family - Stephanie Friedman

Laguna Gloria – Quinceañera Photo Session

by admin | Apr 14, 2025 | family, photography

Laguna Gloria Villa + Gardens | Austin Quinceañera Photo Session

For this Quinceañera + Extended Family Photo Session, we met at The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria in Central Austin.

We took photos inside the Driscoll Villa and on the grounds. Her family was on hand to be in photos and to help make sure she and her dress were always looking the best.

If you live in Austin and are also interested in having a Photo Session in this location, check out my tips below.

Tips for Photo Sessions at the Contemporary Austin / Laguna Gloria:

A location fee and advance bookings are required for any formal portrait sessions taken there
Check out their photography guidelines and current fees
Know that they may book multiple photographers during the same time period, so have several spots in mind for backdrops in case someone else is where you want to be first
The Museum is only open late on Thursdays, so if you want “golden hour” aim for that day
There are two restrooms available for outfit changes

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

What prompted you to have this photo session? Our daughter had a quinceañera last year but we never got really great photos of her in her dress. We wanted to capture her at this age in that gorgeous dress and also wanted to have some great photos with the family as a keepsake.
What do you plan to do with your digital photos? I’d like to have a few printed out and shared with the family and to display in our home. I’ll also probably put the best prints in an album to keep for our family.
How did you choose your location for your session? Our daughter loves Mayfield Park, and when we found out it was unavailable, Stephanie provided a list of alternate locations. Laguna Gloria is right next to Mayfield and when I looked at the pics online I knew it was just what we were looking for. The grounds are absolutely gorgeous.
What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? Consider bringing a pair of walking shoes to get from spot to spot! Also, double-check the weather and be prepared for hot or cold. 🙂 Most importantly, have fun with the session.
Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Stephanie was fantastic to work with! She sent over super helpful info ahead of time so everyone knew what to expect, and it made a big difference. She clearly has a great vision and did an awesome job guiding the shoot while keeping everything organized and on track.

Interested in Booking a Photo Session?

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Tips on Bringing a Car to your High School Senior Photo Session | Austin Senior Photography The first time I got to photograph this High School Senior was back in 2012. This year, for her High School Photo Session, she wanted to include her love of classic cars. So,...

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Blanton Museum Courtyard – Photo Session

by admin | Apr 7, 2025 | family

Museum Courtyard Photos on the University of Texas Campus | Austin Photo Session

I last photographed this High School student at Pease Park with his family.

This year we met up at the Blanton Museum Courtyard for some colorful portraits.

If you live in Austin and are also interested in having a Photo Session in the Blanton Museum Courtyard, check out my tips below.

Tips for Photo Sessions at the Blanton Museum Courtyard:

PARKING: I always recommend paying for parking at the Brazos Garage on MLK and then walking over.
LOCATIONS: There are so many intersesting and colorful backgrounds in this one small area. I love that you can see the Texas Capitol peeking from behind when you are seated under the Petals sculptures. Don’t forget about the alphabet mural on the backside of the Museum as well. ***If you want to take any photos inside the Museum itself, The Blanton is not available for professional photoshoots inside the museum at this time
WARDROBE: You’ll be surrounded by some bright, vivid colors, so keep that in mind when planning your outfits.
SCHEDULE: Double check the Blanton’s Events page and the University of Texas Football schedule to make sure you won’t have conflicts. Also the Museum is closed on Mondays if you want the Courtyard when it’s least crowded. (in our case – there was still a covered tent set-up from the Blanton’s Gala the night before)

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

Interested in Booking a Photo Session?

Contact Me

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Mayfield Park – Holiday Family Photos

by admin | Dec 31, 2024 | family, photography

Sunrise Session in the Park | Austin Family Photo Session

Last year I met this family at Lakewood Park near their home in Leander, Texas for their holiday photo session.

This year, the plan was an early morning session at Mayfield Park in Central Austin. After stalking the Mayfield Park booking calendar 30 days in advance to make sure we had a time slot and then paying the location fee, we were all set.

Tips for a Family Photo Session at Mayfield Park:

PERMITS: A commercial permit (including a location fee) is required to take photos at the Mayfield Cottage and Gardens. And bookings are only available 30 days in advance.
PEACOCKS: Be mindful of Mayfield Park’s free-roaming peacocks. Keep a respectful distance, but if they’re near you – feel free to capture them in your backgrounds. Or you can bring in your own peacock feathers to blend in.
PARK FEATURES: Besides the cottage on the grounds, there are also seasonal flowerbeds, lily ponds, a small water feature, stone arches and a stone tower. You can also explore the nearby Mayfield Trails.
PARKING: The small lot often gets filled up quickly, so you may need to park on the street.

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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 photo session in Austin, Texas. Explore more photo sessions on my blog.

After I took their Christmas Card photos, there was a costume change for Halloween. She was a “Greek Goddess” among the flowers, towers and roaming birds. See some favorites below.

Interested in Booking a Family Photo Session?

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How to Pose Young Kids and Babies – Family Photo Session at Bull Creek Park

by admin | Dec 12, 2024 | advice / tips, family, photography

Top 10 Tips for Posing Toddlers and Babies | Austin Family Photo Session

Family photo sessions are a wonderful way to freeze time, but when photographing toddlers and young babies, it can feel like you’re running around in circles.

I use these Top 10 Tips below to help with shorter attention spans and very active kids during family photo sessions.

1. Choose the Right Time of Day

Pick your session time mindfully. I offer sessions during the “golden hours” — early morning or late afternoon — when the light is soft and flattering. Choose the time that best aligns with your toddler’s and baby’s nap and feeding schedules to get the best moods.

2. Start with Family Group Shots

I like to start my family sessions with the classic posed family group shot. It’s easiest to start standing with the parents holding the children. I might ask the toddler to yell out something silly like “CHICKEN BUTT” or “DINOSAUR FART” to get some natural smiles.

3. Encourage Playful Interaction

Toddlers are happiest when they’re allowed to play. I encourage them to scout out their surroundings, smell flowers, or climb a tree. These playful moments make the session more fun for them and less stressful for the parents.

4. Keep it Simple for Babies

For young babies, focus on poses that showcase their sweetness and connection with family. I also like to make sure to get detail shots that help capture this moment in time.

5. Make It Fun

Turn the session into a series of games to keep toddlers excited and engaged. We might play peekaboo, pretend to be a flying superhero or hunt for the best rocks or leaves.

6. Up in the Air = Smiles

If you want natural smiles and giggles, send the kids “up in the air.” They can also be spun in a circle or hung upside down.

7. Embrace their Personalities

Remember, kids are kids! This is the time to let their true quirks and personalities shine in the photos.

8. Be Flexible and Follow Their Lead

Kids have their own timelines, and that’s okay. If a toddler wants to go run off and explore or a baby needs a quick snack, go with the flow. That gives you time to get moments with just the parents alone.

9. Explore your Surroundings

If you’re at a park, explore that park. We sent leaves floating down the current and threw rocks in the creek at Bull Creek Park.

10. Keep it Moving with Prompts

Toddlers have short attention spans, so be ready to capture the moment as soon as you tell them the prompt. Keep your instructions simple: “Mom and Dad walk and swing your child”

I find focusing on prompts and games makes more a more successful family photo session that trying to do specific poses with really young kids.

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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 photo session in Austin, Texas. Explore more photo sessions on my blog.

Interested in Booking a Family Photo Session?

Contact Me

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Brothers at the Blanton – Family Photo Session

by admin | Dec 2, 2024 | family, photography

Flying high at the Blanton Art Museum Courtyard | Austin Family Photo Session

Last year I met this family at the Domain (Rock Rose Avenue area) for photos and ice cream.

This year, the plan was the Blanton Museum Courtyard and soccer photos as a treat at the end.

FYI: the Museum is closed on Mondays so that’s the day they chose for their session. It was truly less crowded than my normal weekend sessions I’ve had at that location.

Tips for a Family Photo Session at the Blanton Museum:

PARKING: I always recommend paying for parking at the Brazos Garage on MLK and then walking over.
LOCATIONS: There are so many intersesting and colorful backgrounds in this one small area. I love that you can see the Texas Capitol peeking behind their heads when they are seated under the Petals sculptures. Don’t forget about the alphabet mural on the backside of the Museum as well. *If you want to take any photos inside the Museum itself, permission is required.
WARDROBE: You’ll be surrounded by some bright, vivid colors, so keep that in mind when planning your outfits.
SCHEDULE: Double check the Blanton’s Events page and the University of Texas Football schedule to make sure you won’t have conflicts

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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 photo session in Austin, Texas. Explore more photo sessions on my blog.

Interested in Booking a Family Photo Session?

Contact Me

← Previous Post Next Post →

Bull Creek Park – Family Photo Session

by admin | Dec 2, 2024 | family, photography

Bull Creek District Park | Austin Family Photo Session

I met this family of four at Bull Creek park one fall afternoon for photos. I’m always happy when families are willing to wade in the creek at the end of their session.

Luckily the water levels were good, and it wasn’t too cold outside that day. The boys were happy to sit on fences and climb on rocks and go exploring.

Tips for a Family Photo Session at Bull Creek District Park in Austin:

Bring a towel and water shoes if you don’t mind going in the Creek for some photos and want to dry off afterwards.
The Park restroom is currently under contruction (as of November 2024), so be forewarned
This location works well for an early morning or a sunset session.
This spot is very popular for all types of photo sessions, so don’t be surprised to see other photographer’s working there.
Parking – it’s never happened to me or my clients (knock on wood), but I’ve seen lots of reports of car windows being smashed and broken into in their parking lot – so be cautious

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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 photo session in Austin, Texas. Explore more photo sessions on my blog.