About Austin School Photography

Modern school photography, locally owned, personally run

Our Story

Austin School Photography started with a simple belief: school photos should be something families actually want to buy, not something they feel obligated to purchase. Too many school photo experiences left parents frustrated — prepaying for photos they'd never seen, receiving packages they didn't really want, dealing with impersonal assembly-line sessions.

We decided to do things differently. Founded in 2009, we've spent 16+ years refining an approach built around what families actually want: the ability to see photos before buying, multiple poses to choose from, and portraits that genuinely capture each child's personality. It's school photography the way it should be.

We're locally owned and personally run. When you work with Austin School Photography, you work directly with the people shooting your picture day — not a national account manager and a rotating crew of contractors. Meet the team behind the lens on our team page.

Our Experience, by the Numbers

16+ Years

Founded 2009. Over a decade and a half specializing in school and youth photography — not a side service, our primary focus.

5,300+ Students

Thousands of students photographed across Central Texas schools. Every child gets individual attention.

40+ Campuses

Public schools, private schools, charter schools, Montessori programs, homeschool co-ops, and therapeutic programs throughout the Austin area.

Why Schools Trust Us

School administrators have real obligations when bringing any vendor on-campus. We meet them — and document our compliance clearly, so you don't have to chase us for paperwork.

Insured well above school-vendor requirements

We carry general liability coverage at levels driven by our work on major live events and productions — well above what any Central Texas school district requires. Schools benefit from that coverage at no additional cost. Certificate of insurance available on request before your picture day.

Fingerprint-based background checks

Every photographer who steps onto a campus has cleared a fingerprint-based background check covering FBI and state criminal history and sex offender registries — the same standard used by the most rigorous school district vendor qualification processes in the country. Documentation available on request.

Locally owned, personally accountable

Not a franchise. Not a rotating national crew. You work directly with the owners — Thomas and Tiana — and the same small team shoots your school year after year.

Specialized in school photography

This isn't a portrait studio that also does schools. School photography has been our primary focus since 2009. We know how a picture day needs to run to stay on schedule and not disrupt instruction time.

Transparent pricing

Parents see photos before they buy. No prepay mandates. No high-pressure upsells. Packages start at $35 with digital-only options available. Full pricing at our pricing page.

On-time delivery

Proofs live online within a defined turnaround. Yearbook files delivered to the deadline your school sets — not the deadline convenient to us. If we say we'll deliver by a date, we deliver by that date.

How a Picture Day Actually Runs

Administrators have asked us to be more transparent about what actually happens on the day. Here's the short version:

Pre-day planning (2-4 weeks before): We coordinate with your front office on schedule, space, backdrop setup, and any student accommodations needed. We send a staff prep guide and a parent communication template you can customize.
Morning setup (on-site): We arrive about 30 minutes before first session. Backdrops, lighting, and check-in station set up in whatever space you provide — gym, stage, library, hallway. Minimal footprint, we work around your day.
Sessions: Classes rotate through on the schedule your office builds. We average 25-35 students per half hour, depending on age and pacing needs. Teachers and aides are welcome to stay — we often ask for help with younger or neurodiverse students.
Retakes: Built into every engagement. If a child was absent, had a rough moment, or parents want a re-do, we schedule a retake day at no extra charge.
Online proofs go live: Usually within 10-14 days. Parents get a private gallery link — no prepay, no guessing what they bought.
Yearbook files delivered: To the deadline your yearbook coordinator sets, formatted to your yearbook vendor's specs. We handle the technical exchange so your coordinator doesn't have to.

Our Philosophy

We believe every student deserves a great photo experience — not just a good photo, but a positive experience getting there. That means:

Patience over speed. We take time with each student rather than rushing through to hit a quota.
Comfort over compliance. We help students feel at ease rather than demanding they perform.
Options over ultimatums. Families see photos before buying and choose what works for them.
Quality over quantity. We'd rather do fewer schools exceptionally well than many schools adequately.

Special Needs Experience

We have extensive experience working with students who have special needs, including autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing differences, and other conditions that can make traditional photo sessions challenging.

Our approach is flexible and patient. We understand that some students need extra time, quiet environments, or different approaches to feel comfortable. We work with teachers and aides to ensure every student has a positive experience and gets photos their families will love.

This isn't an afterthought for us — it's a core part of who we are and how we work. If your school serves students with specialized needs, we want to hear about it before your picture day so we can plan accordingly.

Privacy First

In an era where parents rightfully worry about their children's images online, we take privacy seriously. We don't plaster children's faces across our marketing materials. We don't share photos on social media without explicit permission. We don't publish named client lists.

When you work with us, your child's photos stay in your private gallery — not our public portfolio. We believe parents should control where their kids appear online, and schools should control whether they're publicly associated with any vendor. We operate accordingly.

Common Questions from School Administrators

Are you insured?

Yes. General liability coverage is in place for every on-campus session. We'll send a certificate of insurance to your business office before your picture day.

Do your photographers have background checks?

Yes. Every photographer who steps onto a campus has completed a background check. We can provide documentation to satisfy your district's vendor compliance requirements.

How is pricing structured for the school?

There's no cost to the school for standard school portraits. Families purchase directly through our online gallery. We offer fundraising splits and custom arrangements for schools that want a revenue share — discussed during your planning call.

What if we already have a contract with another photographer?

Contracts expire. When you're ready to evaluate options, we're happy to walk you through how our approach compares — including a detailed breakdown of what's different from national providers like LifeTouch and Shutterfly. See our guide to switching school photographers.

How fast do parents see proofs?

Usually within 10-14 days of picture day. Parents get a private gallery link, see every image, and order only what they want.

Do you handle yearbook files?

Yes. We deliver yearbook-ready files formatted to your yearbook vendor's specs, on the deadline your coordinator sets. No back-and-forth, no last-minute scrambling.

Local to Central Texas

Austin School Photography is based in the Austin area and serves schools throughout Central Texas — AISD, Round Rock ISD, Leander ISD, Eanes ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Hays CISD, Dripping Springs ISD, and surrounding private, charter, Montessori, homeschool, and therapeutic programs.

Being local means we're accessible, accountable, and invested in building long-term relationships with the schools and families we serve. When you work with us, you work with us directly — not a national account manager.

Let's Work Together

We'd love to bring our approach to school photography to your campus. Get in touch to learn more.