The Fort Worth Botanical Gardens is one of the prettiest spots in the Dallas Fort Worth area to take photos. It has beautiful flowers, foliage, and their main attraction, the Japanese Gardens. If you’ve googled “places to take engagement photos in Dallas” I’m certain this spot has come up! So let’s talk about a few tips and tricks to keep in mind if you’re planning to take photos there soon!

Before we get into it, though, hi! My name is Madeline, and I am a professional wedding photographer based in Dallas, TX. I specialize in colorful weddings, which means the Fort Worth Botanical Garden is a location I use often for my sessions! All the colors of the flowers and dark green foliage makes for such vibrant photos! If you’re looking for a photographer who knows her way around the garden and can provide you with the best experience, I’d be happy to help! You can find my pricing info HERE and reach out to plan your session HERE!

1. Get there early!

The best time to take photos at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens is when it opens. If you’re able to get there at 8am when they open, that would be great. But 8:30 or 9 would work too. The gardens can get pretty crowded on weekends, especially the Japanese Gardens. And the pathways in that garden are so narrow, you’ll want to avoid crowds. It also gets pretty hot in the afternoons most of the year here in Texas. So arriving early allows you to beat the crowds and the heat.

2. Plan your route out beforehand

The layout of the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens is a bit confusing, so you may want to make a game plan before you arrive. I personally recommend starting at the Japanese Gardens, then working your way back up towards the main entrance. But the tram to take you there doesn’t start until 11am. So you’ll most likely need to be prepared to walk there. It’s about a 10 minute walk from the entrance.

So when you arrive, just walk straight back the Japanese Gardens, take your photos there, then explore the rest of the garden! After the Japanese Garden, I usually hit the Rose Garden since it’s the second most popular, then make my way back to the front.

3. Bring comfortable walking shoes and water

There will be a lot of walking at this location. I’d recommend either wearing sensible shoes OR packing a pair of flats you can easily slip on and off while walking to each spot. Also bring some water with you. They only sell water at the entrance, so if you’re parched after walking all the way to the Japanese Gardens in the back, you’ll be out of luck. So bring a water bottle with you!

4. Remember the photography permit

Unlike the Dallas Arboretum, the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens are not free to shoot at. They require a $30 photography permit be purchased when you arrive. It’s very easy to acquire. Just tell them you’d like one when you check in with your tickets and they’ll give you a quick paper to fill out. It’s good for two hours, and they sell the last one for the day two hours before they close. This cannot be done online and must be purchased in person on the day of your shoot. The photo permit does not grant you entry, however. So you will still need to purchase tickets separately to enter.

5. Check their website for closures and scheduled events

The Fort Worth Botanical Gardens regularly puts on scheduled events for the community and hosts various art exhibits and festivals. Be sure to check the calendar on the day you’re planning your shoot to make sure nothing big is going on that could interfere with your photography. They also tend to close down parts of the park (or close entirely) for construction. So check their website and social media pages for any relevant closures or updates.

If you’re thinking of taking photos at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens, I’d love to be your guide/photographer! Looking forward to hearing from you!