My Favorite Spots Around Dallas for Family Photos

Hey y'all. Before just about every session I shoot, I get the same question: "Where should we meet up?"

Honestly, picking a spot is half the fun. I've been making photos around the Dallas area for a long time now, and I've got a handful of places I keep coming back to. They photograph beautifully in golden hour. They're easy to get to from most parts of the metroplex. And they don't require dragging three kids and a baby across a hike.

So here are a few of my go-to spots when families ask me where we should meet up.

Bob Woodruff Park (Plano)

This one's a bit of a sleeper. Most folks don't think of Plano when they picture pretty photo spots, but the open fields and treeline at Woodruff give you that wide, soft Texas feel without driving an hour out of town. Best in late afternoon when the sun's getting low.

Arbor Hills Nature Preserve (Plano)

A little wilder than Woodruff. The trails wind through native prairie grasses that go gold this time of year. Perfect for families who don't mind a short walk to find the right light.

The Dallas Arboretum

Yes, it gets busy. Yes, it costs to get in. But the gardens are something else, and if you arrive at opening you've practically got the place to yourself for an hour. The fall colors and the spring blooms are worth every penny.

Your own backyard

I'm serious. Some of the best family photos I've ever made were at people's homes. Your back porch, your driveway, the favorite tree out back. There's something about being at home that lets folks relax in a way they just can't at a public park. If you've got the space, don't write it off.

Lazy B Ranch (Greenville, TX)

This one's close to my heart because it's right here in Greenville — my own backyard, pretty much. The Lazy B sits on about 40 acres of rolling green pasture with a beautiful pond, massive old oaks and cedars, a barn, cattle grazing in the background, and yes, a chicken coop the kids absolutely lose their minds over. It's the kind of place that makes you feel like you stepped into a different world. If you want that wide-open Texas ranch feel without driving to the middle of nowhere, this is it.

Fort Worth Stockyards

If your family loves history or you're just looking for something a little different, the Stockyards are one of my favorites. There's so much character in those old brick streets and weathered wood storefronts — the kind of place that looks like it's been there forever because it has. The light bouncing off the buildings in the late afternoon is gorgeous, and there's always something interesting going on in the background. It photographs with this nostalgic, timeless quality that I just love.

A note on Texas weather

Whatever spot we pick, we'll plan around the light and the heat. In summer that means we're shooting at sunrise or right before sunset — nobody looks their best when they're sweating through their nice shirt. Spring and fall are easier on everybody and you've got a wider window. I'll always help you figure out the right time of day.

If you've got a spot in mind that's not on this list, even better. Some of my favorite sessions have been at family ranches, grandparents' farms, or that one tree on the back forty that means something to your family. Bring me the place. I'll do the rest.