Davis Islands Beach Photos | Family Photographer Tampa
I am seriously so lucky to get to capture this family again this year. I am so glad they contacted me to do a session on the beach this spring. It was a great time to capture this little almost two year old, well before it gets super hot. A few weeks later now and I feel like we would have all been sweating out there now. We had so much fun at Davis Islands Beach. It is such a great spot for family photos in Tampa. You get the feel of the beach, some play time in the sand, a backdrop of gorgeous sailboats and don’t have to drive too far if you don’t live closer to the Gulf Beaches. I know for families who come back year after year, it is hard to find unique locations in Tampa Bay for family photos, but there are definitely plenty of spots.
This family always lets me do me and is so easy to photograph because of that. Their trust makes each session so wonderful and as a result they often get a lot more photos in their gallery. Not every two year old will do well at a beach, so these are things to consider before booking your own family session at the beach with young kids. If your kids are super mobile, want to run and play - I mean 99% of kids are like that - you may spend a lot of time trying to redirect them. If you are okay with playful, authentic moments, that is amazing and I love capturing families in play and having fun together. If you want posed images for most of your session, then the beach is probably not my first recommendation! You are going to want to do a session with less to distract away from me and my camera. Also, more people at the beach, or even dogs walking by, bike riders, and the sand and water are all competing for my attention, so just be prepared if you do a session at the beach with young kids. There is always magic to be had at the beach in my opinion, but it isn’t ideal for everyone at every age of their life. That is why having a phone call or filling out my short questionnaire will help prepare us all for the best session and help me recommend the right location for each family!
Another favorite spot in Tampa for beach photos is Apollo Beach Preserve or E.G. Simmons Park, both in the southshore area of southern Hillsborough County. For more central Tampa, Cypress Point Park is gorgeous but it isn’t possible to get a permit to shoot their legally right now. I am hoping the permits open for fall. However, lots of photographers are ignoring the need to regenerate the beach and still photographing families there. Hopefully, they don’t ruin it for those of us waiting patiently until we can get our permits. Picnic Island is also a beach location in Tampa not on the Gulf. I haven’t been there in years but it may be on the fall schedule this year. If you want to snag one of those spots, be sure to sign up for the newsletter list. The newsletter goes out in early to mid August and gives recipients first dibs on booking fall/winter/holiday special mini-sessions. Or, if you want to pick your location and time of your choice, I am also taking full sessions for August 15th and later. I am already booked for quite a few weekends this fall so make sure if you are wanting a session this year you sign up for the newsletter or reach out soon!
This out of focus shot below is just dreamy. I love to have more time with families to get some more creative photos that a shorter mini-session just doesn’t always allow for. The feeling of your family is what I want to capture, not just smiles for the camera. A good blend of both is always so nice to have.
The next two black and white images have my heart. I feel like these capture the feeling of being a parent at this age so well. The moments in between always have my heart. These are the shots that would hang in my house. As a mother of almost high schoolers, these are the little details I miss so much of mothering toddlers.
