeck of Inn Cahoots, a four-story boutique hotel and event venue, the views are hard to beat. Day or night, it’s a great spot to snap some Insta photos.

9. A breathtaking Hill Country home with a phenomenal view

This place has views, too, but of a completely different kind! From the massive, 120-foot deck (which runs along the entire length of the house), you can gaze at the lush green vista of the Hill Country, using it as a backdrop for portraits or just snapping photos of the view. The home itself is truly impressive, with 3,600 square feet of top-notch modern design.

10. A serene country farm with Airstream on site

Austin may be a reasonably large city, but you’re still in Texas — so there are plenty of farms and other more pastoral sights to be seen out in the nearby Hill Country! The Airstream is an especially fun, quirky feature of this authentic farm property, and you’re sure to love the views of wide open land, sky, fields of wildflowers, and lots more natural beauty.

Find unique event venues in Austin on Peerspace

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