Discover Smith
47 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
501 West 32nd Street
Located at Faulkner Park in Tyler, Texas, this location is a versatile spot for lifestyle and portrait photography. The park offers a blend of natural East Texas pine forests and structured recreational facilities like tennis and basketball courts. Photographers can leverage the dappled sunlight filtering through the tall trees or use the clean, geometric lines of the sports courts for themed or athletic-focused shoots.
208 South College Avenue
Downtown Tyler block featuring historic brick facades, storefronts, signage and street-level character—good for architectural detail, urban street scenes and moody evening light. Easy curbside parking and walkable sidewalks; public access with no entry fee. Best at golden hour or after sunset when shop windows and neon pop; weekday mornings are quieter. Expect typical Texas weather—hot summers, cool winters—so plan for heat or late-afternoon storms.
2203 West Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
A stretch on W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Tyler offers everyday urban and community scenes—residential architecture, storefronts, sidewalks and local life—useful for documentary, street and portrait work. Visit early morning or late afternoon for warm directional light; weekdays are quieter for unobstructed compositions. Street parking is typically available; no entry fees. Respect private property and local residents; MLK corridors often reflect important cultural history worth photographing
10025 Fm 850
A rural stretch on FM 850 just south of Tyler offering quintessential East Texas scenes: wide skies, tree-lined fences, scattered oaks and pastureland that catch dramatic light at sunrise and sunset. Seasonal wildflowers (spring) and changing foliage (fall) add color. Site is roadside with limited pullouts—park safely off pavement, respect private land. Best visited at golden hours for warm side-light and long shadows; weekdays are quieter. No formal entry requirements or facilities—bring water,
Historic Aviation Memorial Museum
Small museum on Tyler Municipal Airport showcasing restored military and civilian aircraft, cockpits, engines and memorabilia. Shoot wide interiors of hangars, detail shots of rivets and gauges, and exterior silhouettes against sky. Best on weekday mornings or golden hour for warm side-light; interiors may need higher ISO or flash. Easy parking on-site; modest entry fee. Accessible grounds with friendly volunteers often willing to open cockpits for photos.
Lake Tyler fishing barge and camp grounds
Small fishing barge and adjacent campgrounds on Lake Tyler offer intimate waterscape shots: reflections, anglers silhouetted at golden hour, shoreline trees and campfires after dusk. Best at sunrise or sunset for soft light and mirror reflections; weekdays and early mornings are quieter. Access via McElroy Rd with limited parking and simple dirt access—bring mosquito repellent, a tripod and check local access/fee rules before arrival.
Mrs. Lee's Daffodil Garden
A seasonal carpet of daffodils offering vibrant color fields and close-up floral detail. Best visited late winter–early spring (typically Feb–Mar) during bloom season. Sunrise or overcast mornings give soft, even light; golden hour adds warmth to rows and trees. Expect uneven ground—wear boots. Check local listings for open dates or festivals; roadside parking is usually available but arrive early on peak days to avoid crowds.
Northside Park
Northside Park sits on Tyler’s lakefront with walking trails, open lawns, mature trees and shoreline views — ideal for peaceful landscape, waterscape and golden-hour portraits. Visit sunrise or late afternoon for warm side-light and reflections. Parking is available on-site; paths are wheelchair-accessible. Weekdays and early mornings offer fewer visitors. No entry fee.
Lake Tyler
Lake Tyler is a low-key reservoir offering calm water reflections, reed and cypress-lined shorelines, and seasonal birdlife—great for intimate waterscape and nature shots. Best at sunrise and sunset for warm light and glassy reflections; early mornings on weekdays minimize boat traffic. Access from public parks and boat ramps; parking available but vary by spot—carry mosquito repellent in warm months. No special entry permits for shore photography, but check private properties and drone rules.
Mrs. Lee's Garden
Compact, photogenic community garden with flower beds, winding paths and intimate planting vignettes—great for close-up florals, environmental portraits and quiet landscape frames. Best in spring–early summer when blooms peak; visit early morning or late afternoon for soft directional light and fewer visitors. Likely limited parking on-site; check opening hours or workshop events before arrival. Accessible on foot from the road; respectful behavior requested around private/volunteer areas.
SantaLand
Seasonal holiday park of oversized light displays, Santa meet-and-greets, rides and themed sets — ideal for festive nightscapes, colorful long-exposures and candid family portraits. Visit November–December after dusk for showpiece lights; weekdays and opening hour give fewer crowds. On-site parking and paid admission; pathways are stroller/wheelchair friendly but some displays are crowded. Check event calendar for special nights and Santa hours.
Lindsey Park
Small suburban park with walking trails, open lawns and pond reflections — good for intimate landscape, water reflections and wildlife (ducks, herons). Best at golden hour and after rain for saturated colors; weekday mornings have few visitors. Easy parking and flat paths; wheelchair-accessible sections. No special permits for casual photography.
Lindale Country Flea Market
Lindale Country Flea Market offers vibrant stalls, vintage furniture, antiques, and lively vendor portraits—ideal for colorful detail shots, candid street-style scenes, and textured still lifes. Best visited early morning on weekends for fresh light and active bargaining, or late afternoon for warm golden-hour tones. Easy roadside parking and open-air layout make gear changes simple; expect Texas heat in summer and bring sun protection. No formal entry fee; be courteous when photographing people
Breedlove Nursery & Landscape
A working nursery and display gardens offering rows of textured foliage, seasonal blooms, succulents, container arrangements and greenhouse structures—great for close-up plant studies, patterns and informal garden scenes. Best in early morning or late afternoon for warm light; overcast days bring out color saturation. Onsite parking and public access typical; check seasonal hours and ask staff before shooting displays or customers. Weekdays are quieter. Local nursery feel with Texan plantings.
Eastside Park
Small county park with mature trees, winding paths and small water features—good for intimate landscape, seasonal foliage and environmental portraiture. Free entry and on-street/lot parking; mostly flat, wheelchair-accessible trails. Best at golden hour (sunrise/sunset) for warm light and long shadows; overcast days suit even lighting for portraits and macro. Weekday mornings are quieter; spring and fall offer strongest color contrast.
West Old Omen Park
West Old Omen Park is a quiet rural green space—wooded trails, open fields and small water features—good for intimate landscape, nature and seasonal wildflower photos. Visit at golden hours for directional light, spring for wildflowers and migrating songbirds. Park is typically roadside with informal parking; trails are easy but bring insect repellent. Weekday mornings are least crowded.
Rose City Flying Clays
Outdoor clay-target shooting club set in East Texas pine-country offering dynamic action photography (traps, airborne clay targets, shooters in motion), environmental portraits, and rustic facility details. Best light: golden hours for warm backlight on flying clays and rim-light on shooters. Weekends host competitions—arrive early for setup shots; weekdays quieter by appointment. Private club—contact ahead for permission and safety briefing. Gravel parking on site; expect open sky and variable,
Faulkner Park
Small regional park with ponds, oak/pine woodlands and trails offering intimate landscape and waterscape shots, reflections and seasonal color. Easy roadside access off US‑69, free entry and informal parking; mostly flat and accessible for tripods. Best at golden hour (sunrise/sunset) for warm light and reflections; weekdays and early mornings reduce visitors. Expect local birdlife and textured tree lines for compositional variety.
Tyler Boy
Tyler Boy appears to be a roadside attraction/sculptural landmark on a rural county road—good for portrait-style shots, scale comparisons and Americana storytelling. Easily reached by car with roadside parking; best light at sunrise or golden hour for warm tones. Weekdays are quieter; overcast days bring even lighting for detail shots. Bring insect repellent and respect private property signs.
Lighting Up Flint
A community light display along County Rd 149 in Flint — ideal for colorful night photography and festive details. Visit at dusk/blue hour for balanced sky and lights. Easy roadside access and informal parking; check local event dates (seasonal displays) and expect weekend crowds. No entry fee; wheelchair accessible in most areas.
Green Acres Sports Complex
Large multi-field youth and amateur sports complex — shoot fast-paced soccer, baseball, lacrosse games, candid sideline portraits, and atmospheric night matches under stadium lights. Best during golden hour or evening fixtures for dramatic light; weekdays/early mornings are quieter. Ample parking and ADA access; fields are public but major events may require tickets or media passes. Bring water and expect family-oriented crowds; local signage and bleachers create strong compositional lines.
Concession booth
Small concession booth offering strong graphic and textural subjects — vintage signs, bright paint, service windows and queue lines. Shoot during golden hour for warm side light or after dusk for illuminated signage. Accessible at park/field events; usually roadside parking nearby. No entry fees; expect crowds during games or festivals. Good for close-up details, environmental portraits of vendors, and symmetry/composition studies.
RestRoom-Playground
Small, quirky public playground/restroom site in Tyler, TX offering colorful playground structures and candid urban-park moments. Shoot children at play, close-ups of textures and murals, and environmental portraits. Best light at early morning or late afternoon; weekdays are quieter. Easy street parking and free access; bring a zoom for candid shots and respect local families and privacy.
Disk Frisbee Course "Beginner"
A small beginner disc‑golf course set in open lawns and scattered trees — shoot action sequences of throws, environmental portraits of players, and the course layout (tee pads, fairways, baskets). Best light is golden hour for warm tones and long shadows; weekdays or early mornings avoid crowds. Easy roadside parking and likely no entry fee; accessible paths but expect uneven turf. Great for casual sports and park landscape studies rather than dramatic scenery.
East Texas State Fair Administration Office
A modest, utilitarian administrative building on the Tyler fairgrounds that serves as a visual anchor for fair signage, banners, flags and seasonal decorations. Photograph when the fair is active for colorful rides, crowds and neon; off-season captures clean lines, signage and surrounding fairground geometry. Best light: golden hour and blue hour for warm directional light and lit signs. Parking is available on-site; access inside may be restricted—ask fair staff. Weekdays outside fair week are
Stillwater RV Resort
Small lakeside RV resort offering calm water reflections, sunrise/sunset skies, and pastoral East Texas landscapes. Good for shooting waterfront reflections, RV lifestyle scenes, and starry nights. Accessible by car; ample parking for guests. Best light at golden hours; weekdays and shoulder seasons are quieter. Respect private property and campsite rules—ask management before shooting guests' setups.
Frisbee Disk Golf Target
A local disc-golf target in a park setting — shoot dynamic action (players throwing, mid-air discs), close-ups of the basket and chains, and environmental wide shots showing fairways and surrounding trees. Best light is golden hour or overcast days for even light; weekday mornings or evenings reduce crowds. On-site parking is typically available at the park/lot; public course with no entry fee. Casual, community-focused atmosphere; bring insect repellent in warmer months.
Soccer Field #10
Small community soccer pitch at Patriots Park offering clean lines, goal nets and sidelines ideal for sports-action, environmental portraits, and golden-hour wide shots. Easily accessible with on-site parking; no formal entry fees. Visit early morning or late afternoon for soft light and fewer crowds; summer afternoons can be hot with frequent thunderstorms. Local matches bring dynamic moments—respect players and schedules.
Tyler Memorial Funeral Home - Cemetery and Mausoleum
Tyler Memorial Funeral Home cemetery and mausoleum offers formal funerary architecture, rows of headstones, sculpted mausoleums and mature trees—good for moody, contemplative compositions. Visit at sunrise or late afternoon for soft side light and long shadows. Site is accessible from Hwy 64 with on‑site parking; observe quiet, respectful behavior and any posted rules.
Covered Pavillion
A simple covered pavilion set in a suburban park setting — useful for event, architectural and environmental portraits. Shoot wood/steel roof details, leading lines of beams, candid small-group gatherings, and diffuse light under the shelter. Best at golden hour for warm rim light, or overcast days for even soft light beneath the roof. Easy roadside access and free parking; typically no entry fee. Weekday mornings or late afternoons avoid event crowds. Respect private event signage if in use.
Jellystone Park™ Tyler
A family-focused campground with themed cabins, campsites, wooded trails and a seasonal waterpark—good for lifestyle, travel and outdoor camp scenes. Shoot colorful cabin exteriors, campfires, tent setups, kids’ waterplay and tree-lined paths at golden hour. Best at sunrise/sunset for warm light and long shadows; summer evenings offer lively waterpark action but more crowds. Accessible by car with onsite parking; reservations or day-pass may be required for non-guests. Expect family activity, RC
G and B Inflatables
Small family-run inflatables shop with stacks of colorful bounce houses, slides and party gear—great for close-up texture, color studies, and action shots during set-ups or local events. Visit during weekday mornings for quiet product shots; weekends and event days offer dynamic candid action but require owner permission. On-site parking is available; request consent before photographing children. Late-afternoon golden hour softens harsh Texas light; overcast days are ideal for saturated colors.
Soccer Field #4
A community soccer pitch with clear field markings, goals and surrounding trees — great for action sports, candid player portraits and minimalist landscape shots. Best at golden hour or evening matches under floodlights; weekdays are quieter. On-site parking off TX-364 Spur; public access typical for city parks. Bring sun protection in summer and expect flat horizons — composition relies on lines, players and low light.
Lindsey Park Softball Field 1
Small community softball field with well-maintained diamond, backstop, bleachers and park greenery — good for action shots, candid spectator portraits, and textured wide shots of field geometry. Best light is golden hour (sunrise or late afternoon); weekdays and early mornings are quieter. On-site parking at Lindsey Park; public access generally allowed during park hours. No special entry requirements; be mindful of games and local leagues. Useful for practice drills, sports documentary or local
Kids playground Equipment
Small public playground in Smith County offering colorful slides, climbing frames and swings — good for playful abstracts, texture and child portraiture. Visit golden hour or overcast afternoons for soft light. Weekend afternoons are busy; weekdays or early mornings offer empty scenes. Likely free parking nearby and street-level access; always follow park rules and obtain parental consent when photographing children.
Picnic Area West Bound
Small westbound roadside picnic area near Winona, TX offers classic East Texas pine-and-oak scenery, roadside wildflowers and open sky — good for intimate nature and travel shots. Easy pull-off parking, picnic shelters and restrooms make it practical for short stops; accessible from I-20 with no entry fee. Best at golden hour or after rain for saturated colors; weekdays and early mornings avoid highway traffic. Not a destination for dramatic vistas but useful for compositional foregrounds and mo
Public Facilities fields 1-2
Open public sports fields in Tyler offering wide, unobstructed compositions: turf/grass textures, goalposts, bleachers and dramatic skies. Best at golden hour or blue hour for warm side-light and long shadows; weekday mornings and late afternoons are less crowded. Easy roadside parking and no entry fee; accessible paths but limited facilities lighting after dusk. Great for environmental sports shots, minimalist landscapes, and sky studies rather than architectural detail.
Frisbee Golf catcher #9
Disc-golf basket (Hole 9) set amid East Texas pines and fairway contours—great for action shots of throws, environmental portraits of players, and detail close-ups of the basket and chains. Easy access from roadside parking; public park/course with no entry fee. Best at golden hour or overcast afternoons for even light; weekday mornings are quieter. Watch for uneven terrain and insects in summer.
Lindsey Park Softball Field #2
A community softball diamond with bullpen, chain-link backdrops and bright stadium lighting—ideal for action sports, candid team portraits and evening game atmospheres. Best visited during games for dynamic action or at golden hour for warm light and long shadows. Weekday practices are quieter; check league schedules before visiting. On-site parking and public access are typical, though fields may be gated during events—be respectful of players and ask permission when shooting close-up portraits
Dog Park at Love's Travel Stops
Small fenced dog run at a Love’s Travel Stops off I-20 — shoot active pet portraits, candid play interactions, and low-angle environmental portraits with the rural Texas highway and signage as context. Easy roadside access, ample parking, no entry fee; best at golden hour or overcast afternoons for soft light. Weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds; bring water and respect park rules.
Lindsey Park Basketball Court
Small community outdoor basketball court with painted lines, hoops, chain-link backdrops and surrounding park trees — great for gritty sports action, portraits, and geometry-driven urban compositions. Easy roadside parking, no entry fee. Best at golden hour or after rain for saturated colors; evenings work if courts are lit. Weekday mornings are quiet; expect casual local players on weekends.
Mad House Inflatables and Party Rentals, LLC
A colorful commercial rental yard and storefront filled with inflatable slides, bounce houses and party gear — great for vibrant detail shots, lifestyle/event coverage, and playful wide-angle compositions. Best photographed during on-site events or set-ups when inflatables are inflated and people add scale and energy. Weekday mornings are quiet for editorial or product shots; weekends host rentals and parties (more dynamic but crowded). Exterior shoots work well in golden hour for warm light and
Lindsey Park West Parking Public Facility's
Small public parking/launch area serving Lindsey Park West — a practical base for shooting nearby parkland, shoreline reflections, and candid park life. Best at golden hour for warm light and long shadows; sunrise for calm water and fewer people, sunset for silhouettes. Easy vehicle access and free parking; mostly flat and wheelchair-friendly. No special entry permits for general photography; watch for seasonal foliage and occasional events that add interest.
Pyro Party Heroes
A retail event supply and fireworks vendor where photographers can capture colorful product displays, vibrant signage, and seasonal fireworks demonstrations. Visit late afternoon to photograph warm front-lit storefronts; return after dark if public fireworks displays are scheduled. Property is roadside with on-site parking; always request permission before shooting products or staff. Weekdays are quieter; major holidays bring crowds and active displays worth planning around.
Bounce On Over
Bounce On Over is an indoor trampoline & play center with bright colors, lively action and candid family moments. Photograph airborne jumps, foam pits, dodgeball courts and party setups. Best on weekday mornings or early afternoons for smaller crowds; weekends and evenings host birthday parties. Lighting is mixed artificial — expect LED panels and colored accent lights. Ask staff for permission before shooting children; bring a small bag for easy mobility. Free parking on site; location is fully
64 West RV Park
Small roadside RV park near Tyler, TX offering Americana scenes: rows of RVs, wide Texas skies, campfire setups and manicured gravel pads. Best for dawn/dusk skyscapes, night Milky Way/astro shots and environmental portraits of RV life. Accessible from Hwy 64 with on-site parking; respect guests’ privacy and any park rules — ask permission before shooting near units. Weekday mornings are quieter; summer heat affects mid-day light.
Public facilities Bathrooms
An ordinary public restroom building at a roadside facility — shoot for architectural lines, materials, signage, and surrounding landscaping. Best visited on weekday mornings for minimal people; accessible parking nearby. Respect privacy: avoid photographing users and check for local rules. Overcast or golden-hour side light softens concrete textures.