I had the best time with these two humans and their sweet pups! Pass-a-Grille dog beach was sensory overload with gorgeous pups all around. However, these guys were some of the most laid back people and pups I have ever photographed. It was so nice to have such a laid back Friday night together. We held out for the sunshine and rescheduled due to rain or possible storms earlier in the week, and fought off two nights of just nasty summer weather. I am so glad we did.

I just adored photographing this stunning couple. They were the sweetest. We headed to the gorgeous Coquina Beach, in Holmes Beach, Florida, on a Saturday night. Honestly, beach sessions on a weekend are always a risk with the higher number of people. This night in particular was no different. I was able to head to the beach early with my kids, who absolutely love fishing this area along the intercoastal waters where the Gulf meets under the bridge to Longboat Key. Thankfully we were there early to know there was a run going on at the beach, culminating where we were planning on starting. Goodness, what a busy night! But, after fifteen years of doing sessions, nothing really phases me and I don’t think you notice anything but the gorgeous couple in these photos! Their outfits were perfect for the location and their coloring. Sometimes clients can pick a gorgeous wardrobe, but forget about their own coloring and how it will impact how the outfits work in the location. If they went super light outfits at a beach with lighter toned backdrops and then lighter skin tones and hair/eyes, etc., the result could have been washed out because of wardrobe choices. So, picking the right color clothing for you and your location will help you stand out instead of blending in. I am here to help clients but if you are not a client, this is a tip anyone can use!

This family has been with me for years and years. I have documented them since their kids were in middle school and now they have all graduated not only high school, but college and beyond. Now, they have welcomed a grandchild and another is on the way. I am so thrilled to share their latest session with you and so thankful to get to be the one documenting their family in photos. I adore them. We had a blast a few months ago…I try to keep on top of my blogging but sometimes life gets in the way. This summer has been busy with our usual travel but also a much busier summer of photo sessions. I am so excited for the fall after spending the whole year documenting so many families and high school seniors. I am putting my final touches on my fall mini-sessions for 2025, but I already have so many families booked for fall, so don’t forget you can always book a full session which allows you not only the date of your choice, but also the location. I do not plan on offering mini-sessions at any of the Gulf beaches this year, but I do love the fall for beach sessions, so now is the time to book your family photos on the beach if you are looking for a traditional fall beach photo session. Fort Desoto, Sand Key, Coquina Beach, Upham Beach, Treasure Island, and Indian Rocks Beach are just a few of my favorite spots!

If you follow me, you know since the pandemic, I have been photographing using film for a lot of personal projects as well as some client work. My travel account on Instagram is full of film work. However, I do love to add film to my Tampa family photo session as well. Let’s talk about how to add a roll of film to your photo session.

I loved this special motherhood portrait session on Coquina Beach, taken a few weeks ago. We had the most glorious night and light. This beach is one of my favorite places to do beach photos. I used to visit the nearby Longboat Key north island as a kid on vacations from Green Bay as a kid, so that may be why it is an extra special spot for me. However, it has ample parking and small little nooks of greenery that still stand after last year’s horrible hurricane season. The sand is always soft and the light is fun to play with as the beach wraps around to the intercoastal. This sweet mother and son duo was such a joy to photograph as well. They snuggled, played and had a great time. We even got a few of just mama in her white-hot outfit on the beach, too. I am so glad she asked me to document this special age and time and absolutely wish I had something like these when my boys were babies for sure. I am just glad I am able to do this for other mothers and definitely make sure I get in the frame with my “babies” still each year to make up for lost time.

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.