Tips for Photo Sessions at Butler Park | Austin Senior and Family Photographer This High School Senior was looking for a nature setting in South Austin for her combination Senior + Family photo session this Spring. One of the spots I recommended was Butler Park. This...
Tips for a Senior Photo Session at Commons Ford Ranch
What to expect at your Commons Ford Ranch Photo Session | Austin Senior Photographer
This Vista Ridge High School Senior requested Commons Ford Ranch as her photo session location.
Commons Ford Ranch is located in West Austin off Cuernavaca Dr.
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.
It’s also known for wildflowers in the Spring. We had such a dry winter that this Senior brought a bouquet of colorful flowers since nothing much was in bloom yet. We just had lovely, tall dry grass at golden hour.
If you’d also like to have a Senior photo session at Commons Ford Ranch, here are my tips below:
- PARKING: There is parking along the road you drive in on. I recommend starting near the barn and parking over there.
- OPERATING HOURS: The park is open from 5am-10pm daily. Admission is free.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- DOG-FRIENDLY: Yes, this park is definitely dog-friendly. Her dog got to wear a bow-tie and a college jersey 🙂
- WHAT TO BRING: It’s optional, but some prop ideas are listed HERE for Seniors.
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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
- What prompted you to have this photo session? We wanted to have senior photos done of Lilly in preparation of her high school graduation.
- What do you plan to do with your digital photos? We will use them for announcements, her social media posts and print a few for frames for ourselves and family.
- How did you choose your location for your session? It was a fantastic suggestion that you gave us. Lilly had a vision of what she wanted, but we weren’t sure where to go. Commons Ford Park gave her all of the backgrounds that she was looking for and we could not have been more pleased with the choice.
- What advice would you give to others planning a similar Senior photo session? Look for inspiration from others for the types of locations that you are interested in or pictures you like. Wear clothes that you feel comfortable in. Don’t forget comfortable shoes to walk to different parts of the area you are using.
- Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Stephanie was great! Great communication from beginning to end. She answered all of our questions. She helped Lilly feel really comfortable and she was prepared for everything. I would definitely recommend her.
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.
