Dallas Location Guide.
by Leah Goetzel Photography
hey there!
Well look no further! As a Dallas photographer, I have looked far and wide for the best Dallas spots and compiled them into this location guide. From manicured gardens to rustic fields to indoor studios, Dallas has got it all! (Well, except for mountains, but Oklahoma has a few great spots within a 3 hour drive!)
If there's something special you had in mind for your upcoming photoshoot in Dallas, don't hesitate to reach out or suggest something new. I'm always love finding new places!
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so you're looking for the best dallas photo spots?
Deep Ellum is such a fun Dallas photo spot, it might even be my favorite place for photos in Dallas. If you want an urban environment with lots of fun colors, this is the location for you! I love popping into local coffee shops and breweries to capture my couples vibe. There are tons of different murals scattered around, so go walk and explore! There's not a whole lot of shade in this location, so go in the evening or early morning! I also highly recommend a weekday shoot as weekends can get very busy!
Best time of day : two hours leading up to sunset on a weekday. Not much shade and very crowded on weekends.
Cost : free
Parking : metered spots, parking lots and free parking on Crowdus street. Give yourself at least 15 minutes to find parking.
Accessibility : medium, relatively flat but lots of intersections and walking.
deep ellum
If you want a more rustic vibe for your photos, with open fields and grass, Arbor Hills is the spot for you. It's a great location for photography in Dallas. It's quite a big park so if you're not able to traverse easily or have a stroller it may not be the best option. In order to get the most even, golden glow, a sunset shoot is a must! The cool lookout structure is about a 10 minute walk away, so if you're wanting that photo make sure to let me know!
Best time of day : two hours leading up to sunset
Cost : free
Parking : huge free lot with ample spots, can fill up on weekends.
Accessibility : poor. Must go down a hill or ramp in order to get to the open area. All the good spots are about a 5 minute walk. Flat shoes are advised!
arbor hills nature preserve
Vitruvian Park is an awesome new location and the new spot for all my mini sessions! It has lots of great features such as bridges, trees, and a big pond. It's super accessible and has tons of parking!
Best time of day : two hours leading up to sunset or early in the morning
Cost : free
Parking : huge free lot with ample spots
Accessibility : great - medium. The terrain is super flat and mostly paved, but some of the best photo spots are a little more spread out. There's a small walk from the parking lot.
vitruvian park
The Botanical Gardens are a great Dallas photo location if you want a variety of backdrops and beautiful flowers and color. I love shooting here but lighting can be a bit tricky as they close at 5pm. I recommend getting here at 9am for the best light! However, some of my favorite shoots have been at this location.
Best time of day : 9am-10am, both for good light and lack of crowds
Cost : $15 entry per person including photographer.
Parking : $15 for parking including photographers, can get crowded so give yourself time to find a spot!
Accessibility : medium, very flat and easy to traverse but if you want a variety of locations there is a bit of walking.
Important info: No dogs, outfit changes, confetti, balloons, etc. are allowed. They are super strict here and will absolutely turn you away if you have any of these items.
Arboretum & botanical gardens
I love Prairie Creek Park because it is smaller and compact but provides some awesome backdrops. There's a small waterfall feature as well as a couple bridges. It can get a little crowded with local photographers but if you come on weekday you should be good! This is the location I shoot all my mini sessions at!
Best time of day : the morning, but this spot has lots of shade so all day it's great. It does get darker earlier because of the shade.
Cost : free
Parking : lots of street parking and a small lot off of W. Lookout Dr and W. Prairie Creek Dr.
Accessibility: medium, very accessible from the car and relatively compact. But the waterfall feature is rocky and a little hard to traverse.
Important info: this location can be very busy on weekends. I highly recommend a weekday if you don't want to wait for people to move.
prairie creek park
So many great fun spots to explore! These garages are fantastic if you want skyline views. You can tack these spots onto Deep Ellum or Oak Lawn park! Sunrise or sunset is a must since there is no shade! It can also get a little windy!
Best time of day : hour before sunset, otherwise the light is much too harsh.
Cost : free + garage entry ($2-$10)
Parking : in the garages
Accessibility: medium, some have a few stairs to climb.
Lots of amazing docks scattered throughout. There's also quite a bit of greenery for a more traditional backdrop. The lighting is quite harsh, sunrise or sunset shoots here are a must!
Best time of day : if you want the golden glow, the hour before sunset. But sunrise is nice too.
Cost : free
Parking : lots of free spots scattered off E. Lawther Lane.
Accessibility : great. Easy parking to dock access with some greenery close by.
Important info: The tall grass does get occasionally mowed, so keep that in mind if that's your main reason for choosing this location!
white rock lake
This location is amazing and unlike anything else I've seen in Dallas! You feel like you are in the Mediterranean. If you want a classic, romantic setting, this spot is fantastic!
Best time of day : hour leading up to sunset
Cost : free to use, $10 travel fee.
Parking : decent amount of street parking, some parking garages too.
Accessibility : great. This is a pretty concentrated area. There are some cobblestones but they're pretty easy to navigate.
Important info: this location can get quite windy! If you're worried about your hair, this might not be the best location for you!
adriatic village
I found this spot after looking for months for a rustic barn, it is gorgeous! The lighting around sunset is the best I've seen at any location. If you're wanting a rustic look, or just beautiful golden light this location might be the spot for you!
Best time of day : two hours leading up to sunset
Cost : free
Parking : a big lot off of Gray Lane.
Accessibility : great. Most of the area is flat and relatively in close proximity!
parker rose garden park
What a stunning location. These botanical gardens are massive, and there's something for everyone. It had such a unique feel that I really loved. And the lighting was beautiful. The only downside is there are quite a few additional fees.
Best time of day : evening in the winter or morning in the summer
Cost : $75 for entry, $50 travel fee
Parking : included
Accessibility : medium. The different gardens are quite spaced out, but usually there is a tram to transport you. Lots of steps and stones.
fort worth botanical gardens
Here's a two for one location- Downtown Grapevine and the Botanical Gardens! They're within a 5 minute drive of each other, so I thought I'd include them together. I looooove the Grapevine Botanical Gardens. It has a great mix of manicured florals, rustic touches, and wooded areas. There are several bridges, and ledges. And it's free to enter! This is a great shaded area, so great at all times of the day. The only downside is it is a little small, so for hour or two hour sessions you can easily tack on Downtown Grapevine to get some more variety in your gallery!
Best time of day : great all day! (Downtown is better towards the evenings)
Cost : free entry, $25 travel fee
Parking : two free lots
Accessibility : great. Incredibly accessible. Very flat and compact.
downtown grapevine & botanical gardens
I love photographing in studio! They are amazing because it takes away all uncertainty with weather related issues, too hot, too cold, rainy? Doesn't matter in a studio! They're fantastic for high fashion shoots and family lifestyle sessions alike. I recommend the Lumen Room or the Space on Southside. Both great and very similar. The family photos are at the Lumen Room, the bridals at the Space on SouthSide.
Best time of day : pretty much anytime from sunrise to about late afternoon.
Cost : $75/hr to rent the space, no travel fee
Important info: You are fully responsible for booking and reserving your studio!
Get creative! Some of my favorite photos have been at locations that are significant to my clients. From bowling alleys, to pizza shops, to rooftop bars, to baseball fields- the sky is the limit for your photoshoot location!
Cost : any entrance fees & $50/hr travel fee if your location is further than 25 miles from 75082
Important info: You are fully responsible for checking with any restaurants, bars, and coffee shops about being able to photograph in their space before arrival!
Home locations are wonderful if you want a more intimate, lifestyle type session. If you want to show off your personality, like your kiddos playing with their toys or you and your partner having a morning coffee a home session is great! These are also perfect for younger kids! I can work with most homes, but if you have a couple windows with some nice natural light your images will look much better!
Best time of day : depends on the direction of your windows! If you have Eastern facing windows- mornings, Western - afternoon/evening, Southern - afternoon, Northern - mid day
Cost : $50/hr travel fee if your home is further than 25 miles from 75082
Important info: Some rooms will have better light depending on where it's facing, I am happy to chat you through the best time based on your home!
