If music is basically your whole personality… samesies and this post is for YOU! Austin has multiple record stores that make a great place for senior photos. I’ve shot at two of them so far and can’t wait to add more to the list! One’s small and a little scruffy in the best way. The other is a downtown institution that shows up on “must visit” lists for the entire city. Here’s the full breakdown of both.
Why a Record Store Works So Well for Senior Photos
Vinyl rows, hand-painted signs, listening booths, wall-to-wall posters. A record store gives you texture and color you just can’t fake in a studio, and every single one looks different, so your photos end up looking like nobody else’s. If your music taste is the thing people know you for, this is the location that gets it without you having to explain it.
1. End of an Ear | The Indie Shop in South Austin
Why Seniors Love End of an Ear
Who It’s Not For
This indie shop is kind of small, which is part of the charm for me, but it’s not for everyone.
From a Photographer’s Perspective
I have to admit, one of my favorite things about this south Austin record store is the name itself.
Location Highlights
Location: 4304 Clawson Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Vibe: Cozy, Indie, Eclectic
Setting: Indoor record shop, South Austin
Parking: Small lot on site, fills up fast on weekends
Cost: Free
Bathrooms / Changing area: Unconfirmed bathroom; I bring a pop-up tent for outfit changes
2. Waterloo Records | The Iconic Shop in Downtown Austin
Why Seniors Love Waterloo Records
Who It’s Not For
If you want guaranteed quiet and zero chance of other shoppers in your background, this isn’t the spot, it’s genuinely one of Austin’s most popular record stores.
From a Photographer’s Perspective
If you’re into the music scene at all, you already know this name. It’s a bigger, busier shop than End of an Ear, which gives us more to work with but also means we’re more intentional about timing.
Location Highlights
Location: 1105 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
Vibe: Iconic, Bustling, Live Music Capital Energy
Setting: Indoor record shop, downtown Austin (North Lamar)
Parking: Street/lot varies, gets busy, especially evenings and weekends
Cost: Free
Bathrooms / Changing area: Yes, a bathroom; I bring a pop-up tent for outfit changes
Pro Tips for all Austin record store locations:
1. Call ahead to check dates and times. There’s sometimes live music happening in-store, and you’ll want to know that before you show up and get turned down.
2. It’s always better to these locations during the week when they’re not as busy.
Getting Ready for Your Record Store Session
A few things that make a real difference at either location:
Think about genre when you pick your outfit
Grunge, punk, 70s rock, whatever era or sound speaks to you, let it show up in your clothes. Flannels, band tees, thrifted jackets, and the right shoes all go a long way toward making the photos feel like you instead of a generic “cool kid at a record store” shot.
Bring your actual records
If you’ve got favorites, cassettes, or anything you want in the photos, bring ’em! It always leads to better ideas once we’re there, and it means the photos end up tied to music you genuinely love instead of whatever’s on the shelf that day. Might could even use the cover art as inspiration.
Ready to book your senior photoshoot at a record store in austin, texas?
Featured Senior Photo Sessions at record stores in austin, tx
Want to see what a real senior photography session looks like at some of the record stores in Austin? Check out the sessions below to see more examples here!
![Senior Magazine | i’mperfect – [vol 1]](https://thejessicamartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/senior-magazine-vol-1-768x432.jpg)
