Hi Everyone,

There really is no place like home.

Dallas is where I grew up, so returning to my hometown to photograph this collection was incredibly special. I’ve been fortunate enough to photograph destinations all over the world, but there was something completely different about turning my lens toward a place that has been part of my story from the very beginning.

For this collection, I wanted to celebrate the Dallas I know and love, but, of course, have a little fun with it. Think classic Texas icons mixed with a bit of glamour, whimsy, and the unexpected.

We photographed two iconic Dallas locations, Highland Park Village and Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, and brought along quite the cast of characters to bring the vision to life.

Come behind the scenes with me...

A HOMECOMING AT HIGHLAND PARK VILLAGE

Growing up in Dallas, Highland Park Village is a place that feels synonymous with the city. Between the Spanish-inspired architecture, tiled details, beautiful storefronts, and tree-lined walkways, there was no shortage of inspiration.

But I didn’t want to simply photograph it as you might see it on any given day. I wanted to create my own playful version of Dallas.

And what says Texas more than a longhorn?

Bringing longhorns into such a polished setting created exactly the juxtaposition I was looking for. Seeing one standing casually outside Mi Cocina or Fendi felt unexpected, slightly surreal, and very Dallas.

One of my favorite parts of creating a photograph is taking a familiar place and finding a way to make you look at it differently. There’s usually much more happening outside the frame than you would ever know from seeing the finished image.

DOGS TAKE DALLAS

Of course, the longhorns weren’t our only models.

One of my favorite parts of the shoot was our canine cast. We put out an open call to Gray Malin customers and fans, and the dogs featured throughout the collection are all beloved pets from our community. It made the whole experience that much more fun and memorable.

From a little shopping at Highland Park Village to posing beneath the iconic clock tower, the dogs brought so much personality to every scene.

Working with animals always adds an element of unpredictability to a shoot. You can plan the composition, styling, and props down to the smallest detail, but ultimately, sometimes you just have to wait for your model to decide they’re ready.

Those unexpected moments are often what make the final photograph even better.

CHECKING IN AT THE MANSION

For our next location, we headed to Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek.

The Mansion has this incredible old-world glamour that made it the perfect backdrop for the collection. The beautiful architecture, warm colors, lush grounds, and unmistakable sense of Texas elegance gave us an entirely different world to play with.

Naturally, we brought along a few Texas essentials: cowboy boots, hats, vintage luggage, a beautiful blue convertible, and some very photogenic travel companions. Shoutout to Miron Crosby for letting us borrow their stunning, authentic cowboy boots!

I love building these little worlds within a photograph. Every detail is intentional, but the goal is always for the finished image to feel effortless, as though you just happened upon this wonderfully unexpected scene.

COCKTAIL HOUR

Inside The Mansion, things got even more playful.

We transformed cocktail hour into a gathering of some of Dallas’ most stylish dogs, complete with drinks, accessories, and plenty of personality.

These are the kinds of images I love creating because there’s a story happening within the frame. You can imagine the conversation, wonder who ordered what, and, perhaps most importantly, decide which dog you’d want to have a martini with.

PHOTOGRAPHING HOME

This collection felt different because I wasn’t simply photographing another destination. I was photographing home.

I wanted these images to capture the Dallas I remember while also celebrating what makes the city so much fun today: its style, personality, traditions, and unmistakable Texas spirit.

Cheers,
Gray

SHOP THE DALLAS COLLECTION