location scouting - Austin Senior Photographer | Stephanie Friedman Photography

Springdale Road – Photo Session in East Austin

admin — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 19:46:14 +0000

Location Scouting along Springdale Road

One of the advantages of having kids who love to climb, is that I get to check out different areas around Austin with great climbing spots.

For indoor rock climbing, one of our favorites is the Austin Bouldering Project. They have a location on Springdale Road. Right next door is Springdale Station which has this blue bridge-like walkway. A fun sculpture park, the Dimension Gallery, is right across the road.

You can park at Springdale Station and find all these great backgrounds. So if you’re looking for a fun, urban background in East Austin, consider this area.

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

Interested in a photo session?

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Elementary Graduation – 360 Overlook Session

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Top 10 Rooftops, Bridges and Parking Lots – Location Scouting

admin — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 17:35:10 +0000

Do you have a favorite skyline view in Austin, Texas? If not, let me share some of mine. These top 10 spots would work for any type of portrait session where you want an urban feel, downtown views and lots of architectural lines to play with. So, come take a tour of my favorite rooftops, bridges and parking lots which give great modern backgrounds.

Top 10 Favorite rooftops, parking garages and bridges in Austin, Texas:

Long Center Performing Arts Garage

Address: 736-820 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Also near: Butler Park, Long Center Terrace

2. Tau Ceti Parking Garage

Address: E 2nd St &, Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701

Also near: Tau Ceti mural, Fareground eatery courtyard

3. Butterfly Bridge

Address: 2nd Street and Shoal Creek Trail

Also near: Seaholm District

4. Chase Tower Garage

Address: 201 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701

Also near: Congress Ave.

5. Contemporary Arts – Jones Center ($100 location fee – only accessible during museum hours)

Address: 700 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701

Also near: Daniel Johnson Mural, Congress Ave.

6. Capitol Visitor’s Garage

Address: 1201 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

Also near: Waterloo Park

7. 360 Bridge

Address: 4801 Plaza on the Lake

Also near: Bull Creek District Park

It’s a steep climb up – and please avoid if you get vertigo – but those views from above the bridge are just iconic.

You can also park below and have the bridge above – a spot to keep an eye out for spring wildflowers as well.

8. Pedestrian Bridge

Address: Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, Austin, TX 78704

Also near: Lady Bird Lake

9. Skybridge at Waterloo Park

Address: 500 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78701

Also near: Waterloo Greenway Park gardens and amphitheater

10. Austin Central Library

Address: 710 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701

Also near: Butterfly Bridge, Seaholm Power Plant

You can use the 2nd floor Children’s Library screened-in porch or the rooftop garden.

If you’d like to book your own photography session on a rooftop, bridge or parking lot with Austin skyline views, please contact me.

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Location Scouting on Rock Rose Ave.

admin — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 12:15:17 +0000

Are you interested in a personal branding or family photo session and are considering the Domain shopping area in North Austin as your location? Wondering where the best spots are along Rock Rose Ave.? If yes and yes, then follow along below:

Parking:

You can park at either the Blue or Red Garages (see map)

Storefronts:

Then there are a lot of cute spots to explore. Like the ivy wall next to the Apple store.

The colorful mural on the Erin Condren store.

And even stores that aren’t open yet have colorful wallpaper on their windows.

We went on a Saturday night and it was plenty crowded – but everyone was nice about taking turns at their favorite photogenic spots.

You’ll even spot some greenery in places – such as next to the Lavaca St. Bar.

And if you’re over 21, we can go inside the Wonder Bar – but if not, we can enjoy the colorful mosaics outside the entrance.

And slightly off of Rock Rose Ave. further west are some more cute spots. You can sit on the striped orange couches behind Restoration Hardware.

Or check out the men’s clothing store across the street with the fantastic green tilework.

It’ll be fun!

Ready to book? Check out my Fall calendar availability and contact me below 🙂

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Cityhouse Collective – Open House

admin — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 12:12:12 +0000

Cityhouse Collective is a shared studio space in Pflugerville that’s about a 20 minute drive from Central Austin. They had their Open House this past weekend. I’ve been following along on Instagram as the space was created, so I was excited to see it in person.

Besides getting a tour of the space (meeting rooms, kitchenette, natural light shooting bay, etc.), and goodies to eat and drink, there were also two styled sets – one bridal and one for lifestyle branding.

Working in small groups, we got to try out the space.

Like a kid in a candy store (or like a photographer presented with beautiful natural light and gorgeous people), I took a lot of photos at both sets. I started at the bridal one first.

Model: Grace

Hair and Makeup: Modern Muse Beauty

Flowers: Wellspring Floral

Next up, I took my turn at the lifestyle branding set.

Model: Blakely

Hair and makeup: Modern Muse Beauty

Then once I was done, I got to enjoy some strawberry-basil cotton candy from Fancy Fluff.

If you would be interested in a daytime, indoor studio (with lots of fun furniture and props to use) for your own photo session, we can book this space (a location fee will apply).

See below for contact form (and my own branding shot from the Open House)

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Green Red Barn – Location Scouting in Pflugerville

admin — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 15:05:02 +0000

As part of the booking process, I ask questions to determine the best location for a family.

What part of town do they live in?
Would they prefer a nature or urban setting?
Do they have a favorite spot to go as a family?
Any other details to help determine where to go?

For an extended family session next month, I was asked for a spot that is wheelchair-accessible, close to Pflugerville and has space for 14 family members.

Challenge accepted!

First step, Google image search.

Second step, start scouting.

I decided to go visit the Green Red Barn in Heritage Park in Pflugerville with my sister-in-law. Thanks so much, Allison!

Handicap accessible in multiple spots? Check
Variety of backgrounds for multiple family combinations? Check
Easy parking, away from the road and restrooms for the kids? Check
Lots of space? Check
Ding, ding, ding – we have a winner!

Between the Red Barn as a backdrop, to the metal building next door to the Heritage Museum on the same lot – lots of good options to be found at this location.

When we went to location scout, it was VERY windy.

And I think I would go back 1-2 hours later in the day to get some different light options (closer to golden hour).

If you’re looking for a similar spot, make sure to check out the list of events around town – this space is also bookable (used for Farmer’s Markets and Weddings, etc.)

And if you live near Pflugerville and want your own family photos, contact me:

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Top 10 Favorite Hikes around Austin

admin — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 17:19:13 +0000

Pedernales Falls State Park – Roughly an hour drive outside of Austin, also has an admission charge – but such a beautiful spot! I can’t get over the stunning color of the water. Swim, hike, climb over the limestone rocks – and then hop over to the Hill Country Science Mill in Johnson City to make a full day of it (a winning combo we’ve done at least three other times).

Address: 2585 Park Rd 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636

Parking: yes

Bathroom: yes

Those are our Top 10 favorite hikes in and around Austin.

Other spots we’ve enjoyed that I recommend visiting with kids are Inks Lake State Park and Enchanted Rock State Park.

Inks Lake State Park

Enchanted Rock State Park

And finally, five more Parks near Austin on my list to explore this year include:

Pace Bend State Park – Better save with one for the summer when we can go swim as well.
Bastrop State Park– We could also visit Bastrop’s Dinosaur Park since we’ve never been there either.
Palmetto State Park – We could all take portraits by the dwarf palmettos. It’d also be fun to rent a paddling boat or canoe for the paddling tour
Lockhart State Park – Need to add a stop for BBQ in town as well
Westcave Preserve – Heart eyes seeing pics of that grotto, need to see it in person – they only offer guided tours.

Have a spot to recommend or want to book your own family photos in one of these locations? Contact me.

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Old Settlers Association – Location Scouting

admin — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 15:45:47 +0000

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 =====

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South Congress – Location Scouting

admin — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 17:57:50 +0000

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 =====

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

admin — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 21:00:36 +0000

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/

—

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.

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Sweet Eats Farm – Location Scouting

admin — Wed, 30 May 2018 14:26:04 +0000

The last time we went to Sweet Eats farm in Georgetown, TX was in March to check out the blooming peach trees. This past weekend, we went back to pick some fruit. We brought home about 10 lbs (!) of their June Gold variety.

You can check the Farm’s page for the latest updates on what’s in season. And once you pick, there are dozens of kid-friendly activities to enjoy in the shade or you can even walk down to the San Gabriel river and splash around.

They are open most weekends from 9am – 6pm. Admission to the activities section of the farm is $12/kids, $10/adults, and kids under 2 are free.

So if your kids enjoy wide-open spaces to run around (plus zip lines, hammocks, tire swings, hay maze, etc.) and you want some fresh, local produce – add it to your list of spots to check out this summer.

===== stephanie friedman. austin, tx family photography. your life. close-up =====

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