I’m so excited to share some of my favorite images from Sydney’s beautiful senior photos at the Dallas Arboretum! Sydney is starting her senior year this fall, and I was so excited to hear that she’s been recruited by the University of Louisiana Monroe to play soccer next year! Which is so awesome!

I actually met Sydney’s family after taking her older sister’s prom photos a few months ago. So I was so excited when they reached out for Sydney’s senior photos. When Sydney contacted me, she told me that she really wanted a garden vibe for her pictures but wasn’t sure which garden would be best. Out of the main parks in DFW, the Dallas Arboretum is the best for photos in my opinion, so we headed there!

When planning a photoshoot at the Arboretum there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, you absolutely need to get there when it opens. The later is the day you go, the worse the lighting will be, the more crowded, and the hotter the weather! Arriving right when it opens at 9am will allow you to avoid crowds and get that beautiful morning light.

Second, the Dallas Arboretum is HUGE. While I typically only book hour-long shoots for the gardens, you should actually plan to be there for about 1.5-2 hours, just because we will spend a lot of time walking. On that note, bring sensible shoes. The Arboretum is not the place to wear stilettos. If you really want to wear heels in your photos, bring ones that can slip easily on and off, then bring flats to put on while you’re walking. And don’t forget to bring water with you!

Lastly, if you have a specific feature in the garden you want photos with, be sure and tell your photographer! The gardens are so big, we can’t make it to every photo spot. Sydney told me beforehand that she really loved the giant frame and the reflective pool. Those features are in the Women’s Garden, so I was sure to devote a good portion of our time in that area.

When planning a photo session at the Dallas Arboretum, it really helps to hire a photographer who knows their way around. If you want help planning your senior photos, you can send me a message through my contact page HERE. And be sure to scroll down to see some of my favorite photo spots in the gardens to inspire your planning!