Stephanie Friedman, Author at Stephanie Friedman

Summertime at home – Family Photo Session

by admin | Jun 12, 2025 | family, photography

Summer night at home in Allandale | Austin Family Photographer

For this Family, we had to split up their Senior + Family Photo Session due to scheduling issues.

Their oldest child had his Senior Photos taken first in April in Downtown Austin.

austin high school senior class of 2025 photo session in seaholm district by stephanie friedman photography

Then we met up again in June to get a mini-session of the entire family relaxing at home. Their sweet family dog made it in a few photos as well.

If you live in Austin and are also interested in having a family photo session at home, check out my tips below.

Tips for Family Photo Sessions at home:

I’ll schedule a “location scouting” tour of your house about a week before your session. I’ll walk around your house and yard for about 15 minutes with you. Then I can plan out the best backgrounds for your photos.
Since I like to focus most on photos taken outside, before I arrive, clean up and tidy around your front door and in your backyard. The idea is to cut down on visual clutter.
Mow the lawn and consider buying some new colorful flowers to put by your door
Move your cars out of the driveway so we can use that space
Pick outfits that match the style and vibe of your house’s personality
We’ll do a mix of posed and candid shots around your yard
Family pets are always welcome 🙂

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

Interested in Booking a Family Photo Session?

Contact Me

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Summertime at home – Family Photo Session

Jun 12, 2025

Summer night at home in Allandale | Austin Family Photographer For this Family, we had to split up their Senior + Family Photo Session due to scheduling issues. Their oldest child had his Senior Photos taken first in April in Downtown Austin. Then we met up again in...

Front yard & Neighborhood Trails – Family Photo Session

by admin | Jun 6, 2025 | family, photography

At-home + Walking some Southwest Park Trails | Austin Family Photographer

I last photographed this family in the Fall. This year, we were supposed to have an Extended Family photo session at the University of Texas based around graduation, but I got sick.

They were so sweet and flexible. So, we pivoted to a family session a few weeks later in the Spring. We talked about location options, but the mom decided she wanted to use the same locations as last year – their front yard and the nearby park trails in Southwest Austin.

Her garden was in bloom and the grass was so green from the recent rains. We also got to recreate some similar front yard poses to see how the kids have grown.

Last year:

This year:

Tips for Family Photo Sessions in the park:

Pack water if it’s a hot day, and bring snacks if you think your kids will get hungry during the family photo session.
Wear comfortable shoes since we’ll be walking along the trails.
Bring a blanket whose colors coordinate with your outfits in case we want to take any seated photos.
You can also bring a prop for an activity you enjoy doing (guitar, kite, ball, etc.)

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

Client Feedback

“A good friend just came to visit us recently and looked around at our walls covered with family pictures that Stephanie has taken over the years and said this feels like such an incredible home because of all of these pictures.

It warmed my heart when she gave me this compliment, and I marveled at how much my children have grown throughout the years.

I love having these pictures to keep track of our family and to remind us of how precious time is together.”

Interested in Booking a Family Photo Session?

Contact Me

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Northwest Park – High School Senior Photos

by admin | Jun 3, 2025 | photography, seniors

High School Senior Photo Session | Austin Senior Photographer

This high school valedictorian requested a “laid-back, super simple, no frills” session. So we met up at a nearby park for a Senior + Family photo session.

I’m also glad he brought so many props – we had:

Cap and gown
Class of 2025 accessories
Framed photo from kindergarten
Yo-yo (to show off his skills)
Magic the Gathering cards and dice
Washington U pennant and shirt, etc.

If you’re also interested in having your High School Senior Photo Session at Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park, check out my tips below.

Tips for High School Senior Photo Sessions at Northwest Park:

I like to meet on the Shoal Creek side of the park near the bridge
In Spring, the field is usually filled with wildflowers
We can explore around the creek and by the pond for different nature backgrounds
The park has restrooms, but it may be closest to change outfits in your car
Bring props, as well as your cap & gown to capture this milestone time

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

Client Feedback and Advice

What prompted you to have this photo session? Senior photos for invitations and to give the boy the memories of his final high school year.
What do you plan to do with your digital photos? We used the photos for banners, fans, Big heads, buttons, on Grad party invites, and to look at when he is away at college.
How did you choose your location for your session? I spent some time talking with Stephanie about places that would give the nature look he wanted for his photos. Which was the only request he made before doing the shoot.
What advice would you give to others planning a similar Senior photo session?
1. Try your clothes on a couple times leading up to the day of the shoot to make sure they have the right fit, length, don’t gap in places they shouldn’t.

2.Take the props, the prop photos are always the ones that get the most compliments.
Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography?Stephanie was fantastic to work with, I reached out on a Sunday and had a response with times and dates by Monday. She is incredibly responsive and prepared, she had all the emergency items needed for a disastrous mom moment. She captured memoments in her photos that shine through showing authentic personality. I love the photos of my Senior.

Interested in Booking a Senior Photo Session?

Contact Me

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High School Graduation Party Ideas

by admin | May 30, 2025 | photography, seniors

Graduation Party Themes and Games | Austin Senior Photography

You had your Senior Photo Session and used the photos to personalize your graduation invites.

Now it’s time to plan the rest of your High School or College Gradauation Party.

See below for some fun themes and guest activities to make the most of your milestone celebration.

Graduation Party Themes

Some fun themes to use at your graduation party include:

1) Through the Years – Decorate with photos from kindergarten through your Senior Year

2) School Colors – Use your current or future school colors for decor, food and drinks

3) Oh, The Places You’ll Go – Travel- inspired decor, globes and passport-style invites for a Dr. Seuss Theme. Have lots of maps and destination signs.

4) Your Future’s So Bright – Glow sticks, black lights and neon decor. Can also use items that symbolize the grad’s future plans (ex. medical school, law school, etc.)

5) Hollywood Red Carpet – Fancy dress code, red carpet outside and polaroid “paparazzi” photos as favors

Graduation Party Games & Activities

Here are some creative ideas for party games and guest activities for your Graduation Party:

1) Advice Jar – Guests write tips on pieces of paper to put in a jar for the graduate to read later. You could also fill up a journal or blank book with guests to write in with advice.

2) “Open When” letters – Ask family and friends to write short messages to the Senior to open at different times in the following year. Examples: “Open when” you feel homesick, “Open when” you need a laugh, or “Open when” you need a pep talk.

You could also provide blank postcards for your guests to write on and that you will send throughout the student’s next year.

3) Caps Off Time capsule – Ask your guests to bring something specific to the grad’s year to open 10-15 years later.

4) Graduation Bingo – Make a custom bingo card with squares like “guests gives a toast,” “grad takes a selfie,” “someone asks what their major will be”

5) Who Knows the Grad Best? – Create a trivia game with questions about the Senior’s favorite foods, habits and history. Winner gets a fun prize.

Have fun and party on!

Interested in Booking a Senior Photo Session?

Contact Me

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Upper & Lower Falls at McKinney Falls State Park – Senior Photos

by admin | May 28, 2025 | photography, seniors

Exploring McKinney Falls State Park | Austin Senior Photographer

This High School Senior (and future Texas State student) chose McKinney Falls State Park for his photo session location.

The park wasn’t too crowded for a week night in late Spring. (Though I did photoshop out a few swimmers in the background)

If you live in Austin and are also interested in having your High School Senior Photo Session at McKinney Falls, check out my tips below.

Tips for Photo Sessions at McKinney Falls State Park:

Park reservations are required, so make sure you get a day pass in advance of your chosen session date.
Entrance Fees are $6/adult.
The Park has over nine miles of trails, but I like the Upper Falls and Lower Falls along Onion Creek the best.
There are several restrooms off the trails to use for outfit changes.
Springtime can bring wildflowers to the Park (keep an eye on their social media to see how the blooms are looking – and any other useful Park alerts).
Pack water shoes and a towel since we might get our feet wet for part of your photo session if the water is high.

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