Recently engaged? Today on the blog I’m sharing my favorite locations for DFW engagement sessions! After serving the DFW area as a wedding photographer for the last three years, I’ve created a set-list of favorite spots that are tried and true! I know I can always count on these locations. And as a bonus, they all have pretty decent sunsets!
Whether you’re looking to shoot your engagement photos in Dallas, Fort Worth, or somewhere in between, you’ll find a few options within the areas to choose from. When I’m planning out DFW engagement sessions, I like to have my couples choose two different settings since there’s so many choices out there! City and field, lake and downtown, rooftop and a local park, etc. etc. I like to pair two different settings that way you have variety in your gallery! Outside of that, choosing two different outfit looks helps add some variety in as well! Engagement sessions are the perfect time to get glammed with professional hair and makeup, buy a new dress (or use sites like Rent the Runway), and enjoy time with your fiance! Usually my couples choose one dressy casual outfit and then a dressy/formal option. These make for great galleries!
If you need outfit inspo also, you can find my engagement session guide at the bottom of this post!
1. White Rock Lake
White Rock Lake is one of my favorite spots for engagement sessions! There’s so many different spots you can shoot at White Rock Lake, but my favorite “field location” is next to the Filter Building. The lake has parking right next to some docks. The sun sets right behind the field, and is perfect for a first location along the lake!
Once the sun starts setting, I’ll take my couples to another spot on the lake about 8-10 minutes away. If you map to the White Rock Lake dog park, you’ll pass the dog park and then take the first right to another park! There’s a bunch of docks you can shoot on, and I love shooting here as the sun is closer to setting!
2. Winspear Opera House + Klyde Warren Park
I’ve only shot at each of these locations once, but they made for great spots in the Dallas area! The Winspear is perfect for a more formal look, and Klyde Warren can work with either casual or dressy! These locations are right across the street from each other, so it’s an easy way to get two different looks in a small amount of time.
3. Tandy Hills Natural Area
Tandy Hills is a little hidden gem in the Fort Worth area! You’re able to see the Fort Worth skyline behind you, and as a Fort Worth native, that’s one of my favorite details about the location! The location is just lots of open fielded area, so if that’s what you’re looking for, this is a perfect spot!
4. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Arbor Hills is a well-known location in Plano, but I don’t shoot there too often since it can be pretty crowded on peak days! However, don’t let that discourage you because there’s a toooon of land there, so there’s always other places to shoot at, you’ll just have to take a long walk to get to them. Right whenever you walk in, you go down a few stairs and you’ll see an open field area. This is usually where I stay to shoot, as the sun sets behind it! Also, if you walk a few feet over down the trail, you’ll come across a bridge that’s another good spot to shoot at!
5. Trinity Park in Fort Worth, TX
Trinity Park is another one of those locations that has tons of different places to shoot at since it’s just one big park! Depending on when and where you’re shooting, you can shoot with the DFW skyline in the back on a cloudy day, so there’s a silver lining if you happen to be shooting on an overcast day!
6. Downtown Fort Worth
When my couples want a city look, I’ll usually suggest Downtown Fort Worth since it’s typically not too crowded and you can move around a lot easier than Dallas! Sundance Square and Bass Hall are two good options to shoot at. If my couple has a formal look, Bass Hall is a great go-to since the front of the building is super regal, and I love the gold look of the doors! Across from Sundance Square you’ll see a long street and the Court House–this is a fun spot for a walking or dip-kiss portrait if you’re able to cross the street when there’s no traffic!
7. Prairie Creek Park in Richardson
This is one of my new favorite little locations for DFW engagement sessions! I recently shot here for the first time, and I can’t wait to do a few more sessions here in 2020! The location was a waterfall feature, with stones throughout that you can walk out onto and sit on. There’s also an open grass area as well, but the grass is well-kept since it’s a park, so you won’t get a field look here if that’s what you’re searching for. But you can still use the open area to shoot in since there’s trees!
8. Rockledge Park in Grapevine
Rockledge Park is one of my favorite locations for DFW engagement sessions because it’s SO unique! It has this coastal/beachy feel, and it’s seriously so amazing. When the water levels are normal, you can walk down to the beached areas and also make use of the cliffs. I’ve only shot there once where the beached areas were covered and the water-line was all the way up to the cliffs, but that’s super rare so you should be good to go!
Things to note: Parking is $5/car, and the photography permit fee is $50. You must pay the permit if you plan to shoot there.
That was a ton of information but I hope you find it helpful for planning your engagement session! If you’re getting married in the DFW or San Antonio area and are still looking for a wedding photographer, feel free to reach out at the links below so we can talk over some details! I’d love to see if we’d be a great fit!
This has been so helpful for my fiancé and I.
THIS BLOG POST IS EVERYTHING!!! <3 Thank you so much for posting this. This helped me tremendously and your photos are beautiful!
Thanks so much for checking it out!! Hope you found the best location for your sesh!
-Gaby