Tips for a UT College Graduation Photo Session

Tips for a UT College Graduation Photo Session

University of Texas at Austin College Photo Session | Austin Senior Photographer

When planning a University of Texas college graduation photo session, I tell my Seniors to pick their top three-four anchor locations on campus. Then we’ll plan the flow of their session around these spots.

Outlining the route:

For this couple, they picked the:
  • Green Door of the Architecture Library
  • Architecture Courtyard
  • Littlefield Fountain
  • South Mall UT Flowers

as their must-haves. We had talked about also going inside the Tower but since the weather was so nice outside, they switched last minute for more South Mall options.

college graduation session on the university of texas campus

And while we did have to wait in some short lines at popular locations (it was end of semester after all) – since we met on a weeknight, it wasn’t as bad as the weekend crowds can be.

I also made sure to get a mix of solo photos of each graduate as well as photos of them together. 

If you’d also like to have a Graduating Senior photo session on the University of Texas at Austin campus, here are my recommendations below:

  • TIMING: Right before Spring Graduation, Campus gets pretty full of photo shoots. So try and plan earlier in the semester or choose off-times for your photos (or be okay with waiting for your turn in front of popular spots)
  • PREP: Iron your regalia and bring it on a hanger.
  • WHAT TO WEAR: You can pose in your full cap and gown, part of your regalia, regular dressy clothes or any combination of the above.
  • LOCATIONS: If you have a particular spot on campus that means a lot to you (Ex. where you took the majority of your classes), let me know so we can include it in our route.
  • ROUTE: I’ll send you a list of popular spots before your date so you can give me your top four choices to visit in your hour-long session.
  • MINI ADD-ON: If your family will be in town, we can add-on a mini-family photo session.
  • CELEBRATE: If you want to end your session in the Littlefield Fountain – bring some champagne to “pop” as well as a towel for drying off and flip flops to wear for afterwards. You can also bring some biodegradable paper confetti cannons to pop.
  • WALKING SHOES: Since we’ll likely be doing a lot of walking around campus, wear or bring comfortable shoes to change into between spots (I’ll have my blue rolling cart to help carry everything).
  • GROUP SESSIONS: If you’re interested in a group session with some friends, contact me for group pricing.
  • TOWER CONSTRUCTION: Keep an eye on the latest UT Tower construction updates.

    _______________________________________________________________________________________

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

    stephanie friedman headshot

    Stephanie Friedman first picked up a camera in high school, went on to study photojournalism in college (Hook ‘Em Horns), then worked as a photo researcher in educational publishing for over 20 years.

    Besides that, she’s been photographing Families and Seniors for the last 10 years. You can count on her to be communicative and organized before your session. She’ll help you feel relaxed and confident during your session. And you’ll have a smile on your face after your session once you see your new photos.

    Interested in Booking a College Senior Photo Session?

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    Commons Ford Ranch – Senior + Family Photos

    Commons Ford Ranch – Senior + Family Photos

    Spring wildflowers for a Senior and Family Portrait Session | Austin Senior Photographer

    This Westlake High School Senior requested Commons Ford Ranch as her photo session location. She chose the Senior + Family Package (and had her boyfriend in some photos as well).
    class of 2026 sunglasses on couple of high school graduating seniors
    Commons Ford Ranch is located in West Austin off Cuernavaca Dr.

    commons ford ranch map

    This lakefront park has a rustic barn (currently being renovated), wooden fences, large prairie fields as well as a small wooden dock on the waterfront.
    After all our April rain, we finally got some beautiful fields of wildflowers at the park.
    commons ford ranch high school senior photo session among the spring wildflowers

    If you’d also like to have a Senior photo session at Commons Ford Ranch, here are my tips below:

    1. PARKING: There is parking along the road you drive in on. I recommend starting near the barn and parking over there. 
    2. OPERATING HOURS: The park is open from 5am-10pm daily. Admission is free.
    3. LOCATIONS: This park is 215 acres. Main features include the barn, the fields, the trails and the waterfront area. It’s about a 10 minute walk from the barn to the dock.
    4. WARDROBE: We’ll be doing some walking from one part of the park to another, so wear (or bring) comfortable shoes. Since you’ll be standing in tall grass, I recommend boots for some of your outfits (lots of wildlife call this park their home).
    5. SCHEDULE: This park is very busy during peak times (October/November for Family photos and March/April/May for Senior Photos). It’s also very popular with birders. 
    6. RESTROOMS: There are two port-o-potties by the barn. There is one other restroom near the waterfront. Plan to change outfits in your car. 
    7. NEARBY RESTAURANTS: If you’d like to go out for dinner after your photo session at Commons Ford, some nearby options include: Patrizi’s for Italian, County Line for BBQ or bistro & bakery goodies at Ronnie’s Real Food
    8. DOG-FRIENDLY: Yes, this park is definitely dog-friendly. 
    9. WHAT TO BRING: It’s optional, but some prop ideas are listed HERE for Seniors. 

      _______________________________________________________________________________________

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

      Client Feedback and Advice

      1. What prompted you to have this photo session? We wanted this session to capture Leili before she heads off to college.
      2. What do you plan to do with your digital photos? We plan to print some and share the rest with family.
      3. How did you choose your location for your session? We chose Commons Ford Ranch because its a good location with a variety of settings.
      4. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session? Advice: Just relax and have fun!
      5. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? We had a great time working with you!

      stephanie friedman headshot

      Stephanie Friedman first picked up a camera in high school, went on to study photojournalism at the University of Texas (Hook ‘Em), then worked as a photo researcher in educational publishing for over 20 years.

      During all that, she’s been photographing Families and Seniors for the last 10 years. You can count on her to be communicative and organized before your session. She’ll help you feel relaxed and confident during your session. And you’ll have a smile on your face after your session once you see your new photos.

      Interested in Booking a Senior Photo Session?

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      McKinney Falls – Shared Senior Photo Session

      McKinney Falls – Shared Senior Photo Session

      McKinney Falls Shared Sisters Senior Portrait Session | Austin Senior Photographer

      A perfect combination for a Shared Senior Photo Session is when one sister is graduating from High School and another is graduating from College.
      This Austin High Senior and Texas State Senior met me out at McKinney Falls this Spring for their combination graduation photo session. Each Senior got plenty of solo time in front of the camera, but we also got some poses together.
      mckinney falls senior graduation photo session
      At McKinney Falls State Park, we started at the Wildflower Meadow, then explored the Upper Falls and ended at the Lower Falls.
      McKinney Falls State Park is located in Southeast Austin. This 744 acre park (just 13 miles from Dowtown Austin) has limestone ledges and trails along Onion Creek.

      map of McKinney Falls State Park

      If you’d also like to have a Senior photo session at McKinney Falls State Park, here are my tips below:

      1. PARKING: There are several parking lots depending on which part of the park you want to explore.  
      2. OPERATING HOURS: The park is open from 8am-10pm daily. Admission is $6/adult. I recommend booking a day pass in advance of your session.
      3. LOCATIONS: This park is has many scenic locations. Check out this trail map. I like to start at Upper Falls then drive over to Lower Falls.
      4. WARDROBE: We’ll be doing some walking from one part of the state park to another, so wear (or bring) comfortable shoes. You may even want water shoes and bring a towel if you decide to dip your feet in the creek.
      5. SCHEDULE: This park is busy during weekends with hikers and swimmers. I usually have to photoshop out other visitors to the park everytime I have a photo session there. 
      6. RESTROOMS: There are several bathrooms located across the park for outfit changes. 
      7. DOG-FRIENDLY: Yes, this park is definitely dog-friendly. They must be on a leash, and they can’t go in the water.
      8. WHAT TO BRING: It’s optional, but some prop ideas are listed HERE for Seniors. 

        _______________________________________________________________________________________

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

        stephanie friedman headshot

        Stephanie Friedman first picked up a camera in high school, went on to study photojournalism at the University of Texas (Hook ‘Em), then worked as a photo researcher in educational publishing for over 20 years.

        During all that, she’s been photographing Families and Seniors for the last 10 years. You can count on her to be communicative and organized before your session. She’ll help you feel relaxed and confident during your session. And you’ll have a smile on your face after your session once you see your new photos.

        Interested in Booking a Senior Photo Session?

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        High School Senior Year Checklist – May

        High School Senior Year Checklist – May

        High School Senior Year To Do List | Austin, Texas

        Happy Graduation!

        High School Seniors (and your Parents):

        See below for your May To Do List to keep on top of your college applications and a reminder to keep an eye on your School Calendar for events and traditions. And don’t forget to make time for fun as well.

         

        may checklist for senior year students

          ___________________________________________________________________________________

          Please contact me if you’d like to book a Senior or Family portrait session in Austin, Texas this year.

          Ready to reach out to book your photo session?

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          Fun Things to do in Austin – May 2026

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          Pun-off, Celebrate Mom and School’s Out! | May Newsletter links

          Happy May!

          Ready for a fun mix of events, classes and places to visit in Austin, Texas in 2026?

          Check out the links below for inspiration.

          May END OF SCHOOL CELEBRATION

          School’s out for the summer! (end of May dates vary) – why not go swim at Barton Springs, get an snow cone or ice cream cone and burn all your old school work in a fire pit (as long as we’re not on a burn ban 😉

          Or maybe you want to throw a water balloon fight or go float in the river.

          You could also hire an ice cream truck to come to your neighborhood for all your friends.

          May EVENTS

          Appreciate the wacky wordplay at the O. Henry Pun-Off (their 49th year!) on May 9th from 10am-6pm at Brush Square Park. To get in the mood, read some of these terrible puns.

          Eat well at the Hot Luck Food Festival May 22nd-25th (at various locations).

          Listen to a free outdoor concert starting May 22nd at the Long Center for their Drop-in Music Series.

          Watch free Ballet under the Stars May 29th-30th at the Zilker Hillside Theater.

          Attend Season 15 of the ATX TV Festival from May 28th-31st

          May CLASSES

          Learn what plants are most dog-friendly at the Wildflower Center on May 2nd.

          Prepare a full Frontier Feast with this cooking class at Pioneer Farms on May 2nd.

          Get Paid to Talk after you take this Intro to Voice Overs workshop on May 3rd.

          Take a repair-to-re-wear workshop with CrafternoonATX on May 16th.

          Feel prepared after attending an Emergency Preparedness Pop-up at the Library on May 20th.

          May HOLIDAYS

          Mother’s Day (May 10th): You could always get your mom the gift of photos (see photo session section below), take her out for brunch, watch Steel Magnolias at Waterloo Greenway, picnic at the Wildflower Center, or bring Mom to see some art at the Blanton.

          Memorial Day (May 25th): Why not get out on the water to celebrate Memorial Day – you could kayak, take a cruise or go camping. Or you could eat and dance at the Austin Greek Festival.

          May PHOTO SESSIONS

          If you’d like to book Senior or Family Photos this Spring/Summer (perhaps as a Mother’s Day gift), reach out and let me know.

          Sign up to get my newsletter delivered to your inbox. 

           

          stephanie friedman headshot

          Stephanie Friedman first picked up a camera in high school, went on to study photojournalism in college (Hook ‘Em), then worked as a photo researcher in educational publishing for over 20 years.

          During all that, she’s been photographing Families and Seniors for the last 10 years. You can count on her to be communicative and organized before your session. She’ll help you feel relaxed and confident during your session. And you’ll have a smile on your face after your session once you see your new photos.

          Interested in Booking a Photo Session?

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