Picking the perfect setting for your next family portrait is an important consideration since it will have some impact on how it will look in your home and, in some ways, also speak to your style as a family. So first a couple of tips before we get into locations:

1. Consider the time of year. In Dallas, we’re green most of the year except from November to March so many outdoor locations can work but if you really want beautiful color you’re going to have to stick to April – May and October – November unless you choose a space like The Dallas Arboretum which has flowering plants almost year-round.

2. Consider your family’s style. The Arboretum leans toward very traditional images as does Turtle Creek while downtown Dallas and our studio have a more modern vibe. If your family is into the outdoors and a natural setting White Rock Lake and Arbor Hills Nature Preserve are a great option within the city that look/feel like purely natural surroundings

3. Think about the weather. In Dallas, if you’d like to get your portrait made and your family does well in the summer sun, things can work out great. On the other hand, if you all break out in a sweat as soon as the temperatures rise your outfits will be a mess before we even begin shooting in May and September. If you do need a year-round solution choose the studio, your home or a destination session instead. We’re happy to shoot in your home and those images can be amazing we’re also happy to travel if your family has a vacation/destination location you feel would be amazing.

4. When it comes to styling your shoot, we tend to feel that the best approach is to pick two colors but not two specific shades and have people choose outfits based on that. The mix and match nature of the shades will give texture and dimension and will keep the image feeling natural.

5. If you have small kids or pets ask for a photographer’s assistant at the shoot. That person will really help cut down on stress and be able to help with expressions, logistics and lighting while moving quickly with small children. Steph and I love working together in this way and it can drastically improve results with many families.

The Locations

Dallas Arboretum Family Portrait — The Dallas Arboretum

Probably the premier location for a family portrait in Dallas. This park has everything from great architecture to perfectly arranged florals, benches, rocks, and trees. It’s in bloom almost the entire year. There is an entrance fee and it closes every day at 5p but those are hardly reasons not to take advantage of this Dallas treasure.

Dallas Family Portrait downtown at Winspear Opera House — **Downtown/Klyde Warren Park**

We love this area for its diversity and ability to give Dallas a fun, clean, modern feel. We can shoot in Klyde Warren Park with the trees and sunshine or wander over to the arts district and use The Winspear, The Meyerson or The Wylie as a backdrop.

Dallas Family Portrait at Turtle Creek Lakeside Park — Turtle Creek | Highland Park

The quintessential park system right in the heart of Dallas. There are beautiful waterways, bridges, and florals throughout the parks and most of the year it’s a perfect and relatively calm place to have your family portrait. For some Dallas families Lakeside park is a yearly tradition and we know why, it’s the perfect timeless neighborhood vibe.

Dallas Family Portrait at White Rock Lake — **White Rock Lake**

This lake has to be one of the best parts of Dallas, hands down. There is so much to love but for us photographically, what is amazing, are the tall grasses, lake views, and general sense that you're not really in the city.

Dallas Family Portrait at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve — **Arbor Hills Nature Preserve (Plano)** -

Right around the corner from a major shopping center sits this park full of bike and running trails, streams and tons of beautiful trees. In the winter we love that some of those trees are evergreens that contrast so well with the tall blond grasses.

5 Classic Settings For Your Family Portrait In Dallas

The Locations

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