Hillfest at St. Edward's University might be the most chaotically good event I've ever had the pleasure of running laps around. And I mean that literally. One minute I'm outside trying to get the perfect shot of someone absolutely refusing to be bucked off a mechanical bull (they were always wrong, by the way), and the next I'm inside watching someone's entire personality change the second a tiny bunny gets placed in their hands. That petting zoo? Undefeated. I don't care how cool you think you are, you cannot maintain composure around baby bunnies. The data is in.


The cool thing about shooting a college event like this in Austin is that there's genuinely no "main thing" to focus on. Between the carnival rides, the caricature artists, airbrush tattoos, games, and the aforementioned mechanical bull chaos, I had to stay on my toes every single second. It was the kind of shoot where if you planted yourself in one spot for too long, you'd miss three incredible moments somewhere else. That challenge is honestly what makes it fun. Event photography at its best is part athlete, part storyteller, and all instinct.


If you're planning a college event, campus festival, or any kind of large-scale fun gathering in Austin or beyond and you want photos that actually capture the energy instead of just proving it happened, let's talk. I love this kind of work and I've got the sneaker mileage to prove it. Head over to the contact page and let's make something great.


When: April 10th, 2026

Where: St. Edward's University, Austin, TX

Two young adults laughing and enjoying a swing ride at an outdoor amusement park or fair on a cloudy day.
Woman and child enjoying a chain swing ride at an outdoor amusement park on a summer day.
Smiling woman in plaid skirt and harness climbing a rope at an outdoor adventure activity area.
Two women laughing and enjoying a carnival ride at an outdoor amusement park surrounded by green trees.
Young man rock climbing on an outdoor climbing wall, wearing a green hoodie and safety harness.
Man riding mechanical bull in inflatable arena outdoors, surrounded by lush green trees at a fun outdoor event.
Young woman enjoying a chain swing carnival ride at an outdoor festival with crowds in the background.
Woman riding a mechanical bull at an outdoor event, surrounded by inflatable padding and green trees in the background.
Two smiling people sit at the top of an outdoor fairground slide under a blue and red striped canopy.
Two women laughing and holding on while riding a colorful carnival ride at an outdoor fair.
Two people playing inflatable jousting game at outdoor carnival event on colorful bouncy arena.
Young woman in red Spider-Man shirt navigating inflatable obstacle course outdoors.
Young woman laughing joyfully on a chain swing ride at an outdoor amusement park or fair.
Two people compete in a jousting match on a colorful inflatable arena outdoors at a university event.
A smiling young woman enjoys a yellow carnival ride at an outdoor amusement park or fair.
Three girls laughing and sliding down a blue amusement park slide on burlap sacks on a sunny day.
Young woman in brown halter top and jeans performing color guard with colorful flag at outdoor parade.
Two young women laughing and enjoying a carnival ride together at an outdoor fair event.
Two young women smiling while holding and petting a small hedgehog indoors.
Students smile and pet a white dog during a college orientation event, holding informational folders.
People gathered indoors near a photo booth setup with wooden panel backdrop in a modern office space.
Two students pose with a Chick-fil-A cow mascot in a wizard costume at a college event.
Person riding a mechanical bull at an outdoor festival event with spectators watching in the background.
Students smile and interact while holding small puppies at an indoor event, with cages and backpacks visible nearby.
Tattoo artist applying a tattoo on a young woman's arm in a modern tattoo studio with professional lighting.
Healthcare worker in black dress draws blood from seated patient at busy medical donation event.
Three women laugh joyfully while a man in a cowboy hat signs autographs at an indoor event table.
Artist drawing a caricature of two smiling women on a sketchpad at a live caricature event.
Two women exchange items at a busy indoor market event, one holding a woven basket at a community fair.
Two people enjoying an inflatable obstacle course at an outdoor evening event with string lights.
Three people smiling and sliding down a blue amusement park slide on burlap sacks on a sunny day.
A red-haired climber scales an outdoor rock wall, suspended by safety harness and rope against a cloudy sky.
Two people laughing and enjoying a colorful amusement park ride together on a sunny day.
Two men in cowboy hats showing matching Texas outline tattoos on their arms at an indoor event.
Person riding a mechanical bull at an outdoor festival event with colorful food vendors in the background.
Young woman smiling and holding a red flag at an outdoor carnival event with string lights and inflatable attractions.
Seven young women smiling and posing together at an indoor social event on a blue carpeted floor.
Two people pose flexing their arms and smiling against a textured gold wall indoors.
Woman riding a mechanical bull at an outdoor event, wearing jeans and black top, laughing with excitement.
Tattoo artist tattooing a smiling young woman in a yellow shirt at a tattoo studio.
Group of young adults sitting together at an indoor event, looking down at something in a casual social setting.
Three young men at a Barnaby's Italian Ice stand during an indoor food event in a school or community center.
Two women chat beside a prize spin wheel at an indoor event, with people in teal shirts visible in the background.
Two women interact with a small animal during an educational event, one holding a tablet device.
Four young women smiling and showing off matching temporary tattoos on their forearms at an indoor event.
Person holding dessert topped with M&Ms and chocolate drizzle, with whipped cream can on blue counter.
Tattoo artist wearing black gloves carefully applies a tattoo needle to a client's arm under a bright lamp.
Two students read a book together while holding a small rabbit at an indoor animal therapy event.
People enjoying a swing carousel ride at a nighttime fairground, smiling and having fun under bright lights.
People walking in heavy rain at night near illuminated blue tent and street lights on wet pavement.
Man in straw cowboy hat and red shirt drawing on a tablet with a stylus at a table.
Crowded college fair event in a gymnasium with students browsing tables and meeting with representatives.