I’ve been photographing couples in the Tampa/St. Pete area for about 6 years now, and I’ve finally curated a list of some of my favorite locations to shoot at! I have to admit, I’m a beach lover at heart, so this list might be a little beach heavy. There’s a lot to consider when choosing a location for your session, like what kind of vibe you’re going for (beachy, woodsy, downtown, etc), if you’re bringing any pets, where you enjoy spending your time, how long your session is, and if you want to include multiple stops along the way. If you’re stuck and not sure where to choose, I hope sharing my favorites can help!
- Pass-a-Grille Beach – St. Pete
Coming in at number one is Pass-a-Grille Beach in St. Pete. Just south of the Don Cesar, Pass-a-Grille is perfect for a fun, tropical Florida session. The homes along the beach are bright and colorful, there’s tons of palm trees, tall grass along the shoreline, and the water is that perfect shade of blue! Keep in mind, this area was hit pretty hard by the hurricanes and is still very much recovering. There are no dogs allowed right on the beach, and you do have to pay for parking!
2. Upham Beach – St. Pete
About 5 minutes up the road from Pass-a-Grille is Upham Beach! A personal fav, and it’s cleaned up beautifully from the hurricanes. I’m not sure why I’m such a sucker for the cute pink condo building next to the parking lot, but it’s fun for some colorful vaycay feeling pictures. The beach has a few rock jetties too that add a fun touch. This location is definitely more popular and I almost always see other photogs along the beach (community over competition always, pop off queens)!
3. Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum – St. Petersburg
This is a newly discovered favorite! Okay, if you’re new here, please know I have a weird obsession with palm trees and tropical greenery. The Sunken Gardens is another popular photo spot for this kind of vibe in St. Pete, but they charge a pretty big fee. The Kopsick Arboretum is right next to Vinoy Park and it’s free!
4. Downtown Tampa
Downtown Tampa has tons to offer, especially near and around Curtis Hixon Park, University of Tampa, Le Meridien Hotel, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and the Tampa Theatre. Keep in mind, Le Meridien Hotel requires a reservation and an hourly fee to photograph on their property. I usually meet my couples somewhere in the middle and we just wander street to street!
5. Fred Howard Park – Tarpon Springs
About an hour NW of Tampa is one of my favorite hidden gems – Fred Howard Park! It’s usually a lot less crowded than any of the beaches and parks in St. Pete or Tampa. If you can’t decide what kind of vibe you want for your session, Fred Howard has the perfect variety. When you drive into the park, you’re surrounded by tons of trees, trails, and beautiful greenery, and once you’re down the causeway you get the beach! The water isn’t quite as blue or wavey as some of the beaches further south, but the beach is beautiful with grass and greenery, rocks, and palm trees. Unfortunately, furry friends aren’t allowed on the beach itself.
6. Sand Key Park – Clearwater
If you’re interested in Clearwater Beach but don’t want the crowds, Sand Key is the perfect spot for you. It’s about 5-10 minutes south of Clearwater, offering beautiful blue water, greenery, a jetty, and the white sand we all know and love. This one is typically a hot spot for other photogs, but I’ve never seen it overly crowded.
7. Honeymoon Island State Park – Dunedin
One of my absolute favorites! Honeymoon is located about 40 minutes outside of Tampa in Dunedin. Another location with so much to offer. The sand is white, but is definitely a little more rocky and shelly than some of the other beaches. And bonus points…Honeymoon has a dog beach that’s just as beautiful as the rest of the park, so if you want to include your fur babies, this is the perfect spot! Keep in mind, the park took a pretty hard hit from the hurricanes and is only partially open due to clean up.
8. Starkey Park – New Port Richey
If you’re looking for something more woodsy and whimsical or maybe a little country, Starkey Park is a great choice! The park has tons of trails, wide open fields, woods, and palm trees. The park is huge, giving plenty of options for backdrops. Stay in one spot or roam around! And of course, this one is fur baby friendly.
9. Cypress Creek Preserve – Land o Lakes
I’ve only been to this one twice and I’ve loved it both times! It gives a nature vibe that’s not so “Florida.” Don’t get me wrong, I freaking love palm trees, but this one has more of a woodsy look.
10. Downtown Tarpon Springs
My absolute favorite little Florida town. Park by Craig Park and walk your way around the bayou to capture the water, palm trees, and stunning historic homes. If you want a date night feel, walk Tarpon Ave for cute little shops and restaurants, or even stop to snap some pics sharing a sweet treat at the BEST ice cream shop ever, Orange Cycle Creamery!
