Blanton Museum & Capitol Mall – Family Session

Blanton Museum & Capitol Mall – Family Session

Blanton Museum Courtyard, Ellsworth Kelly’s “Austin” and the Capitol Mall

The last time I photographed this family was at their house and in Pease Park before they left for an international adventure.

This year, we went to the University of Texas campus and took photos around the Blanton Museum.

ellsworth kelly austin family photo session

 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

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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? We needed family photos, and we love Stephanie’s style and approach. It is fun and creative, and the whole experience is made easy for the family. So well organized. 

2. How did you choose your location for your session? I was inspired by other families’ photoshoots and wanted to try something new. The location was close to our house, and Stephaine had good ideas on how to make it work with my wishes. 

3. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? If you follow the photographer’s prompts, it won’t go wrong. The emails are meant to help the family stay organized and get the most out of the expereince. It relieves the family of having to overthink or stress about the experience. 

Interested in a photo session?

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Seaholm District – Family Photo Session

Seaholm District – Family Photo Session

Urban backdrops, walking the Butterfly Bridge and street art

The last time I photographed this family was on the University of Texas campus for a holiday photo session.

This year, we went to the Seaholm District and had fun exploring the urban area.

walking the butterfly bridge in downtown austin for a family photo session

 Tips for Photo Sessions in the Seaholm District

  • Garage parking is available at the Central Library or Trader Joe’s nearby (Trader Joe’s will validate your parking with purchase)
  • Have a spotter when you’re taking photos on the Butterfly Bridge and be ready to get out of the way fast if cars are coming
  • Make sure to capture the mix of greenery, artwork and industrial buildings
  • If your clients need a place to change or restrooms, the Central Library is right there
  • This part of town is popular with photo sessions, you may see at least a few while you’re downtown

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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? We try to take photos every year especially since our children are changing so much.

2. How did you choose your location for your session? We chose Seaholm for the variety of backgrounds and urban feel.

3. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? Try to relax and enjoy it. Also I think next year we’re going to let our kids pick their clothes vs trying to match so they feel more comfortable and more authentic.

4. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Stephanie is wonderfully talented and unbelievably flexible. We had to reschedule several times and it was raining during our shoot!

 

Interested in a photo session?

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Tau Ceti Mural and Downtown Rooftop views – Family Session

Tau Ceti Mural and Downtown Rooftop views – Family Session

Tallest mural in Austin, skyline views and blue walls

The last time this family was in front of my camera was in the Seaholm District for a holiday photo session.

This year, the mom picked a different downtown location, the tallest mural in Austin, Tau Ceti, and the next door garage’s rooftop.

tau ceti mural family photo session

The Austin Convention Center parking garage rooftop has great downtown skyline views as well as some colorful blue corners.

downtown garage rooftop skyline austin texas

blue wall brothers photo session

Tips for Photo Sessions at the Tau Ceti Mural and Rooftop next door

  • Lots of folks will be taking photos in front of the Tau Ceti mural – be ready to wait your turn (and then go quickly if other people are waiting)
  • For the mural – shoot wide and get back to ensure more colors are viewable in your image
  • Then go to the Convention Center garage next door and take the elevator up to the roof
  • There may be other photo sessions up there – but it’s a large space with a variety of backgrounds (the buildings look best at sunset)
  • Encourage your clients to go eat nearby at the Fareground Food Hall after their 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 photo session.

1. What prompted you to have this photo session? We do family sessions every year.  For the last 4 years we have hired Stephanie, and she makes it so easy – scheduling, picking a location, sending me parking directions, it’s all so seamless . She even makes my (sometimes high strung) family feel relaxed. 

2. How did you choose your location for your session?  Always look to Stephanie for advice on locations. Some years we want nature settings, some years we want something more urban, but this year I could not pass up the Tau Ceti Mural. The vibrant colors are what hooked me. 

3. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? I like to pick a location, and then my outfit, and then the rest of the families. I aim to be coordinated, but not too matchy.

4. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? If you don’t already, follow her instagram! Not only does she post fun things to do around Austin, you can get a behind the scenes peek at what it takes to make photo sessions work, from location hunting, constantly monitoring the crazy Texas weather, and all the editing that makes the pictures look perfect. 

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Domain Northside – Family Photo Session

Domain Northside – Family Photo Session

Colorful murals, rainbow tiles and ice cream rewards

The last time I saw this family was at Pease Park for a winter photo session.

This year, the mom picked a more urban location, the storefronts on Rock Rose Avenue in the Domain Northside Mall. We found some quiet corners among all the shoppers and happy hour crowds.

domain northside austin texas family photo session

And conveniently we ended up opposite an ice cream store to wrap up the family photo session.

close-up of ice cream on three spoons

Tips for Photo Sessions at the Domain Northside

  • Permission is required to have a photo session there – so reach out to the Marketing contact at least a few weeks before your planned session date
  • It can get crowded with shoppers at peak times (weekends) – so pick off times if possible
  • Park at the Blue Garage
  • New art pops up throughout the year – so scout ahead of time in case there’s a new sculpture or mural on the street
  • End your session at the candy store or ice cream shop!

_______________________________________________________________________________________

 

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? I wanted to capture our family at this moment in time. I love looking back and seeing how much we have all changed in the past year.

2. How did you choose your location for your session? Last year we did family photos in a park so wanted to do a more urban setting this year

3. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? Give your kids a hearty snack before the photo session and pick outfits that you feel natural in.

4. Anything else you’d like to add? Stephanie does a great job of keeping the kids involved and letting them feel like they are in charge. She incorporated their ideas along with more traditional poses. It was perfect to keep them engaged and having fun.

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Commons Ford Ranch – Family Photo Session

Commons Ford Ranch – Family Photo Session

Rustic barn, grassy fields and walking trails in Southwest Austin

The last time I saw this family was among the bluebonnets at Northwest Park this past Spring.

This year, we picked a place that was new to them but closer to their house, Commons Ford Ranch. We started at the old barn on the property and then made our way around the nearby fences and fields.

commons ford ranch austin texas family photo session

There were lots of other photo shoots happening around us – from Senior Photo Sessions to a 2 year old’s birthday to other family photo sessions. Having to dodge other photo shoots led me to spots in the park I’d never shot in before – like this great tree for climbing.

commons ford ranch austin texas family photo session

Tips for Shooting at Commons Ford Ranch

  • It can get crowded with other photo sessions at peak times (weekend evenings) – so pick off times if possible
  • It’s about a 10 minute walk from the parking lot to the Lakefront area – make sure your clients are aware of that before you start walking uphill
  • The Lakefront area can be a popular party area – keep an eye out for stray beer cans in your frame
  • Lots of wildlife call this park their home. Keep an eye out for snakes in the tall grass or just stick to the walking trails
  • If you are going to be in the tall grass, have your clients wear boots
  • Springtime wildflowers can be spectacular – peak blooms are usually in April and May
  • Enjoy the beautiful and peaceful scenery just 25 minutes away from downtown Austin

_______________________________________________________________________________________

 

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? We have been taking fall and spring family photos with Stephanie for several years to capture our children growing and changing. We love and treasure these family photos and are always impressed with Stephanie’s talent.

2. How did you choose your location for your session? Commons Ford Ranch was suggested by Stephanie and was a beautiful spot with lots of natural scenery and soft early evening lighting. Our only regret was not bringing our dog Daisy to join the photo session since this was a very dog-friendly location.

3. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? Do not forget the chapstick for the kids, so you don’t have dry lips in the photos.

4. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? My kids typically arrive a bit grumpy because I’ve forced them to wear dress-up clothes. Someone is itchy or not happy with their hair. But somehow Stephanie turns my complaining kids into art directors.

She lets them suggest sites and poses, so they feel like a part of the process. They also leave happy and excited to see the pictures. This year they climbed a tree and posed with their best smiles. I know Stephanie captured amazing shots of them. Plus, she always gets them to hold hands or put their arms around each other. It really is a bonding experience.

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Butler Park – Family Photo Session

Butler Park – Family Photo Session

Austin Skylines and enjoying nature at Butler Park 

In the past, this family has chosen South Congress for Fall holiday photos and Northwest Park for Spring wildflower photos.

This year, they wanted to go back to the spot where they had maternity photos taken (before we did sessions together). We looked for the beautiful weeping willow that had been there 10 years before to recreate that shot, but sadly, one of the winter storms meant it was no longer there.

butler park austin texas family photo session

Instead we found lots of other greenery to pose in. I loved this massive patch of ivy growing all around part of Butler Park.

Also happening at the Park that day:

  • Food & Wine Festival at the Long Center
  • Garage & Estate Sale at the Palmer Events Center
  • People playing sand volleyball
  • Cheerleaders practicing their lifts
  • Kids on the playground
  • Picnic-ers on the lawn
  • As well as at least three other family photo shoots and one quincenera photo session

butler park austin texas family photo session

Despite the crowds, we still found lots of great spots for images. And if I did have to photoshop out a person or two in the background, that was fine.

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? We like to have family photos taken every couple years to see how we’re all changing and to have someone nice photos of those times in our lives. 

2. How did you choose your location for your session? We looked at past locations and tried to think about what kind of feel we wanted for this session. 

3. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? Plan complimentary outfits that everyone feels comfortable in. Have some ideas of photos you’d like to have but be open to different ideas from the photographer or what may present itself during the session. Be comfortable and relaxed. 

4. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Stephanie is always great to work with. 

Interested in a photo session?

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