If you are searching for the best engagement photo locations in Dallas, we’ve got it covered. At Eivan’s Photo and Video, we get to help a lot of our clients choose the best spots to have their engagement photos done. While there are many beautiful DFW locations to choose from, we have shared some of our favorite Dallas locations.

Where Should Engagement Photos be Taken?

If you have somewhere else in mind that’s not listed here, lets us know, and we shall be happy to work with your preference. For us, engagement photography is not just about great backdrops, it’s also about capturing your personalities and the love you share.

So, it’s necessary to have your Dallas engagement photos done in the place that you enjoy. We are always happy to help our clients get the best out of every engagement photo session.

Where Can I Take Engagement Photos in Dallas?

It’s worth mentioning that many of these popular Dallas-Fortworth photo locations are also public recreation spots. It means that it might be better to schedule your photo sessions during the week when it’s less busy.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

The Dallas Arboretum is on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake, and it features 66-acres of well kept botanical gardens that will add lots of fresh, vibrant colors to your outdoor engagement portraits. We recommend starting early with this spot before it gets busy, and keep in mind that the Arboretum charges parking and admission fees.

This location offers breath-taking views of White Rock Lake and Misty Bridge. It has lush landscaping with blooming flowers, mature trees, water walls, and koi ponds, as well as some remarkable architecture and outdoor sculptures to use as compositional elements. We highly recommend this place.

Dallas Arts District

The Dallas Arts District in downtown Dallas offers interesting engagement photo backdrops and architectural features for use. The Winspear Opera House, located in the AT&T Performing Arts Center, features a highly reflective pool that mirrors the surrounding urban landscape and the iconic diamond wall that make excellent backdrops.

The Meyerson Symphony Center is also another one of our favorite places in Dallas for indoor photography. The modern architecture is lovely, with lots of natural light and a stunning spiral staircase, which also makes it a great location for bridal portraits.

Prairie Creek Park

This small nature park located in Richardson is a delightful outdoor location for your engagement portrait. It features mature trees and flowers that are even more lovely during the fall. But the jewel in the crown is the creek that runs through the park and cascades into a waterfall. It has a few parking options, and there’ll be some hiking to get to the waterfalls section of the park. Our Dallas wedding photographer will help to schedule your engagement sessions when the park is not too busy.

Historic Downtown McKinney

Downtown McKinney offers a diverse mix of architecture and recreational attractions, which makes it a fantastic place for your Dallas engagement session. The streetscapes and historical buildings provide plenty of backdrops and textures to work with. If you want an authentic Texas country style feeling without too much modern influence, this location will deliver that. Plus, you can have lunch and enjoy exploring the place after the portrait session.

White Rock Lake

White Rock Lake is one of the busiest city parks in Dallas and a favorite location for many couples. The park offers lots of natural spaces with trees, nature trails, fields with flowers, piers, and boat ramps to make incredible backdrops. The sunset over the lake is stunning, which makes for some excellent low light engagement photos. The site has plenty of free parking spaces and has no admission charges.

Fortworth Water Gardens

If you want a futuristic theme for your engagement shots, the Fortworth Water Gardens in downtown Fortworth is an ideal location. It offers a modernist landscape of pools and waterfalls with a sci-fi vibe. The calm pool with trees surrounding it and water flowing down its walls offers quiet serenity, while next to it, the aeration pool creates a refreshing backdrop with the mist of its water sprays. The centerpiece is the Active Pool that features a series of descending platforms with flowing water that forms a vortex at the bottom. Admission to the garden is free, but you might have to pay for parking on the street.

If you are considering having two locations for your engagement session, Sundance Square is nearby. It offers an eclectic mix of old and modern architecture, broad walkways, and recreation spaces. It’s an ideal location for day and night photography, although the water fountain feature is not accessible after 5 pm. Admission is free, but our engagement photographer will assist you to get a permit before the session.

Adriatica Village

The Adriatica Village is a picturesque development in McKinney modeled after a small fishing town in Croatia. The village consists of residential and commercial buildings with charming Old World architecture and cobblestone streets that many couples love.

It also has several unique features that make fantastic backdrops for engagement photos, such as the iconic bell tower overlooking a small lake and the secluded Bella Donna Chapel. The entry is free into the village, and there’s a parking garage nearby for parking.

Lakeside Park

Lakeside Park sits on 14 acres of landscaped grounds along Turtle Creek in Highland Park. It features a mix of walking paths, flower beds, water features, and cute teddy bear sculptures. It is very scenic, and it’s a favorite spot for many photographers, which means that it can get busy on weekends. They also don’t allow changing of outfits inside the park, and it only offers street-side parking.

Arbor Hills Nature Preserve

Arbor Hills is a 200-acre nature park in Plano that features plenty of mature trees, open fields, and a flowing creek to make amazing photos, especially during the golden hours. It also gets busy during the weekends with visitors and photographers, so the weekdays might be a better time to organize for your engagement session.

Mandalay Canal Walk at Las Colinas

Las Colinas is a master-planned community set within the city limits of Irving, 18 minutes drive from Dallas. The Mandalay Canals are the main attraction as they wind through open restaurants, shops, residences, and offices and connects to Lake Carolyn.

Beyond the tree-lined scenic views that the cobblestone walkway along the canal offers, the gondola canal rides present a more romantic setting for your engagement session. With the waterfront restaurants, charming Old World architecture, and a shimmering sunset, this spot is well worth the short ride out.

Deep Ellum Arts District

Deep Ellum is a vibrant art and entertainment neighborhood in the East Dallas area known for its street murals and entertainment venues. It has a deep Jazz music vibe with lots of energy, color, and texture. The murals make exciting and unique backdrops, and they’ll be lots of walking around to find the perfect ones for your shot.

When Should You Take Engagement Photos?

The best time to have your engagement photos done is in the first couple of weeks of your engagement. Wedding photographers are some of the vendors who book up quickly, and it can be a hassle trying to get one down the road.

At Eivan’s Photo & Video, we always advise our clients to get their engagement photos done early in the wedding planning process. That way, we can get to develop a relationship during which we can conceptualize your vision for the big day.

How Much Do Engagement Sessions in Dallas Cost?

The average cost of an engagement photo session in the DFW area is between $150, and $500 or more per hour. Most engagement sessions come as part of a larger wedding photography package, which means that you may get better pricing if you use the engagement photographer for your wedding day.

Alternatively, you can get an engagement photography package that includes several services. Generally, the price will depend on the following factors:

• Length of the session
• Location permits and fees
• Is video included or not
• Other additional photo and video services
• Style and format of the pictures and videos
• Number of photographers in the session

At Eivan’s Photo & Video, we understand that our clients have different needs, so we ensure that we give you the best experience whichever package you choose. You can find our affordable packages here.

Dallas Engagement Photo Tips

Getting engaged is a beautiful time for a couple, and that moment should be captured to remind you of the time you both made a big decision of your lives. Getting a professional to take engagement photos ensures that you’ll have high-quality images for memories and all your wedding stationery. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your engagement session.

Confirm your engagement photographer in advance. Photographers usually get booked up quickly, so it is essential to get one as soon as you get engaged. Check our availability to book a Dallas engagement session here.

Decide on the concept of your engagement session, which will help you to choose the location and outfits based on your personalities and season. Your engagement photos will also reflect the theme and concept of your wedding photos, and it’s also a great way to test out your make-up artist.

Discuss your concept and ideas with your engagement photographer before the session so that they’re well prepared to direct the session.

Where ever you are in the Dallas-Fortworth-Grapevine area, we’ll make sure that we match you with an experienced professional to deliver high-quality work, and we will give you all the help you need to achieve your vision.