About us
At least once a month at HoustonPhotowalks.com, we drum up some crazy idea for a place to photograph and practice our photo techniques. We're a fun bunch, no pressure, no stress. Come ready to learn and share what you know among other photographers.
Check out our Member Discounts, Sponsors and other cool stuff on our Good Stuff page: https://houstonphotowalks.com/member-perks/
This group is perfect for new camera owners, novice hobby photographers, and old dogs that have been shooting photos for a long time.
Our group has 3 main principles that guide our way:
• Fun and Safe (we want you to have a great time, and not die).
• Honor the amateur photography clubs that came before us. Their enthusiastic interest in photography paved the way for the technology evolution that allows us to capture light today.
• Education, of ourselves, each other and the community. We learn our best techniques from each other, and we teach the community that photographers aren't jerks, criminals or terrorists.
Upcoming events
4
- $1.68
Photowalk: Butterfly Center Weekday Visit (Start at Barnaby's)
Barnaby's Cafe, 1801 Binz St. Ste. 110, Houston, TX, USJoin us for a Thursday photowalk at the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Cockrell Butterfly Center. We’ll start with an early lunch at Barnaby’s Cafe, then head over for a quieter weekday visit with fewer weekend crowds.
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Come hang out with fellow photographers for a relaxed lunch and a colorful afternoon at the Cockrell Butterfly Center. We’ll meet at Barnaby’s Cafe in the Museum District at 11:00 AM, then drive over to the Butterfly Center for the suggested 12:30 PM entry time.
Buy your Butterfly center tickets IN ADVANCE:
- Adults $15, members $8.
- Buy tickets in advance from the HMNS Cockrell Butterfly Center
- https://www.hmns.org/exhibits/cockrell-butterfly-center/
Inside the rainforest conservatory, we’ll have a chance to photograph butterflies, tropical plants, glass architecture, water features, and close-up details. This is a great setting for macro practice, nature photography, and learning how to work with moving subjects in warm, humid light.
All skill levels and camera types are welcome, including smartphones, compact cameras, mirrorless, DSLR, and macro setups. Come for the photos, the lunch, or just a peaceful weekday visit with the group.
WHY VISIT THE COCKRELL BUTTERFLY CENTER ON A THURSDAY?
The Cockrell Butterfly Center is one of Houston’s most photogenic indoor nature spaces, with a tropical rainforest setting inside a three-story glass structure. Visiting on a Thursday should help us avoid heavier weekend crowds and give everyone more room to slow down, look closely, and make thoughtful images.
The mix of live butterflies, plants, glass, mist, and water makes it a fun challenge for both beginners and experienced photographers.- Historical/context fact: The Butterfly Center is part of HMNS and features a three-story glass rainforest conservatory with a 50-foot waterfall and about 1,500 butterflies from global farms.
- Hidden gem detail: The exhibit also includes the Brown Hall of Entomology, where visitors can learn more about insects, arthropods, and butterfly life cycles.
- Visual feature to photograph: Look for butterflies feeding on flowers, patterned wings under leaves, tropical plant textures, reflections on the glass, and the waterfall area.
IMPORTANT INFO
- Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
- Group size limit: 15 people (members-only, no +1 please)
- Lunch meetup: 11:00 AM at Barnaby’s Cafe, 1801 Binz St #110, Houston, TX 77004
- Butterfly Center address: 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
- Suggested entry time: Buy tickets for the 12:30 PM entry time.
- Tickets: Adults $15, members $8. Buy tickets in advance from the HMNS Cockrell Butterfly Center page: https://www.hmns.org/exhibits/cockrell-butterfly-center/
- The rainforest area can be warm and humid.
- Paths may be wet, narrow, or inclined, so solid walking shoes are a good idea.
- Photography and videography are allowed inside the Butterfly Center.
- Tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed.
- Please stay on the paths and do not touch butterflies, plants, or wildlife.
PARKING
For Barnaby's Cafe 1801 Binz:- There is a garage at 1801 Binz. The first floor may be free and upper-floor parking may be validated, but please check signs and ask Barnaby’s when you arrive.
For HMNS:
- Attached garage: 5555 Hermann Park Dr. HMNS currently lists garage parking as $10 for members and $30 for non-members. Rates can change, so check posted signs.
- Free option: Lot A by the Sam Houston statue, 3-hour parking.
- Free option: Lot C at the McGovern Centennial Gardens lot, 3-hour parking.
- Paid nearby option: Museum Medical Tower, 5714 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004.
- Please allow extra time to park and walk over.
WHAT TO BRING
- Camera or smartphone
- Macro lens or close-focus option, if you have one
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Clothing for a warm, humid indoor rainforest
- A light bag you can carry easily (no rollers for this one)
Please do not bring:
- Tripods
- Selfie sticks
- Large or bulky gear that may block paths or slow down the group
- Food or drinks inside the Butterfly Center
RSVP AND PAYMENT INFO
- If you need to change your RSVP, please post a comment below so others know a spot has opened up.
- Rain or shine, no refunds, no transfers.
- See our FAQ webpage for Payment, RSVP, and other questions.
- Organizers may not see emails/texts/comments during events, get questions in early.
15 attendees - $14.00
Photowalk - Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Bayou Bend Collection (MFAH), 5201 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX, USBayou Bend is the MFAH house museum for American decorative arts and paintings. Displayed in the former home of Houston civic leader and philanthropist Ima Hogg (1882-1975), the collection is one of the finest showcases of American furnishings, silver, ceramics, and paintings in the world.
EVENT DESCRIPTION
This photowalk is primarily to photograph the inside of the house (and it's air conditioned!). If you want to photograph the gardens afterwards, you're welcome to.We've limited the number of photographers to twenty (20) photographers. No guests.
PAYMENT/COST
We've negotiated group pricing, The cost covers the group pricing, organizers costs, along with MeetUp and PayPal costs.IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please note that Bayou Bend has specific rules regarding photography:- NO tripods, monopods, platypods, other photographic gear. etc.
- NO flash photography (i.e. do not bring a flash). This also means no constant lighting sources like Lumecubes, etc.
- Photography is allowed for personal use only
- Limit one camera and one lens per photographer
- No backpacks, camera bags
PARKING
There is ample parking in their lot.RSVP AND PAYMENT INFO:
- If you need to change your RSVP, please post a comment below so others know a spot has opened up.
- Rain or shine, no refunds, no transfers.
- See our FAQ webpage for Payment, RSVP, and other questions:
- Organizers may not see emails/texts/comments during events, so send questions early.
11 attendees 
Trip: Alaska Photography Cruise with HoustonPhotowalks – August 2026
Location not specified yetJoin Houston Photowalks for an unforgettable 7-night Alaska photography cruise departing Seattle in August 2026.
We’ll mix guided excursions, classes, and free time so you can capture the wild beauty of Alaska your way.
Note: The official deadline has passed, but as long as staterooms are still available on the ship, additional bookings may be possible. For more information, contact Pat Hand (travel agent) or visit the official cruise page: Dancing Moon Travel Alaska Photography Cruise 2026
- August 14th – Seattle, WA pre-cruise photowalk
- August 15th – Cruise ship departure from Seattle
- August 16th – Sea day
- August 17th – Juneau, Alaska
- August 18th – Glacier Bay, then Icy Strait Point
- August 19th – Sitka, Alaska
- August 20th – Ketchikan, Alaska
- August 21st – Victoria, BC
- August 22nd – Return to Seattle, WA
https://www.dancingmoontravel.com/alaska-photography-cruise-2026.html
5 attendees
Past events
830
Group links
Members
4,577
