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Top Engagement Session Locations in Dallas
Congratulations! You’re engaged and are now looking for the top or best engagement session locations in or around Dallas area. In this blog post you’ll find my favorite locations all for different reasons and of course styles. I compiled different location option ranges from urban-city, lake and outdoor, parks and canals. SO many options here to get your wheels turning with inspiration.
1. White Rock Lake
White Rock Lake in Dallas is always going to be on the top of the list of favorite spots. Reason number one is because of its versatility. White Rock is so big, but I have my tried and true specific locations for each season. My first option for couples who want a “dock option is the location close to the filter building. There’s a convenient parking spot nearby and it’s the perfect place to begin with. It’s also a personal favorite for overcast days. My 2nd spot is over by Winfrey Point. I can shoot here all year and get completely different results each session. This lake is definitely a staple in my engagement session portfolio.
Fee: None
Parking: Open parking
2. Winspear Opera House/ Dallas Arts District
The Dallas Arts District is a beautiful area to have your engagement session at if you want a city-urban view. My suggestion is to wear a more formal look here or city-chic attire. You can get different settings in such a short radius. My personal favorites are by Arts Hall Hotel, and just along Flora St to get a nice faraway view of the skyline. Behind the Winspear Opera hOuse you’ll find walls full of texture and adds to a variety of cool photos to have in your final engagement gallery.
Fee: None
Parking: There are several parking garages to use with a fee, but if you can snag a parking over by the high school it’s free.
3. The Nasher
This is probably one of my favorite hidden gem locations to use in downtown Dallas for engagement sessions in a sculpture garden. Yes, there is a permit required to shoot sessions here, but the view and vibe is worth it. If you’re into willow trees, art, and different. This may be the perfect location for you.
Fee: Permit fee required with The Nasher ( $500+)
Parking: Parking garage required.
4. Uptown Dallas
When asked where I suggest doing an engagement session in uptown Dallas. I always say…”well anywhere really!” If there’s good light and places to walk and talk and just shoot the couple in their true element, the location becomes irrelevant. DO I have a few suggestions for uptown photos? Absolutely!
1. State Thomas Neighborhood.
2. Area by the Hotel Crescent.
Fee: Free around State Thomas Neighborhood, there is a permit required to shoot at The Hotel Crescent.
Parking: Parking meters or parking garage.
5. Highland Park Area
Highland Park area is another one of my favorites. This can actually be broken down in so many different categories.
I’ll list all the parks great for engagement photos or couple photos below.
First: Prather Park.
This quaint park is actually really beautiful and it stays pretty lush and green all year. It has stone steps that lead down to a creek. Bridges, and little walking trails. It’s especially beautiful in the spring when flowers are blooming. It gets darker sooner here than other locations because there is an abundance of trees so I always suggest starting earlier than sunset time.
2nd Lakeside Park
This location in Highland park has a more open view of turtle creek. There’s a bridge and different little sidewalk paths that lead to beautiful secluded spots.
A few others to consider are:
Flippen Park
Turtle Creek Park
Reverchon Park
Fee: Free
Parking: Free
6. SMU Campus
The SMU campus is another favorite for engagement sessions. This one’s for couples who love a bit of history, architecture, or for the love of your alma mater. 
Fee: Free
Parking: Free as long as you park in free parking spots.
7. Arlington Hall at Lee Park
Fee: Free around the park area.
Parking: Free or parking meter
8. Arbor Hills In Plano
This plano location is a favorite for Dallas Engagement Photos. ALmost every day of the week you will find photographers here and it’s definitely not hard to see why. The hills at the front of the park is perfect for sunset photos. If you don’t mind the walk there’s a hidden creek and so many trails to venture off to. 
Fee: Free
Parking: Free
9.Mandalay Canal Walk
I really love the canals and I’ll be honest I haven’t photographed at this location in such a long time. I guess it’s time to change that! This location has a bit of old world vibes. Big European doors are one of my favorite things from this location. The scenery is a hint of architectural design and modern. You can even rent a gondola and have a private gondola ride for two.
photo credit:pinterest
Fee; Permit $50 required
Parking: depends can be free depending on where you park
10. Trinity Groves Area
If you want a view of the skyline and just an overall view of Dallas, this is a great spot.
There’s actually so much you can do in this area. If there hasn’t been much rain during the time you plan the session, you can even venture towards the bottom of the Margaret Hunt bridge and get a whole different view.
Fee: free
Parking: free
11. Harbor at Rockwall
Want a harbor view and a cute lighthouse in your photos. The Harbor at Rockwall is a great location spot.
Fee: free
Parking: free
12. Oak Point Park Nature Center in Plano
If you want a great outdoor location with open fields, dirt roads, lots of greenery. This may be a great location to consider for your engagement session. It looks very green and lush in the spring and summer. The photos below will show you what it looks like in the late fall.
Fee: free
Parking: free
13. Adriatica Mckinney
If you’re looking for a location with a european background. Adriatica in Mckinney is the perfect location for an engagement session. I usually start off by the insurance building and then work my way over by the lake. There are so many fun spots to use around this area and the inspiration is endless.
Fee: free
Parking: free
14. Prairie Creek Richardson
Prairie Creek Park still made the list because it’s such a beautiful location. You’ll come to find that it’s also a hot spot for photographers. My suggestion is to either do a sunrise session here or pick a weekday evening like Monday or Tuesday. The Waterfall is the perfect backdrop, but this area if you venture off the beaten path, will find many hidden gem spots as well.
Fee: Free
Parking: free
15. Rockledge Park in Grapevine
Rockledge Park is a popular spot. I honestly haven’t had the opportunity to photograph here, but here’s a direct map to this beautiful beachy location perfect for any engagement session.
Fee: Photography Permit required $50
Parking: $10
16. The Dallas Arboretum
Last, but certainly not least is the Dallas Arboretum. This isn’t really my favorite place to do an engagement session unless it is during the early morning and/or during MON-WED.
Any other day at The Dallas Arboretum is a no-go for me. It gets overcrowded and the best spots are usually oversaturated with people or other photographers. The best sessions I have had at The Arboretum have been during the beginning of the week.
Fee: $20
Parking: $15
That was a lot of information, but I hope you found useful as you look for the perfect engagement session location.
Looking for the best Fort Worth engagement session locations? I got you boo!
Have an itch for wanderlust and want to do a destination engagement session?
LFG! I’m always ready for an adventure!
Alba Rose Photography is a Dallas and Fort Worth wedding photographer and specializes in candid photography, genuine and timeless imagery for the discerning clientele. If you are recently engaged and still looking for a wedding photographer in Dallas. We would be so thrilled to hear from you!
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