Austin High School Senior Photo Session at Vic Mathias Shores

Tips for Photo Sessions at Vic Mathias Shores | Austin Senior Photographer

One of the questions on my Senior intake form is: Do you have any location preferences?

This High School Senior told me she definitely wanted to get some photos with the Wonder Woman Mural at the LINE Hotel.

Since I’ve never included this mural in any of my previous photo sessions, I needed to do some location scouting first. So, I went to South Austin to see what else might be scenic around the mural, also keeping in mind:

Where are good parking options?
How far would we need to walk between locations?
Could we get a mix of urban and nature backgrounds?

map of auditorium shores in austin

After this pre-session research, I recommended we park and meet at Vic Mathias Shores (aka Auditorium Shores).

This 57 acre park is located in South Austin right next to Lady Bird Lake. We could walk across the S. 1st Bridge to get mural and downtown skyline photos. Then we could go back to the park for some nature shots on the Hike-and-Bike Trail.

downtown austin skyline views from the s. 1st street bridge senior photo session

Austin Skyline from the S. 1st St. Bridge

We also made sure to get some photos celebrating where she’s going to college.

high school senior in texas tech college gear at her photo session at auditorium shores in austin

Having her “guns up” for Texas Tech

This family was great about brinding a variety of props to the Senior Session. We got to take photos with her cello, her cap and gown and a photo of her from kindergarten.

If you’d also like to have a photo session around Auditorium Shores, here are my tips below:

PARKING: There is limited free parking at the Vic Mathias lot and along W. Riverside drive. (It fills up fast with runners parking for the Trail). There is also paid parking at the Long Center across the street.
OPERATING HOURS: The park is open from 5am-10pm daily.
LOCATIONS: Main features include Downtown Austin skyline views from the bridge and the trail.
RESTROOMS: There are public restrooms next to the parking lot of Vic Mathias Shores you can use to change outfits in. (Or you can also change outfits in your car)
EVENTS: Keep an eye on local event calendars to make sure there aren’t major conflicts at Audiorium Shores or the Long Center.
NEARBY RESTAURANTS: If you’d like to go out for dinner after your photo session at Auditorium Shores, some nearby favorites include: Terry Black’s BBQ, Mexican Restaurant El Alma, and walk up or drive-through Sandy’s Hamburgers.
DOG-FRIENDLY: Yes, this park is definitely dog-friendly. In fact, Auditorium Shores is an off-leash dog zone at the western end. (So keep that in mind if you’re allergic).
WHAT TO BRING: It’s optional, but some prop ideas are listed HERE for Seniors.

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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 photo session in Austin, Texas. Explore more photo sessions on my blog.

Client Feedback and Advice

What prompted you to have this photo session? My daughter will be a senior for the 26-27 SY and we wanted to make sure to book her Senior Photo session early so we can use the photos all year long.
What do you plan to do with your digital photos? We will use them for her graduation announcement and anything to do with Senior year. I will also use them as I plan out her senior year activities. I also wanted to capture her for this monumental event so I can have the photos for the future.
How did you choose your location for your session?We chose the locations because they hold personal meaning to the Senior. Each spot holds a special memory of her childhood, which we believe makes them the perfect setting for her senior photos.
What advice would you give to other High School Seniors planning a similar photo session?
My senior’s advice to other seniors would be to choose a location that’s meaningful to you. Don’t pick a spot just because it looks pretty, make sure that spot holds a special message or story for you.

My advice is to do research because there are so many resources out there to help guide what you want…to wear, to bring, to prepare, to pose.

5. Anything else you’d like to add about working with Stephanie Friedman Photography?

Working with Stephanie Friedman was a great experience. Her prices were fair and the photos on her site were beautiful.

From my Senior: Senior photos can be stressful and awkward, but Stephanie made our photo session run smoothly with an up-beat and positive attitude. She was very helpful when deciding the best poses and was prepared for anything. From my senior…”I’ll always be grateful to have shared my senior pictures experience with her.”

stephanie friedman headshot

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.

Besides 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.