© 2013 Ashley Landis Kopcakes

Hip to be Square

Not too long ago the Austin American-Statesman assigned me to shoot the down town courthouse squares in Georgetown and San Marcos, TX.

The story featured both areas as examples of thriving down town scenes that compete (and win) with business centers near IH 35.

My assignment was to go hang out down town during magic hour and take pretty pictures.  Sounds easy enough, right?  Well, it’s not as easy as it sounds.

Most of the businesses close around 5 p.m. and the bars and restaurants aren’t busy until after dark.  That leaves a lull around magic hour.  Also, it’s summer, so the San Marcos square, which is about two blocks from Texas State University, was left pretty empty of it’s usual student population.

It was actually kind of a challenge to get the pretty pictures they wanted, while still showing a thriving, bustling down town area.  Thank goodness I found a few characters along the way.

Here are my favorites from Georgetown, including the photo at the top of the post.

I went to San Marcos twice.  The first time I went there wasn’t a soul to be seen.  I walked around for a bit, but then just decided to come back another night.  As I drove off, I realized that the whole town was at the summer concert in the park down the street.  No wonder I couldn’t find anyone!

The second time was much more successful.

I came away with many more images, which you can view by clicking here.

Click here to read the story by Esther Robards-Forbes.

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