Commons Ford Ranch Family Photos | Austin Family Photographer
Commons Ford Ranch, Barn under renovation (October 2026)
If you’d also like to have a Family Photo Session at Commons Ford Ranch, here are my tips below:
- PARKING: There is parking along the road you drive in on. I recommend starting near the barn and parking over there.
- OPERATING HOURS: The park is open from 5am-10pm daily. Admission is free.
- LOCATIONS: This park is 215 acres. Main features include the barn, the fields, the trails and the waterfront area. It’s about a 10 minute walk from the barn to the dock.
- WHAT TO WEAR — and Why Boots Matter
Wear comfortable shoes you can walk in, or bring a second pair. Since a good portion of the session involves walking through tall native grass and prairie fields, I genuinely recommend boots (and/or pants) — they’re practical and cowboy boots photograph beautifully against the natural textures of this park. Sandals work on the dock and the paved path, but not so well in the fields. This park is home to a lot of wildlife, and boots give you peace of mind in the tall grass. There are “beware of snakes” signs about. - SCHEDULE: This park is very busy during peak times (October/November for Family photos and March/April/May for Senior Photos). It’s also very popular with birders.
- RESTROOMS: There are two port-o-potties by the barn. There is one other restroom near the waterfront. Plan to change outfits in your car or with my pop-up tent.
- NEARBY RESTAURANTS:
After your session, some favorite nearby spots for dinner:
- Patrizi’s — beloved Austin pasta spot, casual and excellent
- County Line — classic Texas BBQ with Hill Country views
- Ronnie’s Real Food — bistro and bakery with great comfort food options
- DOG-FRIENDLY: Yes, this park is definitely dog-friendly as long as they are on-leash.
- WHAT TO BRING: It’s optional, but some prop ideas are listed HERE for families.
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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.
Stephanie Friedman first picked up a camera in high school, went on to study photojournalism at the University of Texas (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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