As a photographer I have had the opportunity to explore so many places in and around Dallas/Fort Worth. Each location has different features and aspects that make it unique. I like to have a pre-session consultation with all of my full session clients to discuss location possibilities and what is right for you and your particular session needs/wants. However, I thought it would be fun to share my top 5 favorite places in DFW to take spring photographs:
1. The Dallas Arboretum: Okay, this is an obvious choice. The Arboretum has something to offer during all the seasons, but I think it is at its best during the spring and fall. The tulip festival in early spring offers a spectacular backdrop of color. I feel like the Arboretum lends itself to a very manicured, preppy look which is a real complement to the bright, clean and sunshine days of spring.

2. Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens: Another clear winner for the spring is the Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens. The gardens in Fort Worth differ from the Arboretum to me in that there are fewer spring time flowers, but a lot more architectural interest (think stonework, arches, etc). The Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens seem a bit more sprawled out to me than the Arboretum as well. The gardens here are also subdivided into different areas—like the rose garden, the Japanese garden, etc. The Dallas Arboretum does this too, but I feel that in Fort Worth the distinctions are a bit more obvious. The other great thing about the Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens are its hours—they stay open quite a bit later than the Dallas Arboretum which allows for better golden hour photos. The Ft. Worth Arboretum also does not charge an admittance fee or a parking fee (major plus)!

3. Grapevine Botanical Gardens: If you’re looking for spring color closer to home, the Grapevine Botanical Gardens are a little known gem. This area is much smaller and easier to traverse, so it is a great option for families with young children and babies. They do have some tulips and other areas with color during the early spring. However, I would say the Grapevine Botanical Garden also displays a lot of stonework and paths. I also love the eastern section of the garden that is across the main creek. This area is not manicured and is meant to serve more as a nature preserve. The green grass comes out very early in this area and they have some great tree cover too.

4. Bob Jones Nature Preserve: This area doesn’t scream “spring” like the top three contenders because it is in a natural state and doesn’t include manicured or tended flowers. Occasionally you will see wildflowers at this property, but what I really love is just the greenery. The property is quite large and it is nice to let young children run around.

5. Denton Creek Tributary, Roanoke: This little spot is actually in my neighborhood so it’s an easy commute for me. This is just a patch of land runs alongside a small creek which feeds into Lake Grapevine. During the spring there are gorgeous green grasses and yellow wildflowers.

There are so many options for spring time photos, and if you book a session with H. Parker Photography I am happy to discuss the benefits of different locations, including many not listed in this article, to help you make the right choice for your family.

H. Parker Photography specializes in newborn, baby and child photography in Trophy Club, Texas and surrounding areas including but not limited to Dallas, Ft Worth and Roanoke.