location that's not a park!

[lfelthous]

I am tired of the same old sessions...parks, trees, waterfalls...nature blah blah blah! :) Any good places within 30 minutes of Plano/Murphy that would have something more along the lines of an urban feel? I need places for senior portraits, and family portraits.

[toverman]

Like Dallas?

[lfelthous]

Originally Posted by toverman

Like Dallas?

Yes, "like" dallas, just don't want to go downtown. Most of my clients think that's too far to go.

[toverman]

To me, urban is about textures and backgrounds, so it doesn't really matter where you go. I've shot some interesting things on the back side of Wylie's downtown area. Murphy is getting too Plano-like lately, but there are bound to be some interesting textures on some of the older buildings left standing (if there are any). I don't know about anything specific in Plano, but if "urban" means shiny, tall buildings, there are several just down 75 in Richardson that may do the trick. I've also seen some neat things done with the DART train stations (light rail seems "urban" to me) and, from a safe distance, the moving trains. Just thoughts!

Wish I could be more specific, but after I graduated from Wylie High 17 years ago, I haven't spent much time there except brief visits to see family.

[klynam]

Most towns (suburbs) still have an "old downtown" where you can find old buildings - or at least some old walls - and train tracks. Even if the core of the old downtown is being spruced up, look around in a 1/2 mile radius around the downtown and you'll find a mix of older housing and industrial areas. Those can be good hunting grounds too.

Sometimes you find a really cool setting but it isn't that big of an area to work with so you really have to visualize your subject in a cropped background. And sometimes I've found areas that are just killer for ONE SETUP but nothing else nearby so it's a tossup as to whether or not its' worth the drive/time/effort for just one shot...

[LEATHERNECK]

Go check out Addison Circle in Addison....its right off the Dallas Tollway and north of Beltline.

[klynam]

Addison Circle is a cool modern urban setting. Along those lines, there is a similar residential/retail community surrounding a small pond East of the tollway and south of 121. Can't remember the exact crossing street but I've shot some nice urban photos there.

[L Stegall]

I don't know what that Cotton Mill place charges, but it looks awesome. Also, what about the downtown square in McKinney?

[jdickson01]

Why don't you try the shops at Legacy. They have many nooks and crany's that look urban and it won't be that far for your customers to go.

[J Eddington]

Go to the old downtown area in Plano and go down the alleys. They always work. Even in McKinney go behind the buildings. That is where all the "mess" is at.

[lfelthous]

Originally Posted by toverman

To me, urban is about textures and backgrounds, so it doesn't really matter where you go. I've shot some interesting things on the back side of Wylie's downtown area. Murphy is getting too Plano-like lately, but there are bound to be some interesting textures on some of the older buildings left standing (if there are any). I don't know about anything specific in Plano, but if "urban" means shiny, tall buildings, there are several just down 75 in Richardson that may do the trick. I've also seen some neat things done with the DART train stations (light rail seems "urban" to me) and, from a safe distance, the moving trains. Just thoughts!

Wish I could be more specific, but after I graduated from Wylie High 17 years ago, I haven't spent much time there except brief visits to see family.

Older buildings left standing in Murphy?!! The oldest thing still standing is the neighborhood that was build 4 years ago! :)
I've checked out downtown Wylie, but was pretty limited on what I could use considering all the changes that have happened in the past couple years. I would really love some brightly colored walls, murals, grafitti, etc...but the only thing Wylie has to offer is a mural of Jesus on the cross...not the direction I'm wanting to go.
I never thought about the DART rail station. I think I'll go check that out later this week. Thanks!

[bthompson]

I know of a few.. :)
How much you willing to pay me for the info? Just kidding!!

Plano:


McKinney: (And NOT $50 an hour)


McKinney, same area:


Princeton, which is East of McKinney:






Let me know if you are interested in any of these places and I will give you location details. Well the first one is easy, but I'll let you guess first. :P

[brad]

There is an old rail car (and non-functioning railroad tracks) in old downtown Plano....

[bthompson]

Are you talking about Haggard Park? Every time I've been there it's been locked up.. It has a fence around it.

[brad]

Don't know what its called, but the building next to it is not inside the fence.

There is also an indoor skate park across the street and a little East of that... they've let me shoot inside (and in their outside part) before.