Mueller Southwest Greenway – Spring Family Photos

Mueller Southwest Greenway – Spring Family Photos

Spring Wildflowers, being a rocket ship, and “Graduation” portraits

For this Springtime Family Portrait Session, the mom requested wildflowers and a way to document the end of Elementary School and Middle School for her two kids.

spring family photo session wildflowers at mueller southwest greenway park in austin, texas

After driving around my favorite wildflower patches in Austin, we selected Mueller Southwest Greenway’s Butterfly Garden as our location.

spring photo session austin texasspring family photo session mueller park

Each kid got their solo shots to document their graduating milestone.

And then we recreated a photo from their last photo session to cap off our time together.

rocket ship photo family

Tips for Photo Sessions at Mueller Southwest Greenway:

  • I like to suggest we meet at the Butterfly Garden – the rocketship makes a great landmark to find each other
  • March, April and May usually have a rotating variety of abundant wildflowers
  • There’s also a small pond with rocks you can visit during your session
  • Keep an eye out for wildlife (bugs to reptiles) in the park and wear closed-toed shoes

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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? Apparently, we are on an “every 2.5 year” schedule for family photos! With both kids “graduating” this spring (from middle school and elementary school), it felt like a time of milestones that we wanted to capture.
  2. What do you plan to do with your digital photos? Good question. We’ll definitely get some printed to hang around the house. The kids will probably also use their solo shots for some graduation activities at school. If we get our act together, I may actually send out holiday cards later this year with these photos as well.
  3. How did you choose your location for your session? We hadn’t taken family photos in the spring in a very long time, so having some wildflowers in the shots was paramount. Stephanie offered to scout locations with good flowers for us which we were happy to take her up on. We landed on an area of the Mueller development that I wouldn’t have thought of which was lovely and convenient for us.
  4. What advice would you give to others planning a similar Senior photo session? Let your kids be themselves (within reason). With my 11 YO who doesn’t love getting dressed up and doing photo shoots, we let him bring a little of his own silliness into the photos which he seems to enjoy. Last time it was having a popped collar for some of the shots, this time he insisted on wearing his athletic sunglasses. We also re-took a silly photo of us holding him up for the second time which I think is now going to turn into a tradition every time we do family photos… not sure we’ll be able to lift him in a few years though! 😛
  5. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Stephanie is such a fantastic human to work with! As Jason said at the shoot, she takes care of everything, makes it fun but is also very efficient with time which my family definitely appreciates.

Interested in Booking a Photo Session?

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Seaholm / Butterfly Bridge – Family Photo Session

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Circle C Trails – Family Photo Session

Circle C Trails – Family Photo Session

Hiking around, climbing trees and stick fights

When it’s time to choose a location for your Family Photo Session, one of the questions I ask is: “What part of town do you live in?”

And because of all their recent long distance travel for kids’ sports and other extracurricular activities filling their weekends, this family wanted a spot close to home.

circle c park siblings photo session austin

Knowing they wanted a nature setting and lived in Circle C, it was an easy choice on where to go. We met out at Circle C Metropolitan Park and explored the trails and creek area for their Family pictures.

family posed around a tree branch

And since it is a park after all, besides posing, there was tree climbing, kicking of soccer balls and stick battles.

boy holding many sticks during photo session at the park

Tips for Family Photo Sessions at Circle C Park

  • PARKING: I like to park in the first tiny lot you come to when you enter (though if it fills up, you can continue on and park near the sports fields – which is also where the park restrooms are)
  • TRAILS: From the parking lot, you can go left or right on the trails. Both directions have scenic backdrops. There’s also a small wooded area down by Slaughter Creek that runs through the Park.
  • BLUEBONNETS: This park is known for having lovely patches of bluebonnets in late March/early April.
  • KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR: You might have to dodge some dog poop, cactus and sticky burrs when going off the trail

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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.

  1. What prompted you to have this photo session? With a busy family life, it can be difficult to make the time to take family pictures, but they are so important. We haven’t taken family pics in years. 
  2. What do you plan to do with your digital photos?  I plan to print off the pictures and hang them on the wall!  
  3. How did you choose your location for your session?  I chose the location because it’s a park that we visit on a weekly basis.  And there is nothing more beautiful than nature.
  4. What advice would you give to others planning a similar Family photo session? Be spontaneous and be prepared for anything!  Let your kids be creative and think about what types of pics / poses they want to do!
  5. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Stephanie has immense patience and knows how to go with the flow! 

Interested in Booking a Photo Session?

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Seaholm District – Family Photo Session

Seaholm District – Family Photo Session

Power Plant photos, Power Picket posing, and Butterfly Bridge walking

This Family choose the Seaholm District in downtown Austin for their Winter Photo Session. You may recognize the oldest daughter from her recent Senior Photo Session.

seaholm photo session

I always like to meet outside of Trader Joes so we can start with the Power Plant building and then work our way over to the Power Picket colorful concrete pillars (made (by artists Nader Tehrani and Dan Gallagher of the art/architecture studio NADAAA).

power picket pillars photo session

Then we cross over the Butterfly Bridge, swing around to the ivy wall and end up back at Trader Joes for some shopping/parking validation. That’s my favorite photo route to take.

ivy wall family photos austin downtown

Tips for Family Photo Sessions in the Seaholm District

  • PARKING: Garage parking is available at the Central Library or Trader Joes nearby (you can also use the restrooms at the library if they’re open)
  • LOCATIONS: There’s a great variety of urban and nature backgrounds in a few block radius. Make sure you take advantage of all the different backdrops available.
  • TRAFFIC: This area is very popular, so expect other photo shoots to be happening at the same time and take your turn in front of popular spots. You will also have literal car traffic going across the Butterfly Bridge, so be careful when photographing there.

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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.

What prompted you to have this photo session? We have not done a family photo for YEARS, and wanted to have a current one.

What do you plan to do with your digital photos? We will get some photos printed for our family, and we may use some for a holiday card. We will probably post on social media. It’s just awesome to have so many digital photos to choose from at the end of a session!

How did you choose your location for your session? We love the Seaholm district and the downtown vibe!

What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? Don’t stress about family outfit coordination. Follow Stephanie’s advice and have everyone choose what they want to wear so that everyone is happy.

Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Stephanie is so amazing! She’s very professional, yet very fun to work with. She makes everyone feel like a model! I love that she’s so quick in getting the gallery ready, yet all the photos are edited and gorgeous.

Interested in Booking a Photo Session?

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Justin Lane Murals – Family Photo Session

Justin Lane Murals – Family Photo Session

Colorful murals, exploring the garden and climbing trees

The last time I photographed this family, we were in the Mueller District near the Thinkery. 

This year, for their annual family photo session, we went to The Gift ATX. It’s a mural filled garden and gathering space owned by the Episcopalian Church next door. The vibrant colors and flowering garden provided a colorful backdrop for this family in Austin, Texas. 

austin texas mural family photo session

 Tips for Photo Sessions at The Gift ATX

  • ASK PERMISSION FIRST: You’ll need to request location permission from the head Priest (and a Church donation is always welcome, but not required)
  • EXPLORE EVERY ANGLE: Make sure to check out out all sides of the building – there are dozens of murals across every surface
  • CROSS THE STREET FOR EXTRA CHARM: Also head across the street to get the “Spread Love the Austin Way” mural on the side of Lala’s Little Nugget Bar for your photos (though be prepared to photoshop out lots of trash and cigarette butts in front of that mural)

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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.

1. What prompted you to have this photo session? This is the gift I give myself every year! 

2. How did you choose your location for your session? Convenience was key with busy weekend, so Stephanie suggested a really cool location nearby.

3. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? Just have fun with it! Even if your kid’s hair is a little unruly, don’t take it too seriously!

4. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Stephanie is creative, fun, flexible & professional – I can’t recommend her highly enough!

 

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Live Oak Meadow – Pease Park – Family Session

Live Oak Meadow – Pease Park – Family Session

Climbing trees, catching shrimp in the creek and hug attacks

The last time I photographed this family was in Waterloo Greenway Park for a holiday photo session.

This year, we went to the Live Oak Meadow in Pease Park and had fun exploring. Most families I work with like to switch between urban and nature settings each year.

Trees were climbed, the hug attack game was played and one pregnant shrimp was found in the water. 

blue art trees in pease park family photo session

 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.
  • Between those two spots is a small forest of trees painted blue.
  • 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.

Interested in a photo session?

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University of Texas – Blanton Museum Courtyard – Family Session

University of Texas – Blanton Museum Courtyard – Family Session

Art on campus, bright colors and exploring the Capitol Mall grounds

The last time I photographed this family, we went to Waterloo Greenway Park for a fall photo session.

This year, we went to the University of Texas, Blanton Museum Courtyard area. I love the vibrant colors – especially the greens and yellows we used as backdrops.

child standing under the Petals sculptures at the Blanton Museum

Tips for Photo Sessions around the Blanton Museum

  • Make sure to check the Blanton Museum events calendar before you book and the University of Texas home football game schedule
  • Garage parking is available at the Brazos Garage on MLK next door
  • The Museum is closed on Mondays – so the area is the least crowded then (or go when the University of Texas students are on a school break)
  • Let your clients know how colorful the backdrops are if they want to go vibrant with their outfits
  • If you want to take any photos inside the Museum, permission is required

_______________________________________________________________________________________

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? Each fall, we schedule family photo session with Stephanie for our holiday cards.  Our son went to preschool with Stephanie’s sons and she’s been taking our pictures since he was 3. 

2. How did you choose your location for your session? Stephanie always has great suggestions – we try to alternate outdoorsy and more urban locations.  Stephanie suggested the Blanton and it was perfect!

3. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? Go with the flow. Our now 13-year old who was always happy to smile for the pictures and was incredibly easy at photo sessions.  This year, he was definitely 13 and only giving us occasional half-smiles, but Stephanie was wonderful about it.  I am sure I will look back at this year’s photos and remember the struggle that was age 13.  ?

4. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography?We LOVE taking our annual pictures with Stephanie!  She’s the best.

 

Interested in a photo session?

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