You are planning on booking a photo session this year. But what month should you schedule it for?
First question – do you picture yourself in a sundress or a sweater?
Second question – what items in your family’s schedule will you need to work around?
Third question – do you have an external deadline to consider? (ex. Holiday Cards being sent out, Yearbook deadline for Senior Photos or Branding images for a website launch)
Once you have answers to those three questions, take a look at my month-by-month graphics below to see what Austin has to offer when planning an outdoor photo session.
Still have questions? Please contact me so I can help.
Want to get out of town your Senior Year? See below for some Road Trip ideas out of Austin. Texas is big - but there are plenty of fun places to visit just a few hours drive from Austin. From cities to state parks to beaches, you have lots of options only a few hours...
Summer morning portrait session on the University of Texas campus
This summer, the Blanton Museum completed their courtyard renovation. The 200,000 square feet of grounds now have new architectural, artistic and landscape features.
Among them are the The Petals. When I was on campus this past Spring for a mini-branding photo session, I saw these giant sculptures going up. Once I saw them, I knew I wanted them as a backdrop for a photo session. I could imagine the light streaming down and casting different shadow patterns.
I also knew I’d want to use the Verde que te quiero verde (Green How I Want You Green) loggia mural by Carmen Herrera for a photo session as well. I’m a sucker for a bright and geometric mural.
Keep the Blanton Museum Courtyard in mind if you’re searching for a family photo session location for yourself.
Please check out some of my favorite images from this Family Portrait session below and contact me if you’d like to book your own photo session.
1. What did you like about your family photo session location?
It was a great location. Convenient for parking, and there were plenty of interesting and colorful backgrounds available.
2. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session in the summer?
Bring water and sunglasses for between pictures.
4. Anything else you’d like to add?
Stephanie knows what she is doing! She had the poses and locations planned out, but also improvised based on conditions. She made us feel really comfortable, and we had a great time with the pictures!
Want to get out of town your Senior Year? See below for some Road Trip ideas out of Austin. Texas is big - but there are plenty of fun places to visit just a few hours drive from Austin. From cities to state parks to beaches, you have lots of options only a few hours...
Do you have a business to promote and are curious about what goes into a branding photography session?
Follow along below as I break down the steps between the client and myself from start to finish using recent work done for Good + Ready Cold Brew Tea.
» Pre-Production
Contact – Start by contacting me and telling me about your project.
Questionaire – Next, I’ll schedule a phone call to ask questions, make sure we’re a good match and discuss next steps.
Some sample questions I may ask you include:
What are your goals from a branding photo session?
How would you like to use the imagery?
Who is your ideal client?
Bid and Contract – after our phone call, I’ll send over a bid and contract.
Pinterest Board – after the contract is signed and the bid is accepted, I’ll create a Pinterest Board with sample imagery for you to react to and review to make sure we’re on the same page.
Location Scouting – This can include an in-person meeting, or I’ll send you location scouting pictures for feedback.
Assignments – I’ll send out pre-production “To Do” checklists to keep us on track (the picnic table never did get repainted)
Shot List – I’ll create a shot list breaking down the list of content we want to capture – with columns for time of day, location, props, wardrobe and model notes.
By the end of the pre-production period, you should feel 100% ready for your photo shoot.
» Production
Props & Wardrobe – We’ll work together to assemble all the items needed for a shoot day.
Lighting & Setting – I’ll confirm location and set-up for the first shot.
Shot List – We work our way through the shot list following the schedule.
At the end of the shoot, I’ll help clean up the set. Then, you relax, and I go home to download and back-up files.
» Post-Production
Editing – After the session, I spend the next few weeks culling, editing and retouching the hi-res files.
Gallery – Once the images are ready, you’ll receive a password-protected link to the full online gallery of images to download.
Social Media / Blog Post – With your permission, I’ll share some of the content online through social media and my website.
Review / Feedback – After you receive your files, I’ll ask for feedback on the experience.
Then you share your new photo content to illustrate and promote your work!
Please check out some of my favorite images from the Good + Ready branding photo session below and contact me if you’d like to discuss your own branding photo session.
Want to get out of town your Senior Year? See below for some Road Trip ideas out of Austin. Texas is big - but there are plenty of fun places to visit just a few hours drive from Austin. From cities to state parks to beaches, you have lots of options only a few hours...
Fun things to do in and around Austin – Animal Edition
Do your kids love hanging out with animals? And do they want to get hands-on with a favorite furry or scaly friend? See below for my Top 10 suggestions of where to take them in and around Austin as a family:
1) Sweet Eats Farm
Location:14400 E State Hwy. 29, Georgetown, TX 78626
Animal Activities: Farm & Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, Pig Races (3x/day), also has seasonal activities such as “hand bottle-feeding baby animals”
Cost: General Admission – $18.95 online/$23.95 at the gate, Special Events will require tickets (and may cost extra)
Details: Located in Georgetown but so family-friendly with jump pads, mazes, swing, slides and my kids’ personal favorite: apple cannons.
Animal Activities: So many options – check their site for details – but can include being a pen pal to a cat or dog, reading to rescue animals and learning about dog training.
Cost: Free, but registration is required
Details: Check age requirements – some are for 5 and younger and some are for 6 and older
Animal Activities: They offer volunteer workdays, public tours and seasonal events
Cost: Varies – but volunteer events are $10/person and public tours are $25/person
Details: Tours are two hours long and involve lots of walking. “You’ll get to get up close and personal with our residents to give lots of belly rubs, hear rescue stories, learn about how we care for over 200 pig residents as a volunteer team, and you’ll learn about the intelligence and joy of pigs!”
Note: Children must be at least 10 years old to attend a Volunteer Workday.
Want to get out of town your Senior Year? See below for some Road Trip ideas out of Austin. Texas is big - but there are plenty of fun places to visit just a few hours drive from Austin. From cities to state parks to beaches, you have lots of options only a few hours...
f you’re lucky to have family in town or kids old enough for sleep-overs or to stay home by themselves – you may not need this advice. And while we have some favorite babysitters, we’ve also been checking out the local Parents Night Out options around town. So I wanted to share what I’ve researched. Here are some options if you want your kids to get a night out at the same time as you get a date night:
Thinkery
Location: 1830 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723
Age range: 4+ years old (must be potty-trained)
Cost: $45 first child, $25 each additional child ($5 discount for Members)
Details: Kids have the museum to themselves and live it up with pizza, hands-on STEAM activities, exhibit exploration and MORE!
Extra perks: Check out the special discounts offered in the Mueller community for your date night
Details: Night out of fun that includes gymnastics, trampoline, pit time, recreational swimming, games, snack, and a full length movie (G-PG) on a HUGE movie screen (includes a mid-evening light snack and a drink). Don’t forget to bring a bathing suit and a towel.
Schedule and to book:Saturday nights once/month 6:30pm – 10:45pm (Registration for each Kids Night Out starts TWO weeks before the date of the night.)
YMCA
Location: various
Age range: 3 – 12 years old
Cost: $30 members ($60 non-members)
Details: swimming, gym games, pizza, crafts and more
Details: Date Night is a 4 hour guided play session run by our professional and experienced staff. During these 4 hours your kids will climb and play in our awesome Pandamonium room! Kids will have toys, games, and all the climbing they can handle! Our classes are capped at 6 participants to ensure that your child gets plenty of attention and supervision. Crux will provide cheese/ peperroni pizza for your kids for no additional cost!
Want to get out of town your Senior Year? See below for some Road Trip ideas out of Austin. Texas is big - but there are plenty of fun places to visit just a few hours drive from Austin. From cities to state parks to beaches, you have lots of options only a few hours...
