Jacksonville & Neighbors
Jacksonville, FL is truly a beautiful area for photographs. To the normal eye, it is just a city, concrete and bustling with constant movement. But it's not just that. It's a real gem within an amazingly lush state. To me, and creatives like myself, it is a wonderland full of some of the most breathtaking locations in the Southeast region of America. It's perfect for family pictures and maternity photographs. Take a look at my list of favorite places to shoot. You might see one of yours.
Beaches
Amelia Island Beach- The Fernandina Beach fishing pier is such a perfect spot for any beach portraits. I say this because it adds character in the back of your portraits. Beaches start to look the same along the east coast of Florida. There are certain features of each beach that make them stand out and the pier is one of them.
Vilano Beach- This beach is in the heart of Downtown St. Augustine, FL right off of A1A. The jetty is the perfect spot for maternity and even mermaid pictures. The waves crash so beautifully as the setting sun warms you and looks amazing.
Taken at Vilano Beach in St. Augustine, FL
Camp Milton
This historical site is a precious spot for your family portraits. I have held Mother's Day sessions here as well as Maternity, Engagement and Family portraits. With its tall grass, open fields and leading trails to an old wagon, you will find so much character here. There is still some remnants of the fort and its dugouts. My son loves to play by it. Along the main path you can find pieces of history outlined. Some love to bike and exercise, but I just love to capture beautiful pictures of your family. Whether you have your extended family in town for the holiday family picture or your are expecting to add a baby to your house, this is an amazing spot for pictures.
Flower Fields
Hampton Flower Field- Located in Starke FL this flower field is beyond gorgeous!! It's acres and acres of beautiful land filled with different colored wildflowers. This land is very wildlife friendly so please look out for all the woodland creatures and clean up behind yourself. This field blooms around late April/early May.
Conner's A-maize-ing Acres Sunflower Field- We enjoyed our visit at the beautifully infamous Conner's Sunflower Field. Even though I did not offer this location to my clients I did have a beautiful time capturing my sister here. The way the sunset peaked over the trees was breathtaking. Even though I have not visited Amazing Grace Family Farms I have heard that it is quite the site to see as well. These sunflowers only bloom around May.
Taken at the Hamptop, FL Wildflower Field (Starke, FL)
Friendship Fountain & the Jacksonville Riverwalk
While working Downtown Jax you run into some very mundane spots, but being a photographer in Northeast Florida I get to creative some amazing portraits at these everyday places. If you haven't visited the Riverwalk along the St. Johns River you are missing out. As you walk down there is an underpass filled with a reflective mosaic mural that will shock you. An even more astonishing spot is the Friendship Fountain. Check out this couple's session blog to see just how AMAZING their session turned out at all the places I named at this city favorite.
Treaty Oak
I can write about this location for days. It is a small area in Downtown Jacksonville right on the corner of Prudential Drive. For a year I worked over there and had no idea this gem was just so magical. The history behind Treaty Oak is that of an unusual, but very necessary matter. This spot is extremely popular for pregnant couples, family sessions and growing littles. I love when a client wants to shoot here because of the many romantic looks we can photograph here. The way the sun peeks through the leaves is just so stunning and warming. I have been there whether in sunshine or rain. Each time is even better than the last. Some places grow old over time. Not this one.
Washington Oaks Garden State Park
This has been a dream location of mine for the longest time. I finally got to photograph a maternity session with a family from Colombia. They were the perfect models for this amazing location. This state park has beautiful rose gardens, water features that will make your portraits truly pop and some of the most amazing tall trees. Across from this stunning park is a beach with some amazing rock features. The waves crash against it and really makes for amazing drama in the background of your images. It was this photographer's dream come true.
