Tips for Capturing the Most Instagram-Worthy Pictures at the Dallas Arboretum
Spring is the perfect time to get to the Dallas Arboretum and get those likes! We were named one of the Most Instagram-Worthy Botanical Gardens in the U.S. by Better Homes & Gardens, and rightfully so: 66 acres of beautifully designed and maintained gardens provide the perfect photo op for any occasion. The colors, ever-changing flora and gorgeous views of Dallas can add life to any Instagram feed. Read more for our top tips on capturing the best photos and check out @thedallasarboretum on Instagram for inspiration. Once you’re done, pay us a visit and try it out for yourself.
Visit during different times of the day – and the year!
The garden is open daily from 9am–5pm: if you’re going to be visiting for a while, use the time to your advantage! The same spot looks vastly different in the morning and afternoon. Try taking pictures first thing in the morning for a fresh, bright-eyed look and then again in the late afternoon for that golden hour glow. Gardens like A Tasteful Place are perfect for this: follow the path and use White Rock Lake as your backdrop! A cool winter morning in front of the lake can make your photos moodier and edgier, whereas a sunny summer afternoon over the water makes for a warm and welcoming pic.
When in doubt, move around.
There are hundreds of eye-catching spots in the garden. If one captures your attention but you just can’t seem to get the perfect photo, turn around and get a fresh perspective. You’ll be surprised – the garden has so much variety that just moving a few feet to your right or left can look like an entirely new area through a camera lens! One of the things we’re known for is our vistas of color throughout the garden, so follow the paths and stop every so often for pictures. The main paseo has such a wide assortment of flowers and layers of colors that provide a totally different aesthetic depending on which direction you look.
Wide angles not working? Go in for the close up.
Beautiful, expansive areas like Jonsson Color Garden and Crape Myrtle Allee may tempt you to squeeze in as much detail as you can into one picture, but when you find details to focus on and move in on them you may find that you’re getting photos unlike anyone else.
Take photos from a lower position to make them more dynamic.
Many people take pictures from the height they stand at or higher, trying to show all of the flowers spread far and wide. While this is great for showcasing more distance, it can make pictures feel far away. Instead, try squatting or getting into a lower position and taking a pic from there – the shorter depth of field will make flowers and plants look even fuller, and put you right in the middle of the action!
Find beauty in unexpected places.
When you come to the Dallas Arboretum, there are bound to be areas bustling with people – and for good reason! Once you’re done grabbing the must-have photos with everyone else, find somewhere a little more secluded. For example, the reflecting pools and under the archway at A Woman’s Garden are always on everyone’s must-see list. But follow a small pathway to the side and you’ll find more hidden places like the Poetry Garden, where the stone-carved balconies, fields of foxgloves and dappled sunlight make for a unique and stunning picture every time.
Whether you’re a full-on influencer or just an Instagram enthusiast, the Dallas Arboretum is picture perfect for every type of shoot and every level of photographer. Don’t forget to tag us in your posts and stories and use the hashtag #dallasarboretum – we might just be your new biggest fan!
Written by Alyssa Leo, website & digital content manager at the Dallas Arboretum
