Your milage may vary – but I don’t think my kids (age 4 and 7) are ready to enjoy traditional Museum spaces (i.e. not run and not touch). Here are my Top 10 recommendations of where to “Explore Art in Austin with Kids”.
First, I look for the following criteria:
Is the art outdoors?
Is the art interactive
What’s the admission price for a family of four?
Does it have a S.T.E.A.M. aspect? (will they build or make something during or be inspired to build or make something after)
Is it photogenic?
(Some of these recommendations are seasonal).
Second Saturday at Laguna Gloria (ice-themed)
Laguna Gloria
My number one favorite is Laguna Gloria. It’s a short drive from our house. The boys can appreciate the 14-acre sculpture park (lots of room to run and explore). But the extra special part is their “Second Saturdays” series. We’ve made gingerbread houses, foam monsters, bird houses and melted art.
The Ellsworth Kelly “Austin” exhibit at the Blanton Museum of Art is kid-friendly. And you can also use that as an excuse to explore the University of Texas campus.
4. Fairy Houses / Woodland Faerie Trail at the Zilker Botanical Garden
The Woodland Faerie Trail (or Fairy Houses) at the Zilker Botanical Gardens happens only in Summer. And you can even sign up to submit your own entry.
5. Fortlandia at the Wildflower Center
(since they’ve opened, you can no longer climb on some of the forts) – just check the posted signs
As of this post, we’ve already visited the Fortlandia Exhibit at the Wildflower Center four times. But the exhibit is only up until February, 2019. It has 10 unique forts where your kids can climb and swing and build. Highly recommended before it’s gone!
It takes a short drive out to the Hill Country, but the Science Millembodies S.T.E.A.M activities. Your kids will have a great time exploring. And inside the Silos, there’s often a rotating art exhibit.
8. Waller Creek Show
Since 2014, every November in Austin, the Waller Creek light show is a must-see. (Just make sure your kids don’t mind waiting in potentially-long lines to get in).
And if all this art inspires you to want your own art-themed family photos… Let’s Play. We can do face paint, body paint, color smoke bombs, color pellets (Holi powder), chalk and more. The only limit is our imaginations.
I’ve been lucky to photograph this family since 2013. And even when they moved from Austin to Houston a few years ago, they still make the trip back for their yearly Holiday Portrait Session (usually to coincide with a UT football game).
We tend to alternate between urban and nature settings from year to year. But when our nature setting got all of its long, beautiful grass mowed a few weeks ago, it was time for Plan B.
So we met at the Long Center Downtown for golden hour. There was dancing, leaf throwing and dog snuggling.
I love seeing the Austin skyline reflected.
Playing with shadows.
Ben had several pose ideas of his own as well (something I always encourage with the kids I photograph).
And the picture below (and several like it) are why I found leaves in my hair and camera bag once I got home 😉
Thank you, W. Family! Happy Holidays!
1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?
I have known Stephanie forever! We worked together once upon a time 🙂 I loved how she could pick the best photos for what I was trying to illustrate!
2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?
Just seeing the locations and the different visions Stephanie comes up with for us to do. Plus Ben likes to contribute his “visions” too!
3. What advice would you give to other families planning a photo session?
Have fun! Enjoy the location and the moment.
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Please enjoy this sneak peek of their family session. To see all the photos and purchase prints from the (password protected) gallery, click HERE.
If you’d like to book your own family session in Austin, contact me:
For their holiday portrait session, I took this family exploring in Downtown Austin. We took photos around the Butterfly Bridge, the Downtown Central Library and the Seaholm Power Plant.
When it was time to break out some more smiles, I challenged the kids to a knock-knock joke contest. This was the contribution from the 5-year-old:
“Knock-Knock”
“Who’s there?”
“Knock-Knock”
“Who’s there?”
“Knock-Knock”
“Who’s there?”
“Knock-Knock”
“Who’s there?”
“Knock-Knock”
“Who’s there?”
(you get the idea)
It was pretty entertaining.
Other games we played included “Look at Person X!”, sibling staring contests and “Tell Ms. Stephanie how hilarious she is” <- my most favorite game of all. Not to mention playing a few moves on the giant chess board in the Children’s section of the Library.
We managed to dodge the seven other family photo shoots also going on in the same area. This stretch of buildings in Austin is quite photogenic. And we found ourselves telling the kids “you can read books AFTER your family pictures are done.” Once the shoot was over, we were all rewarded with blow pops (myself included).
1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?
We met through a mutual friend nearly 10 years ago and have been friends ever since.
2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?
All of it! Stephanie is a master at getting kids (and adults) to relax and do different things that bring out their personality and smiles.
3. What advice would you give to other families planning a photo session?
Be flexible and have fun with it! Trust your photographer to get the best shots in the best locations. And be sure your kids are well-rested and not hungry. Nothing spoils a photo session like a cranky kid!
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Please enjoy this sneak peek of their family session. To see all the photos and purchase prints from the gallery, click HERE.
If you’d like to book your own family session in Austin, contact me:
This time last year, they were a family of three. So, I was extra excited to get to capture newborn Baby G. this year. For their holiday portrait session, we went back to Tanglewood Park (a place with special memories for them). Nana was along to help baby brother and big sister wrangle (the call of the playground was very tempting).
Thank you, S. Family – Happy Holidays! May you get the gift of lots of long naps.
1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?
We met Stephanie a few years ago when our kids attended the same preschool. While chatting at a birthday party, we discovered that she was a photographer. We were super impressed with her online portfolio and decided to have her take our family photos.
2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?
We’ve always had a great experience during our sessions with Stephanie. She is so patient and engaging with children. This year, we had a fussy baby and an energetic four year-old. She was able to get a smiles from both and capture their special bond. Stephanie had already selected spots with the best light and was prepared with an extra blanket and baby lounger when we forgot ours!
3. What advice would you give to other families planning a photo session?
My advice to other families with young children would be to bring a helper if possible. We were so thankful that our Nana came with us to hold the baby when we had to change locations or positioning. She also kept our daughter occupied during the shots with our son.
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Please enjoy this sneak peek of their family session. To see all the photos and purchase prints from the (password protected) gallery, click HERE.
If you’d like to book your own family session in Austin, contact me:
I’ve been happily photographing this family since 2014. And even though this year I had them stand in the middle of a downtown road and later look down from a tall height (triggering vertigo in 2/3rds of the crew – sorry, now I know), we had another delightful time. (So clearly they’ve forgiven me from when two years ago we used glitter 😉 )
From telling silly jokes to posing them for any future Country Album covers to arm wrestling contests to stopping to watch the International (Board)Game Day going on at the Central Library, we explored all around Seaholm, the Butterfly Bridge and the Library. Anything to bring out those amazing dimples. Thank you, F. Family! Happy Holidays!
1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?
We know Stephanie through our son, who attended the same Montessori school as her children. When she first began taking our annual family photo shoot it helped that our son – a toddler at the time – was so familiar with her. Now, it’s not the holiday season until we have our photo session with Stephanie!
2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?
Checking out the new Austin Public Library! We had not had a chance to visit it prior to our session. It is absolutely breathtaking and a wonderful backdrop (along with the rest of the Seaholm Power Plant) for a photo session!
3. What advice would you give to other families planning a photo session?
Wear something that you feel good in and be sure to laugh and have fun during the photo session! I can always tell the difference in my genuine smile versus a forced one when looking back at pictures.
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Please enjoy this sneak peek of their family session. To see all the photos and purchase prints from the gallery, click HERE.
If you’d like to book your own family session in Austin, contact me:
