Austin Sunshine Camps – Summer Photo Sessions

by admin | Aug 8, 2023 | photography

Capturing Camp Life throughout the summer at Austin Sunshine Camps

I was a volunteer photographer for Austin Sunshine Camps this Summer. They are an organization that “provides the magic of overnight camp for children without the barrier of cost.“

I first volunteered for them last year – and you can see some photos in my How to Give Back blog post round-up.

There are four sessions total each summer – happening at both the Zilker Park Lodge location and the Lake Travis campgrounds in Turkey Bend Recreation Area.

I attended days at both camps over the summer months so I could capture photos of smiling campers, and activities such as sports, arts & crafts, problem solving and bonding games.

camp door decorated at Austin Sunshine Camps Lake Travis

Please check out some of my favorite images from Austin Sunshine Camp this summer below and contact me if you’d like to book your own photo session.

Interested in a photo session?

Contact Me

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Mayfield Park – Holiday Family Photos

Dec 31, 2024

Sunrise Session in the Park | Austin Family Photo Session Last year I met this family at Lakewood Park near their home in Leander, Texas for their holiday photo session. This year, the plan was an early morning session at Mayfield Park in Central Austin. After...

What month should I book an outdoor photo session in Austin?

by admin | Aug 7, 2023 | advice / tips, photography

You are planning on booking a photo session this year. But what month should you schedule it for?

First question – do you picture yourself in a sundress or a sweater?

Second question – what items in your family’s schedule will you need to work around?

Third question – do you have an external deadline to consider? (ex. Holiday Cards being sent out, Yearbook deadline for Senior Photos or Branding images for a website launch)

Once you have answers to those three questions, take a look at my month-by-month graphics below to see what Austin has to offer when planning an outdoor photo session.

Still have questions? Please contact me so I can help.

Ready to book a photo session?

Contact Me

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Blanton Museum Courtyard – Family Photo Session

by admin | Aug 5, 2023 | family, photography

Summer morning portrait session on the University of Texas campus

This summer, the Blanton Museum completed their courtyard renovation. The 200,000 square feet of grounds now have new architectural, artistic and landscape features.

Among them are the The Petals. When I was on campus this past Spring for a mini-branding photo session, I saw these giant sculptures going up. Once I saw them, I knew I wanted them as a backdrop for a photo session. I could imagine the light streaming down and casting different shadow patterns.

I also knew I’d want to use the Verde que te quiero verde (Green How I Want You Green) loggia mural by Carmen Herrera for a photo session as well. I’m a sucker for a bright and geometric mural.

Keep the Blanton Museum Courtyard in mind if you’re searching for a family photo session location for yourself.

family portrait session in the Blanton Museum Courtyard under the Petals artwork

Please check out some of my favorite images from this Family Portrait session below and contact me if you’d like to book your own photo session.

1. What did you like about your family photo session location?

It was a great location. Convenient for parking, and there were plenty of interesting and colorful backgrounds available.

2. What advice would you give to others planning a similar photo session in the summer?

Bring water and sunglasses for between pictures.

4. Anything else you’d like to add?

Stephanie knows what she is doing! She had the poses and locations planned out, but also improvised based on conditions. She made us feel really comfortable, and we had a great time with the pictures!

Interested in a photo session?

Contact Me

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Good + Ready Cold Brew Tea – Branding Photo Session

by admin | Jul 27, 2023 | branding, photography

The Stages of a Brand Photography Session

Do you have a business to promote and are curious about what goes into a branding photography session?

Follow along below as I break down the steps between the client and myself from start to finish using recent work done for Good + Ready Cold Brew Tea.

» Pre-Production

Contact – Start by contacting me and telling me about your project.

Questionaire – Next, I’ll schedule a phone call to ask questions, make sure we’re a good match and discuss next steps.

Some sample questions I may ask you include:

What are your goals from a branding photo session?

How would you like to use the imagery?

Who is your ideal client?

Bid and Contract – after our phone call, I’ll send over a bid and contract.
Pinterest Board – after the contract is signed and the bid is accepted, I’ll create a Pinterest Board with sample imagery for you to react to and review to make sure we’re on the same page.

Location Scouting – This can include an in-person meeting, or I’ll send you location scouting pictures for feedback.

Assignments – I’ll send out pre-production “To Do” checklists to keep us on track (the picnic table never did get repainted)

Shot List – I’ll create a shot list breaking down the list of content we want to capture – with columns for time of day, location, props, wardrobe and model notes.

By the end of the pre-production period, you should feel 100% ready for your photo shoot.

» Production

Props & Wardrobe – We’ll work together to assemble all the items needed for a shoot day.

Lighting & Setting – I’ll confirm location and set-up for the first shot.
Shot List – We work our way through the shot list following the schedule.

At the end of the shoot, I’ll help clean up the set. Then, you relax, and I go home to download and back-up files.

» Post-Production

Editing – After the session, I spend the next few weeks culling, editing and retouching the hi-res files.

Gallery – Once the images are ready, you’ll receive a password-protected link to the full online gallery of images to download.
Social Media / Blog Post – With your permission, I’ll share some of the content online through social media and my website.
Review / Feedback – After you receive your files, I’ll ask for feedback on the experience.

Then you share your new photo content to illustrate and promote your work!

Please check out some of my favorite images from the Good + Ready branding photo session below and contact me if you’d like to discuss your own branding photo session.

Interested in a photo session?

Contact Me

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Top 10 Austin Animal Adventures – Fun Ideas for Kids

by admin | Jun 24, 2023 | advice / tips

Fun things to do in and around Austin – Animal Edition

Do your kids love hanging out with animals? And do they want to get hands-on with a favorite furry or scaly friend? See below for my Top 10 suggestions of where to take them in and around Austin as a family:

1) Sweet Eats Farm

Location: 14400 E State Hwy. 29, Georgetown, TX 78626

Animal Activities: Farm & Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, Pig Races (3x/day), also has seasonal activities such as “hand bottle-feeding baby animals”

Cost: General Admission – $18.95 online/$23.95 at the gate, Special Events will require tickets (and may cost extra)

Details: Located in Georgetown but so family-friendly with jump pads, mazes, swing, slides and my kids’ personal favorite: apple cannons.

Website and list of events.

2) Two Hives Honey Tour

Location: 7617 Nez Perce Trce, Manor, TX 78653

Animal Activities: Bee Hive Tours, Honey Harvests, Intro to Bees & Beekeeping

Cost: Prices vary – but Kids Hive tours start at $35

Details: Located in Manor. Dress up as a beekeeper and learn all about these busy bees.

Website and list of events.

3) Volunteer at the Austin Humane Society

Location: 124 W Anderson Ln., Austin, TX 78752

Animal Activities: So many options – check their site for details – but can include being a pen pal to a cat or dog, reading to rescue animals and learning about dog training.

Cost: Free, but registration is required

Details: Check age requirements – some are for 5 and younger and some are for 6 and older

Website and list of events.

4) Bird Watching at Commons Ford Ranch

Location: 614 N Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX 78733

Animal Activities: Bird watching and fishing

Cost: Free

Details: This 215 acre lakefront park is great for bird walks in all seasons. Don’t forget your sunscreen, water and bug spray!

Website

5) Book a Trail Ride

Location: Book with Tri-Star Farms (Coupland, TX) – seen above, Texas Trail Rides (Austin), or Maverick Horseback Riding (Austin)

Animal Activities: Horseback trail riding

Cost: Varies by location, starting prices from $95/person – $150/person

Details: Remember to wear close-toed shoes and long pants.

Tri-Star Farms (Coupland, TX)

Texas Trail Rides (Austin)

Maverick Horseback Riding (Austin)

6) Visit the Goats at Jester King Brewery

Location: 13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 78736

Animal Activities: Learn about, feed and pet their herd of Nigerian Dwarf Goats

Cost: Buy tickets on-site (price not currently listed on their website – but we paid $12/person when we went last Spring)

Details: They also offer Brewery Tours. And keep an eye on their events page for Goat Yoga.

Website

7) Take a kitten or puppy yoga class

Location: Various locations such as Oak + Lotus, Austin Humane Society and Austin Pets Alive

Animal Activities: Usually a 45-minute yoga class with time for playing with puppies and kittens through out

Cost: Prices vary from $5 (AHS), $35 (APA) to $49/person (O+L)

Details: Dress for yoga and don’t forget to take fun photos!

Oak + Lotus

Austin Humane Society

Austin Pets Alive

8) Visit the Purrfecto Cat Lounge

Location: 2300 S Lamar Blvd unit 104, Austin, TX 78704

Animal Activities: You can book a 30 minute or 70 minute Catx-perience to pet and possibly adopt your next cat

Cost: $15 plus tax (30 minutes) or $30 plus tax (70 minutes)

Details: They also have various events like “Trivia & Toe Beans, Stretch & Snuggle (Yoga) and Wine & Whiskers”

Note: Minimum age is 6 years old.

Website

9) Visit the Peacocks at Mayfield Park

Location: 3505 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703

Animal Activities: Watch (but don’t touch) the Peafowl that live at Mayfield Park. You can also search for turtles and fish in their ponds.

Cost: Free

Details: Information on the almost two dozen Peafowl that live at the park HERE.

Website

10) Central Texas Pig Rescue

Location: Smithville, Texas

Animal Activities: They offer volunteer workdays, public tours and seasonal events

Cost: Varies – but volunteer events are $10/person and public tours are $25/person

Details: Tours are two hours long and involve lots of walking. “You’ll get to get up close and personal with our residents to give lots of belly rubs, hear rescue stories, learn about how we care for over 200 pig residents as a volunteer team, and you’ll learn about the intelligence and joy of pigs!”

Note: Children must be at least 10 years old to attend a Volunteer Workday.

Website

Know of other Austin animal friendly outings to recommend? Please contact me with your suggestions!

Interested in a photo session?

Contact Me

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Capturing Camp Life throughout the summer at Austin Sunshine Camps

Interested in a photo session?

More From This Category

You are planning on booking a photo session this year. But what month should you schedule it for?

Ready to book a photo session?

More From This Category

Summer morning portrait session on the University of Texas campus

Interested in a photo session?

More From This Category

The Stages of a Brand Photography Session

Do you have a business to promote and are curious about what goes into a branding photography session?

» Pre-Production

» Production

» Post-Production

Interested in a photo session?

More From This Category

Fun things to do in and around Austin – Animal Edition

1) Sweet Eats Farm

2) Two Hives Honey Tour

3) Volunteer at the Austin Humane Society

4) Bird Watching at Commons Ford Ranch

5) Book a Trail Ride

6) Visit the Goats at Jester King Brewery

7) Take a kitten or puppy yoga class

8) Visit the Purrfecto Cat Lounge

10) Central Texas Pig Rescue

Interested in a photo session?

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