Best Downtown Skyline Locations in Austin | Austin Photographer

Butler Park

1) Butler Park

Located in South Austin, this 50-acre metro park has docks, skyline views and the Doug Sahm hill.

1000 Barton Springs Road. ATX 78704

Long Center

2) Long Center

Located in South Austin, this event space has lots of interesting architectural details. I also like to go to their parking garage roof for other angles. You can also catch great reflections on the rotunda.

701 W. Riverside Drive ATX 78704

Tips: Check their Events page for conflicts. Go at sunset for the best light. Make sure to go to top floor of the parking garage as well.

Pedestrian Bridge

3) Pfluger Pedestrian Brige

Spanning 700 feet over Lady Bird Lake, this bridge connects the North and South parts of the hike and bike trail.

222 West Ave. ATX 78701

Tips: Park near the Zachary Scott Theater and walk over the bridge. Aim for sunset when the light is best. 

Zilker Rock Island

4) Zilker Rock Island

Located in Zilker Park, the rock island is found near the soccer fields and the Great Lawn.

2001 Lou Neff Rd. ATX 78704

Tips: Super crowded on weekends with families and sports. May be closed during festivals and events.

Tau Ceti Rooftop

5) Austin Convention Center Garage Rooftop

Located in Downtown Austin, start at the Tau Ceti mural and then head to the top floor of the Austin Convention Center garage.

117 1/2 Brazos St. ATX 78701

Tips: Check the Convention Center events listing first. Make sure to go to all corners of the garage rooftop for different views in each direction. Great at sunset.

Rowing Dock

6) Retro Rental Boat Dock

Why not get some downtown views from the water? Rent a boat and cruise along the water. Make sure to get some pics from the dock as well.

74 Trinity St. ATX 78701 (first floor of the Waller Creek Boathouse)

Tips: Rowboats start at $35/rental. Retro boats start at $160/rental. Must have a 21+ driver. Check their operating hours.

Butterfly Bridge

7) Butterfly Bridge

Located near the Austin Central Library, this rainbow-shaped bridge goes across Shoal Creek.

Shoal Creek Blvd. ATX 78701

Tips: Park at the Austin Central Library nearby. Have a spotter checking for cars as you take photos on the bridge. Best at sunset.

South Congress

8) South Congress

Full of fun murals, great storefronts and downtown views, visit the South Congress Avenue neighborhood.

South Congress around W. Gibson Street. ATX 78704

Tips: Aim for weekdays when it’s less crowded. Plan to pay for parking in the neighborhood or neaby parking garages.

Lady Bird Lake Trails

9) Auditorium Shores Dog Park

Bring your pet and get some skyline views near the water at the Auditorium Shores Dog Park across from the Long Center.

Town Lake Park ATX 78704

Tips: There are several openings near the trails with downtown views. Park at Auditorium Shores or at the Long Center across the street.

Seaholm District

10) Seaholm District

Located in Downtown Austin, this mixed-use development centers around the decommissioned Seaholm Power Plant.

800 W. Cesar Chavez St. ATX 78701

Tips: Park at the Austin Central Library or the Seaholm Parking Lot under Trader Joe’s.

 

Lou Neff Point

Other great spots for Austin Skyline views include:

1. The Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake – 1820 S. Lakeshore Blvd

2. Mount Bonnell – 3800 Mount Bonnell Road

3. Lou Neff Point – Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail

4. Cidercade – 600 E. Riverside Dr.

5. St. Edward’s University – 3001 S. Congress Ave.

 

Please contact me if you’d like to book your own Family or Senior Portrait session with the Austin skyline in the background. Explore more photo sessions on my blog.

SXSW, Bluebonnets in Bloom and Volunteering at local parks | March Newsletter links

Top 10 Tips for Photo Sessions on South Congress | Austin Family Photographer

If you’d also like to have a Family or Senior photo session on South Congress, here are my tips below:

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Please check out some of my favorite images below and contact me if you’d like to book your own Family photo session in Austin, Texas. Explore more photo sessions on my blog.

Prepare for your Family Photo Session at the Park | Austin Family Photographer

I love being outside in nature, so I often recommend local parks as a great location for family photo sessions. Austin has so much natural beauty, from the creekside trails at Bull Creek to the golden grass (and Spring wildflowers) at Commons Ford Ranch.

There’s lot of space to play, and I find families can be more relaxed at the park.

Check out my tips below on everything you need to know to prepare for a stress-free and fun-filled family photo session at the park. We went to Mueller Greenway for their session.

1. Coordinate your outfits, don’t match your surroundings

• Avoid yellow or green clothes! You’ll likely be camouflaged into the background.
• Wear clothes you can sit down on the ground in (I’ll have a blanket so you don’t get dirty)
• Wear closed-toed shoes to protect your feet (and keep an eye out for ants or other creatures)
• Earth tones (cream, rust, denim and light blue) photograph nicely against Austin’s landscapes

2. Pack some extra essentials

• Snacks and water bottles are always welcome
• I’ll bring a white blanket, but if you have a favorite blanket that coordinates well with your outfits – bring one as well
• Bring props that you can use at the park (a ball, a guitar, etc.)

3. Leave time to play and explore

• We’ll get a mixture of posed and candid shots during your family photo session. For the candid shots, it’s fun to let your family just enjoy the park during our time together as well.

🌳 Best Austin Parks for Family Photos

Looking for inspiration? Here are a few of my favorite local spots that offer beautiful light and scenery:

• Bull Creek District Park – shallow water, limestone cliffs and nature trails
• Commons Ford Ranch – rustic barn, lakeside dock and huge fields
• Pease Park – fun Treehouse architecture, spanish moss in old oak trees and the Troll
• Waterloo Greenway Park – mix of architecture at the outdoor amphitheater and gardens full of Texas native plants
• Mueller Greenway – East Austin park that includes a butterfly garden and pond

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Please check out some of my favorite images below and contact me if you’d like to book your own Family photo session in Austin, Texas. Explore more photo sessions on my blog.

High School Senior Year To Do List | Austin, Texas

Senior Year has begun… and it’s time to start applying to colleges.

High School Seniors: What’s your plan?

See below for a step-by-step guide of what to do.

BONUS: Check out this application tracker from Reddit to stay organized throughout the whole process.

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Please contact me if you’d like to book a Senior portrait session in Austin, Texas this year.

High School Senior Photography | Austin, Texas

Ready to book a Senior Photographer?

Here are some expectations to have for a better client experience. (And maybe some questions to ask before booking your photographer so you know what to expect).

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Please contact me if you’d like to book a Senior portrait session in Austin, Texas this year.

Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin | High School Photo Session

When trying to find a scenic skateboarding-friendly location, we decided on the Long Center. It’s a great backdrop for photos in downtown Austin.

And that concrete rotunda and pathways made for some fun action shots. We also got more traditional posed photos in a variety of backgrounds.

If you live in Austin and are also interested in having your photos taken at the Long Center, check out my tips below:

Tips for High School Photo Sessions at the Long Center:

• Check the Long Center Event calendar to see if there are any conflicting events
• The roof of the Long Center Garage also has great skyline views and is rarely crowded (I like the colorful yellow and purple painted walls by the stairs & elevators)
• Be prepared to change outfits in your car since there isn’t a restroom nearby
• Golden hour sessions (one hour before sunset) make great lighting on the buildings downtown
• You can pay to the park at the Long Center garage or look for a spot on the street

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Please check out some of my favorite images below and contact me if you’d like to book your own photo session in Austin, Texas. Explore more portrait sessions on my blog.

Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin | High School Photo Session

The Long Center in Austin is a great backdrop for your High School Photo Session.

With a variety of architectural details and fun reflections, it makes a unique urban setting. And you can get great skyline views of downtown Austin from the rotunda.

For this high school student, we included his skateboarding skills in his photo session.

If you live in Austin and are also interested in having your photos taken in this part of town, check out my tips below:

Tips for High School Photo Sessions at the Long Center:

• Check the Long Center Event calendar to see if there are any conflicting events
• The roof of the Long Center Garage also has great skyline views and is rarely crowded (I like the colorful yellow and purple painted walls by the stairs & elevators)
• Be prepared to change outfits in your car since there isn’t a restroom nearby
• Golden hour sessions (one hour before sunset) make great lighting on the buildings downtown
• You can pay to the park at the Long Center garage or look for a spot on the street

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Please check out some of my favorite images below and contact me if you’d like to book your own photo session in Austin, Texas. Explore more portrait sessions on my blog.

Preserve your Memories | Austin Portrait Photography

With my photo sessions, you receive all your digital files to use as you like. Once you’ve shared your images through email and social media to your friends and family, don’t stop there!

Next, turn your photos into tangible treasures.

Here are my Top Three Recommendations on what to create with your digital image files.

Use your favorite photos to create your yearly holiday card or create a graduation announcement to mail out.

Some sites will address and mail the cards out for you directly for an added cost.

Some of the sites I like best for card design are:

• Tiny Prints
• Mpix
• Minted

Create Prints and Print Products

Print and frame your favorite photos to hang around your house.

You can also create photo albums, calendars and more directly from your Gallery’s online shop.

Almost all of my packages include a print credit – so make sure you use it.

While you can get prints made at a wide variety of online sites, I highly recommend you order directly from your image gallery. 

Those custom prints come from Bay Photo Lab (which have a higher quality, last longer and have truer colors).

When you Shop your Online Gallery for Prints, prices start at $5 for 4×6 prints.

Just about any item can be customized with a photo. The sky is the limit.

From mugs to tote bags to pillows, you can personalize a gift for the special someone in your life. You can even make your own reel viewer for that nostalgic feel.

Make sure to get the most out of your photo gallery.

Have fun creating!

Have questions before you book a Family Photo Session? 

I’m here to help navigate the process and answer your frequently asked questions.

See below for answers to some commonly asked questions about Family Photo Sessions with Stephanie Friedman Photography.

1. Timing and Scheduling:
   • When is the best time of year to schedule a Family or Extended Family Photo Session in Austin, Texas? Do you prefer wildflowers in the Spring or want photos just before sending out holiday cards in the Fall? When is your family’s schedule less busy? With our reasonable weather most of the year, you can pick most months to be outside in Austin.
   • How far in advance should you book a session? I recommend booking 1-2 months in advance of your preferred date.
   • What factors should be considered when choosing the time of day for the photo shoot? Some locations work best in the morning and some have the best light in the late afternoon. We’ll take those factors into consideration during our pre-planning conversations.
2. Location and Setting:
   • What types of locations work well for Family or Extended Family photo sessions? I have a HUGE BLOG POST that lists 80+ settings in Austin for photo shoots.
   • Are indoor or outdoor sessions better? I prefer outdoor sessions for the natural light and sense of place (unless bad weather and deadlines mean we can only meet indoors).
   • Can families choose a location, or is it typically determined by the photographer? We’ll work together to decide the best location that works for the time of year the session is booked. 
3. Style and Wardrobe:
   • What should the family wear for the photo session? It depends on your location – will you be hiking along a trail in a park or on top of a downtown garage?Decide your setting and pick clothes that are comfortable, flattering and that you can move around in. Are you able to pick up little kids and sit on the ground in your outfits?
   • Plan to coordinate colors (pick 3-4 total) rather than strictly matching. Remember to add accessories.  Avoid: neon colors, large logos, phones/wallets in pockets.More details on my BLOG POST. 
   • Pinterest also has lots of inspiration.
4. Editing and Retouching:
   • What level of editing and retouching is typically done? My motto is “if it’s not a permanent feature, I will retouch it” Example – I usually photoshop out acne and do light retouching on skin.
5. Cost and Packages:
   • What is the typical cost of a Family or Extended Family photo session? You can see my current rates HERE.
   • Are there any additional costs that families should be aware of? If you’d like to purchase prints or print products through your gallery – those are extra. You only receive the digital files through my family package plan. Some locations also require a booking fee (cost varies).
6. Delivery and Usage Rights:
   • How and when will the final photos be delivered? You receive a gallery of digital hi-res files (minimum 50 edited images) two to three weeks after your session date. You can also pay a Rush Fee to receive your photos four days after your session.
   • What rights do families have regarding the use of the photos? Client Rights are spelled out in my Client Agreement, which you’ll sign as part of our pre-planning process. Families are granted a non-exclusive license for personal use such as posting to social media, creating personal prints or in personal communications such as a holiday card.
7. Weather Contingency Plans:
   • What happens if the weather is unfavorable on the scheduled day? I’ll send you frequent weather check-ins the week of your session if it looks like your photo shoot will need to be rescheduled. We’ll work together to pick another date and time with better weather. You have up to three months to use your initial retainer fee.
   • Are there alternative arrangements in case of bad weather? If you must have your session on that day with bad weather, we’ll work together to find an alternate indoor location (which may have an additional location fee) to use if you don’t want to reschedule.
8. Booking Process and Contracts:
   • What is the typical booking process for a Family photo session? The booking process includes picking a date and time on my calendar, signing a Client Agreement and Paying a retainer fee.
9. Pets:

• Are pets allowed at family photo sessions? Yes. Well behaved pets are welcome at family photo sessions. Just let me know ahead of time so we can plan your location accordingly.