St. Augustine Family Beach Session Near Washington Oaks Gardens
There’s something about the beach that invites everyone to slow down. The sound of the waves, the soft breeze, the warm sand under your feet all has a way of settling the day and making space for connection. This beautiful beach session near Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, just south of St. Augustine, was my very first session of the year, and it couldn’t have been a more meaningful way to begin.
This family had already spent the afternoon together with their extended family in the gardens earlier in the afternoon for a multigenerational photo session.When we were done with those photos, we headed across A1A to the shoreline. By that time, the light softened, the ocean opened up in front of us, and the whole session unfolded in the most natural way. The family simply waled, laughed, explored and enjoyed their time together.
I always love photographing families by the water because it feels relaxed and unposed. Kids get to run and dig their toes into the sand. Parents get to breathe a little deeper. There’s nothing formal or fussy about it and it naturally leads to connection. When a session begins from a connected place, the images that follow tend to feel honest, warm, and full of heart.
Throughout this evening, there were quiet moments and playful ones. There were little arms wrapped tightly around parents’ shoulders, big belly laughs as the waves rolled in, and the sweetest in-between glances that say everything without a word. Those are the kinds of memories that matter to me as a photographer. Not perfection, but closeness, presence, and the love that lives inside a season of life.
Why Families Love Beach Sessions in Northeast Florida
The coastline here — from Palm Coast to St. Augustine to Ponte Vedra — is such a special place for families. The light is soft, the scenery feels expansive and calm, and there’s space for everyone to move and relax. Sessions at the beach tend to feel more like time together than “picture day,” which is exactly what I hope for.
Because the ocean is always changing, every session feels unique. The colors of the sky and sunset always differ, the tone of the ocean waves shifts and, of course, each family’s dynamic is unique. It’s a beautiful place to create images that will remind you not just of how your family looked, but how this season of life felt.
A Lovely Option for Visiting Families
Many of the families I photograph are visiting from out of town and staying at resorts such as Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, in Palm Coast, or nearby at the SawGrass Marriott and Cabana Beach Club in Ponte Vedra or the Casa Monica Resort and Spa in St. Augustine. Regardless of where you stay, scheduling a session during your trip is such a meaningful way to remember your time here and the season of life you’re in.
If you’re traveling, I’m always happy to help with planning including everything from choosing the best time of day for light to offering wardrobe guidance so everything feels cohesive, natural, and comfortable at the beach.
A Session Rooted in Meaning
This session was full of warmth and joy, but also softness and intention and is the kind of evening that feels peaceful even while little ones run and play. If it’s any indication of what this year will hold, I feel incredibly grateful.
Whether you’re local to Northeast Florida or visiting for a beach getaway, photographing families in places like Washington Oaks and the surrounding coastline will always feel special to me. There’s beauty here, but more importantly, there’s connection and that’s what I want your images to show you, years from now.
If you’ve been dreaming of relaxed, heartfelt beach photos…
…I’d love to help you create something meaningful for your family during your time here on the coast.
About Teresa Geraghty Photography
I’m a lifestyle family and newborn photographer based in Ponte Vedra, Florida, serving St. Augustine, Nocatee, Jacksonville, Palm Coast, Amelia Island, and the surrounding coastal areas. My work is centered on connection, emotion, and the beauty of real life — the laughter, the in-between moments, and the season your family is in right now. Whether you live here locally or are visiting, my goal is to create a relaxed, meaningful experience that allows you to simply be together while I quietly document the moments you’ll want to remember. If you’d like to connect, you can reach out to me anytime.