Turning 10, blue art trees and exploring Shoal Creek
To celebrate and document her son turning 10, this mom scheduled a birthday photo session.
We went to Pease Park over Thanksgiving Break for his portrait session. This birthday boy had fun exploring the park from the trees to the flowers to the water in the Creek.
Tips for Photo Sessions in Pease Park
I divide Pease Park into two main photographic areas – the Live Oak Meadow and Kingsbury Commons.
The Live Oak Meadow has, you guessed it, lots of oak trees, some with beautiful hanging Spanish Moss, as well as easy access to play in Shoal Creek – a spot known as the swales.
Kingsbury Commons has the two-story metal and rope Treehouse as well as a nature play area and the Tudor Cottage.
I find parking to be easier by the Live Oak Meadow – and I tell my clients it’s about a 7-10 minute walk between the two spots, but we should start in whichever spot they’re more drawn to.
I also make sure to check the Pease Park events page before finalizing a session date.
And if we’re going to go in the Creek, I always save that for last in case anyone gets too wet exploring.
Please check out some of my favorite images below and contact me if you’d like to book your own photo session.
1. What prompted you to have this photo session? Finn turned ten years old and I wanted to document the milestone. Plus, we hadn’t taken any portraits since covid. If people walked into my house, they would think I have a six year old. Time for some updated photos!
2. How did you choose your location for your session? As a person who’s lived in Austin for 25 years, I have always loved Pease Park. It’s now one of Finn’s favorite parks as well. Lots to see and explore, plus summer camps and birthday parties are often held here.
3. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? Relax and have fun. If kiddos are involved – I do lots of talking about the day, what we’re doing, where we’re going, how long it will last – just to set all the expectations in advance.
Also, if you want to plan a haircut, do it 2 to 3 weeks before the session so that it can grow in a bit and look natural. And, no matter when it is – feed them. Just feed them 30 min before. Also a post-session treat doesn’t hurt.
4. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? I love Stephanie’s positive attitude and easy-going vibe. She makes something that can be stressful, super easy to navigate.
Blanton Museum Courtyard on the University of Texas campus | Family Photo Session I last photographed this family at Katherine Fleischer Park. For this year's holiday photo session, they chose the Blanton Museum Courtyard on the University of Texas campus as their...
What do you do when your Spring bluebonnet photos are cancelled due to Stay-at-Home orders during Covid-19 quarantine? You wait until it lifts for a front porch session that coincides with both of your kids birthdays.
Celebrating as a family with birthday cake, new trampoline and new puppy – I was able to document the togetherness in this Front Porch (and backyard) session.
Here’s to all the families making new sweet memories in these strange times.
1. How did you find working with Stephanie Friedman Photography?
We took family photos in the blue bonnets last spring with Stephanie, and they are my favorite pictures, so scheduling a porch photo session this spring was another way to capture precious memories of our growing kids even in these challenging times.
2. What was your favorite part of the photo session?
Even behind a mask and from six-feet away, Stephanie is magical with children. She put them at ease right away and had them smiling and posing like professional models.
3. What advice would you give to families planning a portrait session during Quarantine?
Plan the session, so you can share photos from the Covid-19 era with your grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Remember looking at all the Spanish flu images. We are living history right now. Wear your masks, but also make it fun by decorating your yard and porch. Show off all that landscaping work.
4. Anything else to add?
Only Stephanie can capture multiple photos where my entire family is smiling and looks good. She is a total pro!
See below for a sneak preview of some of my favorite images from this session:
If you were planning a 12 hour (yes, you read that right – 12 hours long(!)) party to celebrate a milestone birthday, and your guests would all be coming in costume to karaoke the night away, wouldn’t you want a photo booth to help document it all?
Well, I was happy to be hired as party photographer. So I grabbed my gold sequin backdrop, studio lights and borrowed some musical props to capture all the fun. Getting to photograph “Dolly” and “Kenny” while “Islands in the Stream” played and “Hall & Oats” while “Rich Girl” was on blast kept a smile on my face as I snapped away.
Please enjoy this sneak peek of the photo booth images. To see all the photos (and a few videos) and purchase prints from the gallery** click HERE.
**If you went to the party and have any questions about accessing/printing your images – please email me at stephanie@stephaniefriedman.com.
To get your own photo booth for a party, contact me for the latest prices.
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Say hello to Laura, Daniel, Maya and Dahlia! I was happy to take photos of the Hochman Family at Mill Pond last month. Maya was so sweet with her little sister, Dahlia, who just celebrated her 1st birthday.
Please enjoy this sneak peek of their family portrait session. To see all the photos and purchase prints from their session click HERE.
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Welcome to a super fun Superman / Dinosaur 3rd birthday party! Held at Northwest Greenway Park in the Mueller Development, this photo session was part family reunion / part birthday party documentation.
I’ve had the pleasure of getting to photograph this warm and lovely family multiple times, most recently when Baby Mara was a newborn. And this time was equally a treat – whether wearing dinosaur masks, making toy dinosaurs “rowr” or climbing on park tables, this family was happy to be together.
Please enjoy this sneak peek of their family portrait session. To see all the photos and purchase prints from their session: click HERE.
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It was a beautiful drive out to Wimberley, Texas last weekend for Helen’s first birthday party and photo session. Nearby family was ready to celebrate with noise makers & party hats. Helen loved being around her older cousins (and that cupcake icing wasn’t too bad either!)
Please enjoy this sneak peek. To see all the photos and purchase prints from their session: click here.
===== stephanie friedman. austin family photography. your life. close-up =====
