Good places in South DFW to take pictures?

[OpticalPrime]

Hey guys, Im not a professional like most of you. Im basically just a dad with a camera. lol. I have 2 kids and I enjoy taking pictures with my little Canon S2 and have actually taken a handful of really nice photos.

Now that weather is warming up we would like to get more pictures taken of the kids (6 and 1) but not really sure where to go. The one time I took some pictures that turned out nice was the Botanical Gardens in Ft. Worth. But we dont want to continue to keep going there each time. Looking for some other ideas. And it doesnt necessarly have to be just plants/flowers. Im no photographer so Im looking for suggestions. In fact maybe even some samples that I could "copy" would be great... Kids are growing up and dont want to miss out and tired of the standard "stand there and smile" pictures...

This weekend we dropped my parents off at Love field and on way back home I drove around for like 30 mins trying to find that bridge in Deep Elum with all the paint on it and couldnt find it anywhere. Thought it would be a cool place....

Anyway, looking for any and all suggestions/ideas I can get. Thanks ahead of time

[MRCPix]

what part of south ft. worth? I like Benbrook lake, but then again I live there

[OpticalPrime]

well I actually live in Mansfield/South Arlington area. Im looking for anything really in the area, doesnt have to be Ft. Worth... but dont really want to drive an hour away to take pictures unless its a REALLY cool place.

[Wes]

If you don't mind driving to the Botanical Gardens then you probably wouldn't mind going to the Fort Worth Water Gardens. All sorts of potential there.

Also, seeing as how you're in Mansfield like me, it's not too far to drive over to Lake Ridge over by Joe Pool. Go far enough into the Lake Ridge subdivision and you'll find that they have all sorts of little parks with small lakes/big ponds that you can shoot around. Take mosquito repellent.

The Fort Worth Stockyards also works well. Find Risky's (restaurant) and go all the way behind it to the cattle pen area. Look around and you'll see some possibilities there, too.

If you ever find yourself over in Dallas again go to Lakeside Park. With kids that ages of yours you can't miss the opportunity to shoot at Teddy Bear Park (inside of Lakeside Park). For images see this link: http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=43774

[riteflyt]

try Joe pool lake on the state side (off beltline) lots of cool places to shoot there.

[OpticalPrime]

wow, I forgot about the Water Gardens. I havent been there since I was a little kid. I thought they actually closed that down a few years ago anyway..

I think the Stockyards is a good idea also. Like I said, I really dont have the knack like some people and I usually only take good pictures if I :

1. get lucky
2. look at another picture and kinda try and copy the pose.

so many of my pictures are just of the kids sitting on the couch, or standing up or whatever, im tired of those and want some real pictures but just dont know where to start... lol

[L Stegall]

The water gardens reopened several months ago. They had been closed after the drownings there a few years ago. As for the bridge in Deep Ellum, it's about completely buried now. That is where a new DART rail is going and it is all under construction, so even if you knew where you were going, you'd probably not find it. To the extent you are in Dallas, the Arboretum is always nice and Lakeside Park (with the giant teddy bear) is too, but I would think the Stockyards in Ft. Worth and the Water Gardens would be great. Also, any water parks where the kids run thru sprinkers or some cool playgrounds closer to him? Those could be fun too.

[OpticalPrime]

Well thanks for the suggestions so far. I think im going to check out the Stockyards and Water Gardens for sure. As much as I am looking for a location, Im also looking for some ideas on poses and what to take pictures of. Anyone have a link or somewhere I can look at pictures of kids? Possible even in these locations?


Here are a couple of my favorite pictures Iv taken. Like I said, none of these would qualify as professional pictures, but they just are cool to me because they are different than a typical "snapshot" .... plus they are my kids, so extra special

[Wes]

Look at the link that I left you in my last post. You should see all SORTS of possibilities there. You said that you didn't want to drive very far unless it was a very cool place. Based upon the pics that you posted I can't think of a cooler place to shoot your lovely wife and kids than Teddy Bear Park.

Yes, the Water Gardens are open again. MUCH nicer than they were before.

[Dwight]

The Ft. Worth Zoo is a great place to take a family and to grab some shots.

[TxManx]

If you're looking for concept shots, find a McDonalds or Chuck E Cheese and get some pics of the kids in the playground equipment...and the wild, colorful ball pits make for great backdrops!

[raevyncent]

Are you looking for places to take the kids and get pics, or just to go on a photo safari of sorts (kids or no kids)? I live in Burleson, work in the Hulen area, and I love to go downtown after dark for night photos. Maybe I can show you some of my fave places sometime.