Best Locations for Family Photos in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & Jacksonville
One of the first questions families ask after booking is, "Where should we take our photos?"
The good news is that Northeast Florida offers an incredible variety of locations, from beautiful beaches and historic landmarks to moss-draped oak trees and riverfront parks. Whether you're looking for a classic beach session, a natural Florida setting, or something with historic charm, there's a location to fit your family's style.
Here are some of my favorite locations for family photos throughout St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, and Jacksonville.
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Best For:
Families wanting both gardens and beach photos
Extended family sessions
Maternity sessions
Visitors vacationing in Palm Coast or St. Augustine
Washington Oaks offers one of the most unique backdrops in Northeast Florida. The formal gardens feature beautiful oak trees, walking paths, flowers, and fountains, while the beach side offers coquina rock formations that create a completely different look within the same session. See a past Spring session at the gardens here and a December extended family session here.
Best time: This location is best from 2.5 hours prior to sunset to one hour prior to sunset.
Guana Preserve
Best For:
Nature lovers
Maternity sessions
Families and extended wanting a natural Florida backdrop
Beach sessions that can start slightly earlier than one hour before sunset
Guana Preserve offers beautiful coastal vegetation, trails, and open natural landscapes. It's perfect for families looking for something different from a traditional beach session. You can see a past family session at Guana here and a extended family session here.
Best time: 2 hours prior to sunset up to sunset
Historic Downtown St. Augustine
Best For:
Families who love architecture and history
Older children
Couples and maternity sessions
With cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and charming architecture, downtown St. Augustine provides a completely different look from the beach while still feeling uniquely Florida. You can see more sessions at this location here and here.
Best time: Early morning
The Fort & Castillo de San Marcos Area
Best For:
Historic St. Augustine charm
Families wanting a mix of nature and architecture
Vacationing families
Sunrise and early morning sessions
The areas surrounding Castillo de San Marcos offer beautiful waterfront views, historic architecture, and a distinctly St. Augustine feel. The combination of the fort, palm trees, coquina walls, and the Matanzas River creates a backdrop that feels timeless and uniquely local.
This location works especially well for families visiting St. Augustine who want their photos to reflect the character and history of the city rather than a traditional beach setting. You can see a sunset family session at the fort here.
Best time: Early morning or the hour before sunset
Alpine Groves Park
Best For:
Families and extended families who love oak trees and Spanish moss
Fall and winter sessions
Sunset sessions
Alpine Groves offers beautiful river views, oak canopies, and a peaceful natural setting. It provides one of the best alternatives to the beach while still feeling distinctly Northeast Florida. See a session at that location here.
Best time: Late afternoon and sunset
Walter Jones Historical Park
Best For:
Families wanting oak trees and historic charm
Milestone sessions
Families who prefer greenery over sand
Located in Ponte Vedra, Walter Jones Historical Park offers many of the same beautiful oak-lined pathways people love about Alpine Groves, along with historic buildings and riverfront views.
Best time: Morning or late afternoon
Boneyard Beach
Best For:
Families looking for something unique
Adventurous older children
Extended family sessions
Coastal, organic landscapes
Boneyard Beach is one of the most distinctive locations in Northeast Florida. The weathered driftwood trees scattered along the shoreline create a dramatic and artistic backdrop unlike anywhere else in the area.
This location is perfect for families who love nature and want a session that feels a little different from a traditional beach portrait. The driftwood, open shoreline, and coastal textures create beautiful depth and interest in photographs.
Because the terrain can be uneven, Boneyard Beach is often best suited for families with older children who are comfortable walking over sand and driftwood. See a full family session here.
Best time: 1.5 hours to 1 hour prior to Sunset
Johansen Park
Best For:
Families staying in Atlantic Beach or Neptune Beach
Morning sessions
Palm trees and coastal scenery
Families looking for something different from a traditional beach session
Johansen Park offers a beautiful mix of mature palm trees, open green spaces, and coastal charm. One of my favorite features is the way the morning light filters through the palms, creating a bright and airy feel without the crowds often found at the beach.
This location works especially well for families who want a relaxed outdoor setting with a distinctly Florida look while avoiding sandy feet and windy beach conditions.
Best time: Sunrise through approximately one hour after sunrise
Cradle Creek Preserve
Best For:
Families who love nature
Sunset sessions
Couples and maternity sessions
Families looking for a quiet, natural setting
Cradle Creek Preserve is one of St. Augustine's hidden gems. The preserve features winding boardwalks, native Florida vegetation, marsh views, and beautiful golden light in the evening.
The natural surroundings create a peaceful backdrop that feels distinctly Old Florida. It's a wonderful choice for families who prefer a more organic setting and want something different from the beach while still embracing the beauty of Northeast Florida.
Because of the variety of scenery, Cradle Creek works well for both family sessions and smaller gatherings, offering a mix of open views and intimate natural spaces.
Best time: The hour before sunset
Nocatee Kayak Launch
Best For:
Families who love a coastal feel without the beach
Palm trees and waterfront views
Flexible scheduling around summer weather
Nocatee and Ponte Vedra families
The Nocatee Kayak Launch offers a beautiful mix of waterfront scenery, palm trees, docks, and coastal textures. The Intracoastal Waterway creates a relaxed Florida backdrop that feels both natural and unique.
One of the biggest advantages of this location is its flexibility. Because it isn't directly on the beach, session times can often be adjusted more easily around afternoon storms and changing weather conditions. It's a wonderful option for families who love the coastal look but prefer something a little different from the sand and surf.
Best time: Late afternoon and sunset and early morning
Beach Locations
Some of the most popular family photo locations in Northeast Florida are our beautiful beaches. From wide open shorelines and rolling dunes to driftwood-covered coastlines and quieter stretches of sand, each beach offers a different look and experience.
Choosing the right beach often depends on the age of your children, the size of your group, the season, and the overall feel you're hoping to achieve in your photos.
To help families decide which beach is the best fit, I've created a separate guide comparing my favorite beach locations throughout St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and the surrounding areas.
Learn more about the best beach locations in St Augustine, Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra by clicking the button below.
Which Location Is Right For Your Family?
If you're unsure which location is the best fit, don't worry. I help every family choose a location based on the ages of their children, the season, the time of day, and the overall look they envision for their photos.
Whether you're planning a family session, maternity session, or extended family gathering, I'll help you select a location that feels beautiful, comfortable, and uniquely suited to your family. You can also learn more about how to choose the right location, by clicking here to read an article I recently wrote about this topic.
