10 Awesome locations for photo shoots in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex

I am often asked by family, friends and folks I don't even know about the best spots to shoot photos in the Dallas area.

Being such a voracious photographer myself, my closest photography buddies know how often I go through a creative 'dry spell', and am always searching for somewhere new and incredible to take some photos.

Here is my current list of TOP 10 LOCATIONS TO SHOOT PHOTOS in the Metroplex, in no specific order:

• Texas Wildflowers
  Now, I realize you can find incredible locations to shoot wildflowers anywhere in this huge state of ours, but if you want a spot that most folks will never find(until now!), trust me on this one!    Solana Office Park in Southlake, Texas offers rolling meadows hidden behind the First American building just off the Kirkwood-Solana exit of Route 114.  Turn south after exiting, and follow the street for approximately one mile...you will see a small dirt parking area...park there and cross the street, following the gravel walkway through the meadows bursting with bluebonnets and other colorful flowers in the early Spring.  Continue to the end of the walkway to another gem, the watergarden behind the First America building...just beautiful.  This location is perfect for family portraits and engagement photos.
• Dallas Skyline
  Why is it the best location for photos of the Dallas skyline are on busy flyovers on major highways?  On the safe side, and I know there must be better locations out there, I just haven't found them yet, one of the better spots to shoot is in an area called La Laceate.   It is just west of the Trinity River in the La Laceate neighborhood in west Dallas.  Find a safe place to park along Canada Drive, anywhere between Commerce Street and Westmoreland Road...then climb to the top of the levee.  From this vantage point you can include the skyline, the Trinity River bottoms, the Continental Viaduct and Texas-Pacific Railroad bridge.  Stay aware of your surroundings at all times and take a friend or two along with you...if you live, you'll return home with some great skyline photos!  Of course, there is no place better to shoot the skyline than from the top of Reunion Tower at dusk, opening soon after a complete renovation.
• Architecture
  When I moved to the Dallas area several years ago I was taken by the interesting, modern architecture in Las Colinas.  The Mandalay Canal is often used by professional photographers for model photo shoots.  A license is now required to utilize the canal area for any type of professional shoot.   It's an interesting location to stroll on the weekends just to watch these shoots take place.  Late afternoon is the best time for shooting here as the canal is below street level, and there is an incredible light cast from the reflections of the glass skyscrapers adjacent to it.  Take a stroll across the street and along the lake for more European-style architecture, complete with stucco and iron railings, moss and stonework.
• Western Flair
  Historic Grapevine has changed in recent years.  The town is growing, and sinking funds into improvements, such as Main Street and the old yellow train station.  I do many engagement photo shoots here because I find the location to offer a nice 'western' feel, with several different locations all within walking distance.  The old rail cars offer rich colors for backgrounds.   Be sure to walk across the street to the workshop where they maintain the old steam locomotives...you are welcome to walk inside to shoot photos...just to the left of the Grapevine Vintage Railroad cars.  Make your day special by boarding the train in Grapevine and ride it to the Fort Worth Stockyards for a day full of western flair!
• Weddings/Engagements/Bridal
  In general, I find the Japanese Garden, and Fort Worth Botanical Garden to be the most anti-photographer locations in the Metroplex.   On the otherhand, if you are willing to pay the fees, you won't find a more uniquely beautiful spot for your engagement and wedding photos than the Japanese Garden.  Many spectacular backdrops may be found such as arching bridges and a Japanese teahouse, and not to mention the greenery!  It's quiet and serene, and perfect for formal photo shoots.  Word of warning, unless you are prepared to pay $75.00, do not expect to carry in a tripod or SLR camera.
• Senior Portraits
  Southlake Town Square with its storefronts and fountains.  In typical Texas fashion, the city of Southlake had no 'downtown', so they built one!   Many towns in the area are now trying to emulate this phenominal success story!  A special vantage point in Southlake Town Square is the new, red courthouse complete with manicured lawn and fountain.
• People-Watching
  Dallas is an extremely diverse city having residents moving here from all parts of the country, and the world.  They all seem to gather at the annual  summer festival called "The Taste of Dallas".  I've often said this festival would be better-suited being called "The Faces of Dallas" as it attracts so many interesting people in one location.  Taking place in June, bring plenty of sunscreen because the temperatures during this event are usually well over 100 degrees.  While there, take the opportunity to shoot other nearby locations such as The West End and Victory Park.
• Christmas Lights
  For an incredible Texas-size Christmas light display, nothing  beats the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine.  The lobby area is a sight to behold, and the perfect location for that family Christmas card shoot!  Stay for dinner and to visit the "Ice" exhibit...you won't be disappointed!  The exhibit attracts approximately a quarter million visitors annually, containing 14,000sf of ice.  40 ice artisans from the Chinese city of Harbin arrive each year to complete the display.
• Urban Decay / Grafitti
  Deep Ellum gets my nod for the best urban location.  In its prime, this area contained many late-night bars, clubs and restaurants.  Full of grafitti, it's best-shot during the day.  It offers interesting walls to use as backdrops for portraits...like LaLaceate, it's not the best place to wander around after dark.  If you are in search of great color, brickwork, dirt, grime, razorwire and a few eccentric, bohemian types, then Deep Ellum is perfect for you.  I enjoy it because it reminds me of the east coast and is similar to Philadelphia's South Street sans the good cheesesteaks!
• Sculpture
  The folks at the Nasher will disagree with me, but I have my reasons for stating that the Texas Sculpture Garden in Frisco is a better location to shoot photos.  The Nasher Sculpture Center in downtown Dallas' Arts District has got to be one of my favorite spots to visit...the museum building itself is downright beautiful, not to mention the sculpture contained within its walls and also outside in the gardens.  But, as a photographer,  I find the location somewhat confining and small and it does not offer the angles and perspectives that are afforded by the Texas Sculpture Garden.  Located in beautiful, and I must say, booming Frisco, the Texas Sculpture Garden contains the largest private collection of modern sculpture in the State.  The best time to visit is early on a Sunday morning as it is a virtual ghost town...what better than having a sculpture garden all to yourself?!

Honorable Mention:
"Little Baghdad" - It won't be there long!  The site of the movie set for "Saving Jessica Lynch", you won't find minerets and arab grafitti anywhere else in the Dallas area!  Already beginning to be discovered by other photographers, the facades are beginning to crumble...check it out while you can.

Of course, if you know of something not included on this list, feel free to add a comment!