If you've ever driven through Old East Dallas there is one stretch of the area that transports people into an entirely different time and space. 5 minutes from Downtown Dallas is the Historic Swiss Avenue. Over the span of just a few blocks lives some of the most gorgeous home you'll see in all of North Texas. I myself was lucky enough to live one block away from these homes and loved how lush my walks around the neighborhood felt.

Many of the homes were built around the turn of the 20th century, the building I was living in was itself built in 1904. Around WWII the homes became hostels for single women and widows and as I have been told the city considered this side of Dallas to be worthless. So much so that by the 1960s the city was beginning preparations and plans for tearing down the entire section of Old East Dallas in favor of more parking and office buildings. Luckily the residents fought back, and the Swiss Avenue Historic Society began. They argued for the architectural marvels that were these homes, and could prove how valuable keeping this part of the city alive would be to the entirety of Dallas.

One of these homes saved is Aldredge House.

The house was finished in 1918, with it's original owners moving just a year later. Then in 1921 it was bought by the Aldredge family who lived their until their donation of the home to the Dallas County Medical Society Alliance Foundation in 1974. Today it is a museum and official Texas Landmark. When I lived in the area I got to take my mom on the Mother's Day home tour that the Swiss Avenue Historic Society puts together and through that tour Aldredge House and learn so much more about my own neighborhood. I've so loved meeting the people who run the home so much that this is now my top spot for luxury engagement photos in the entirety of North Texas.

If you are like me and love grand homes that make you feel like you're in the middle of Downton Abbey, The Gilded Age, or Bridgerton then this is absolutely your spot. Aldredge House has a French Eclectic architectural style that absolutely calls out to me, and being in the middle of a city can make you feel like you're missing out on these kind of details. But this home is a breath of fresh air in our modern times, with a certain kind of whimsy that can make everyone feel like they're living their dream life.

If you're interested in getting a session at the Aldredge House here are some tips below!

Aldredge House books all sessions taken at the museum for 2 hours minimum at $300. Because photo sessions are typically one hour, I typically stretch any sessions at Aldredge House to 90 minutes complimentary. That way all couples can get a chance to change their clothes for the second half and we can get a variety of content on the entire property.

With this in mind I always recommend we book the session for 90 minutes pre-sunset. We start inside the house when the sun is still higher than that perfect golden hour for the first 30-45 minutes, and then spend the rest of the time out in the back and front yards. The lighting that hits the house just as the sun dips below the horizon is magical, and even with the rest of Swiss Avenue as a back drop you are guaranteed something amazing.

I have spoken with the managers and members of the Swiss Avenue Historic Society multiple times and they absolutely are thrilled that people want to come here and take photos with the house. In order for us photographers and our clients to keep this amazing relationship we have going we HAVE to be respectful and be strict about the rules of the museum.

• Only 2 people are allowed to be photographed at one time. If you are looking for a larger accommodation that is a completely different classification and requires a different rental fee, but you are free to contact Aldredge House's liaison for more information on that.
• If you are wanting to bring another outside vendor (i.e. musician, horse drawn carriage, vintage car, etc), you must contact Aldredge House.
• Boudoir photography is not allowed.
• All floors and carpets must be protected from equiptment.
• All furnishings shall not be removed or taken outside of Aldredge House.
• No tacks, staples, or tape of any kind may be used on floors, walls, furniture or carpets on the interior or exterior of the House.
• NO RICE, CONFETTI, FLOWER PETALS, BIRDSEED, GLITTER NOR ANY OTHER MATERIAL MAY BE THROWN EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE.
• No open flame candles are permitted.
• Food and drink are not permitted upstairs except for water.
• Smoking is prohibited in the House.
• Animals are prohibited in the House.
• Clients are not permitted on the roof except in an emergency evacuation.

This might feel obvious, especially when you're living in Texas and might get your photos done during the summer, but even when you are inside you should stay hydrated. This home is very old, and even though they added central heating & air... the house is *very* old. When you are upstairs the air can go thick and hot fast, even when it's March and everything outside feels so nice.

It's also a solid reminder in general to stay hydrated.

This is a solid reminder in general, but your outfits have to also fit the vibe you are expecting to come from the Aldredge House. If you want your vibe to be Old Money then your styling has to extend to yourself as well. Trust me, one day I will do a style guide, but don't let your photos be ruined by a graphic tee.

In order to keep the house up there does have to be a fee, but in my opinion this is a steal. You could find double there price for half as long at other comparable spots in North Texas, but Aldredge House is only charging $300 for two hours. This is a set price 7 days a week, with only a $50/hr after the first two hours. For this price you get the entire property completely private. And trust me, every inch of this place is photogenic.

To reserve a date and time or for additional information, contact: Aldredgehouse@gmail.com

Tell them Taylor Anne Neel recommended them for a session ;)

If you're considering a session at Aldredge House I would love to be your photographer! You can check out the rest of Isabella and Dillon's engagement session below, and you can contact me HERE to begin the planning process!