High School Senior Tips – Bucket List Activities before you leave Austin for College

High School Senior Tips – Bucket List Activities before you leave Austin for College

Post Senior Year Summer Bucket List in Austin, Texas

It’s the summer after your Senior Year and you’re leaving Austin to head off to college.

What would you put on your Summer Bucket List to enjoy the last few months at home before moving away?

austin texas summer bucket list senior year

See above for some suggestions of what I’d miss most leaving Austin. 

I’ve also created a blank template if you’d like to fill in your own answers.

blank summer bucket list

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Please contact me if you’d like to book a photo session in Austin, Texas. Explore more portrait sessions on my blog.

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High School Senior Tips – How to Register to Vote

High School Senior Tips – How to Register to Vote

You just turned 18 and want to register to vote in Austin, Texas? 

With all the exciting milestones that happen your Senior Year of High School, don’t forget one that will have a lasting influence for the rest of your adult life. Remember to:

REGISTER TO VOTE! 

register to vote faq

If you fulfill all of these qualifications, go online and fill out your application in just a few minutes.

Visit the: 

TEXAS VOTER REGISTRATION ONLINE APPLICATION 

  • You’ll need your Texas Driver’s License Number or the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number to sign up.
  • You’ll also need to know your County of Residence in Austin (example: Travis, Hays or Williamson).
  • You need to register at least 30 days before an Election Day
  • Then you’ll print, sign and mail in the completed application
  • You can also visit a County Register office to complete the application in person

voting step by step instructions for austin, texas high school seniors

Once you’ve submitted your voter registration application in Texas, you’ll follow these next few steps.

1. Check your registration status online

2. In general, elections happen in May and November in Austin, Texas (but keep an eye on the news for Special Elections that pop up as well). I like checking vote411 for ballot information.

3. Find a polling place and have your form of identification ready. I like to do Early Voting – that’s usually an option the two weeks preceeding election days.

texas voter id 2024

4. Go Vote! (The election workers will ask for your form of identication when you show up at a polling place. Then you’ll be directed to a voting booth to cast your ballot first electronically and then to print it out and file on-site).

thank you for voting tips for high school seniors in austin, texas

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Please contact me if you’d like to book a high school senior year photo session in Austin, Texas. Explore more portrait sessions on my blog.

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Sisters Photo Session – Sekrit Theater

Sisters Photo Session – Sekrit Theater

Summer morning photo session in East Austin artspace

When one of your best friends comes to town with her kids, even if the temperatures are humidly hot, you make time for a photo session.

So while this family was visiting Austin from Boston, we squeezed in a kids-only photo session between their schedule of eating tacos, seeing extended family and going swimming.

sekrit theater sister photo session in east austin

We met at the fantastic artspace in East Austin, the Sekrit Theater. I had sent them some sample photos taken at that spot before we met up, so they knew which backdrops were their favorite – and we could prioritize where to shoot first.

girls in flower swing at east austin art space for photo session with stephanie friedman photography

Tips for Summer Photo Sessions at Sekrit Theater:

  • Start early. Bookings are available 24 hours/day. We picked a 7am start time to get that pretty sunrise light and slightly cooler temperatures.
  • Wear something light and breezy. These girls picked flowy sundresses.
  • Bring a hair tie in case you want to put your hair up halfway through your photos.
  • I’ll bring fans and water to help you cool off during the 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 Family session in Austin, Texas. Explore more family sessions on my blog.

  1. What prompted you to have this photo session? I am a huge admirer of Stephanie’s family photos. She has mastered her craft and captures joy and beauty in all her subjects. We live across the country but were in Texas for a few weeks when Stephanie generously offered to photograph my girls. Despite being past the ideal weather for a photo shoot, we managed to meet at dawn for the session.
  2. What do you plan to do with your digital photos? I plan to share the digital photos with my family and have a few prints made to give as gifts to loved ones. I will also frequently revisit the photos to remind my girls of the special bond they share and the moments when they enjoy each other’s company.
  3. How did you choose your location for your session? Stephanie provided me with a wide range of location options, both free and with fees. I was looking for a location with diverse backgrounds that would appeal to my preteen and teen, as well as a private setting to avoid any embarrassment. The Sekrit Theater was the ideal location for my girls, as they felt comfortable and could choose their preferred backgrounds.
  4. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? While late June or early July may not be the best time for a photo shoot due to heat and humidity, if you must schedule during this time, it’s best to do so early in the day. Stephanie was highly efficient in quickly moving the girls through the shoot, and she provided them with fans and water to keep them comfortable.
  5. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? I highly recommend Stephanie Friedman Photography. Stephanie is not only professional and creative, but she is also exceptional at working with preteens and teens. Her thoughtfulness as a photographer is evident in her excellent shots and her ability to manage a family through a photo shoot. Five out of five stars!

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Austin Summer Rankings – Family Fun

Austin Summer Rankings – Family Fun

Want to add some friendly competition to your summer outings? Why not create a summer tournament to find your favorite of your favorites.

I’ve created some sample brackets on how to match up different summer activities in Austin.

My topics include water parks, frozen desserts, indoor play places, indoor sports and parks nearby with water. 

I’ve also created a blank document in case your family would like to save, print out and then use their own category for summer fun.

summer bracket examples for austin texas

 There’s only eight weekends left of summer until school starts again in Austin. Why not use this framework to explore some different spots around town and declare a winner? 

Have fun!

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Please contact me if you’d like to book a family photo session in Austin, Texas. Explore more portrait sessions on my blog.

Interested in Booking a Photo Session?

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Viva Gullett Auction Winners – Family Photo Session

Viva Gullett Auction Winners – Family Photo Session

Summer morning family photo session at Bull Creek District Park

This was my ninth year donating a family photo session to the Viva Gullett Elementary School Auction. This bid winning family requested an outdoor nature setting that was “still green in June” for their backdrop. After sending them some scouting photos, we picked Bull Creek District Park.

brothers on tree branch during family photo session in austin park

Recent rains meant the creek was flowing and the kids could have fun splashing around. If you have kids who like to climb trees and fence posts and don’t mind getting wet – Bull Creek is a great location to use for your own family photos. 

two brothers splashing around during their family photo session in austin, texas at bull creek park

 

Tips for Family Photo Sessions at Bull Creek Park:

  • Bring a towel and water shoes (or go barefoot) and we can get some photos in the Creek itself – just be careful not to slip
  • There is a restroom next to the parking lot in case you’d like to change outfits during your session
  • This location works well for sunrise or sunset session times
  • Bull Creek Park is very popular for all types of photo sessions, so be prepared to see other photographer’s working there
  • Don’t leave any valuables in your car – I often see broken glass in the parking lot from break-ins

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

  1. What prompted you to have this photo session? It’s been several years since we’ve had professional family pictures and it was definitely time!
  2. What do you plan to do with your digital photos? We would like to put an updated family photo in our dining room.
  3. How did you choose your location for your session? We told Stephanie we wanted something in nature that preferably was still green and lush looking. She scoped out some areas and found the perfect fit for our family.
  4. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? Enjoy the moment and don’t sweat the small stuff; Stephanie is going to get some great shots for you! Oh yeah, and if you are doing photos near water don’t forget to bring the towels down with you to the photoshoot. You never know when someone might slip and fall in the water 🙂
  5. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Honestly, we haven’t done a family session in years because everyone always complains and dreads doing it but this time was different- Stephanie made it easy and fun!

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