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?

More From This Category

Bull Creek Park – Family Photo Session

Bull Creek Park – Family Photo Session

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...

read more

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?

More From This Category

Bull Creek Park – Family Photo Session

Bull Creek Park – Family Photo Session

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...

read more

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

_______________________________________________________________________________________

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?

More From This Category

Bull Creek Park – Family Photo Session

Bull Creek Park – Family Photo Session

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...

read more

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

_______________________________________________________________________________________

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?

More From This Category

Bull Creek Park – Family Photo Session

Bull Creek Park – Family Photo Session

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...

read more

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

_______________________________________________________________________________________

 

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. 

Interested in a photo session?

More From This Category

Bull Creek Park – Family Photo Session

Bull Creek Park – Family Photo Session

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...

read more

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.

Interested in a photo session?

More From This Category

Bull Creek Park – Family Photo Session

Bull Creek Park – Family Photo Session

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...

read more