Blog Posts - Austin Senior Photographer | Stephanie Friedman Photography

Old Settlers Association – Location Scouting

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 =====

South Congress – Location Scouting

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 =====

10 Best Spots for Family Photos – outside of Austin (Round Rock, Cedar Park, Elgin, San Marcos, Bee Cave, Georgetown, Wimberley) Texas

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

Christmas Tree Farm, Elgin, TX – photographer information

*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.

Studio Lighting Class

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 =====

10 Best Spots for Family Photos – Central Austin Edition

by admin | Jun 22, 2018 | location information, photography

So you live in the Central part of Austin*, and you’re wondering, “Where should I go for my family photo 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 5 favorite spots I recommend to my families who live Central:

University of Texas at Austin: Main building: 110 Inner Campus Drive, Austin, TX 78705

Features: Visit the Architecture Library and the Architecture building, the Greenhouse (shown above), the Main Tower, the Fountain and the Stadium, Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin (shown at the top of the post) at the Blanton Museum

Parking: Pay lots (easiest off-season when school is out)

Bathroom: yes

Kid-friendly: yes

Sample photo session: http://www.stephaniefriedman.com/2018/05/10/ut-phd-graduation-portrait-session/

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Bull Creek Park: 6701 Lakewood Dr, Austin, TX 78731