I am truly so lucky to document so many amazing kids, especially so many truly amazing high school seniors. This kiddo is no different. I met his family at the very end of summer, just as he was about to enter senior year. Our plan was to document him again on his own this spring for a senior portrait photo session in Tampa. I am so glad we were able to squeeze in this mini-session on Davis Islands and the beach. While Davis Islands took so many hits last fall with hurricanes, it is still such a special place. I am glad to see it is still rebuilding and I truly hope it is spared this year with storms. The vegetation is also looking slightly better but no where near as thick and lush as it once was. Thankfully though, it still gets some of the prettiest light in Tampa. It does however, also get extremely busy with beach goers all week long, and other photographers and beach set ups, and the like, so it is best for a quick session so we can get in and out and explore other areas of Tampa, too.

The fun part of doing a cap and gown session at the end of senior year is that those who are heading to college are able to get a few of those images making the announcement at the same time, too. These cap and gown sessions also make a great early grad gift for family as well. Plus, the whole time doesn’t have to be in your cap/gown. We make time for some special senior portraits in your clothing of choice, too. You can go timeless like this lad, or bring something that represents your style!

I stopped taking wedding clients a while ago but this couple was pretty insistent that I be part of photographing their special day. I mean, how could I say “no” to that? Wedding and couple portraits on the beach at sunset, sure, I can do that! It was so fun to be part of their day and do what I love, which is take authentic portraits! We had a threat of rain that night but everything held out and created the softest light on the beach.

Three newborns, three outdoor photo sessions and so many years of photo memories! The Riverhills Park location in Temple Terrace is definitely a hidden photo spot gem for Tampa. It has water, and lush trees, ferns, little paths and lots of gorgeous back lighting. Here are just a few favorites from this lovely outdoor newborn and family photo session. I could definitely see this spot working for a senior looking for water views and greenery and who may not want to go to Lettuce Lake because it is a busier spot. With littles we didn’t explore as much as we could have but with older kids or teens it would be a great spot for a full session for a lot of natural variety in a small-ish area!

This time of year, it is a great time for outdoor newborn photo sessions. I loved meeting this sweet family in their neighborhood up in Odessa. The light at the park was just perfect, and although it definitely warmed up quickly. Still, it was still bearable in the early morning hours just as the sun came up. Since these guys are used to being up early with littles and a new baby, getting your newborn pictures done in the morning is usually a great idea! If you are currently pregnant, don’t forget to set up your newborn photo session before baby arrives for the most scheduling flexibility, too!

I met up with this gorgeous family a few weeks ago on the most amazing night weather and light wise in a long time. We had the absolutely perfect weather for their springtime family pictures in Tampa. I loved their wardrobe choices and the location really helped set off their rich details against the greenery and blacks. I always get nervous when clients say “we are all wearing black” as a photographer who loves colors, but this time the all black outfits absolutely worked. The little bits of sparkle, the details and rich snippets of color among the black really worked so perfectly. Also, Hillsborough River State Park is now officially back open, so I absolutely recommend making a spring day of it here soon. You don’t need to do photos, just pack a water bottle, maybe some snacks and a sense of adventure and you can really explore a great park in the Tampa Bay area.

This gorgeous girl is such a fireball of energy and happiness. I am so glad I was able to document this huge milestone for her and her darling family. We met at the perfect rustic inspired location for her senior photo session and even squeezed in a few family photos for them, too. I loved the Spanish moss, glowing light and field of longer grasses to play with all the different light for a dynamic gallery of images. I love a good safe senior portrait but also incorporating movement, play and light into some more creative photos to document each senior’s style a bit more, too.

Spring and into summer is the perfect time for some outdoor newborn pictures in Plant City or around Tampa Bay!

I loved the colorful outdoor photos, especially with their neutral palette for the wardrobe, but there is something so timeless about black and white images. This session had more than it’s fair share of black and white newborn photos with mom’s dress in a toile fabric for sure. The dress and it’s pattern will always inspired me to create black and white versions. If you are expecting, this is a great time of year for outdoor newborn photos. The mornings work great for newborns, since they are usually happier in the morning, and it isn’t quite as hot or rainy here in Florida in the mornings, too. If you are expecting and want to do a laid back newborn photo session from the comfort of your home, I can usually find a little spot to create outdoor magic, too. 99% of the time anyway! Even if you think it wont’ look great, I can find where the light usually works best and at least give you a few options for family photos that will continue to blend together with future family photos in our gorgeous backdrops around Tampa Bay.

I don’t know if gets better than a flower field session. There is just something a little more extra special about wildflower fields, am I right? This sweet senior happened to contact me at the exact right time. The weather was still gorgeous and I knew this field was just about done for the season. I am usually lucky enough to get a few photos here each spring, between February and March. The flower field typically gets mowed at least once and the second time growing usually is dependant on the weather if it is lush or just reblooms a little bit. This year was perfect right before spring break, and it is always more magical in the morning. The light is so golden and the tree line helps give that added bokeh effect. This day we had a tiny sliver of fog run through for a few minutes and it was still cool enough that we could see her breath for a few shots in the sun.

This sweet family came all the way from Green Bay for their vacation and for family vacation beach pictures on Indian Rocks Beach. Of course, being from Green Bay, I was thrilled to have someone from my old home town pick me to document their family while visiting the area! We ended up having some people we knew and even went to the same high school. Although, I was there years earlier! It was so fun to document their time together and I loved each of the girls’ personalities that come through so well in the photos and their connection with each other shines in these as well. The night was colder than normal but being Wisconsinites they took it in stride and the light was so perfect and glowy!

BeachFt DeSoto Beachcoupleswhat to wear beach photosvacation beach pictures

Mar 21

Written By Brooke Hamilton

I no longer do wedding photography, but I do love couples portraits. Especially if you add a sweet toddler to the mis. It is even more amazing, right? This vacation beach photo session on Fort DeSoto Beach was taken just after the beach fully reopened. Thankfully it is just as lovely as ever after two hurricanes ravaged this coast last year. This family took a vacation and brought their wedding dress along for fun vacation beach pictures that are wedding inspired and still centered around their sweet family. I loved the light and how sweet and happy they all were together. It was worth the travel to Fort DeSoto for sure for that sandy expanse, less people and gorgeous greenery to work with, too.

These lovely ladies came into our lives through swimming and I am so glad we had at least a few years swimming with them on the same club. Their parents are the sweetest and so are they. I can’t believe they are almost graduating and then they will be off to college soon. How fun is it for them that they are heading off together, too? Our twins are planning on the same university as well, so hopefully it works out well for these ladies! Or if you are twins and looking for some senior photo inspiration for when you graduate, you came to the right spot!