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.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

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?

More From This Category

University of Texas – Senior + Family Photos

University of Texas – Senior + Family Photos

University of Texas at Austin campus | College Senior and Family Photo Session Did you know that the University of Texas Tower building will undergo construction starting Fall of 2024 and go until Summer of 2027? Not wanting construction fencing in her photos, this...

read more

Ladybird Lake Trails – High School Senior Photos

Ladybird Lake Trails – High School Senior Photos

Senior + Family photo session around the Ladybird Lake Trails in Austin

This softball playing, live music listening, future Environmental Engineer wanted an iconic nature background for her High School Senior Photos.

softball player high school sports senior pics austin texas

We picked the Ladybird Lake trails and the Pedestrian Bridge in downtown Austin, Texas for the photo session.

graduating senior in her red cap and gown with her family on the pedestrian bridge in downtown austin, texas

If you’re also interested in having your Senior Photo Session around Ladybird Lake, check out my essential tips below.

Tips for Senior Photo Sessions on the Trails:

  • You have several entry points as options for Trail photos – around Austin High School, near Zachary Scott Theater and near Butler Park are my top 3 favorites. This family picked starting out near Zachary Scott Theater (so check their Events page in case a show is happening at the same time and then parking is limited).
  • You can get a great combination of downtown skyline views from the bridge as well as greenery and water around the Lake trails.
  • Make a night of it – and walk to dinner at several nearby restaurants after your photo session is done.
  • Wear your cap and gown last so the cap doesn’t flatten your hair (I’ll have bobby pins and double sided tape on hand in case it’s windy to keep everything in place)
  • Props are always welcome to show your current and future interests.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Please check out some of my favorite images below and contact me if you’d like to book your own Senior session in Austin, Texas. Explore more Senior sessions like Stella’s on my blog.

  1. What prompted you to have this photo session? Stella wanted professional pictures to commemorate graduating from high school and to put on her graduation announcements. We also hadn’t done family photos in almost 15 years, so it was fantastic to be able to add those on so easily. 
  2. What do you plan to do with your digital photos? Graduation announcements and prints for ourselves and grandparents, Aunts and Uncles.
  3. How did you choose your location for your session? We were pretty sure we wanted to take photos around Lady Bird Lake, but weren’t sure exactly where. Stephanie sent us pictures of a bunch of locations and we chose the pedestrian bridge area. We are so happy we did, it was the perfect mix of city and nature!
  4. What advice would you give to others planning a similar Senior + Family photo session? Don’t wait until 30 minutes before the photo shoot to choose what the family is wearing, it makes things a little stressful 🙂 Also, be sure to bring props, that makes it super fun! 
  5. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Stephanie made the whole experience super fun and easy! We highly recommend her. 

Interested in Booking a Senior Photo Session?

More From This Category

University of Texas – Senior + Family Photos

University of Texas – Senior + Family Photos

University of Texas at Austin campus | College Senior and Family Photo Session Did you know that the University of Texas Tower building will undergo construction starting Fall of 2024 and go until Summer of 2027? Not wanting construction fencing in her photos, this...

read more

Bull Creek Park – Senior Photo Session

Bull Creek Park – Senior Photo Session

Exploring Bull Creek District Park for High School Senior Pictures

This mom requested a nature spot for her son’s Senior Photo Session. After I sent some options (Pease Park, Commons Ford Ranch, etc.), they picked Bull Creek.

bull creek district park high school senior boy photo session austin

Recent rains meant the water was flowing in the creek, and the landscape was nice and green.

bull creek park high school senior pictures austin texas

If you’re also interested in having your Senior Photo Session at Bull Creek District Park, check out my essential tips below.

Tips for Senior Photo Sessions at Bull Creek:

  • Bring a towel and water shoes if you don’t mind going in the Creek for some photos and want to dry off afterwards.
  • The Park restroom is currently under contruction (as of April 2024), so be prepared to change outfits in your car.
  • This location works well for an early morning or a sunset session.
  • This spot is very popular for all types of photo sessions, so don’t be surprised to see other photographer’s working there.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Please check out some of my favorite images below and contact me if you’d like to book your own Senior session in Austin, Texas. Explore more Senior sessions like Edward’s on my blog.

  1. What prompted you to have this photo session? High school graduation is such a big milestone and there are so many big emotions surrounding this time. I knew that I would want to document the season with a professional photo session
  2. What do you plan to do with your digital photos? I will use the photos for a graduation announcement, as well as gifts for family members.
  3. How did you choose your location for your session? Edward is an outdoorsman, so Bull Creek was the perfect spot.
  4. What advice would you give to others planning a similar Senior photo session? My advice is not to overthink it. I was worried because my son was a little reluctant about the photo session. I should have known that it would all be fine. Stephanie immediately put him at ease. I think he even enjoyed it.
  5. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? This is my second round of senior photos with Stephanie Friedman Photography. Stephanie is so easy to work with and can make anyone feel comfortable in front of the camera. Both of my kids were very happy with their experience during the photo session and with their photos. I can’t recommend her enough!

Interested in Booking a Senior Photo Session?

More From This Category

University of Texas – Senior + Family Photos

University of Texas – Senior + Family Photos

University of Texas at Austin campus | College Senior and Family Photo Session Did you know that the University of Texas Tower building will undergo construction starting Fall of 2024 and go until Summer of 2027? Not wanting construction fencing in her photos, this...

read more

Mueller Southwest Greenway – Senior Photo Session

Mueller Southwest Greenway – Senior Photo Session

Family photos add-on, Spring Wildflowers and Vintage Collections

For Senior Photos Sessions, you have the option to add-on a mini-family session. Your family can either come at the end of your session or be there throughout – weaving in and out of your poses.

family of three in yellow wildflower field in austin texas

For this High School Senior, we got to include her family throughout her session, show off her vintage hat and typewriter collection and celebrate where she’s going to college next year. We did all of this in the Spring wildflower fields at the Mueller Southwest Greenway.

girl jumping wearing her new college t-shirt

If you’re also interested in having your Senior Photo Session at the Butterfly Gardens in Mueller Southwest Greenway, check out my essential tips below.

Tips for Senior Photo Sessions at the Mueller Southwest Greenway:

  • These sessions work best at golden hour (about 1-2 hours before sunset)
  • Wear closed-toed shoes or boots since the grass gets pretty high at peak wildflower season
  • Keep an eye out for bugs, reptiles and other creatures among the fields (we had to move one turtle safely out of the way to get my cart through the walking path to the pond)
  • Plan to meet at the Butterfly Garden’s Rocket Ship (an excellent landmark meeting spot)
  • There is no restroom nearby, so be prepared to change outfits in your car
  • Wildflower season lasts from March – May in a good year

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Please check out some of my favorite images below and contact me if you’d like to book your own Senior session in Austin, Texas. Explore more Senior sessions like Lilia’s on my blog.

  1. What prompted you to have this photo session? I am in my senior year of high school, so I really wanted to get some professional photos done for my college decision cards that I am going to mail out. I also wanted to have a photo shoot to document my senior year to look back on when I am older.
  2. What do you plan to do with your digital photos? I plan to use them when my send out my graduation announcements as well as posting a few of them on my instagram. I also had some of the photos taken with my college shirt, so I am going to use those for a post on my High School’s instagram page about where I am going to college. 
  3. How did you choose your location for your session? I was really interested a nature photoshoot, so I told Stephanie what I wanted, and she came back with some really great options for the photo shoot. I was deciding between two of them, but I ultimately picked the location that was abundant with colorful wildflowers. 
  4. What advice would you give to others planning a similar Senior photo session? I would recommend taking full advantage of being able to bring objects with you. I brought my type writer with me and Stephanie did an amazing job coming up with poses that would work for it. I think bringing an object that was special to me made the photoshoot a lot more fun and unique.
  5. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? I felt really comfortable throughout the whole photoshoot. Stephanie was really good making the photoshoot fun and casual. She was also great at picking out spots that worked well with the outfits I had chosen and she had a lot of good poses that she came prepared with, which I really appreciated.

Interested in Booking a Senior Photo Session?

More From This Category

University of Texas – Senior + Family Photos

University of Texas – Senior + Family Photos

University of Texas at Austin campus | College Senior and Family Photo Session Did you know that the University of Texas Tower building will undergo construction starting Fall of 2024 and go until Summer of 2027? Not wanting construction fencing in her photos, this...

read more

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?

More From This Category

University of Texas – Senior + Family Photos

University of Texas – Senior + Family Photos

University of Texas at Austin campus | College Senior and Family Photo Session Did you know that the University of Texas Tower building will undergo construction starting Fall of 2024 and go until Summer of 2027? Not wanting construction fencing in her photos, this...

read more

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.

Interested in Booking a Photo Session?

More From This Category

University of Texas – Senior + Family Photos

University of Texas – Senior + Family Photos

University of Texas at Austin campus | College Senior and Family Photo Session Did you know that the University of Texas Tower building will undergo construction starting Fall of 2024 and go until Summer of 2027? Not wanting construction fencing in her photos, this...

read more