High School Senior Year Checklist – January

High School Senior Year Checklist – January

High School Senior Year To Do List | Austin, Texas

Happy New Year!

High School Seniors (and your Parents):

See below for your January To Do List to keep on top of your college applications and a reminder to keep an eye on your School Calendar for events and traditions. And don’t forget to make time for fun as well.

 

january checklist for austin high school seniors

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

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

    Ready to reach out to book your photo session?

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    Tips for Photo Sessions at Bull Creek Park

    Tips for Photo Sessions at Bull Creek Park

    Tips for Photo Sessions at Bull Creek Park | Austin Family + Senior Photographer

    Whether it’s for a Family, Senior, Extended Family or Maternity Photo Session, one of my favorite park locations to recommend is Bull Creek District Park.
    This 48-acre city park (with easy parking and restrooms) has a mix of limestone cliffs, flowing stream and hiking trails.
    I like that it works in any season with lots of photogenic backdrops.
    family couple photo session at bull creek in stream

     

    If you’d also like to have a Family + Senior photo session at Bull Creek District Park, here are my recommendations below:

    1. PARKING: Use the lot at 6701 Lakewood Dr.
    2. LOCATIONS: From green trees and grass in the front park area to limestone cliffs along Bull Creek, you can get a variety of backgrounds in one small area. The water level (and strength of the Creek’s current) can vary throughout the year. 
    3. WARDROBE: If you’d like to get in the water for part of your photo session, bring a towel and water shoes to dry off afterwards. Or put your kids in rain boots.
    4. SCHEDULE: This park is VERY popular with photographeres – so expect to see other photo sessions happening at the same time. For that reason, choose weeknights for smaller crowds.
    5. WHERE TO EAT NEARBY: End your photo session with a meal at County Line on the Lake or Waterloo 360 just down the street
    6. DOG-FRIENDLY: Yes, this park is definitely dog-friendly
    7. CAUTION: It hasn’t happened to me (*knocks on wood*) but there are car break-ins reported from their parking lot – make sure no valuables are visible and lock your car.

      _______________________________________________________________________________________

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

      stephanie friedman headshot

      Stephanie Friedman first picked up a camera in high school, went on to study photojournalism in college (Hook ‘Em Horns), then worked as a photo researcher in educational publishing for over 20 years.

      Besides that, she’s been photographing Families and Seniors for the last 10 years. You can count on her to be communicative and organized before your session. She’ll help you feel relaxed and confident during your session. And you’ll have a smile on your face after your session once you see your new photos.

      Interested in Booking a Senior + Family Photo Session?

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      High School Senior Year Checklist – December

      High School Senior Year Checklist – December

      High School Senior Year To Do List | Austin, Texas

      Happy Holiday Season!

      High School Seniors (and your Parents):

      See below for your December To Do List to keep on top of your college applications and a reminder to keep an eye on your School Calendar for events and traditions. And don’t forget to make time for fun as well.

       

      december to do list for high school seniors in austin

        ___________________________________________________________________________________

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

        Ready to reach out to book your photo session?

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        Senior Photo Session Posing for Girls

        Senior Photo Session Posing for Girls

        Posing Tips for your Senior Photo Session | Austin Senior Photographer

        Maybe because I used to be a yoga teacher, I think about the sequence and flow of posing during photo sessions in a similar way.

        Just like a good yoga class has a warm-up, smooth transitions progressing to a peak pose and then a cool-down, I like to do something similar with my posing during Senior Photo Sessions.

        And both yoga and senior photos benefits when you use props 😉

        START WITH A WARM-UP

        I’ve found most High School Girls are comfortable in front of the camera and used to posing, but I still start with “easy” poses.

        This means simple walking poses to encourage natural movement or standing poses with easy hand placement. This is the warm-up of the session.

        high school senior photo session posing guide

        STAND, SIT, LAY DOWN

        As a Senior Photo session progresses, I like the flow of moving from standing to sitting to lying down. This sequence also gives more variety to your photo gallery.

        senior girl high school photo session at austin park sequence of poses

        USE PROPS

        One thing I recommend in all my pre-session communication is to plan to bring some props to your High School Senior photo session. 

        Props make posing easier. They help with the “what do I do with my hands” issue, and tell the larger story of their Senior Year. 

        I also always bring a pair of sunglasses with their graduation year and some streamer confetti to celebrate with. 

        class of 2026 senior photo session

        FOCUS ON DETAILS

        Posing isn’t always about faces. I like to also focus on details.

        high school senior girl photo session at Mueller Southwest Greenway in East Austin by Stephanie Friedman Photography

        INCORPORATE MOVEMENT

        Walking, twirling. flipping your hair or even swaying back and forth – movement helps with posing.

        high school senior girl photo session

        GET CREATIVE

        As the Senior is more comfortable and warmed-up, I like to get a little more creative with posing, framing and prompts.

        high school senior girl posing tips in austin, texas

        END WITH SOMETHING FUN

        As the Session comes to an end, I like to leave on a high note. That’s usually when I bring out the confetti streamers. Or I may ask the Senior to jump in the air.

        high school senior photo session posing tips in austin, texas by Stephanie Friedman Photography at mueller southwest greenway park and pond

        A good photography posing sequence makes the Senior feel relaxed and confident in front of the camera. It’s my job to coach you through flattering poses, natural movements and genuine expressions. You don’t have to know anything ahead of time.

        For this High School Senior, we met at Mueller Greenway in the Butterfly Garden for her Photo Session. 

        _______________________________________________________________________________________

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

        Client Feedback and Advice

         

        1. What prompted you to have this photo session? I wanted to get senior photos.
        2. What do you plan to do with your digital photos? I plan to post my photos on Instagram and also probably use one in the yearbook.
        3. How did you choose your location for your session? I chose the location for my session because I love nature, flowers, and being outside.
        4. What advice would you give to others planning a similar Senior photo session? Some advice I would give is to bring a hairbrush because it can get windy.
        5. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? It was really fun working with Stephanie and she always had great ideas for photos! 

        stephanie friedman headshot

        Stephanie Friedman first picked up a camera in high school, went on to study photojournalism in college (Hook ‘Em), then worked as a photo researcher in educational publishing for over 20 years.

        During all that, she’s been photographing Families and Seniors for the last 10 years. You can count on her to be communicative and organized before your session. She’ll help you feel relaxed and confident during your session. And you’ll have a smile on your face after your session once you see your new photos.

        Interested in Booking a Senior Photo Session?

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        Tips for including your car in your Senior Photo Session

        Tips for including your car in your Senior Photo Session

        Tips for including your Car in your Senior Photos | Austin Senior Photographer

        I always recommend my High School Seniors bring a prop to include in their photo session. It makes their photos feel more personalized. Props can include small things (a photo of them from kindergarten, their musical instrument (like his drum sticks we incorporated) or sporting equipment). Or their prop can be large – like their car.

        senior boy photo session at mueller greenway park in east austin

        If you’d also like to include your car in your Senior Photo Session, check out my tips below.

        Tips for including your car in your Senior Photo Session

        • PREP YOUR CAR: Give it a wash and clean out all clutter. We’ll be taking photos that show the outside and inside, so make sure it shines.
        • CHOOSE YOUR LOCATION WISELY: We picked a spot on the street that wasn’t crowded with other cars and had good light. Another popular location idea for cars is to pick a downtown rooftop.
        • GET A VARIETY OF ANGLES: We took photos with this senior inside, outside and on top of his car. I also like to use the mirrors and headlights for extra effect.
        • MATCH STYLES: Have your clothing match the style of your car. A truck might call for some boots and a cowboy hat. A vintage rental might require a suit. Also go for color contrast – don’t have your clothes match the color of your car.
        • CONSIDER RENTING: Austin has different car rental options if you want something extra-ordinary for your photos.

        _______________________________________________________________________________________

        Please check out some of my favorite images below (with and without the car) and contact me if you’d like to book your own High School Senior portrait session in Austin, Texas. Explore more Senior sessions on my blog.

        Client Feedback and Advice

         

        1. What prompted you to have this photo session? I wanted to capture this youthful moment in my son’s life as we celebrate his transition from teenager to young adult!
        2. What do you plan to do with your digital photos? I plan to share a few on social media and then print some to frame.
        3. How did you choose your location for your session? Mueller is my favorite neighborhood in Austin and where we live!
        4. What advice would you give to others planning a similar Senior photo session? Don’t push your agenda for the kid’s appearance. If they want to dress casually, let them. Let them feel good and confident in the outfit THEY choose.
        5. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography? She is super fun and prepared and very personable.

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        High School Senior Year Checklist – November

        High School Senior Year Checklist – November

        High School Senior Year To Do List | Austin, Texas

        It’s cozy season!

        See below for your November To Do List to keep on top of your college applications and a reminder to keep an eye on your School Calendar for events and traditions. And don’t forget to make time for fun as well. 

        high school senior year november to do list for college applications

          ___________________________________________________________________________________

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

          Ready to reach out to book your photo session?

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