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Artwork by JBM Studios – Creative Business Story
Jamie in front of the mural she co-created outside the Kammok Store in East Austin
Local artist, Jamie B. McCormick a.k.a. JBM Studio contacted me last month for a branding photo session. She’s re-doing her website and needed some new content for her site and social media. I’m always happy to work on a Creative Business Story. We brainstormed where it would make sense to take the photos. I definitely thought we should highlight her mural (seen above) and show her painting where the subject of a lot of her work takes place – out in nature.
We started the morning at Bull Creek District Park.
While Jamie worked on a few new art pieces, I made sure to get a variety of shots.
Next we drove over to the east side to visit the Kammok store. Jamie worked with fellow Austin artist, Brittany Callender, on their mural piece “Sculpture Falls” that appears on the side of the shop.
Thank you, Jamie, for a fun branding session. I can’t wait to see your updated website!
How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?
Our children are friends and I’ve admired her school photo booths! I knew she was capable of a lot if she can make an entire class full of 4-5 year olds look happy and cute.
What was your favorite part of your branding photo session?
I am not incredibly comfortable in front of the camera, but Stephanie is so fun and relaxed, it was easier than I anticipated. We talked through a lot of ideas, and she came very prepared, so I knew the plan and I didn’t feel worried on the day of the shoot. Stephanie was also good about telling me what was working (and what wasn’t) and let me look at pictures as I went, so I had a good feel for what was happening and felt comfortable asking for feedback.
What advice would you give to other business owners planning a branding photo session?
Make choices that you make you feel more confident — where you go, what you wear, etc.
If you’d like your own personal branding session, more information can be found HERE or just contact me below.
Best Places in Austin for Photo Sessions
So Step 1 is done – you’ve booked your photo session in Austin this year. Now you’re ready for Step 2 – what’s the location going to be? What are the best places in Austin for Senior or Family Photos?
By answering a few simple questions, we can narrow down your search. There are over 50 suggestions below on where you could have your family photos this Fall.
Question 1:
Do you want to leave your house?
If no, search over, let’s have a cozy, in-home lifestyle session. You can snuggle on the couch and play in the yard. Pets always welcome.
- Your house – indoors/outdoors
Question 2:
Are you ok with a location fee ($50-$250*)?
If yes, some great options include
- Sekrit Theater – East Austin, $150/hour
- The Woodbine Mansion – Round Rock, $300/session (1.5 hours)
- Laguna Gloria – Central Austin, $150/hour
- Mayfield Park – Central Austin, $50/session – can only book up to a month in advance
- Jones Center Rooftop (Contemporary Austin) – Downtown, $100/hour (only during Museum hours)
- Jennifer’s Garden – Central Austin, $125/hour (2 hour minimum)
- Pioneer Farms – Northeast Austin, entrance fee only if during regular hours ($8/adult, $6/kid)
- Zilker Botanical Gardens – South Austin, $50/hour
- Wildflower Center – South Austin, $100/hour (during business hours – $250/weekends)
- Lake Austin or Lake Travis boat rentals (price varies) – various companies
- Roadhouse Relics/Greetings From Austin mural – South Austin, $150-$200/hour (Weekday vs. Weekend prices)
- Star Hill Ranch – West Austin, $125/hour
- Wayback Hotel and Cafe – $125/hour
- Greenhouse at Driftwood – Driftwood, TX $400 for two hours
- Chapel Dulcinea – out near Driftwood, TX; Monday-Thursday, $200/hour
- Ice Plant Building – La Grange, TX – $100/hour
- Barr Mansion – Northeast Austin; Monday-Thursday 10am-5:30pm and Friday-Sunday 9am-1pm *depending on our event schedule – $150/hour
- One Eleven East – Hutto, TX – $120/hour
- The Lumen Room – South Austin – can book online, $75/hour
- Elgin Christmas Tree Farm – Elgin, TX – only available to photographers on certain dates
- Wish Well House – Georgetown, TX – $250/hour
- A Light Collab Studio – Pflugerville, TX – $110/hour (2 hour minimum)
- Peerspace – prices vary
- The Spot Studio – Central Austin – $100/hour
- The Commune – Central Austin – $200/session (two-hour block minimum)
*2024 prices – may be subject to change
Question 3:
If you want a free spot, do you prefer an urban or a nature setting?
If you want an urban setting, some spots include (Outside of Austin, then North to South):
- Downtown Georgetown – Main Square
- Downtown Round Rock – Main Street
- Old Settlers Park – Round Rock
- Shops at the Domain – North Austin (Rock Rose Ave.)
- State Capitol – Central Austin
- University of Texas campus (various locations including: Blanton Museum exterior/Ellsworth Kelly exterior) – Central Austin
- Mueller Development (Thinkery exterior, shops) – Central Austin
- 2nd street/City Hall – Downtown Austin
- Central Library – Downtown Austin
- Springdale Road – East Austin, buildings around Springdale Station, Dimensions Sculpture Park, etc.
- Seaholm Power Plant – Downtown Austin
- Tau Ceti mural / garage rooftop (or other downtown garage rooftops)
- Butterfly Bridge – Downtown Austin
- Waterloo Greenway – Downtown Austin
- Lady Bird Lake pedestrian bridge – Downtown Austin
- Lady Bird Lake Trails (Lou Neff Point)
- South Congress shops – South Austin
- View of downtown skyline from the Austin Rowing Club dock or the Boardwalk
- View of downtown skyline from various Rooftop Bars
- Greetings from Austin mural (or any mural around town) – South Austin (and various locations)
- Zilker Park (Rock Island)
- Butler Park – South Austin
- Long Center (and nearby parking garage roofs) – South Austin
- Jester King Brewery – South Austin
- Your favorite spot in town
If you want a nature setting, some spots outside of Austin (North to South) include:
- Sweet Eats Farm – Georgetown
- Brushy Creek Community Center – Round Rock
- Twin Lakes Park – Cedar Park
- Champions Park – Cedar Park
- Brushy Creek Park – Cedar Park
- Stagecoach Park – Buda
- Meadows Center – San Marcos
- Gruene Hall – New Braunfels
- Pedernales Falls – Johnson City
If you want a nature setting in town, some spots in Austin (North to South) include:
- Balcones District Park
- Mills Pond Recreation Area
- St. Edwards Park
- Bull Creek District Park
- Bull Creek Preserve
- Central Market Pond
- Seider Springs Greenbelt
- Mueller Park or Mueller Southeast Greenway
- Northwest Park
- Bartholemew District Park
- Pease Park and Treehouse at Pease Park Conservatory (Kingsbury Commons)
- Red Bud Isle (very dog-friendly but limited parking)
- Lady Bird Lake Trail/Pedestrian Bridge
- Commons Ford Ranch
- Woodlands Park (near River Place Nature Trail)
- McKinney Falls
- Bee Caves Park
- Wild Basin Trail
- Zilker Park
- Greenbelt Trail
- Austin Nature & Science Center
- Circle C Park
- Waterloo Park / Greenway
So what’s your best match? Or do you have other ideas for great locations? Contact me and let me know. Let’s find you the best place in or around Austin for your family photos.
Now Booking – Fall Family Photo Sessions
Now Booking Fall Family Photo Sessions
Click on the calendar below to book your Fall Family Photo Session this September, October or November 2019 in Austin, TX. A $50 deposit is required to hold your spot. The remainder of the fee (package information here) is due following your session.
Questions? Interested in another type of photo session? Contact me below first:
Shibori Workshop with Jamie McCormick – Creative Business Stories
Are you familiar with local artist, Jamie McCormick? She’s a painter and mixed media artist living in Austin, TX (and our kids go to school together).
She has a collection of paintings done on indigo-dyed fabric. Recently, she offered an indigo-dying workshop held at the Gloria Collective. I attended, took pictures and also got to take home a set of dyed-napkins. (Though I feel like I should frame them rather than putting them on our dining table because I love them so much!)
So what are the steps in dying with indigo? (I’m so glad you asked)
First – learn about the different wrapping / prepping techniques.
Second – prepare your fabric by wrapping, folding, pinching, etc. You can use rubber bands, clothespins, blocks and more to get different effects.
Third – dip the fabric in water.
Fourth – Submerge the fabric in the indigo dye.
Fifth – Remove the fabric and let it oxidize. It will start out green-colored, then shift to blue. The longer you keep the fabric in the indigo dye, the darker it will be at the end of the process.
Sixth – Rinse again with water and repeat for your next piece of fabric.
Seventh – Take home your new piece of art (where you will wash it separately in cold water – perhaps even with a vinegar mix first to set the dye).
Eighth – Smile big because you love what you made 🙂
Thanks, Jamie – that was a very fun workshop!
If your business needs photo content for your website, blog or social media, I offer “Creative Business Story” packages that come in many sizes. Let’s work together. Contact me below.