Florida Beach Portrait Guide

You have two choices here: The Gulf of Mexico or the “Gulf Coast” as it’s referred to locally, or the Atlantic Ocean, generally called the “East Coast” of Florida. The nuances of the metropolitan areas on each coast will be covered in the Florida Regions section. Here, I’ll just say a few brief words about aesthetics…

The Gulf Coast

You can’t beat the sugar-white sand on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Anywhere from Pensacola to Naples you will usually be able to find a gorgeous white-sand beach, composed of quartz from the Appalachian Mountains (a future Jeopardy question, I’m sure!).

The water of the Gulf of Mexico can range anywhere from ‘emerald green’ to ‘seaweed brown’, depending on the current and tidal conditions. And the surf varies from flat calm to large choppy swells. The water clarity and surf conditions vary from day to day at any given location and are almost impossible to predict in advance.

The Atlantic Coast or East Coast

On the East Coast of Florida, from around Jacksonville all the way to Key West, you’ll find more of a dull-brown sand composed of ground up seashells, and the Atlantic Ocean at its best is a deep blue (with ‘seaweed brown’ again always a possibility!). On average, the surf is higher on the East Coast, but again this is impossible to predict for your Family Portraits.

A Final (but important) Note

Remember - the sun rises in the east and sets in the west! If you want sunrise portraits, stick to the East Coast. But if you want a sunset portrait session, the Gulf Coast is your best bet.

Continue to the next section:

Florida's Regions

Thinking of Getting Married on the Beach?

Be sure to check out our Florida Beach Wedding Guide!

The Florida Beach Photographers Guide is provided free of charge courtesy of Simple Treasures Photography and Simple Weddings - Offering beach portraits and beach weddings on Florida's white sand beaches from Clearwater Beach to Naples!

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