Say cheese: 10 picturesque photo-taking spots around Dallas-Fort Worth

Carrying a camera no longer means lugging a tote or carting around a bulky bag in preparation for a possible photo op. With quality cameras built right in to most smartphones, taking and sharing pictures can be as easy as grabbing your phone and uploading your pics to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. But where should one look to find some fabulous photo ops around town? Luckily, the Dallas-Fort Worth area happens to be a photographer's paradise, with ample green space, cityscapes and artwork around every corner.

The Dallas Arts District
Home to Annette Strauss Artist Square, the Belo Mansion, the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Nasher Sculpture Center and more, the Dallas Arts District provides countless beautiful backdrops and lavish landscapes all within a 68-acre area. The nearby Klyde Warren Park offers prime spots for people-watching and photo ops, as well as panoramic views of both Downtown Dallas and Uptown.

Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge
The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge is one of three Trinity River bridges designed by Santiago Calatrava. One of Dallas' newest landmarks, the 400-foot white arch anchors the cable-stayed portion of the bridge with 58 cables ranging in size from four to eight inches in diameter. This beautiful, clean-lined structure is a welcome addition to any photo of the Dallas skyline.

Deep Ellum
Scattered throughout Deep Ellum lie a collection of eclectic sculptures and outdoor murals which add color and flair to the hip and rapidly growing neighborhood. From the Bark Park art at the intersection of Commerce and 75, to the giant TV that features a robot and T Rex on Elm, photos taken here rarely need a filter to make a statement.

Fair Park
The 80-acre site of the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition is home to nine museums, six performance facilities, a lagoon and the Texas Star: the largest Ferris wheel in North America. While it's busiest during State Fair Season, Fair Park's Art Deco architecture is a welcome sight year-round.

The GeO-Deck at Reunion Tower
After a six-year closure for renovations, the 360-degree observation deck of the iconic Reunion Tower has reopened for business. The GeO-Deck features powerful telescopes, high-definition cameras and interactive digital displays which allow its visitors to see all that Dallas has to offer from high above its skyline.

The Fort Worth Water Gardens
Built on the southern end of downtown Fort Worth, the Water Gardens provide a stunning spot for special occasions, as well as an opportunity to explore everyday beauty. Whether you choose to capture some photographs while standing near one of the three meticulously constructed pools or atop its stair-stepped mountain, this outdoor paradise is billed as a "cooling oasis in the concrete jungle."

Pioneer Plaza
Just outside the doors of City Hall and the Dallas Convention Center is a Texan-sized tribute to Dallas's Cowtown roots. The sculptures of 70 steers and three trail riders comprise the largest bronze monument of its kind in the world. As complements to these sculptures, an artificial ridge, man-made limestone cliff, native landscaping, a stream and a waterfall add a beautiful backdrop to any photo op.

Fort Worth Stockyards
Keep the Cowtown theme alive a little farther west at the Fort Worth Stockyards. In addition to its live cattle drives every day at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., let your camera capture the Old West feel of Fort Worth's authentic saloons, country dance halls, cobblestone roads, livestock show and rodeo.

AT&T Stadium
Home of the Dallas Cowboys, and formerly known as Cowboys Stadium, this colossal stadium offers just as many inspiring photo opportunities inside as it does out. With the world's largest column-free interior and the fourth largest high-definition screen, visitors can enjoy sporting events and concerts from behind the lens without the worry of obstructed views.

Turtle Creek
This hidden gem nestled in Dallas's Oak Lawn neighborhood is the hub of many historic homes, restaurants and shops, as well as the lush and luxurious landscape of Turtle Creek and the Katy Trail. The Turtle Creek Association supports the multitude of flowerbeds and medians that surround the creek year-round, transforming the land from a standard green space into one of Dallas's most picturesque outdoor hotspots.

Every picture tells a story, and Dallas-Fort Worth is an open book with new chapters being written every day. Explore the city and find the perfect picture to help tell yours!

Rachel Kaufman is a Houston-born, Mizzou-schooled and Dallas-based writer.