location information - Stephanie Friedman

10 Best Spots for Family Photos – Central Austin Edition

by admin | Jun 22, 2018 | location information, photography

So you live in the Central part of Austin*, and you’re wondering, “Where should I go for my family photo session?”

Things I consider when scouting a location:

How scenic is the landscape? (natural or urban)
Can we find a variety of backgrounds?
What’s the comfort level for families? (i.e. bathrooms available, free parking, safe for little kids to explore, easy to get to)
Is it often crowded?
In what season does the location looks best? (great for wildflowers or fall color)
Where’s the best light in the morning vs. the evening?

Here are my Top 5 favorite spots I recommend to my families who live Central:

University of Texas at Austin: Main building: 110 Inner Campus Drive, Austin, TX 78705

Features: Visit the Architecture Library and the Architecture building, the Greenhouse (shown above), the Main Tower, the Fountain and the Stadium, Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin (shown at the top of the post) at the Blanton Museum

Parking: Pay lots (easiest off-season when school is out)

Bathroom: yes

Kid-friendly: yes

Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2018/05/10/ut-phd-graduation-portrait-session/

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Bull Creek Park: 6701 Lakewood Dr, Austin, TX 78731

Features: 48-acre city park, trails and stream (Bull Creek)

Parking: Small lot (gets full on weekends)

Bathroom: yes

Kid-friendly: yes

Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2017/04/17/creekside-exploring-spring-family-photo-session/

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Central Library/Butterfly Bridge: 701 W. Cesar Chavez St. Austin, TX 78701

Features: Scenic downtown views, interesting architecture

Parking: Pay lot at library and Trader Joe’s next door

Bathroom: yes (at library and nearby stores)

Kid-friendly: yes

Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2017/11/30/the-w-family-bridge-library-photo-session/

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Mueller Lake Park: 4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723

Features: pond, greenery, colorful walls around store-fronts, Thinkery exterior

Parking: pay garage and pay street parking

Bathroom: yes

Kid-friendly: yes

Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2018/05/03/the-h-family-spring-portrait-session/

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Central Market Pond: 4001 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78756

Features: pond, trees

Parking: lot

Bathroom: yes (at store)

Kid-friendly: yes

Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2016/11/29/the-l-family-holiday-portrait-session-2/

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And 5 bonus spots to make my Top 10 for Central Austin:

1. Sekrit Theater

2. Austin State Capitol

3. Red Bud Isle (parking lot gets filled up in a hot minute, great for dog owners)

4. Laguna Gloria (location fee $)

5. HOPE Grafitti Park (closing in Winter of 2018 to move to a new spot out by the airport by the early 2019)

Contact me if you’d like to book a family photo session in one of these spots.

*I’m considering “Central Austin” to be anything roughly between 183 to the North and Lady Bird Lake to the South

10 Best Spots for Family Photos – South Austin Edition

by admin | Jun 6, 2018 | location information, photography

So you live in the south part of Austin*, and you’re wondering, “Where should I go for my family photo session?”

Things I consider when scouting a location:

How scenic is the landscape? (natural or urban)
Can we find a variety of backgrounds?
What’s the comfort level for families? (i.e. bathrooms available, free parking, safe for little kids to explore, easy to get to)
Is it often crowded?
What season does the location looks best? (great for wildflowers? or fall color?)
Where’s the best light in the morning vs. the evening?

Here are my Top 5 favorite spots I recommend to my families who live down South:

Butler Park: 1000 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Features: Downtown skyline, pond, fountain, walking paths

Parking: Small lot (gets full on weekends)

Bathroom: yes

Kid-friendly: yes

Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2017/12/11/heather-carsyn-holiday-portrait-session-2/

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Long Center: 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704

Features: interesting architecture, downtown views

Parking: Pay garage

Bathroom: no

Kid-friendly: yes

Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2017/10/02/wonder-woman-carsyn-halloween-portrait-session/

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Common Ford Ranch: 614 N Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX 78733

Features: Lakefront park, fishing dock, walking trails, old barn

Parking: lot

Bathroom: port-a-potty

Kid-friendly: yes

Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2016/12/14/the-t-family-holiday-portrait-session/

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Circle C trails: 6301 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78739

Features: trails, water, wildflowers in Spring

Parking: lot

Bathroom: yes- but closer to the sports fields, not the trails

Kid-friendly: yes

Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2017/06/21/the-b-family-summer-portrait-session/

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Lady Bird Lake: 202 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 (address for Zach Scott Theater which has parking lot nearby)

Features: hiking trail, bridges, water (can canoe, kayak, SUP), wildflowers in Spring

Parking: street parking

Bathroom: yes

Kid-friendly: yes

Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2016/04/13/the-catania-family-spring-portrait-session/

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And 5 bonus spots to make my Top 10 for down South:

1. Wild Basin Preserve

2. Austin Nature Center

3. Zilker Botanical Gardens (location fee $$)

4. South Congress shops

5. Pennybacker bridge (Loop 360 bridge)

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Contact me if you’d like to book a family photo session in one of these spots.

*I’m considering “South Austin” to be anything south of Lady Bird Lake

Sweet Eats Farm – Location Scouting

by admin | May 30, 2018 | brothers, location information, location scouting, photography

The last time we went to Sweet Eats farm in Georgetown, TX was in March to check out the blooming peach trees. This past weekend, we went back to pick some fruit. We brought home about 10 lbs (!) of their June Gold variety.

You can check the Farm’s page for the latest updates on what’s in season. And once you pick, there are dozens of kid-friendly activities to enjoy in the shade or you can even walk down to the San Gabriel river and splash around.

They are open most weekends from 9am – 6pm. Admission to the activities section of the farm is $12/kids, $10/adults, and kids under 2 are free.

So if your kids enjoy wide-open spaces to run around (plus zip lines, hammocks, tire swings, hay maze, etc.) and you want some fresh, local produce – add it to your list of spots to check out this summer.

===== stephanie friedman. austin, tx family photography. your life. close-up =====

10 Best Spots for Family Photos – North Austin edition

by admin | May 28, 2018 | location information, photography

So you live in the north part of Austin*, and you’re wondering, “Where should I go for my family photo session?”

Things I consider when scouting a location:

How scenic is the landscape? (natural or urban)
Can we find a variety of backgrounds?
What’s the comfort level for families? (i.e. bathrooms available, free parking, safe for little kids to explore, easy to get to)
Is it often crowded?
In what season does the location looks best? (great for wildflowers or fall color)
Where’s the best light in the morning vs. the evening?

Here are my Top 5 favorite spots I recommend to my families who live up North:

St. Edwards Park: 7301 Spicewood Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78759

Features: Multiple trails, stream, hill country views

Parking: Small lot (gets full on weekends)

Bathroom: no

Kid-friendly: yes

Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2015/11/12/st-edwards-park-location-scouting/

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Mill Pond: 15108 Wells Port Dr, Austin, TX 78728

Features: Trail, pond, small wood bridge, two docks

Parking: street parking

Bathroom: yes

Kid-friendly: yes

Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2016/10/12/woods-family-fall-portrait-session/

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Katherine Fleischer Park: 2106 Klattenhoff Dr, Austin, TX 78728

Features: Historic homestead museum, fields, trails, playground

Parking: lot

Bathroom: yes

Kid-friendly: yes

Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2017/10/31/the-k-p-family-holiday-portrait-session/

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Balcones District Park: 12017 Amherst Dr, Austin, TX 78759

Features: great wildflowers in the Spring, trails, stream, fields

Parking: lot

Bathroom: yes

Kid-friendly: yes

Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2018/04/16/heather-carsyn-wildflower-portrait-session/

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Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park: 7000 Ardath St, Austin, TX 78757

Features: stone steps, metal bridge, lots of wildflowers in Spring, pond, playground, rocky creek

Parking: lot

Bathroom: yes

Kid-friendly: yes

Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2018/04/09/northwest-park-location-scouting/

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And 5 bonus spots to make my Top 10 for up North:

1. Tanglewood Park

2. The Domain – Rock Rose Murals

3. Walnut Creek Park

4. Arboretum – duck pond

5. Springwoods Park

Springwoods Park, Anderson Mill

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Contact me if you’d like to book a family photo session in one of these spots.

*I’m considering “North Austin” to be the Allandale, 183, Arboretum, Balcones Woods, Wells Branch, etc. area

Northwest Park – Location Scouting

by admin | Apr 9, 2018 | bluebonnets, location information, location scouting, max and miles, photography, spring, wildflower

Took Max & Miles location scouting at Northwest Park to check out their back field of wildflowers this weekend. The boys enjoyed running over the metal bridge, checking out all the different colors and types of flowers back there (and were open to being bribed when I requested they sit still for a few pics as well). 😉

===== stephanie friedman. austin family photography. your life. close-up =====

Austin Central Library – Location Scouting

by admin | Nov 6, 2017 | downtown, location information, location scouting, max and miles, photography

Took the boys location scouting at the new Downtown Central Public Library. Between the Butterfly Bridge, the new sculptures and the beautiful landscaping outside – it’s a great location for pictures – and then you go inside – swoon – stairs upon stairs upon stairs – a beautiful reading porch, a rooftop terrace, and lots of stylish places to sit.