Blog - Stephanie Friedman

Seaholm District – Austin High School Senior Photos

by admin | Apr 2, 2024 | photography, seniors

Exploring Downtown Austin, Walking the Butterfly Bridge and Dealing with lots of wind

I always do a weather and text check-in with my High School Seniors (and their parent) the day of their photo session. This makes it easy for them to find my contact info in their phone if they have last-minute questions.

For this Senior, my day-of text message to them said “Pack a Hairbrush – it’s going to be windy!”

Thankfully, her mom was on hand to do hair touch-ups in the different spots we explored around the Seaholm District and Downtown Austin near the Central Library.

Some spots were definitely less windy than others – like this beautiful green ivy wall.

If you’re also interested in having your Senior Photo Session in the Seaholm District, check out my essential tips below.

Tips for Senior Photo Sessions in the Seaholm District in Austin, Texas

It can get crowded with other photo sessions at peak times (weekend evenings in Spring and Fall) – so pick off times if possible.
Garage parking is available at the Central Library or Trader Joe’s nearby (Trader Joe’s will validate your parking with purchase)
Have a spotter when you’re taking photos on the Butterfly Bridge and be ready to get out of the way fast if cars are coming
Make sure to capture the mix of greenery, artwork and industrial buildings
If your clients need a place to change or restrooms, the Austin Central Library is right there (if your session is during their open hours)
Make a plan to eat downtown after your session, there are lots of great restaurants within walking distance

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Please check out some of my favorite images below and contact me if you’d like to book your own Senior session in Austin, Texas. Explore more Senior sessions like Lauren’s on my blog.

Interested in Booking a Senior Photo Session?

Contact Me

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Commons Ford Ranch – Wildflower Senior Pictures

by admin | Mar 26, 2024 | photography, seniors

Spring wildflowers, celebrating Senior year and a view of the river from the dock

If you book your High School Senior Photo Session in Austin in March, April or May, there’s a good chance you can have a backdrop of Spring wildflowers in your photos.

Since that was this Senior’s request, I went on some wildflower location scouting trips. Finding a nice patch of bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush there, I suggested Commons Ford Ranch in South Austin for her location.

If you’re also interested in having your Senior Photo Session at Commons Ford Ranch, check out my essential tips below.

Tips for Senior Photo Sessions at Commons Ford Ranch

It can get crowded with other photo sessions at peak times (weekend evenings in Spring and Fall) – so pick off times if possible.
It’s about a 10 minute walk from the parking lot to the Lakefront area – make sure to wear or bring comfortable shoes for walking between locations
The Lakefront area can be a popular party area – keep an eye out for stray beer cans in your frame and you might have to wait your turn on the dock. (We had some lovely fisherman move out of the way so we could get the angle and shots we wanted)
Lots of wildlife call this park their home. If you are going to be in the tall grass, wear cowboy boots or pants as one of your three outfit options.
Springtime wildflowers can be spectacular – peak blooms are usually in March, April and May. Winter has some lovely golden dry grass as well.
Enjoy the beautiful and peaceful scenery just 25 minutes away from downtown Austin

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Please check out some of my favorite images below and contact me if you’d like to book your own Senior session in Austin, Texas. Explore more Senior sessions like Lanie’s on my blog.

What prompted you to have this photo session? I wanted to have this photo session because I am a senior and wanted to have pictures done, not just to put on graduation cards & that sort of thing but also to memorialize this time in my life. I think it will be fun to look back and see how I looked as a senior in high school when I am older.
What do you plan to do with your digital photos? I plan to post some to my personal instagram account, send some to relatives and put one on a graduation card.
How did you choose your location for your session? I chose Commons Ford because I really wanted something natural. I felt like an urban setting wouldn’t really match my personalty; I love Austin nature and wanted to be photographed in it. I also wanted to have wildflowers in my photos and I heard from a friend (plus Stephanie scouted it out for me) that the wildflowers there were pretty.
What advice would you give to others planning a similar Senior photo session? Make sure you look at the forecast beforehand! I didn’t realize it would be so cloudy on the day I picked; I hoped the sky would be bluer. That said, I think my photos still turned out well. Also, go in with a specific vision and don’t be afraid to communicate that!
Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Stephanie was so sweet; I liked her immediately. She made me feel very comfortable, which was good since I don’t love being photographed. She also was very prepared, she had everything from double-sided tape to hairspray to props. She made posing feel natural and it wasn’t awkward at all. My mom and I enjoyed chatting with her, her happy manner and her expertise behind the camera!

Interested in Booking a Senior Photo Session?

Contact Me

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Long Center – Austin High School Senior Pics

by admin | Mar 25, 2024 | photography, seniors

All the world’s a stage, rain break, and graduation cap and gown

Even though I always check the Events Page of the location before setting a date for a session, you still get surprises.

Like when I walked up to the Long Center Rotunda before a High School Senior photo session and saw an exercise class happening.

This Senior’s family was so sweet and flexible. So, when we learned the exercise class would be wrapping up 30 minutes into our session, we rolled with it.

I started taking photos around the edges first – making sure to get some shots of this Theater kid on the 3-D printed stage.

Then it started to rain. Which meant the exercise class ended early. And we could wait for breaks in the rain to get the classic “skyline reflected in the windows” image. (Note the raindrops on the ground)

Thankfully the rain didn’t last long, so we were able to finish out the Senior Pictures in all my favorite spots (including the rooftop of the parking garage).

If you’re also interested in having your Senior Photo Session at the Long Center, check out my essential tips below.

Tips for Senior Photo Sessions at the Long Center

EVENTS: Check the Long Center events page first to ensure there won’t be a conflict with your session date (though be ready to be flexible if a surprise event IS happening)
PARKING: Long Center Garage has ample parking (as well as lots of great backdrops)
TIME OF DAY: I prefer “just before sunset” golden hour sessions to get the best light on the Austin Skyline in the background
LOCATIONS: I usually start at the Long Center Rotunda (love all the architectural details and color palette), and then either move towards the parking garage rooftop for an urban vibe or go towards Butler Park for a nature setting
OUTFIT CHANGES: Be prepared to change outfits in your car in case the Long Center is closed to visitors during your session.

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Please check out some of my favorite images below and contact me if you’d like to book your own Senior session in Austin, Texas. Explore more Senior sessions like Naomi’s on my blog.

What prompted you to have this photo session? Our daughter saw your work featured on a friend’s IG page and loved her photos. We reached out because it was exactly the kind of photos she wanted (Leigh).
What do you plan to do with your digital photos? We will have prints made of a few of the ones we really love to display in our home and make the others into a photo book that will include other photos from Naomi’s childhood and high school years (Leigh). I plan to use the photos for my graduation invitations, my school’s yearbook, and to print them so we can hang some in our house (Naomi).
How did you choose your location for your session? Naomi was in the Nutcracker in elementary school and is involved with select ensemble now. Both performances took place at the Long Center so it has significance for her (Leigh). I choose the Long Center to have my session at because the Long Center is a significant place to me, as I’ve performed there mulitple times for different events throughout my life (Naomi).
What advice would you give to others planning a similar Senior photo session? Take the time to think about locations that are important and wearing outfits that you won’t regret 10-20 years from now:). Also, it’s hard to control the weather. We knew we wanted the Long Center and were just wanted to make sure it wasn’t going to be 100 degrees in Austin yet (Leigh). My piece of advice to others is don’t be afraid to ask questions, strike poses, and voice your opinion, these photos are for you! (Naomi).
Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Stephanie made the entire process very easy and worked really well with Naomi. Your communication leading up to and after the shoot about what to expect was also super appreciated! (Leigh). Working with Stephanie was an absolute delight. She’s super friendly and open to all ideas. 10/10 experience!! (Naomi).

Interested in Booking a Senior Photo Session?

Contact Me

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Posing with Props – Senior Session Ideas

by admin | Mar 2, 2024 | photography, seniors

Looking for ways to personalized your Senior Photos?

Want a Senior Photo Session that is as unique as you are? It comes down to making sure all the details reflect your personality.

From what you wear to the location you pick, both your setting and your wardrobe can highlight your uniqueness.

Another way to to illustrate what makes you special, is to include props that showcase your High School Experience.

Take a look at some of the examples from recent Senior Sessions in Austin below. You’ll see what these students did to make their photos match their interests.

Hopefully, these examples inspire you to incorporate some of your favorite elements into your Senior Photo Session.

And if you require assistance brainstorming ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out and contact me. I love coming up with ways to illustrate your special interests, hobbies and extracurricular activities.