My Favorite Fall Family Photo Locations in Jacksonville & St. Augustine, Florida 🍂📸
- Melody Coarsey

- 23 hours ago
- 4 min read
There’s just something about fall family photos in Northeast Florida. Even though we don’t get the dramatic reds and oranges you might picture when you think of a classic fall photoshoot, Jacksonville and St. Augustine have their own beautiful version of autumn. Think warm golden light, moss-covered oaks, coastal breezes, Spanish moss, and families simply enjoying time together. 🤎
As a local family photographer in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, Florida, I love finding locations that feel beautiful without making your family feel like you’re posing in front of a backdrop. My favorite sessions are the ones where the location adds to the story rather than taking over.
If you’re searching for the best locations for fall family photos in Jacksonville or St. Augustine, here are a few of my favorite fall family photo locations and why I love photographing families there.
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park 🌿

If you want a location that feels a little different from the typical Jacksonville family photoshoot, Washington Oaks is one of my favorites.
The combination of huge oak trees, Spanish moss, beautiful gardens, and the nearby beach gives us so much variety. I love being able to capture both those cozy, nature-filled family portraits under the trees and more relaxed images near the water.
The winding paths and soft natural light also make it easy to keep families moving, which is especially helpful when little ones aren't interested in standing still for photos. 😉 Some of my favorite family images happen when everyone is walking, exploring, laughing, or simply snuggling together.
It has that timeless Florida feeling that works beautifully for fall family photography in St. Augustine.
Alpine Groves Park in St. Johns 🍁

Alpine Groves Park is another favorite when I'm looking for a relaxed, natural setting for family photos near Jacksonville and St. Augustine.
The historic surroundings, large oak trees, open spaces, and St. Johns River create a beautiful backdrop without feeling overly formal. It has that peaceful, tucked-away feeling that makes a family session feel more like an afternoon together than a photo appointment.
My favorite time here for sessions is actually the morning, when light here can be absolutely beautiful, especially when it filters through the trees behind the historic home. ✨
I love this location for families who want images that feel warm, natural, and timeless.
Vilano Beach 🌊

Fall doesn't always have to mean leaves and trees!
Living in Northeast Florida means we have the incredible option of incorporating the beach into our fall family photos. Vilano Beach is a favorite because it gives families that relaxed coastal feeling while still creating beautiful seasonal portraits.
A beach family session can be especially fun with young children because there is plenty of room to run, play, collect shells, and explore. Instead of worrying about whether everyone is perfectly posed, we can focus on connection.
Though it can be early, this beach is MAGIC at sunrise. When the light is over the ocean.
If your family isn't really a "stand in the leaves and smile" kind of family, a Jacksonville or St. Augustine beach family photography session might be a much better fit.
Historic Downtown St Augustine

For families looking for something with a little more history and character, downtown St Augustine offers a beautiful setting for fall portraits.
The historic buildings, cozy doorways, brick lined streets all provide a beautiful backdrop.
I also love locations like this because they give us opportunities to create a mixture of traditional family portraits and lifestyle images. We can slow down, let the kids explore, and capture the little interactions that you might not even realize you'll treasure years from now.
The Beach at the Guana Preserve Beaches🐚

If you're looking for fall family photos near St Augustine the beaches at Guana Preserve is another beautiful option.
The combination of dunes, sea oats, sand, and ocean creates a soft, natural backdrop that feels very Florida. And because the scenery is relatively simple, the focus stays right where it belongs—on your family.
I especially love beach sessions around sunset when the light becomes warm and dreamy. There's something about walking barefoot in the sand with your kids that naturally encourages everyone to relax.
Those are often the images that end up being my favorites. ❤️
What I Love about these Favorite Fall Family Photo Locations in Jacksonville & St. Augustine, Florida
One of the things I love most about being a family photographer in Jacksonville and St. Augustine is the variety of locations we have right in our backyard.
We don't need traditional fall foliage to create beautiful autumn family photos.
Instead, we can use golden sunlight, mossy oak trees, coastal grasses, sandy beaches, historic locations, and the natural beauty of Northeast Florida to create images that feel connected to this place and this season of your family's life.
And that's really what I'm looking for during every family session.
I'm not just looking for everyone to smile at the camera.
I'm looking for the way your little one reaches for your hand. The way your kids laugh when Dad starts chasing them. The way you pull your baby close. The little moments in between the "official" photos that tell the real story of your family.
Those are the photographs you'll look back on years from now and remember exactly how this season felt. 🤎
Ready for Fall Family Photos in Jacksonville or St. Augustine?
If you're searching for a family photographer in Jacksonville, FL, a family photographer in St. Augustine, FL, or the best locations for family photos in Northeast Florida, I'd love to help you choose a location that fits your family and the kind of images you want to create.
Whether you're dreaming of a mossy oak tree setting, a peaceful park, a historic St. Augustine location, or a relaxed beach session, we can create something that feels natural, warm, and completely you.
Fall family photos don't have to be complicated. They just need to feel like your family. 🍂📸




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