Where to Take Spring Photos in Dallas

April in Dallas means the flowers are blooming, the weather is warming up and the days are getting longer. It is the perfect time of year to grab the camera and the family for some Instagram-worthy (dare we say frame-worthy) photos. Whether you are snapping pictures for Easter, a family vacation or just because, Dallas has plenty of locations that make a great backdrop while saying cheese.

Lakeside Park

Near Uptown

With its spacious grassy parkland, winding walking paths, lily pads, and stone bridges, Lakeside Park is the perfect backdrop for fairy tale inspired photos. The scenic oasis sits on 14 acres of exceptionally landscaped grounds along Turtle Creek. During the beginning of April, the park is especially beautiful because the azalea bushes are in full bloom.

Walk along the curve of Exall Lake and you will stumble upon the whimsical Teddy Bear Park. An eight-foot-tall mama teddy bear and her three cubs sit on the footpath. Visitors can take photos sitting in the lap of the bears making it a great location to take pictures with young children.

Trinity River Audubon Center

South Dallas

If you want to incorporate real-life animals into your shots, you will have the best chance at the Trinity River Audubon Center, located 10 miles south of Downtown. The center is home to the largest urban bottomland hardwood forest in North America and is also a haven for a vast array of birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The 120-acre nature preserve has multiple spots to snap that perfect shot. Make sure you wear comfy shoes to explore the five miles of nature trails that wind through hardwood forests, ponds, wetlands, and prairie ecosystems.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

East Dallas

The 66-acre botanical garden with its backdrops of White Rock Lake is always a photographer's dream photo shoot location, but the Dallas Arboretum really
shines during the spring. With half-a-million spring-blooming blossoms,
thousands of azaleas and hundreds of Japanese cherry trees, you will quickly
understand why Southern Living named the arboretum as one of, "The Best
Places to See Stunning Spring Blooms Across the South." Put on your Sunday
best and head down to the Arboretum for the quintessential Easter family photos in front of fields of colorful tulips.

Dallas Murals

Everyone knows murals increase Instagram cred, so of you are looking for a non-traditional Easter photo, skip the parks and head to Deep Ellum, the Design District or Oak Cliff to pose in front of one of the city's most colorful murals. Dallas is full of murals, so no matter which neighborhood you explore, you will likely find a mural to stand in front. The pastel, pinky-peach Rainbow Corner mural in Deep Ellum is perfect for showing off pastel Easter dresses, while the Dandelion - Make A Wish mural in Uptown is a fun backdrop for the little ones in the family. And finally, the 120-foot-long mural of Texas flora and fauna in Oak Cliff (near the intersection of N. Bishop Avenue and Melba Street) is perfect for those who want to highlight nature in their photos without actually getting in nature.

Dragon Park

Oak Lawn

Those looking to add a Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil vibe into their family photos should head to Dragon Park. The secret garden off the Oak Lawn neighborhood is full of overgrown shrubbery, thick green trees and dark grey sculptures of angels, gargoyles and dragons. The lush little neighborhood park is a hidden gem unknown to many local residents, so you are almost guaranteed to have the place to yourself while you stroll around snapping photos.

White Rock Lake Park

East Dallas

Twice the size of New York City's Central Park, White Rock Lake Park is the crown jewel of the Dallas park system. A three-acre off leash dog park sits on the north end of the lake if you want to incorporate Fido into the family photos.

The nine-mile trail that circles the lake offers several spots to capture a frame-worthy picture of the whole family. For the best lighting, start shooting right before dusk as the colors of the sunset reflect off the lake.