Family Photoshoot Places in Jacksonville FL
I understand the quest for the perfect family photo location—it's like searching for hidden treasures in your own backyard. You're not alone in wanting those special moments to be beautifully captured. I’ve spent years visiting different parks in and around Jacksonville, looking for the best locations for family photos.
You may or may not know this, but Jacksonville is FULL of beautiful parks!
The last thing you need is for your dream photoshoot to feel like a daunting task. I get it. Kids running wild and getting into everything. The struggle is real, and I've been there too.
I’ve put together this guide for the best family photo locations in Jacksonville with some of my favorite parks. Relax and let me handle the planning!
3 Top Beach Family Photoshoot Locations in Jacksonville
Do you live near the beach or spend a lot of time there? Do you enjoy watching your family play along the shoreline? I LOVE taking photos at the beach! Here are my favorite beaches for family photos in Jacksonville:
Big Talbot Island is the Best Beach Photoshoot Location in Jacksonville FL
Big Talbot Island is gorgeous! It’s also known as Boneyard Beach because of the large, bleached driftwood oak trees scattered along the shore. It’s a drive to get there from most places in Jacksonville, but the lack of people at the beach and the stunning view makes the drive worth it.
There aren’t any amenities, so there’s just a mile of undeveloped beach for your family to explore.
Parking is $3 per car. You pay with cash in an envelope as you drive in. Then there’s a short hike along a wooded path down to the beach.
The best time of day to take photos at Big Talbot Island is about an hour before sunset, or at sunrise. Sunrise on the beach is always so beautiful!
Address: 12157 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32226
Amenities: None, Secluded
Best Time To Take Photos: Sunrise or Sunset
Parking: Paid Lot ($3)
Jacksonville Beach Pier: The Perfect Backdrop for Maternity & Family Photos in Jacksonville FL
The Jacksonville Beach Pier is a favorite of mine because of the ease of access. There’s a parking lot right there! Then there’s a very short walk over the walkway past the dunes to the water. If you’re wanting beach photos, but don’t love the walk of Big Talbot Island, then the Jacksonville Beach Pier may be the perfect location for your next family photo session!
My favorite time of day for photos at the pier is sunrise of course! Living on the East Coast means we see the sun coming up over the water in the mornings. It’s worth getting up early to see the colors dancing across the sky and water at the same time! If you’re not into waking up that early, that’s ok.
We can use the pier for some shade if we need to go later in the morning. And of course a sunset family beach session is always gorgeous!
Address: 503 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Amenities: Close to Shops and Restaurants
Best Time To Take Photos: Sunrise or Sunset
Parking: Lot
North Beach Guana River Preserve: Gorgeous Dunes & Ocean for Family Photos in Jacksonville FL
The North Beach Guana River Preserve is known for its untouched dunes and tranquil environment, making it ideal for relaxation and nature appreciation. It is located just south of popular Mickler's Beach. Guana Beach is much more secluded and perfect for sunrise or sunset photos due to its gorgeous dunes backdrop, long ocean pier and gorgeous white and fluffy sand. Your kids will love hunting for shark teeth here and you will love the seclusion and serenity of this beach spot.
Address: 131 Old Ponte Vedra Dr, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Amenities: Portable Toilet, Beach Access Boardwalk
Best Time To Take Photos: Sunrise or Sunset
Parking: Paid Lot ($3)
4 Best Jacksonville Parks That Are Perfect For Family Photos
If the beach isn’t your thing, I’ve got you covered there too! So maybe you’re into more woodsy locations. Here are my favorite family photo locations in Jacksonville FL that are woodsy and family friendly.
Sheffield Park: Perfect Golden Hour Photo Spot for Family Photos in Jacksonville FL
Sheffield Park is on the Northside of town. I love Sheffield Park because of its versatility. There’s a beautiful lake on one side, and a big, open field surrounded by tall pine trees on the other side! The best time of day depends on the side you want as your backdrop. The sun rises over the lake, so mornings are best there. The sun sets over the trees, so the late afternoon/early evening is best. The best part about this park is that there’s a playground to bribe the kiddos with when we’re finished! That’s always a hit!
Address: 3659 New Berlin Road, Jacksonville, FL 32226
Amenities: Playground, Restroom, Soccer Fields, Baseball & Softball Facilities, Community Center, Pool, Skateboard Park, Trails, Fishing, Pickleball Courts
Best Time To Take Photos: Sunrise or Sunset
Parking: Lot
Treaty Oak Park in Downtown Jacksonville is THE Photo Spot for Dreamy Lit Family Photos
Treaty Oak Park Downtown is a Jacksonville staple. It’s also known as Jessie Ball duPont Park. If you’re into a woodsy background, this is the park for you! Under the tree is a boardwalk, so you don’t have to worry about the kids getting too dirty while they run around and explore under this gigantic oak tree!
There are only a few parking spaces available, so this park is not crowded. The best time of day to take your family photos at Treaty Oak Park is 1-2 hours before sunset, or even later in the morning around 9 or 10. The trees provide ample shade and the light peering in creates super dreamy bokeh we all love so much!
Address: 1123 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Amenities: Pet-Friendly, Outdoor Seating, Picnic Tables and Benches
Best Time To Take Photos: Sunset or Late Morning
Parking: Street Parking
Stockton Park: Jacksonville Photoshoot Location for Adventurous & Fun Families
Stockton Park is a riverside park on the Westside, located on the beautiful Ortega River. There’s plenty of parking right at the park, so you don’t have to walk far for a variety of background options! A kid favorite is the huge tree. They love to climb on it, and I love to photograph them doing that! Since this park is pretty shady, the best time for your family photos is going to be about 2 hours before sunset, and of course sunrise. The sun rises up over the river, and it is such an awesome sight!
Address: 4021 Ortega Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32210
Amenities: Pet Friendly, St Johns River Scenic Views, Picnic Areas, Non-Motorized Boat Launch, Fishing, Drinking Fountains, Walking Paths, There is NO Restroom
Best Time To Take Photos: Sunset or Sunrise
Parking: Lot
Alpine Groves Park: Gorgeous Jacksonville Park For Photos & Family Picnic
Alpine Groves Park is a short drive from Jacksonville, to Switzerland, FL. This park is is such a gorgeous place! You could really pack a picnic lunch and spend a few hours here after a morning photo session. There are 2 parking areas, and plenty of parking. The back parking lot by the old farm house is where I like to park. From there, it's just a short walk down to the fishing pier on the St. John's River.
This park offers an amazing variety of backdrops to choose for your next family photo session. On the way out, there's a park to let the littles get out those wiggles they were containing during your family photoshoot!
Address: 2060 State Road 13, Switzerland, FL 32259
Amenities: Pet Friendly, Historic Structures: Explore the Bennett House, citrus packing shed, and horse stables from the late 1800s, Playground, Nature Trails, Fishing Pier, Butterfly Gardens, Picnic Areas, Restroom
Best Time To Take Photos: Sunrise or Early Morning or Sunset
Parking: Lot
plan ahead
Scheduling Your Jacksonville Photoshoot: How to Prepare To Take Family & Maternity Photos
Schedule your photoshoot at a time that suits your family's rhythm, ensuring everyone is at their best. This is important to take into consideration while you’re choosing the perfect location for your next family photo session. It’s always best to work around naps and meal times so the kids can be their happiest versions of themselves.
If there’s a location that is not on this list, but is near and dear to your family, please tell me about it! I LOVE exploring new places! I’ll scout it out and we can find the perfect time to take your next family photo session.
Embrace the joy of family photos without the stress—because every laugh, every glance, deserves to be captured beautifully. Let me take the stress out of planning and having fun while getting those heirloom worthy photos for you & the fam!
Meet the Photographer
Meet Jessica - Your Friendly & Sweet Jacksonville Family Photographer + Family Fun Enthusiast
Book with a family photographer who understands the spontaneity of children and brings out the genuine smiles.
As a mother of 3 littles, I GET it! Those kids have a mind of their own. They often don’t cooperate. It’s ok! I’m here to take the stress away from your family photos. I want you to just enjoy spending time with your family and playing with your kids. I want to capture all the moments of you doing that.
I am a fun and energetic photographer, and I love working with high energy kids. They are a little sweet, a little wild, and a whole lot of fun!
