Richard Moya Park: A Hidden Gem for Maternity Photos in South Austin

If you’re a South Austin mama looking for a beautiful outdoor maternity session location that isn’t overrun with photographers and dog walkers, Richard Moya Park deserves a spot on your radar. It’s one of my quieter go-to locations in the Austin area, and the evening light here is something I genuinely look forward to every time I shoot there.

Where Is Richard Moya Park?

Richard Moya Park is located in southeast Austin, right near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. If you’re coming from South Austin, Buda, Kyle, or even the airport area, this is a convenient and incredibly beautiful option for your session.

What Makes Richard Moya Park Special

This park is large — really large — and the spots I love most are actually at opposite ends of it. Rather than rushing between them, I pick one area based on what you’re looking for and we make the most of it. Here’s what each area offers:

The Pecan Grove Near the Parking Area

This is where we start most sessions. A gorgeous canopy of large pecan trees creates the most beautiful filtered light, especially in the evening when the sun starts to drop. The light through those trees is soft, warm, and flattering in a way that’s hard to replicate anywhere else. It’s also conveniently close to parking — important when you’re navigating a session at 32 weeks pregnant.

The Historic Bridge Area

At the other end of the park is an old historic bridge that vehicles can no longer drive on — it’s pedestrian only now, which means no traffic and a beautiful, peaceful setting. The pecan trees below the bridge are stunning, and the evening light in this area is absolutely dreamy. Because it’s wide open, I recommend scheduling your session during golden hour rather than midday — the open sky means full sun in the middle of the day, which isn’t ideal for either of us.

I haven’t shot a morning session at the bridge area yet, but honestly? I imagine the light is just as beautiful. Something on my list to explore!

The Creek

Yes, there is a creek at Richard Moya Park — and when it’s accessible, the shallow rocky area right in the water is genuinely stunning for photos. But I want to be completely honest with you: the creek is unpredictable.

Too much rain and the access point floods. Too little rain and the creek dries up. In summer, the vegetation leading down to the only accessible entry point can get overgrown, and — I’ll just say it — there are snakes in that area. I’d rather skip it entirely than navigate an overgrown path with a pregnant client.

So yes, you might see creek photos from this location on my website, but please know that I manage expectations around that spot. If it’s accessible and safe on your session day, amazing. If not, the rest of the park is so beautiful that you won’t miss it.

Best Time to Shoot at Richard Moya Park

Evening is my favorite. The golden hour light through the pecan trees and at the bridge is absolutely stunning — warm, soft, and incredibly flattering. This is genuinely one of my favorite locations for evening sessions in the Austin area.

Year round works well — the pecan trees provide shade and beautiful light in all seasons, and the park looks beautiful whether it’s lush and green in spring or golden and warm in fall.

Avoid midday if you’re shooting at the bridge area — the open landscape means harsh overhead light without much shade.

What to Wear at Richard Moya Park

Almost anything works here, but sheer or flowy gowns are especially beautiful. The way light filters through a sheer fabric in those pecan groves is something I absolutely love to photograph — it creates this soft, ethereal quality that photographs beautifully.

Flowy gowns, fitted dresses, casual looks — I’ve done them all here successfully. If you want to borrow something from my wardrobe collection, check out the client closet here.

A Few Practical Things to Know

• It’s a real public park — there’s a playground, picnic areas, and people do use it for cookouts and walks. It’s not crowded like Brushy Creek, but you’re not in a private nature preserve like Balcones. Think: pleasantly quiet neighborhood park with gorgeous trees.
• The park is large — my favorite spots are at opposite ends, so we’ll pick one area and make the most of it rather than trying to hike the whole thing during your session.
• If you have toddlers joining, keep a close eye near the historic bridge — the railings have some gaps, and the old wooden bridge has some splinters, so little ones need supervision up there.
• Great for South Austin clients — if you’re south of the river, this is probably the closest beautiful outdoor location to you.

Ready to Book Your Maternity Session at Richard Moya Park?

If Richard Moya Park sounds like your kind of place — beautiful, peaceful, and a little bit hidden — I’d love to photograph you there. View my maternity photography portfolio here or contact me to check availability.

Want to compare all of my favorite outdoor maternity locations near Austin? Check out my full guide to outdoor maternity photo locations in Austin.

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Jen Rizy is an Austin-based maternity and newborn photographer serving South Austin, Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock, Kyle, Buda, and the greater Austin, Texas area.