photography - Austin Senior Photographer | Stephanie Friedman Photography

Red Bud Isle – Senior Photo Session

by admin | May 3, 2025 | photography, seniors

High School Senior Photo Session at Park off of Lady Bird Lake| Austin Senior Photography

I first met this family for their holiday photos last Fall at Bull Creek Park.

family photo session at bull creek park in austin, texas

Since they have a graduating senior, we met up again this Spring for a mini Senior photo session at Red Bud Isle.

red bud isle high school senior portraits

If you live in Austin and are also interested in having your Senior Photo Session at Red Bud Isle, check out my tips below.

Tips for Senior Photo Sessions at Red Bud Isle in Austin:

This off-leash dog park lies on Lady Bird Lake with blooming Red Bud trees in early Spring and fall color in late November
It’s popular with dog owners, canoers and kayakers, so be aware the small parking lot may fill up easily
If you’re worried about parking, book a sunrise session
There’s no restroom at the park, so plan to change outfits in your car
The trail is an easy half-mile loop that takes you out to scenic views of the water under a large Cypress tree

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

What prompted you to have this photo session? I wanted to capture this moment for Jackson and make it all about him.
What do you plan to do with your digital photos? I plan on using the photos to create a graduation announcement and give his grandparents a framed picture of Jackson
How did you choose your location for your session? I loved one of the pictures Stephanie sent me of this spot, and it’s 5 minutes away from my MIL’s house. Jackson was super close to my MIL and she passed away several years ago.
What advice would you give to others planning a similar Senior photo session? Have fun and live in the moment.
Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? I love working with Stephanie. Her positive demeanor and laid-back approach make it an extremely enjoyable experience. I am so glad my friend recommended Stephanie for our family photo session.

Interested in Booking a Senior Photo Session?

Contact Me

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Tips for a Senior Photo Session at Commons Ford Ranch

Apr 12, 2026

What to expect at your Commons Ford Ranch Photo Session | Austin Senior Photographer This Vista Ridge High School Senior requested Commons Ford Ranch as her photo session location. Commons Ford Ranch is located in West Austin off Cuernavaca Dr. This lakefront park has...

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Texas State – College Senior Photo Session

by admin | Apr 25, 2025 | photography, seniors

Graduating from Texas State in San Marcos | College Senior Photo Session

Since this Senior Photo Session was my first time on the Texas State University campus in San Marcos, I did a few extra things to prepare.

First, I did online research to see the most popular and photogenic spots on campus. Second, I talked to a teacher who works there for tips on parking and logistics. Third, I made sure to get some scouting in first.

scouting pics from texas state in san marcos See if you can match up the locations above to the final pictures in the gallery below.

If you are a college student also graduating from Texas State University and are interested in a College Senior Photo Session there, check out my tips below.

Tips for Senior Photo Sessions on the Texas State campus:

There are lots of great spots on campus we can explore, but expect some lines during peak times of the year at the Arch and in front of the TXST letters
Make sure to iron your gown and stole before your session
Bring champagne if you’d like to get some celebration shots popping it
Remember that “glitter is litter” and is forbidden on campus
It’s a lot of hills and stairs to get around campus, bring comfortable shoes to wear between locations
Be ready to show your Bobcat claws

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

What prompted you to have this photo session? I wanted to do a photo session to celebrate graduating college. I never had any taken for my high school graduation, so it was really important to me to capture this moment for my future self.
What do you plan to do with your digital photos? I’m planning to post some on social media and share them with friends and family!
How did you choose your location for your session? I chose the Texas State campus for my photos because it’s where I’m graduating from, and it’s always held a special place in my heart. I fell in love with it during my very first tour, and it played a big role in my decision to come here—so it felt like the perfect backdrop to celebrate this moment.
What advice would you give to others planning a similar Senior photo session? I’d definitely recommend bringing someone along for backup—to help carry things, check your hair, and just offer moral support. My mom and boyfriend came with me, and they made the day even more special!
Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Thank you so much for taking the time to help me capture this milestone and celebrate my graduation.

Interested in Booking a Senior Photo Session?

Contact Me

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McKinney Falls State Park – Senior Photo Session

by admin | Apr 23, 2025 | photography, seniors

Hiking at McKinney Falls State Park | High School Senior Photo Session in Austin

This Class of 2025 High School Senior (and future University of Texas Longhorn) chose McKinney Falls State Park for her location.

high school senior in the bluebonnets for her photo session

Even though the bluebonnets weren’t very abundant this year, we explored around Upper and Lower Falls in the Park.

If you live in Austin and are also interested in having your High School Senior Photo Session at McKinney Falls, check out my tips below.

Tips for Photo Sessions at McKinney Falls State Park:

Park reservations are required, so make sure you get a day pass in advance of your chosen session date
Entrance Fees are $6/adult
The Park has over nine miles of trails, but I like the Upper Falls and Lower Falls along Onion Creek the best.
Springtime can bring wildflowers to the Park (keep an eye on their social media to see how the blooms are looking – and any other useful Park alerts)
Pack water shoes and a towel since we might get our feet wet for part of your photo session

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

What prompted you to have this photo session? My daughter wanted to do a senior photo shoot with a professional photographer.
What do you plan to do with your digital photos? Create graduation invitations, create and print a photo book, print and frame some of the shots, and generally enjoy the memories of this moment in time
How did you choose your location for your session? My daughter loves McKinney Falls State Park, and wanted to capture its magic as part of her senior photos.
What advice would you give to others planning a similar Senior photo session? Find your kindergarten graduation photo, and include it as part of the photo shoot. Have fun!
Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Stephanie was amazing! Since she hadn’t been to the park recently, she scouted locations several hours before our shoot. She was fearless – she waded into the water, climbed over boulders and rose to the rocky heights to catch the perfect shot. She worked smoothly with my daughter, setting up shots and suggesting ways to pose. Since she had scouted the location ahead of time, we moved efficiently from one spot to another and wasted no time getting amazing photos.

Interested in Booking a Senior Photo Session?

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Skyline Views, Lakeside Trails & Hockey – Senior Photo Session

by admin | Apr 22, 2025 | photography, seniors

Hockey on the Long Center Garage Rooftop | Austin Senior Photo Session

For this High School Senior Photo Session, the mom wanted to make sure to include some of her son’s hockey gear.

high school senior boy hockey player downtown austin by stephanie friedman photography

I thought this part of the Long Center Parking Garage looked a little like the glass walls of an ice skating rink.

After getting some skyline and hockey shots, we headed across the street to the trails along Lady Bird Lake.

austin high school senior photography session at the downtown lake trails by stephanie friedman photography

If you live in Austin and are also interested in having a Photo Session in this part of town, check out my tips below.

Tips for Photo Sessions at the Long Center & Lady Bird Lake Trails:

Check the Long Center Event calendar to see how crowded it will be (we talked about getting some photos in the rotunda after the parking garage – but a *large* group of students were taking prom photos – so we walked across the street instead)
The roof of the Long Center Garage has great skyline views and is rarely crowded (I also 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
Have a “spotter” if taking photos in the middle of the trail so you can quickly get out of the way of any runners or bikers going by
Plan on a dressier outfit for the downtown views, then switch to a more casual outfit for the park setting on Lady Bird Lake

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What prompted you to have this photo session? Senior year! This only happens once!
What do you plan to do with your digital photos? Graduation announcements and keepsake for parents missing their kid. I suspect some pictures will also get used on social media and for rush applications.
How did you choose your location for your session? Kieran loves the combination for green space, water and highrises in the downtown area.
What advice would you give to others planning a similar Senior photo session? Choose a location and clothing that is true to yourself.
Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Kieran and I appreciated Stephanie’s expertise and relaxed demeanor. Kieran felt comfortable, and I could tell in his smile and body language throughout the shoot.

Interested in Booking a Photo Session?

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Mueller Greenway – Family Photo Session

by admin | Apr 21, 2025 | family, photography

Spring Wildflowers at Mueller Southwest Greenway Park | Austin Family Photography

I last saw this family a few years ago among the poppies of Georgetown.

family photo session during poppy season in georgetown, texas

This year, we met up closer to home during wildflower season at Mueller Southwest Greenway.

And just because there weren’t as many blooms as usual, I also brought a flower crown and floral backdrop to use for a few images.

girl holding bunch of pink wildflowers in austin park

If you live in Austin and are also interested in having your Family Photo Session at Mueller Southwest Greenway, check out my tips below.

Tips for Family Photo Sessions at Mueller Southwest Greenway:

The full Wildflower season lasts from March – May in a good year
Late Spring (mid-April) is peak season for wildflowers at this park (though bloom quantity will vary from year to year)
These sessions work best at golden hour (about 1-2 hours before sunset)
Wear closed-toed shoes or boots since the grass gets pretty high at peak wildflower season
Keep an eye out for bugs, reptiles and other creatures among the fields
Plan to meet at the Butterfly Garden’s Rocket Ship (an excellent landmark meeting spot)
There are lots of great restaurants in the Mueller area to eat dinner at after your family photo session

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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 portrait sessions on my blog.

What prompted you to have this photo session? Our kids are growing up so quickly, and we wanted to have some intentional, quality photos of the four of us together to capture this chapter of our lives.
What do you plan to do with your digital photos? We plan to share them with grandparents and have some for ourselves to remember how young we are :).
How did you choose your location for your session? We wanted a natural setting, and Stephanie helped us pick the perfect spot that was close to our home and allowed us to get there while the lighting was good. We love Texas flowers in the spring so were glad to have those captured too!
What advice would you give to others planning a similar Family photo session? Plan ahead on outfits so everyone feels comfortable and you’re not last-second shopping at Old Navy. Get everyone excited about doing the pics and have something fun planned for after!
Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? Stephanie is so easy to work with. She’s laid back but also provides the guidance that you need to get the most out of your session together. She thinks about all of the little details – where your hands are, stray hairs, etc. – and helps everyone feel really great about how they look!

Interested in Booking a Family Photo Session?

Contact Me

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Classic Car on an Austin Rooftop – Senior Photo Session

by admin | Apr 17, 2025 | photography, seniors

Tips on Bringing a Car to your High School Senior Photo Session | Austin Senior Photography

The first time I got to photograph this High School Senior was back in 2012.

family photo session in austin

This year, for her High School Photo Session, she wanted to include her love of classic cars.

So, her mom rented a beautiful 1965 Ford Mustang, and I suggested we meet on the rooftop the Convention Center Garage in Downtown Austin.

high school senior photo session with girl in front of a 1965 ford mustang car on a rooftop garage in downtown austin

If you live in Austin and are also interested in having a car at your Senior Photo Session, check out my tips below.

Tips for Including a Car during your High School Senior Photo Sessions:

CLEAN IT UP: Make sure the car is clean and ready before your session. The shinier the car, the more fun you can have with reflections.
LOCATION: Saftety first! I’ll suggest a location that means we’re not on a busy road or illegal spot. My top choice would be one of the downtown garage rooftops. Blog Post with suggestions around Austin HERE. But we can try and match the style of car to the environment. For example, if you have an old truck, we could look for a more rustic, country setting.
RENTALS: If you don’t have a family connection to a car, you could also check out some of Austin’s Classic Car Rentals sites or Driveshare.
MATCH THE VIBE: Consider your outfit and how it would compliment the style, color and age of the car.
CREATIVE POSING: You don’t just need to stand by the car. With the owner’s permission, we can photograph you behind the wheel, leaning on the hood or looking at the engine.
LIGHTING: If it’s later in the day, have the owner turn the car’s headlights on for some fun dramatic lighting
DETAILS: If you’ve got a custom license plate, special bumper sticker or are really proud of an engine you rebuilt, we can make sure to get detail shots of your car as well

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