Fort Worth Senior Family Photographer
One of the first things I do when I have a pre- session phone consultation with a perspective client is talk about location ideas and their vision for their session.
If I’m being honest, a vast majority of my clients have no idea what they have in mind for the vision of how they want their session to look.
I’m here to say, that location is priority in the look and feel of your session. Even more important than location is the light. Often times, people that do not have knowledge of photography think that the background is the most important element, but even with a stunning background, if the light is not optimal then the portraits will not turn out as envisioned. The light is so very important to the final product in photos and can honestly make or break the picture.
There are some locations that you have more shade so you must shoot earlier in the day, and others, like open fields, where they light is simply too harsh until close to sunset.
For all my clients that ask for location ideas I have put together a list of my most favorite locations and a short description of when they work best.
Location Option 1- A nature area with overgrown fields, a creek, brick wall, and golden light in the Fort Worth area.
This location is ideal all year long, but is an especially perfect location during summer when most things have died. The texture of the overgrown grass actually lends itself to much prettier photos than dead short grass in the summer months. The option of having a creek and a brick wall also make for lovely photos. It photographs well a year long and is really one of my favorites. I normally shoot at this location an hour before sunset. Photos from all season are listed below.
Location 2- A nature area with a manicured lawn, bridge, and a tree line with golden light in the Southlake/Grapevine/Colleyville area.
This location is another one of my favorites. It provides plenty of shade so it allows for an earlier start time for portraits. I typically shoot at this location 2-2 1/2 prior to sunset. The bridge is very shaded so it will only work on a sunny day or there is light enough available light. It has a manicured lawn, trails, a pretty wooden bridge and lovely light. Photos of all seasons listed below.
Location Option 3- Sundance Square Downtown Fort Worth
Sundance Square in Downtown Fort Worth is one of my very favorite locations. Since the background is stunning buildings, rooftops, and city lights it photographs well ALL year long. I especially love this location in winter or the heat of summer when all the grass and trees have lost their leaves and greenery. It’s also one of my very favorite locations for high school seniors that want a more urban vibe or a family that wants a glamourous or formal background. If your house is more formal, or you simply want something different than the typical grass and fields, then this is a great location.
Location Option 4- The Fort Worth Stockyards
The Fort Worth Stockyards are such a fun and versatile location! They have Stockyard Station which is a neat old building with a Texas flare. It’s perfect to take photos inside and outside by the stables. Across from Stockyard Station is a cacti field that has gorgeous evening light. If we are doing both locations in the Stockyards, I recommend around 1.5 hours prior to sunset.
Location Option 5- The Kimbell Art Museum Fort Worth
The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth provides a sleek and modern, yet elegant, option for family or senior pictures. There are stone archways, pools of water, trees, and many concrete and stone walls. It compliments formal attire such as dresses and suits. If you home has a more modern feel, portraits hanging on the walls with the Kimbell as a backdrop would be the perfect artistic compliment. This location works well about an hour to hour and a half prior to sunset.
Location Option 6 - The Mandalay Canals at Las Colinas ($50 Travel Fee)
The Mandalay Canals at Las Colinas have a unique European feel. They are nestled between office buildings and restaurants beneath ground level in the heart of Irving off 114. They lend timeless elegance with the European inspired architecture, archways covered in ivy (during spring and summer), winding canals, and a grand staircase. I typically find the canals best for single subjects like seniors, families with older children, or milestone sessions for teens. Because they are under ground level and have lots of buildings, I typically shoot there two hours prior to sunset. Due to the distance from my home a $50 travel fee applies.
Location Option 7- The Dallas Arboretum ($50 Travel Fee)
The Dallas Arboretum is a magical place with acres of green lawn, trees, flowers, and a tree tunnel. It is a wonderful location for both family, child, and senior pictures. During the month of March it hosts tulips and during the fall it is home to Autumn at the Arboretum. Due to the gardens only being open 9-5, the light will only work certain times of year. During the time of year when we are in daylight savings time I only shoot there at 9 am on Sundays, and after daylight savings time has ended, I shoot at 4 pm. I do not recommend it as a location during summer due to the early sunrise and late sunset and harsh light between the hours of 9-5. Due to the distance a travel fee applies. This location may only be booked with the gold or platinum package.
Location Option 8- Highland Park Village and Davis Park ($50 travel fee)
This location in Highland Park is seriously gorgeous. It has greenery almost all times of year due to the ivy covered ground. There is a grand old draw bridge, a large winding staircase, golden light, and ivy lined paths. It is right down the street from Highland Park Village which hosts a colorful staircase, ivy wall, and a high end shopping village. It is a favorite location of mine for Dallas senior sessions and family sessions. This location works well all times of year, and due to heavy shade I shoot there approximately two hours prior to sunset on weekend evenings. Due to distance a travel fee applies. This location may only be booked with a gold or platinum package.
Location Option 9- Historic Downtown Grapevine
Historic Main Street in Downtown Grapevine is perfect for senior sessions or for sessions with older children. It hosts a historic log cabin, charming brick alleyways, a fountain, an old theater, and small town downtown architecture. Due to the buildings, I normally shoot here about an hour and a half prior to sunset, or earlier on a cloudy day. Because of narrow streets and lots of traffic I do not recommend this location for families with small children.
Location 10- Beautiful Villa ($50 travel fee)
This gorgeous villa with a European feel and lush gardens offers a elegant backdrop for family or senior portraits. It hosts a variety of backgrounds from a stunning stone staircase, a rooftop view, colorful Spanish inspired stairs, a swing, lush greenery, and a Grecian inspired upper rooftop. There is a $100 photography permit required by the venue in addition to the travel fee listed. This location may only be booked with a gold or platinum package.
Location 11- All White Studio ($80 per hour rental fee)
This gorgeous natural light studio close to Downtown Fort Worth is the ideal location to avoid hot or cold weather in the summer or winter. It offers an angelic clean white background and boasts large windows with abundant natural light, vintage architecture, and a wainscot adorned wall. The light is my favorite mid morning to early afternoon. It does book up in advance, as it is a very popular location, so on weekends it needs to be reserved well in advance. The rental fee is $80 per hour.
