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/ 

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/

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/

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/

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/
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

Springwoods Park, Anderson Mill

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