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BigBlueDodge · **Dallas Arboretum - Autumn at the Arboretum -** 10-28-2007, 10:12 PM

Decided to get some Christmas Card pictures of the family, and decided to go to the Arboretum for the first time. So we load up, and make the long drive from Keller to White Rock. When I get there I was shocked to see the long lines. They weren't allowing anyone to park in the main parking spot, and were sending people to an offsite shuttle bus area. Well, we were a little discourage, but drove to the offsite shuttle bus area. When I think of shuttle bus, I think of small 8-15 seater, but these shuttle buses were full fledged buses!! There was a line of about 50-75 people waiting for the next bus. We decided to skip the Arboretum, given the huge amounts of people that were going. We instead went to Prarie Creek to get some pictures of the waterfalls (See my thread in the DFW Photo Location Forum for details on that one http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...=22390&page=2).

On later review when I got home, I saw that there was a "Autumn at the Arboretum" event going on. Did anyone go to this event? Got any pictures to share? I'm just curious if our decision to skip was a wise one, or if we should have fought through the crowds and stuck around.

Also, does anyone know if the Arboretum allows tripods? I know the FT Worth Botanical gardens do not, and I looked on the Arboretum's web site and couldn't find anything on it.

Ahh! · 10-28-2007, 10:33 PM

Arboretum has been good to me...no problems, but I have not used a tri yet. We signed up as members, and I brought a ton of gear, but if it is family, no photog restrictions or paperwork to sign.

Jaggz · 10-29-2007, 07:13 AM

I was at the Arboretum yesterday for an engagement shoot - and it was SO crowded! Almost every frame I had to wait for people to pass - or ask them politely to step to one side for a second. We also had a couple people tagging along behind us - like some stalkers! The couple thought that was really funny. I guess they're so busy because of the great weather and the pumpkins they had all over the place. Anyhow - it was a great day - worth the hassle of dealing with it all.

Snactuary · 10-29-2007, 10:00 AM

I've brought a tripod to the Arboretum - I didn't have any problems. Of course, it was stored in our stroller - but I still don't think they have any restrictions...

BigBlueDodge · 10-29-2007, 10:37 AM

Sarah, did you use the tripod while you were there? Did anyone approach you about it?

beenew · 10-29-2007, 11:55 AM

I've used the tripod few times without any problems, but this was about 2 years back. I think they only care if you are a professional photographer.

RDM · 10-29-2007, 12:55 PM

Was there this past August, no problems bringing a tripod.

MHampton · 10-29-2007, 01:03 PM

I used at tripod at there a few weeks back and they didn't question me. In fact, it was me and my wife's first time there so I took all my lenses and such. When we saw that we could rent a little red wagon for $5, we jumped at it. All that equipment and no questions asked from us. Of course, it was probably obvious that I wasn't there for any "professional" shooting. :)

Joe_Lorenzini · 10-29-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaggz

I was at the Arboretum yesterday for an engagement shoot - and it was SO crowded! Almost every frame I had to wait for people to pass - or ask them politely to step to one side for a second. We also had a couple people tagging along behind us - like some stalkers! The couple thought that was really funny. I guess they're so busy because of the great weather and the pumpkins they had all over the place. Anyhow - it was a great day - worth the hassle of dealing with it all.

Sounds interesting. Any images to share showing off what it's looking like down there?

BigBlueDodge · 10-29-2007, 01:58 PM

I second that. I could see bits and pieces as we were driving buy, and it did look interesting. I would like to see what it looked like on the inside, if you don't mind.

L Stegall · 10-29-2007, 02:04 PM

Fall Blooms is a great time to go to the Arboretum, but, as with Spring Blooms, it can get very crowded. I always try to get there when it opens on Sunday mornings, when it doesn't seem to be AS crowded (guess lots of people are in church). By late morning, though, it gets crowded, no matter what you do. Tripods are not a problem. I shoot at the Arboretum often.

Jaggz · 10-29-2007, 02:50 PM

I'm hammering away on the processing at the moment....we really tried to stay away from the crowds - and didn't get any shots with the "fall pumpkins and such"....there had to have been 50 kiddos in costume when we walked by the portion with the pumpkins and stuff. So really....our shots look more like your every other Arboretum shots!

I'll post a few up here in a bit.

Jaggz · 10-29-2007, 02:54 PM

Just one for now....

bondarnes · 10-29-2007, 03:09 PM

I have photographed "professionally" at the Arboretum several times. I always use a tripod and there has never been a problem. Things may change in the future, but for now there are no special rules that I am aware of for professional photographers.

AnnetteT · 10-29-2007, 03:49 PM

If you look on their Web site, they say there is no charge (except regular admission) for wedding and non-commercial photography.

The only time they charge is for commercial photo shoots. I art directed a catalog shoot there once for JC Penneys and we had to pay a commercial rate. To be fair, however, you bring in equipment, models, additional support staff, etc., etc. and it's quite a bit like taking the place over...especially when you're setting up and tearing down all over the park...

For that, there aren't a lot of places that DON'T charge...

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Dallas Arboretum - Autumn at the Arboretum