If you’re thinking about booking family photos in St. Augustine or anywhere along the Northeast Florida coast, one of the first things I’ll recommend is a sunrise session. I know that may not be what you were hoping to hear. The idea of getting everyone up, dressed, and out the door before sunrise doesn’t exactly sound relaxing; for most moms, it feels like a lot to take on, especially when you’re already managing so much.

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.

One of the questions I hear most from expecting moms is, "Should my partner and child be in my maternity photos, or should this session just be about me?"

The truth is, you don't have to choose.

Your maternity session is a celebration of your pregnancy, but it's also about the people who are preparing to welcome your baby. That's why I include time for a beautiful mix of solo portraits, couples images, and family photographs during every maternity session.

Here's why I believe each part of your session matters.

Many women schedule maternity sessions for their first pregnancy, but it is also important to schedule a maternity session for a second pregnancy. Your family dynamic is about to change and it is the perfect time to capture those last moments as a family of three.

You've been looking forward to your photo session for weeks. You picked the outfits, confirmed the time, packed the snacks, and hyped up the kids all day. Then you get to the beach and your toddler melts down, your seven-year-old refuses to smile, and your oldest is convinced the whole thing is the most embarrassing event of their life.

Sound familiar? It's the number one concern I hear from parents before booking a session. I get it… you're investing real time, money, and effort into this, and the last thing you want is to walk away with nothing to show for it.

If you’re planning family photos during your St. Augustine vacation, there are a few things that can make a huge difference in how relaxed your session feels and how your final images turn out.

When most people think about scheduling family photos, they immediately picture the beach, a park, or another popular outdoor location. While those places can absolutely be beautiful, there is something incredibly meaningful about photographing your family right at home.

When families plan a trip to St. Augustine, they usually think about where to stay, where to eat, and what to do while they’re here, but what they often overlook is how fleeting those vacation moments will feels once you’re home.

You have a few phone photos, maybe a group shot here or there, but not much that truly reflects what the trip felt like and all of those special moments you shared together as a family in a new location.

When I became a family photographer, I didn’t realize how much time I would spend looking at weather reports. I have spent a lot of time analyzing the weather patterns in the Long Island area. As a result, I’m well versed in how to manage rain, and to still give you wonderful family photographs that you’ll love.

As much as I love photographing families at sunset along the beaches and parks in Northeast Florida, that time of day simply is not ideal for every season of life.

Most people think that in home photo sessions can only be scheduled for newborn photos. If you have children under three, evenings can feel unpredictable. late evenings sometimes mean: overtired toddlers, missed naps, late dinners and when little ones are stretched thin, everyone feels it.

Most of my clients who book a beach family session are hoping for an evening with the gorgeous golden glow of a sunset. The beach at sunset is a beautiful location for family photos, but you don’t need to have the sun to have great photos. In fact, I much prefer having some clouds in the sky for a session than a clear sky and when there are dark cloudy evenings can add beautiful dimension and mood to your images.

One of the things I love most about photographing families here in Northeast Florida is when I can help them shape a session that truly works for their season of life. For this extended family session in Crescent Beach, the family was gathering to celebrate their mother’s 70th birthday and they had four little ones under five in the mix. I suggested we keep things simple by photographing them right on the beach behind their rental home, and schedule the session at sunrise when the light is soft and the kids are happiest. It created such a calm, easy morning together. There was no need to rush everyone at the home or load little ones into the car. All they had to do was walk down the steps of their rental.

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.

A favorite client of mine recently booked me for a photo session including the grandparents. Coincidentally, the session took place on grandparents day, which is September 12th. It was a special session for this family because the grandparents were in the states visiting from Germany, so it was the perfect opportunity to capture professional photos with the extended family. I was thrilled to capture this session, not only because I love working with this family, but also because I love photographing grandparents. I figured I would use this session as an opportunity to blog about why I feel including grandparents in your family photos is so important.

One of my favorite things about photographing families in Northeast Florida is how many people choose this area as a place to gather. Sometimes it’s for a vacation, sometimes for a milestone, and sometimes it’s simply to slow down together for a few days.

This sweet extended family was visiting the area from Virginia and was staying at Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa. The family was all here together celebrating grandma’s birthday. Because they were all together, they decided to set aside time for photos together. Those seasons where everyone can be together aren’t always easy to coordinate, which is why sessions like this feel so meaningful.

Choosing where to have your family photos taken is one of the biggest decisions in the planning process. The right location sets the tone, light, and overall mood of your gallery and it should reflect your family’s personality. Whether you love the idea of soft sand between your toes or quiet trails under the oak trees, Northeast Florida has so many beautiful spots to choose from.

Here’s what I tell clients when we start planning together.

There’s something special about having your whole family in one place: grandparents, adult children, in-laws, siblings, and a growing crew of grandkids. It doesn’t happen often, and when it does, it deserves to be remembered in a way that feels honest and joyful.

There’s something really special about St. Augustine in the early morning.

Before the shops open and the crowds arrive, the historic streets feel calm, soft, and almost untouched. This recent morning session in historic St. Augustine was a perfect reminder of why I love photographing families here at the start of the day.

One of the most common concerns parents have before a family photo session is whether their toddlers will cooperate. Many families worry their children will be too busy, too curious, too energetic, or too unpredictable for a smooth session. They imagine needing perfect smiles and perfect stillness in order to create a beautiful gallery.

If you’ve ever tried to get a 15-month-old to sit still for a photo, you already know that it’s nearly impossible. I am here to tell you that this is absolutely okay.

At this age, toddlers are curious, busy, and completely uninterested in posing. They want to explore, run, touch everything, and do things their way and, honestly, that’s exactly what makes photo sessions at this stage so special.