Best Photoshoot Locations in Saint Augustine, Florida
Location is everything. The right backdrop doesn't just look beautiful — it sets the entire mood of your gallery and tells your story. Whether you're dreaming of windswept beach photos, lush garden portraits, or the charm of historic downtown Saint Augustine, there's a perfect spot waiting for you.
I've been photographing clients all over the Saint Augustine and Palm Coast area for 12 years, and these are my go-to locations. Each one has its own personality — and the right fit for your session depends on yours. Don't see something that speaks to you? Reach out. I love finding new and creative spots.
Washington Oaks State Park
Botanical gardens, beach, oak trees - a little bit of everything. Saint Augustine's most versatile photoshoot location.
Washington Oaks State Park is my number one recommendation for almost every client, and once you see it, you'll understand why. This park has it all: towering moss-draped oaks, a stunning rose garden, a peaceful gazebo, Intracoastal Waterway views, and one of the most beautiful beaches on the entire Florida coast. All in one location.
At this specific location, you are able to split your time in half between the botanical garden side of the park and the beach side. Only advisable for 60 minute sessions. Many people also opt to change outfits during that transition, making it feel like two shoots in one! You'll have a ton of variety in backgrounds. If you don't want a 60 minute shoot, you can always choose either the garden or the beach. It's my most booked location and honestly one of the most beautiful places I've ever had the pleasure of shooting in. I love it so much that I wrote an entire blog post dedicated to it, covering everything you need to know about shooting here, the best spots, the best time of day, and what to expect.
Read the full Washington Oaks Photoshoot Guide here
What to know before you book:
Opening and closing times: The times change regularly to coincide with the sunset and they are very strict about that closing time, so don't expect to stay and enjoy the beach after your sunset shoot. Sunrise shoots are also impossible here due to not being open early enough for proper light.
Entry fee: There is a $5 per car entry fee for this park. In my experience, before 4pm, a park ranger collects entry fees at the entrance. After 4pm, you must drop your fee in the donation box or use the provided QR code to leave your payment via the honor system.
River to sea Preserve
A beautiful coquina rock beach with easy access.
If you want beautiful beach photos without all the walking of Washington Oaks, River to Sea Preserve, also known as Marineland Beach, is your spot. Right at the beach entrance you'll find massive coquina rock formations that are absolutely perfect for posing. No long walk required, which makes this ideal for families with young kids, older family members, or anyone with mobility considerations. The rocks here keep the sand from washing away, making it a wider beach than others along the coast.
What to know before you book:
Timing: This beach doesn't provide shade until the last hour of daylight. Therefore, I don't recommend booking this location unless a late afternoon or sunset session is a possibility for you. Mid-day beach shoots are possible but will provide a different look than what you see in my portfolio.
Matanzas Inlet
A hidden, driftwood-lined slice of intercoastal beach with calm wading waters and a historic fort on the horizon.
Matanzas Inlet has a secret. Walk a short way down the beach and you'll pass a stretch of driftwood that opens up into a quieter, more private section of shoreline. The calm inlet waters are perfect for wading in, and I mean really wading, not just dipping your toes. We can get out there and make some truly unique, fun images. On a clear day, you can spot the historic Matanzas Fort sitting quietly on the horizon. It's romantic, a little wild, and incredibly photogenic.
Fair warning: this location is best enjoyed if you're okay getting wet. That's part of what makes it special!
What to know before you book:
Crowds: Hot summer weekends can bring more visitors and eliminate the private, romantic feel. I recommend weekday bookings or visiting during the cooler months for the best experience.
Castle Otttis
A real castle, right here in Florida, that will make you feel like you've traveled to Ireland.
I get genuinely excited every time a client books Castle Otttis. It is, quite literally, a hand-built stone castle just off the road in Vero Beach, and it is absolutely breathtaking. The privately owned property has a character and a light quality that I have never experienced anywhere else. When we step inside, natural light floods through the stone arches in a way that feels otherworldly. One of my all-time favorite spots in the entire castle is the spiral staircase. The way light falls through that space and frames the architecture makes for some of the most stunning portraits I have ever created. If that's not enough, the owner will escort us to the rooftop at sunset, where you can see the ocean. The combination of the castle's stone towers silhouetted against a Florida sunset sky is something I genuinely can't put into words. You have to experience it. The owner is incredibly welcoming and also hosts tours and Sunday services if you'd like to visit before booking.
What to know before you book:
- Additional cost: $150 paid directly to the property owner to reserve the castle for your session.
- Minimum booking: One hour is the minimum session length for this location.
- Distance: Castle Ottis is located in Vero Beach. Plan accordingly for travel time.
Flagler College
A Gilded Age masterpiece in the heart of the nation's oldest city.
Before it was a college, this was the Hotel Ponce de León, one of the most lavish resorts in America. Henry Flagler opened it in 1888 as a playground for the wealthy, with approximately 450 rooms and a cost of $4,000 for an entire season's stay. Today it is a working college campus and a National Historic Landmark, and it is one of the most visually stunning locations I have ever had the pleasure of photographing in. For our sessions, we stay outside. The towering walls of the college feature hand carved archways protecting a courtyard of fountains and greenery. The Spanish Renaissance towers, the ornate entryway, the warm stonework, and the lush tropical plants surrounding it all make for an almost impossibly beautiful backdrop. Step outside the gates and the surrounding streets of downtown Saint Augustine take over. Cobblestone, historic storefronts, and architecture around every corner. Just across the road, the Lightner Museum offers even more stunning Spanish architecture to work with. We never run out of options here.
This location is especially beautiful for senior portraits, couples, and anyone drawn to that editorial, timeless aesthetic. The warm golden tones of the building pair beautifully with jewel tones, rich neutrals, and classic whites.
What to know before you book:
Parking: Downtown Saint Augustine parking is paid and can be limited, especially on weekends and during peak season. Budget extra time and expect to use a garage or paid lot. Updated city parking information can always be found here: Parking information
Access: The courtyard of the college is not always open to the public. However surrounding streets are publicly accessible and the college will still be in your background even if it is closed the day of your session. We never go inside the building for our sessions.
Crowds: This is a busy area of downtown. Other visitors will be present, which adds to the authentic atmosphere — but if completely clear backgrounds and privacy while shooting are important to you, this may not be the right fit.
Castillo de San Marcos
The oldest masonry fort in the continental United States — and one of Saint Augustine's most iconic landmarks.
There is something about photographing at the Castillo de San Marcos that just feels different from anywhere else in Saint Augustine. The scale of those coquina walls, the sweeping green lawns, the views of Matanzas Bay stretching out behind your subjects. It is one of those locations where the backdrop does a lot of the work for me, and I mean that as the highest compliment a photographer can give a place.
The real magic for photoshoots happens on the grounds surrounding the fort. We have so much to work with out here without ever moving very far. The massive walls give you that dramatic, timeless feel. The open lawn gives you soft, clean backgrounds. And the waterfront gives you something completely different again. You do not need to purchase a ticket to shoot around the exterior since the grounds are open to the public. If you'd like to shoot inside the fort itself, entrance tickets are required for both of us.
What to know before you book:
Parking: I recommend budgeting $20 for the central parking garage. Street parking in this area is paid and often unavailable. Allow yourself extra time for parking.
Optional entrance fee: Sessions are usually done around the outside walls of the fort. Shooting inside the fort is possible, but requires tickets for both of us. Adult admission is currently $15 per person for ages 16 and older, with children 15 and under admitted free.
Crowds: This is one of the most visited landmarks in Florida. People will be present. I do my best to angle them out and edit where possible, but if you are uncomfortable with on-lookers during your session, this isn't your best option.
REady to book your photos?
Whether you are local to Saint Augustine or visiting for the weekend, I would love to capture your time here. These locations are special and the photos will last a lot longer than the trip. Let's get something on the calendar.
-Courtney (Lunar Kiss Photography)
