Pease Park – Family Photo Session

Pease Park – Family Photo Session

Celebrating turning 16 years old with a walk in the park (and a parked car)

When you’ve been photographing an Austin family since 2013, it’s fun to find places around town we haven’t used as a location yet. Last year we were on the east side. This time it was a park setting. Thankfully the spring wildflowers were still putting on a show.

family of three in field of wildflowers in pease park in austin texas

We also had to be sure to mark the milestone of turning 16 and having a new driver in the family.

sixteen year old boy posing in family car for photo session in austin park

Tips for Family Photo Sessions at Pease Park:

  • It’s easier to find parking by the Live Oak Meadow than the Kingsbury Commons (and it’s about a 5-10 minute walk between both spots)
  • The rope Treehouse, Troll and playground get crowded on weekends so try to pick off times to visit for your photo session
  • 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.

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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?  A grandparent requests a photo for a charity book every year, so we get the photos done and use one for our holiday card, too.
  2. What do you plan to do with your digital photos? We use them for the above, and we also use a few during the year for social media posts.
  3. How did you choose your location for your session? Stephanie may have suggested this year’s spot, Pease Park. We try to find a place that might offer a range of backdrops. We always like to have a pretty oudoor photo, but the park’s being so close to downtown also offers street views, etc. Since our son turned 16 this year, we thought we’d get a few shots of him near/in the car. Pease has a few parking spots next to the park, so that worked well.
  4. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? Be flexible. Weather can be an issue, and Stephanie’s very good about updating and, if necessary, rescheduling. She also plans ahead but likes to stay open to any potential photo ops that pop up as she’s shooting. We trust her recommendations, and we also feel comfortable enough to say if we don’t want a particular backdrop, pose, etc.
  5. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? We never regret booking Stephanie and recommend her as often as possible! The hardest part is finding a date, but the online booking calendar makes it as easy as possible. Once that’s done, she makes everything easy, from prepping for the shoot to taking the photos (so efficient and quick) to delivering the final photos. My brother-in-law is also a professional photographer, and he is always so impressed with her work.

Interested in Booking a Photo Session?

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Brothers at the Blanton – Family Photo Session

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Blanton Museum Courtyard – Spring Family Photos

Blanton Museum Courtyard – Spring Family Photos

Playing around the art and architecture on the University of Texas campus

I’m always happy to see this family in front of my camera. Last time we were out at Commons Ford Ranch. This Spring, the mom chose the Blanton Museum Courtyard on the University of Texas campus. 

blanton museum ellsworth kelly austin art family photo session spring

We had to dodge a few graduating college seniors’ photo sessions, but mostly had the area to ourselves. 

alphabet mural on the blanton museum spring family photo session

Tips for Photo Sessions in the Blanton Museum Courtyard:

  • Check the Museum’s Event Calendar before confirming your session date and time to avoid conflicts 
  • Pay to park at the Brazos Garage next door
  • This area works for sunrise or sunset sessions
  • Dress in your colorful best (like these Springtime florals the mom chose) to compliment the colorful art and murals

_______________________________________________________________________________________

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.

Interested in Booking a Photo Session?

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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

_______________________________________________________________________________________

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.

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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

_______________________________________________________________________________________

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.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

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.

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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)

_______________________________________________________________________________________

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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