Places around the Mid-cities area

[acrumpledphoto]

I have been asked to do my first portrait session with family friends. - On Easter weekend. The "kids" are 28 and 22... just to kind of give you an idea.. I've browsed the threads, to see if there is anything mentioned around this area... i didnt see anything -not anywhere that i think that won't be busy - since it's Easter weekend.so... Wondering if you guys have any suggestions... anywhere in the Hurst, Euless,Bedford, North Richland Hills, Watauga, Haltom City Area. not really sure of what kind of background im looking for, but something maybe like a park (once again... Maybe lots of families out there at the time) - or maybe like something with just some brick backgrounds, or something... Im not really sure, this is all very new to me. Thanks in advance. :-)

[Randy Chambers]

Grapevine has some good locals but I have never shot them. Do a forum search and see what you find.

[bburton]

You're from Bedford; one of the nicest area locales for photography is the pond at Bedford Boys Ranch.

[acrumpledphoto]

I'll look into Grapevine, I actually work in Grapevine, so i can go wondering around one day and see if i see any ideal spots. :-)
Just concerned about all the families and such out at the park for their Easter Egg hunts and such... probably not the best time to try and get a family photo with lots of people in the background and such... want to try and make this the best possible.. (it is my first session... ) Yes, i totally agree that that Bedford Boys ranch would be a fabulous place to take photos (when it wont be a billion people out there lol. ) ... great idea.

[toverman]

I'd second Grapevine, particularly the downtown area. There are a lot of cool textures, old buildings and a static train display. The depot might be bustling if there are any Easter-day activities ... I seem to remember they have the Easter Bunny on the Tarantula leading up to Easter, but not sure what you'd encounter on that Sunday.

There's an interesting graffiti wall in Haltom City of an underwater scene. I've photographed younger kids there. There are also a few parks, but not worth making the trip unless you'd already be closer to this end.

[GadgetVirtuoso]

Chisholm Park on Norwood Dr is nice. There's a large pond, foot bridge, along with some unique looking trees.

[adbaker0818]

I would also highly recommend Downtown Grapevine. Main St. is just awesome with cool textures and nice nooks, but the Grapevine Train Station is really the easiest choice. Static trains, non-working tracks you can use, cool yellow walls, green trees, open fields.

You can also check the Grapevine Botanical Gardens. There's some debate on another thread here if it's free to use, but I e-mailed them and talked to the park director who said there was no charge, so I'm gonna go with that. It was beautiful the last time I was there in the Fall, but I don't know if much has bloomed yet.

There's an abandoned restaurant off of TX-10, a bit West of Industrial, that has these pretty turquoise walls that I love. There's not a lot of variety, but you can see a session I did there:

Ashlee Dawn Photography: Euless, TX Family Photographer

[toverman]

I love your photos on your blog, Ashlee. That restaurant was, at least at one time, a Puerto Rican restaurant. Yum!

Not sure if there's really a debate about the Grapevine Botanical Gardens. It is free to enter and take personal photos, but there are signs at the main entrance (parking lot furthest from the tennis courts/playground) that say professional photography requires a permit. So does the Web site, and this is wording taken today from the downloadable contract:

"BOTANICAL GARDENS AT HERITAGE PARK
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER CONTRACT
In order to be granted access for the purpose of business and commercial
photography to the Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park, a fee of $50 per hour is
required for Professional Photographers that live in Grapevine or have their
business located in Grapevine and $75 per hour for non-Grapevine businesses.
The following are the general rules for professional photography at the gardens.
1. A permit is required for business and commercial photography. Permits
can be obtained at the Recreation Administration office at the Community
Activities Center, 1175 Municipal Way or you may call 817-410-3470.
2. Permits must be on your person during the photo session.
3. Photographers and clients cannot stand in or on plant material and
landscape beds to take photos.
4. Specific areas for a photo shoot are not designated. Photographers may
not block off areas or ask park users to leave. There will be no more than
two commercial photographers at the Botanical Gardens at one time.
5. There is no charge for professional photography during a scheduled
wedding.
6. The length of a photographic session may not exceed 2 hours.
7. Public restrooms are not available for changing clothes.
I understand that by signing this contract that I am liable for replacement of plant
materials and/or garden accessories damages during a photo/filming session.
Upon receipt of a signed contract and payment of the fee, a permit will be issued.
Checks should be made payable to the City of Grapevine, P. O. Box 95104,
Grapevine, Texas, 76099.
I understand that the City of Grapevine is not responsible for any personal injury
or accident that might incur during a filming session. Finally, I understand that
the gardens will not be closed to the public at any time during a photograph
session."

When we post information like this, it isn't to be snarky. It's to help fellow professionals behave in a professional manner and follow rules that are spelled out quite clearly. I would much rather trust what is in writing to what a person says on any given day. Would be quite embarrassing to be tossed out of somewhere when working with clients, but maybe that's just me.

[adbaker0818]

Originally Posted by toverman

When we post information like this, it isn't to be snarky. It's to help fellow professionals behave in a professional manner and follow rules that are spelled out quite clearly. I would much rather trust what is in writing to what a person says on any given day. Would be quite embarrassing to be tossed out of somewhere when working with clients, but maybe that's just me.

Hi Todd, I'm not assuming anyone is being snarky! Honestly, I think any person should contact the owner's of their intended location and verify their right to be there. It's absolutely not worth it to set up a whole session, just to be thrown out in front of a client. I'm simply sharing my experience. Their website says "Please note that professional photography is welcome. For questions regarding photography, please call 817-410-3470 or email Geri Foster." When I e-mailed Geri, her response was "There is no charge for taking photos in the Garden." I don't know any other way to take that! Hence my mention of, "There's some debate."

I'm actually not having any luck finding this contract you've posted. Would you mind sharing the URL? It's interesting to me that there seems to be such contradictory information coming from them.

Thanks for taking a look at my blog Todd! That restaurant has been shut down ever since I've been in this area for the last 2 years. I've only shot there that one time, but it was nice because I love the wall color and there's a great overhang for tons of open shade.

[adbaker0818]

Ok, I just sent a follow up e-mail as well to Geri Foster. This was what I asked:

Hi Geri, there's some debate among myself and some other photographer's. It doesn't seem to be clear if there is a permit required for shooting in your gardens, or if there are fees involved for professional photography. I took it to mean from your below e-mail that there wasn't. Is that the case?

And her response:

In the past there was a fee, but that no longer applies.

[toverman]

Sounds good to me. Last time I was there, parts of the gardens were being worked on. Still nice if you're already in Grapevine.

Here's where the contract came from:
www.grapevinetexas.gov/Portals/0/photographercontract.pdf

[David Whatley]

There is the old Bedford school on Bedford road, just a cpl blocks East of Forest ridge, on the N side of the road. I'm also PMing you another semi private location.

[bgvotaw]

Originally Posted by toverman

Not sure if there's really a debate about the Grapevine Botanical Gardens. It is free to enter and take personal photos, but there are signs at the main entrance (parking lot furthest from the tennis courts/playground) that say professional photography requires a permit. So does the Web site, and this is wording taken today from the downloadable contract.

When we post information like this, it isn't to be snarky. It's to help fellow professionals behave in a professional manner and follow rules that are spelled out quite clearly. I would much rather trust what is in writing to what a person says on any given day. Would be quite embarrassing to be tossed out of somewhere when working with clients, but maybe that's just me.

The response email I got today:

There is no charge at the Botanical Gardens for photography. That's my area, so I'm the one that knows the rules. You can take my word for it. If you are in doubt, print off this email and take it with you.

Thanks

Geri Foster
Parks and Recreation
Recreation Secretary
817-410-3470
gfoster@grapevinetexas.gov

[toverman]

I was already convinced, Bashella.

Went there after a nearby photo shoot to check it out, and the signs are still up (there's also a city-sponsored photo contest with entries due in July). But I'd be happy to use the gardens. There are some nice little areas, but if you've not been don't expect miracles. There are some nice flowerbeds, a few structures and a few small water features that are restricted with chain. There used to be a rustic bridge, but that's now been replaced by an extremely boring, modern pedestrian bridge. Definitely worth the price (free!), but I'd recommend pros scope it out beforehand because it's not just bursting with things.

For photos with kids, there is a playground right there for other opportunities.

[adbaker0818]

[QUOTE=toverman;1106367]There are some nice little areas, but if you've not been don't expect miracles. QUOTE]

This is true! Parks aren't my thing anyway, but sometimes people request it and I've found that this is a nice little garden to use in conjunction with shooting at the train station or down Main St for added variety.