by admin | Aug 6, 2018 | birthday, photo booth, photography
If you were planning a 12 hour (yes, you read that right – 12 hours long(!)) party to celebrate a milestone birthday, and your guests would all be coming in costume to karaoke the night away, wouldn’t you want a photo booth to help document it all?
Well, I was happy to be hired as party photographer. So I grabbed my gold sequin backdrop, studio lights and borrowed some musical props to capture all the fun. Getting to photograph “Dolly” and “Kenny” while “Islands in the Stream” played and “Hall & Oats” while “Rich Girl” was on blast kept a smile on my face as I snapped away.
Please enjoy this sneak peek of the photo booth images. To see all the photos (and a few videos) and purchase prints from the gallery** click HERE.
**If you went to the party and have any questions about accessing/printing your images – please email me at stephanie@stephaniefriedman.com.
To get your own photo booth for a party, contact me for the latest prices.
===== stephanie friedman. austin, tx family photography. your life. close-up =====
by admin | Jul 23, 2018 | location information, location scouting, photography
I have a family that requested a location that felt very “Texas/Country” – so I wanted to share some photos and video (below) of the Old Settlers Association.
Red barn – check
Old truck – check
Random farm animals – check
As well as cabins from the 1850s, a Fire House Museum and an old Country Store all located a short drive away in Round Rock, TX.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-gzHb0dNXc&feature=youtu.be
You can compare these pictures to the last time I took the boys location scouting here (two years ago).
===== stephanie friedman. austin, tx family photography. your life. close-up =====
by admin | Jul 6, 2018 | location information, location scouting, photography
Thinking of a photo session on South Congress? We may have to wait in line to get the “I love you so much” mural shot (and I’ll of course offer to take pictures for the folks in line in front of us on their phones so they don’t have to worry about selfie arms) – but look at all the great spots in a few block radius. For this session, we wandered from Jo’s Coffee to Lucy’s in Disguise one summer evening – enjoying the shady side of the street.
Please enjoy this sneak peek of her Portrait session. To see all the photos and purchase prints from the (password protected) gallery click HERE.
===== stephanie friedman. austin, tx family photography. your life. close-up =====
by admin | Jun 26, 2018 | location information, location scouting, photography
So you live outside of Austin*, and you’re wondering, “Where should I go for my family portrait 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 10 favorite spots I recommend to my families who live outside of the Austin city limits:
Old Settlers Park: 3300 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665
Features: huge park, wildflowers in Spring, Old Settlers Association cabins from the 1800s, big red barn
Parking: multiple lots
Bathroom: yes
Kid-friendly: yes
Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2016/10/11/max-miles-old-settlers-association/
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Brushy Creek Community Center: 16318 Great Oaks Dr, Round Rock, TX 78681
Features: flower-filled garden, space sometimes get booked for private events, check their calendar first
Parking: front lot
Bathroom: yes
Kid-friendly: yes
Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2016/05/06/the-linden-family-spring-portrait-session/
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Star Hill Ranch: 15000 Hamilton Pool Rd, Bee Cave, TX 78738
Features: various scenic buildings (chapel, old houses, country store, gardens, etc.), location fee $$ to rent
Parking: lot
Bathroom: yes
Kid-friendly: yes
Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2017/06/22/capturing-joy-school-of-photography-workshop/
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Downtown Round Rock: 216 E Main St, Round Rock, TX 78664
Features: various storefronts
Parking: street or lot parking
Bathroom: yes (at library or stores)
Kid-friendly: yes, but keep an eye out for cars
Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2017/11/01/the-f-family-round-rock-portrait-session/
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Champions Park: 3830 Brushy Creek Rd, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Features: Family-oriented park including a covered playground with sand box, picnic areas, bridge, a water feature and trails
Parking: yes
Bathroom: yes
Kid-friendly: yes
Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2016/10/29/heather-carsyn-holiday-portrait-session/
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And 5 bonus spots to make my Top 10 for outside of Austin:
1. Wimberley, TX
2. Blue Hole, Georgetown, TX
3. Downtown Georgetown, TX (also the blue garge door at the top of the post)
4. Sweet Eats Fruit Farm, Georgetown, TX
5. Glass bottom boats, San Marcos, TX
And one more bonus location – just for the October/November season
*milage surcharge added for travel outside of Austin, TX (inquire for rates)
CONTACT ME if you’d like to book a photo session in any of these locations.
by admin | Jun 25, 2018 | photography, workshop
When I do family photo sessions, 95% of the time it’s in natural light and an outdoor setting. But every once in a while, I use studio lights (for headshots, for photo booths at parties, for interior portrait sessions). So this summer, I thought it would be a good idea to take a refresher lighting class. I signed up for Intermediate Studio Lighting at Precision Camera here in Austin, TX.
A side effect of the class is now I want to upgrade my lighting gear (I knew that would happen) – but it was great to practice different lighting techniques – split, loop, Rembrandt, butterfly, etc.
So if your session calls for studio lighting, I’m excited to try some different set-ups. (Hair-flipping optional ;))
===== stephanie friedman. austin, tx family photography. your life. close-up =====
When I do family photo sessions, 95% of the time it’s in natural light and an outdoor setting. But every once in a while, I use studio lights (for headshots, for photo booths at parties, for interior portrait sessions). So this summer, I thought it would be a good idea to take a refresher lighting class. I signed up for 
