Best Places in Sarasota for Family Photos from a Sarasota Family Photographer
Finding a great location for your family photo session is not an easy task. Every family wants breathtaking backdrops and surroundings because these photographs are simply irreplaceable. As a Sarasota family photographer, I can tell you that this area is abundant with gorgeous settings. However, the perfect location does not always mean beautiful scenery. You need a place that will also depict your personality and fit into your idea for your family photo session.
Throughout my photography experience, I have worked in numerous locations and am happy to share the ones I consider best for families. I understand how difficult it can be to pick out the perfect photoshoot spot, so I hope you will find my suggestions helpful. I have included something for every taste, meaning you will surely find the one you are looking for!
Amazing Spots for Your Family Photoshoot in Sarasota
Sarasota and the surrounding areas are known to be gorgeous any time of the year…. but their beauty makes it difficult for families to choose the perfect spot for framing their authentic memories.
If you are aiming for versatility and uniqueness, here are some gorgeous locations where you can create amazing pictures.
Celery Fields
Imagine a photo shoot in the heart of nature, surrounded by all kinds of trees and majestic wildlife. Feels surreal, doesn’t it? Well, take your whole family to the Celery Fields and let your dreams become a reality!
This place has been gaining a lot of traction in the last couple of years - for all the right reasons! As the hotspot for nature enthusiasts, the Celery Fields are comprised of deep marshlands and shallow pools, providing a serene atmosphere that couldn’t be found anywhere else in Sarasota.
Let your kids roam wild amid the grass fields and I’ll capture their freedom in all of its glory. You can easily have a boho-inspired shoot with the whole family and you don’t even have to bother about the backdrop. Nature has effortlessly created the perfect one! One last tip - get here at sunset and thank me later!
Phillippi Estate Park
If you strive for a natural setting for your family photography in Sarasota, FL, then you should absolutely consider Philippi Estate Park. This large park has versatile features, so you can decide whether you want to go for a more casual or formal style. I love capturing moments in this place because the results are so unique and different each time.
You can use the farmhouse area for creative casual photos or the mansion for more sophisticated ones. I should not forget to mention the lake as a majestic backdrop that can add a special touch to your family shots.
Since the Philippi Estate Park is quite big, (it’s great for both your immediate family & for extended families) I encourage families to take more relaxed photographs. The area is ideal for spontaneous photo sessions, giving you amazing results. It’s a great place for enjoying your favorite outdoor activities with your kids! If your goal is fun family photography, then you should not think twice about this location!
Siesta Key (Access 8)
When you want paradise-like features, you want Siesta Key! The sea's breathtaking emerald color and white sandy beach will give you the ideal setting for a memorable photoshoot. The beach is proclaimed the second-best in the US, so it is unsurprising that so many Siesta Key photographers are going to this location for their majestic projects.
As a Sarasota family photographer, I can say that the features of this heavenly place will give families exactly what they want. Whether you want to shoot your maternity journey or have special moments captured on camera with your young ones, you can be sure this spot has the versatility you need.
However, if you need more than just the beach scenery, or you want something more authentic for your photo session, you can easily explore the area and find a spot you like. Siesta Key offers great local boutiques and restaurants for after your session too!
Anna Maria Island (Bean Point)
If you are keen on beach photos with your family, Anna Maria Island (bean point) is another option. This Florida island is one of the most scenic spots in the state, and it is undoubtedly one of the most commonly chosen locations for photo sessions. As an Anna Maria Island photographer, I can tell you that opting for this place for your family photographs will not be a mistake.
The stunning waters of the sea and the white beaches will create a fantastic background for your special moments. If you are lucky, you might even see some dolphins playing in the distance (I’ve even captured this during some family photoshoots! Its rather unbelievable!) You’re almost guaranteed to see a flock of birds and capture them in the background! It is an amazing experience for children and a breathtaking setting for adults. If fun and spontaneous photos are your thing, then the atmosphere of the island will offer you what you need!
Longboat Key
Families looking for Sarasota beach photos will find Longboat Key breathtaking. I am not only talking about scenic surroundings, the rocks & driftwood but also amenities you will not find elsewhere in one place. Longboat Key is home to luxurious restaurants as well as spectacular resorts. The place offers excellent water sports for adventurous souls, such as kayaking and canoeing. (think… a place to stay before and after photos, a place to fall in love with)
Longboat Key is located on white sand beaches that spread 12 miles along the coast. Just imagine your family photographs in such beautiful scenery! When shooting in such ambiance, I always encourage families to be more relaxed instead of going for staged photos. Sarasota beach photos ask for worry-free activities like playing in the water or the sand.
If you want the authentic effect, then you need to let yourself have fun during your photo session and abandon staged posing altogether. Your children will enjoy it, and it will be a perfect bonding experience!
Being a Sarasota family photographer for quite some time, I know how difficult it can be to choose a location for your photoshoot. Considering the versatile options, you can immediately start browsing for your ideal spot. Once you decide on the style you want, you will undoubtedly find a location that reflects your story and, ultimately, end up with perfect pictures!
Have you already decided where to have your session? Great! Feel free to get in touch, and let’s begin planning your session together!
And if you still haven’t, let’s chat, and I will give you more recommendations!