When I first moved to Orlando in 2015, I was amazed by how many beautiful places there are to photograph in Central Florida. Over the years, I’ve explored countless parks, gardens, beaches, and neighborhoods, and I’m always excited to discover a new favorite.
Choosing a location is about more than finding a pretty backdrop. I love when a family chooses somewhere that already means something to them: a favorite park, the beach where they spend summer evenings, or even their own home. But if you’re looking to explore somewhere new, I’ve put together some of my favorite portrait locations to help you find a place that feels right for your family.
As you look through the guide, think about how your family interacts with the space. Do your kids need room to run? Does someone hate sand? Would you rather have a manicured garden or something a little more wild and natural? The setting should feel comfortable for your family and complement your style. Hopefully, this guide will give you a few ideas and help you find a location that feels like the right fit for your family.
Beaches
With Atlantic waves and marshes to the east and the white sands of the Gulf to the west, Central Florida is home to some truly beautiful beaches. Since beaches typically don’t have any shade, I always recommend
Central Florida gives us the best of both worlds: Atlantic beaches to the east and the white sands of the Gulf to the west. For portrait sessions, I most often photograph at New Smyrna Beach and Ponce Inlet because they’re close by and don’t require a travel fee.
Because beaches offer very little shade, I recommend scheduling these sessions close to sunrise or sunset. They’re especially beautiful for families who love being outdoors and don’t mind a little sand!
New Smyrna Beach is where my family and I typically go when we are heading to the beach. We have For portraits, I love Smyrna Dunes Park. The walk to the beach is a little longer and there is a parking fee, but the variety makes it worth it. You’ll find sand dunes, beautiful views, and a beach that gives us options depending on the light and wind. Dogs are welcome too!
Smyrna Dunes Park Evening Family Session
With its lighthouse views, boardwalks, and parking closer to the beach, Lighthouse Point Park is a great option for those who want a little less walking. There is a parking fee and dogs are welcome. We can also use one of the beach accesses along Atlantic Avenue if you’d rather keep things simple.
Lighthouse Point Park Morning Family Session
Ponce Inlet Evening Family Session
I’m also happy to travel to other Central Florida beaches, including Melbourne, St. Pete, and Anna Maria Island. If you have a particular beach in mind, let’s talk about what would work best for your session.
Anna Maria Island Sunset Family Session
Gardens
One of my favorite things about Florida is that no matter what time of year it is, you can usually find flowers in bloom. So, as you can imagine, gardens are plentiful here in Central Florida. Whether you’re looking for a manicured flower bed, rustic green space, or tropical oasis, I’m sure we can find a garden backdrop for you. There are even gardens dedicated to the azaleas that put on a spectacular show here every February and March.
Kraft Azalea Garden in Winter Park is one of the most popular portrait locations in Central Florida, and permits are now required for photography sessions. It’s a beautiful spot, especially in late winter when the azaleas are in bloom, with meandering paths that wind through massive cypress trees, past the stone columns known as the Exedra, and along the shore of Lake Maitland.
The garden can be extremely crowded in November and December, so I prefer to avoid it during those months and do not book weekend sessions there during that time. If you’re interested in a session at Kraft Azalea Garden, let me know well in advance, as permits can take up to six weeks to acquire.
Early Morning Family Session at Kraft Azalea
Dickson Azalea Park located near downtown Orlando offers a lot of shade, a variety of bridges, and of course azaleas. One of my favorite features is the Washington Street Bridge that cuts thought the park. I often pose clients on the bridge for portraits. This location does get very busy the closer you get to Dickson Azalea Park (pictured above), located near downtown Orlando, offers plenty of shade, a variety of bridges, and, of course, azaleas. One of my favorite features is the Washington Street Bridge, which cuts through the park and gives us a fun architectural element to incorporate into portraits. I often pose clients on the bridge for a few of my favorite images. The park does get busier as you get closer to the holidays, so my favorite times to photograph here are October and late winter.
Fall Morning Session at Dickson Azalea
Winter Afternoon Session at Dickson Azalea
If you are looking for a larger space with sprawling gardens, waterways, and live oak trees adorned with Spanish moss than Mead Botanical Gardens (below) in Winter Park is your place. I love this location If you’re looking for a larger space with sprawling gardens, waterways, and live oaks draped in Spanish moss, Mead Botanical Gardens (pictured below) in Winter Park is a great choice. I love this location because it rarely feels crowded and offers a variety of gardens and backdrops to choose from. The parking lot and bathrooms are also conveniently located, which makes it an especially easy option for families with little ones.
Springtime Morning Session at Mead Gardens
Autumn Afternoon Session at Mead Gardens
If you’re looking for a green space with some artistic flair, the Mennello Museum Sculpture Garden in Orlando is a fabulous place for photos. I love the giant oak trees, especially the ones with limbs that reach all the way to the ground. The garden also features large sculptures and a network of walkways, making it easy to explore and access different areas of the property.
Fall Morning Mini Session at Mennello Museum Sculpture Garden
Leu Gardens is the largest and most expansive garden on this list. This 55-acre tropical oasis is located just north of downtown Orlando and was once the home of Harry P. Leu and his wife, Mary Jane. Their historic home sits at the center of the property, surrounded by lush gardens and majestic trees.
There is an entrance fee and a fair amount of walking involved, but this place is magical and a great fit for longer sessions where we have time to wander the many pathways and explore different areas of the gardens. Winter is my favorite time of year here. The camellias begin blooming in January, followed by other flowering trees, and by March the azaleas are in bloom and the gardens are full of color.
State Parks & Conservation Areas
If you’re looking for something a little more rustic and wild, there are plenty of options here in Central Florida. From wilderness areas and crystal-clear springs to conservation lands with towering oaks and golden grasses, these locations offer a very different feel from a traditional park or garden.
Many of these locations require a bit more driving, so if you have little ones who don’t love long car rides, I highly recommend Lake Baldwin. In the fall, the tall grasses around the lake turn a beautiful golden color, and there are many spots along the shoreline that are easy to access. It’s a great way to get that feeling of being out in nature without having to travel far from the city.
Lake Baldwin Afternoon Session
If you’re up for a little more adventure, here are some of my favorite options for photographing in the great outdoors.
Kelly Park at Rock Springs is a beautiful option for families looking for something completely different. There is a small entrance fee, and the park gets very busy during the warmer months with visitors enjoying the spring and tubing down the river. Fall and winter are my favorite times to photograph here, when the crowds are smaller and the crystal-blue spring water really shines. On cooler days, the contrast between the cold air and warm spring water can even create a magical mist over the water.
I don’t recommend this location for very young children, as there are several areas where little ones could easily fall into the water.
Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake offers a wonderful mix of lake views, oak groves, and open grassy fields. Depending on the time of day and year, the park can be surprisingly quiet, making it a great option for families who want to feel immersed in nature. There is a small fee per car to enter, but I think it’s well worth it for the variety this location offers.
Bill Frederick Park Morning Session
Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont is one of my favorite places for a more expansive, natural setting. The park offers rolling hills, wooded areas, and beautiful lakeside views, and because it is so large, there are plenty of possibilities for finding a quiet spot for your session. There is an entrance fee, and we’ll want to plan ahead for logistics before your session.
Wekiwa Springs State Park in Longwood is another favorite, with its crystal-blue spring waters, pine forest, and natural Florida landscape. Like Lake Louisa, the park is quite large and does require an entrance fee, so I recommend chatting beforehand so we can plan the best area for your session and make the most of our time there.
There are also so many natural areas around Central Florida that I have yet to photograph, but would love to explore with the right family. Twin Oaks Conservation Area in Kissimmee and Lake Runnymede in St. Cloud are two that are high on my list. Both offer massive oak trees, golden grasses, and beautiful lake views that would make stunning backdrops for portraits.
Downtown Areas
If you’re looking for a cityscape backdrop, Central Florida has plenty of charming downtowns to choose from, including Winter Park, Winter Garden, Celebration, and Mount Dora. Each has its own personality, with historic architecture, walkable streets, local shops, and plenty of opportunities to create something a little different from a traditional park portrait session.
My favorite, of course, is Winter Park. Home to Rollins College, Park Avenue, and some of the most charming streets in the area, Winter Park has a beautiful mix of architecture, mature trees, boutique shops, and sidewalk cafés. There is so much variety within a relatively small area, making it a great choice if you want your session to feel more like an afternoon spent exploring a charming town.
Because there are so many possibilities in this area, if you’re interested in a downtown session, we’ll want to talk through your overall vision and plan the logistics of your session together.
Winter Family Session at Hannibal Square
Maternity Session at Hannibal Square and Casa Feliz
Branding Photography Session in Winter Park
Winter Garden also offers a charming mix of historic architecture, mature trees, and small-town streets. I typically begin sessions near City Hall, where the grand stone architecture provides a beautiful backdrop and the quieter surroundings give families a chance to warm up in front of the camera. From there, we can make our way down Main Street toward the busier heart of downtown, where you’ll find the fountain and iconic Winter Garden sign. I love that we can get a variety of looks within a relatively short walk, from quiet and timeless to colorful and lively.
Downtown Winter Garden Family Session
At Your Home
Finally, if you’re looking for a space that feels personal, comfortable, and completely your own, your home might just be the perfect place for photos. There’s something special about documenting your family in a space that already feels like you. If you’re interested in an in-home session, let’s set up a time to talk about the light in and around your home so we can determine the best time and locations for your session.
I hope this guide helps you find a location that feels like the right fit for your family and the kind of portraits you’re envisioning. I’ll be adding to and updating this list as I discover new places, so if you have a favorite Central Florida spot that you think would make a beautiful backdrop, I’d love to hear about it!