Since August, I’ve had the joy and honor of joining the Dripping Springs City Lifestyle team as its staff photographer and social media director. Being back in my hometown community after years away has been refreshing and inspiring.
I’ve grown up and lived in nearly every corner of the Austin area, from Round Rock to Westlake, Circle C to downtown. But the place I’ve called home the longest is Dripping Springs.
There was a time when, like any high schooler, I couldn’t wait to leave, dreaming of college adventures, new cities, and travels. But after attending the University of Arkansas, from which I graduated in May 2025, my perspective shifted. Absence made my heart grow fonder for the people and the place I come from.
Now, I see Dripping Springs in a new light. It’s in the people: their loud, happy, unique, and down-to-earth spirit. It’s in the landscape, too: the grand oaks that stay green almost year-round, the rolling hills, and the simple beauty of our Hill Country surroundings. Dripping Springs truly is a dream.
At DSCL, I’m fortunate to combine my passions for photography, storytelling, and social media. Capturing the life and energy of our local businesses, events, and people allows me to give back to the community that shaped me. I’ve even had the chance to reconnect with familiar faces from Dripping Springs High School, many of whom are now thriving in local businesses. Those connections remind me of the special blend of roots and growth that makes this town so unique.
Being part of DSCL is not just a job; it’s a way to celebrate home, heritage, and community. Each photo, each post, and each story is an opportunity to show readers what makes Dripping Springs so extraordinary. I’m thrilled to continue exploring and sharing the places, people, and moments that make this corner of Texas feel like home.
Dripping Springs shaped me, and being here has truly been a blessing. Now, through images, stories, and social connections, I get to help others see why it’s a place worth loving.
@isabellaraquelphotos
For Those Who Love
Alongside her work capturing the Dripping Springs community for DSCL, Isabella Aldrete is an Austin-area wedding and portrait photographer who specializes in capturing those once-in-a-lifetime moments of love. Working in digital photography, she is available for travel wherever stories unfold.