One of the advantages of having kids who love to climb, is that I get to check out different areas around Austin with great climbing spots.
For indoor rock climbing, one of our favorites is the Austin Bouldering Project. They have a location on Springdale Road. Right next door is Springdale Station which has this blue bridge-like walkway. A fun sculpture park, the Dimension Gallery, is right across the road.
You can park at Springdale Station and find all these great backgrounds. So if you’re looking for a fun, urban background in East Austin, consider this area.
Please check out some of my favorite images from this portrait session below and contact me if you’d like to book your own photo session.
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. After driving around my favorite...
Do you have a favorite skyline view in Austin, Texas? If not, let me share some of mine. These top 10 spots would work for any type of portrait session where you want an urban feel, downtown views and lots of architectural lines to play with. So, come take a tour of my favorite rooftops, bridges and parking lots which give great modern backgrounds.
Top 10 Favorite rooftops, parking garages and bridges in Austin, Texas:
Are you interested in a personal branding or family photo session and are considering the Domain shopping area in North Austin as your location? Wondering where the best spots are along Rock Rose Ave.? If yes and yes, then follow along below:
Parking:
You can park at either the Blue or Red Garages (see map)
Storefronts:
Then there are a lot of cute spots to explore. Like the ivy wall next to the Apple store.
The colorful mural on the Erin Condren store.
And even stores that aren’t open yet have colorful wallpaper on their windows.
We went on a Saturday night and it was plenty crowded – but everyone was nice about taking turns at their favorite photogenic spots.
You’ll even spot some greenery in places – such as next to the Lavaca St. Bar.
And if you’re over 21, we can go inside the Wonder Bar – but if not, we can enjoy the colorful mosaics outside the entrance.
And slightly off of Rock Rose Ave. further west are some more cute spots. You can sit on the striped orange couches behind Restoration Hardware.
Or check out the men’s clothing store across the street with the fantastic green tilework.
Cityhouse Collective is a shared studio space in Pflugerville that’s about a 20 minute drive from Central Austin. They had their Open House this past weekend. I’ve been following along on Instagram as the space was created, so I was excited to see it in person.
Besides getting a tour of the space (meeting rooms, kitchenette, natural light shooting bay, etc.), and goodies to eat and drink, there were also two styled sets – one bridal and one for lifestyle branding.
Working in small groups, we got to try out the space.
Like a kid in a candy store (or like a photographer presented with beautiful natural light and gorgeous people), I took a lot of photos at both sets. I started at the bridal one first.
Then once I was done, I got to enjoy some strawberry-basil cotton candy from Fancy Fluff.
If you would be interested in a daytime, indoor studio (with lots of fun furniture and props to use) for your own photo session, we can book this space (a location fee will apply).
See below for contact form (and my own branding shot from the Open House)
As part of the booking process, I ask questions to determine the best location for a family.
What part of town do they live in?
Would they prefer a nature or urban setting?
Do they have a favorite spot to go as a family?
Any other details to help determine where to go?
For an extended family session next month, I was asked for a spot that is wheelchair-accessible, close to Pflugerville and has space for 14 family members.
Challenge accepted!
First step, Google image search.
Second step, start scouting.
I decided to go visit the Green Red Barn in Heritage Park in Pflugerville with my sister-in-law. Thanks so much, Allison!
Handicap accessible in multiple spots? Check
Variety of backgrounds for multiple family combinations? Check
Easy parking, away from the road and restrooms for the kids? Check
Lots of space? Check
Ding, ding, ding – we have a winner!
Between the Red Barn as a backdrop, to the metal building next door to the Heritage Museum on the same lot – lots of good options to be found at this location.
When we went to location scout, it was VERY windy.
And I think I would go back 1-2 hours later in the day to get some different light options (closer to golden hour).
If you’re looking for a similar spot, make sure to check out the list of events around town – this space is also bookable (used for Farmer’s Markets and Weddings, etc.)
And if you live near Pflugerville and want your own family photos, contact me:
One of my New Years Resolutions is to go on more hikes. The kids love them (collecting sticks! throwing rocks in creeks! climbing over boulders!) – and this time of year (January – April) is one of the most pleasant seasons to be outside in Austin (if you’re not in a body of water).
And besides enjoying the trails, visiting these spots doubles as location scouting since all of them make great settings for family photo sessions. Things I keep in mind when picking a place to go as a family – we want easy parking, bathrooms if possible, not too crowded and trails around 1-3 miles long (your own criteria may vary).
If you’re looking for kid-friendly hiking spots in and around Austin (or want ideas for where you next family photos should be), here are my Top 10 favorites:
Bull Creek District Trail
1. Bull Creek District Trail
Bull Creek – Our favorite and most visited park. There are boulders you can climb (near the small parking lot). There’s about a mile hiking trail that goes along the water. Bull Creek is also a favorite location I use for family photo sessions. (We’ve had our own family photos taken here twice)
Address: 6701 Lakewood Dr., Austin, TX 78731
Parking: two lots
Bathroom: yes
Balcones District Park
2. Balcones District Park
Balcones District Park – Another kid-friendly park with a small playground and pool (only open in Summer). It’s also where I take 75% of my wildflower portraits each Spring.
Address: 12017 Amherst Dr, Austin, TX 78759
Parking: yes
Bathroom: yes
St. Edwards Park
3. St. Edwards Park
St. Edwards Park – This 80-acre park has criss-crossing trails that can take you by the water or not. Keep an eye out for their small waterfall.
Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve – Wild Basin is part of the Balcones Canyonland Preserve, and it’s 227 acres of Hill Country woodland. Did you know you could apply to be an Artist in Residence there? (which led me down a rabbit hole of researching other Texas artist residency programs – see some options here).
Address: 805 North Capital of Texas Highway
Parking: yes
Bathroom: yes
River Place Nature Trail
5. River Place Fern Trail
River Place Fern Trail – We’ve only made one trip out to this trail so far, but have plans to definitely head back soon. There’s a lovely playground across the street we ended up at as well.
Lady Bird Lake – Hike and Bike Trail – Honestly it stresses me out a little to take the kids hiking here since it’s always so crowded – so we’re more likely to rent canoes and enjoy the lake from the water or just hit the patches of wildflowers by the baseball fields instead.
Address: multiple entry points
Parking: yes
Bathroom: yes
Circle C Ranch Park
8. Circle C Ranch Park
Circle C Ranch Park – A bit south for us to go regularly, but still a nice walk and does get lovely wildflowers some years.
Address: 6301 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78739
Parking: yes
Bathroom: yes
McKinney Falls State Park
9. McKinney Falls State Park
McKinney Falls State Park – Roughly 20-30 minutes from Austin, and it has an admission charge. But enjoy nine miles of trails to explore around Onion Creek. Good for bluebonnets as well.
Pedernales Falls State Park – Roughly an hour drive outside of Austin, also has an admission charge – but such a beautiful spot! I can’t get over the stunning color of the water. Swim, hike, climb over the limestone rocks – and then hop over to the Hill Country Science Mill in Johnson City to make a full day of it (a winning combo we’ve done at least three other times).
Address: 2585 Park Rd 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636
Parking: yes
Bathroom: yes
Those are our Top 10 favorite hikes in and around Austin.
