Let me begin by telling you, I know of some of the best places for family photos around Clearwater FL
If you've already done Family Lifestyle Photos at Clearwater Beach or you want something that feels a little less tourist-heavy, you're in the right place. The Clearwater area has some genuinely spectacular family photo locations that most people drive right past on their way to the beach. These five spots are within 30 minutes of Clearwater, dramatically less crowded, and in several cases just as beautiful -- sometimes more so.
Here's what I tell families who ask me about locations around Clearwater: the best spot isn't the most famous one. It's the one that fits your family's energy, your kids' ages, and the look you're going for. These five give you real variety to choose from.
Our first spot for one of the best places for family photos around Clearwater FL
1. Honeymoon Island State Park, Dunedin
Honeymoon Island is about 20 minutes north of Clearwater and it is, without question, one of the most photogenic locations in the entire Tampa Bay area. This is wild Florida, old growth slash pines, sea oats, unpaved dunes, and a Gulf beach that feels nothing like the commercial strip at Clearwater Beach. The north end of the park has a quiet, almost untouched quality that photographs beautifully.
For family sessions, Honeymoon Island offers two completely different looks within the same park. The Gulf facing beach gives you open sky, warm sunset light, and white sand that's as good as anything in Pinellas County. The interior trails through the pine flatwoods give you a completely different texture with shaded paths, dappled light and natural Florida scenery that looks stunning as a backdrop for candid family moments.
The osprey nest platforms and the occasional dolphin visible swimming offshore add genuine excitement for kids, which loosens everyone up and produces the kind of natural expressions you can't manufacture in a posed setting.
There is a state park entrance fee, but the access to that level of natural beauty is worth it.
This spot is best for: Families who want a wild, natural Florida feel without the tourist beach atmosphere. Works beautifully for all ages.
Photographer's tip: Arrive 120 minutes before sunset and start on the interior trails while the light is still bright, then move to the beach for golden hour. You get two completely different looks in one session.
Our second spot for one of the best places for family photos around Clearwater FL
2. Hammock Park, Dunedin
Hammock Park sits in the heart of Dunedin and is one of the most underused family photo locations in Pinellas County. It's a 97-acre nature preserve with a canopy of mature live oaks, winding nature trails, a butterfly garden, and a creek running through the middle of it. The light there is soft, filtered, and flattering almost any time of day, which makes it a strong option if your schedule doesn't allow for a golden hour session.
What sets Hammock Park apart is how calm it is. There are no crowds, no parking stress, no competing beach umbrellas. Kids who get overwhelmed in busy environments do noticeably better here because the pace slows down naturally. That relaxed energy shows up directly in the photos.
The creek crossings and trail intersections also give you natural stopping points that work well for candid moments with kids exploring, pointing at things, wandering ahead on the path. Those unscripted interactions are exactly what makes a family session feel real instead of performed.
Best for: Families with younger kids or toddlers who do better in calm, low stimulation environments. Great for a natural, organic look.
Photographer's tip: The oak canopy along the main trail is the strongest spot in the park photographically. Morning sessions work particularly well here because the light filters through at a lower angle and the park is at its quietest. This effect can produce some awesome looking sunbeams in your photos!
Our third spot for one of the best places for family photos around Clearwater FL
3. Safety Harbor Waterfront Park
Safety Harbor is one of those towns that feels like it belongs in a different era it’s walkable, quiet, genuinely charming and the waterfront park reflects that. It sits on the eastern shore of Tampa Bay with long views across the water, a fishing pier, a wide green lawn, and mature trees that provide natural framing without cluttering the background.
For family photography, Safety Harbor Waterfront Park has a quality that's hard to define but immediately visible in photos: it feels unhurried. The bay views are wide and peaceful. The light at golden hour comes across the water at a low, warm angle that is incredibly flattering in photographs. And because this is a local park rather than a tourist destination, you almost always have space to move freely without having to manage crowds.
The combination of waterfront views, green space, and tree cover also gives you enough variety to keep a session moving and interesting without ever having to relocate. You can work the open lawn, move to the water's edge, use the pier for a different angle, and finish under the trees, all within easy walking distance.
Best for: Families who want a calm, classic waterfront look. Great for multi-generational sessions or families with older kids who don't need a playground to stay engaged.
Photographer's tip: The pier at golden hour is the standout spot here. With Tampa Bay facing west from this angle, you get a direct sunset view over the water that produces genuinely stunning backlit portraits.
Our fourth spot for one of the best places for family photos around Clearwater FL
4. A.L. Anderson Park, Tarpon Springs
A.L. Anderson Park sits on Lake Tarpon just south of Tarpon Springs and it is one of my personal favorite locations in the area. It has a long fishing pier extending out over the lake, covered pavilions surrounded by mature oaks, shaded walking trails, and a quiet natural atmosphere that puts families at ease almost immediately. The combination of lake views, tree canopy, and open green space gives you a lot of visual variety without ever feeling cluttered.
What I love about A.L. Anderson for family sessions is how naturally kids engage with the environment. The pier draws them in immediately, they want to look over the edge, point at fish, lean on the railing. Those instinctive moments of curiosity produce genuinely great candid expressions that you can't prompt artificially. The park also has a playground and open grassy areas where younger kids can run freely between setups, which keeps energy levels manageable.
The light over Lake Tarpon at golden hour is soft and directional, with the water reflecting color as the sun drops. It's a quieter version of a beach sunset with the same warm light, same reflective water and without the crowds or the parking challenge.
Best for: Families with young kids or toddlers who need room to explore. Great for a natural lakeside look that feels different from a beach session.
Photographer's tip: The pier is the centerpiece of this park and worth building the session around. Position yourself so the lake is behind your family as the sun drops. The reflected light on the water creates a natural and warm backdrop that requires almost no effort.
Last but not least, our fifth spot for one of the best places for family photos around Clearwater FL
5. Caladesi Island State Park
Caladesi Island is technically only accessible by ferry from Honeymoon Island or by private boat, and that is exactly what makes it special. It is consistently rated one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States, and because access requires a boat, the crowds are a fraction of what you'd find anywhere else on the Gulf Coast. The beach is pristine, wide, and quiet in a way that is genuinely rare in Florida.
For family sessions, Caladesi offers something that no other location on this list can: the feeling of having a world-class Gulf beach almost entirely to yourselves. The sand is bright white, the water is clear, and the horizon is unobstructed in every direction. There are also mangrove lined kayak trails on the bay side of the island that provide a completely different, more intimate setting if you want variety within the session.
The logistics require a little more planning. The ferry runs from Honeymoon Island and the schedule matters, but families who make the trip consistently tell me it was the right call. The photos reflect the environment, and Caladesi produces images that simply look different from anything you'd get on a mainland beach.
Best for: Families who want something genuinely spectacular and are willing to plan a little more to get there. Best for kids old enough to handle the ferry ride comfortably.
Photographer's tip: Check the ferry schedule in advance and plan your arrival to put you on the beach 90 minutes before sunset. The return ferry timing matters, don't get caught trying to leave during the best light of the day.
How to Choose the Right Spot for Your Family
Not sure which one fits? Here's a quick way to narrow it down:
- Want wild Florida beach without the tourist crowds? Honeymoon Island
- Want a calm natural setting great for toddlers? Hammock Park
- Want a classic waterfront with a peaceful small-town feel? Safety Harbor
- Want a lakeside park where kids can explore freely? A.L. Anderson Park
- Want something truly spectacular and off the beaten path? Caladesi Island
If you're still not sure, reach out and tell me about your kids' ages and the look you're going for. Location scouting is part of what I do, and I'll point you to the spot that makes the most sense for your specific family.
Ready to Book Your Session?
If you want family photos that feel real, relaxed, and worth printing, I'd love to help you plan it.
Also serving families in New Port Richey, Palm Harbor, Trinity, Odessa, and Wesley Chapel.
