Guide: Picture Perfect
Picture Perfect: Where to Take Family Photos in Downtown Fort Worth
Family photo season is here, and if coordinating outfits, convincing the kids to smile and getting everyone out the door at the same time isn’t enough of an adventure, there’s still one more question: Where are we taking them?
Fortunately, Downtown Fort Worth gives you plenty of options without having to travel very far. Within just a few blocks, you can move from historic architecture and brick-lined streets to green spaces, dramatic water features and some unmistakably Fort Worth backdrops.
We asked two local photography pros, Alyssa Dawn Photography and Tracy Autem Photography, to share some of their favorite Downtown locations and a few tips for getting the most out of your family photo session.
Six Downtown Spots Worth a Shot
Sundance Square
For a classic Downtown Fort Worth backdrop, it’s hard to beat Sundance Square. Historic architecture, brick, city streets and the plaza provide plenty of variety within a relatively small area.
One of Tracy’s favorite things about photographing Downtown is that a session doesn’t necessarily have to stay in one exact location. Sometimes the best backdrop is discovered while walking from one spot to the next.
Best for: Classic Fort Worth, city energy and lots of variety.
Burnett Park
Want some green without losing the Downtown skyline? Burnett Park gives you both.
The three-acre urban park provides trees, lawn and public art surrounded by Downtown architecture, making it easy to capture softer family portraits while still having a distinctly urban setting.
Best for: Families looking for greenery with a Downtown feel.
Historic Flatiron Building
One of Downtown’s most recognizable historic buildings also makes a beautiful photo backdrop. The Flatiron’s architecture adds texture and character without needing much else in the frame.
This would be a great option for families wanting something timeless, especially when paired with a short walk to nearby Downtown streets for a second look.
Best for: Historic architecture and timeless portraits.
Fort Worth Water Gardens
For something completely different, head south to the Fort Worth Water Gardens.
Designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee, the Downtown landmark offers dramatic concrete architecture, cascading water, quieter pools and landscaped areas, giving photographers several very different environments within one location.
Best for: Drama, architecture and photos that don’t look like the traditional family portrait.
AMC Palace 9
Sometimes the backdrop you need isn’t a park or landmark at all.
The area around AMC Palace 9 brings in Downtown’s urban personality, with architecture, streets and nearby details that can create a more relaxed, editorial feel. AMC Palace 9 is located at 220 E. 3rd Street, putting it right in the middle of several other Downtown photo opportunities.
Best for: Urban, playful and less traditional family photos.
The Alley by Scat Jazz Lounge
Here’s one of the spots you might walk right past if a photographer didn’t point it out.
Tucked away off Sundance Square near Scat Jazz Lounge, the alley offers texture and a moodier urban backdrop that feels completely different from the open plaza just a short walk away. Scat itself is tucked into an alley off Sundance Square at 111 W. 4th Street.
Best for: Something unexpected, urban and a little moodier.
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1 Sundance Square Plaza 420 Main Street Fort Worth, TX 76102 |
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2 Burnett Park 501 W 7th Street Fort Worth, TX 76102 |
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3 Historic Fort Worth Flatiron Building 1000 Houston Street Fort Worth, TX 76102 |
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4 Water Gardens Place 100 E 15th Street Fort Worth, TX 76102 |
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5 AMC Palace 9 Theatre 220 E 3rd Street Fort Worth, TX 76102 |
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6 Scat Jazz Lounge 111 W 4th Street #11 Fort Worth, TX 76102 |
Before You Pick a Spot, Tracy Says: Look at the Light
After photographing families, couples and events around Downtown for more than 20 years, Tracy Autem Photography says choosing a location is only part of the equation.
The light may matter even more.
Downtown’s buildings create pockets of light and deep shade throughout the day, meaning a location that photographs beautifully at 9 a.m. may not be the same location a photographer recommends at 5 p.m.
Tracy also recommends considering the season, what your family plans to wear, the ages of your children and how you want the finished photos to feel. A location that works beautifully for a family with teenagers may not be the best choice for three little ones.
And if you’re dreaming of colorful fall leaves for your photos, don’t rush the calendar. Tracy notes that Fort Worth’s best fall color often arrives closer to Thanksgiving than Halloween.
Her biggest takeaway? There isn’t one universally perfect Downtown photo location. The right location depends on your family, your style, the season and the light that day.
Leave It to the Pros 📸
Of course, the easiest way to figure out where to take the photos might be to let someone who knows their way around a camera, and Downtown, help you decide.
A huge thank you to Alyssa Dawn Photography and Tracy Autem Photography for sharing their Downtown favorites and expertise with us.
Both photographers offer portrait photography, and Alyssa specifically features family sessions among her services. Tracy’s Fort Worth team has been photographing weddings and lifestyle moments for more than 20 years.
If family photos are still sitting on your fall to-do list, consider this your sign to get them on the calendar. Reach out to Alyssa or Tracy to book a session and let the professionals help you find the Downtown backdrop that fits your family.