Ever since moving to St Augustine and becoming a St Augustine wedding photographer, I’ve had to scout locations almost daily. What I’ve found is that St Augustine has pretty much every type of location there is. If you are looking for beaches, historic buildings, good architecture, cobblestone streets, marinas, or even vintage auto museums – we have them.
With that in mind, I will be listing my preferred places to take photos in St Augustine and any other things you might need to know about each location.
Historic places to take Photos in St Augustine
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
This is the oldest masonry fort in the continental united states and genuinely one of the most unique places to see in St Augustine. Its situated right on the water with views of the Bridge of Lions. Its a very popular attraction and spot for engagement photos in St Augustine.
Permits: Required for professional photography
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, early morning or late afternoon
1 South Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, FL
Learn more about Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Flagler college
74 King Street, St. Augustine, FL
Flagler College, housed in the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, is a work of art featuring Spanish Renaissance architecture and a prime location for St Augustine engagement photos. The intricate details of the building, the grand courtyard, and the dining hall are all epic locations that are pretty unique to St Augustine.
Permits: Required for professional photography
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekends, early morning
Learn more about Flagler College
St Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
100 Red Cox Road, St. Augustine, FL
Who doesn’t love a good lighthouse? Hard to beat the views of St Augustine and the water from the top. The circular stairwells in the lighthouse itself create pretty interesting images, and the front of the property has quite a few spanish moss trees.
Permits: Required for professional photography
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, early morning or late afternoon
Learn more about St Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Mission of Nombre De Dios
27 Ocean Avenue, St. Augustine, FL
This location requires a lot of respect, it was the site of the first Catholic mass in the united states. Like many of the historic sites, there’s plenty of unique architecture, greenery, and a bridge across a small water way. Hard not to mention that there is a 208 foot tall cross that overlooks the water.
Permits: Required for professional photography
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, early morning or late afternoon
Learn more about Mission of Nombre de Dios
Aviles Street
9 Aviles Street, St. Augustine, FL
Aviles Street is a cobblestone street that goes through the historic district in St Augustine. Its actually the oldest street in the nation. Theres a pretty cool stone archway and is filled with various art stores, shops, and a restaraunt. There’s even a gourmet ice cream sandwich shop called Peace Pies which is a good stop for any photoshoot, in my humble opinion.
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, early morning
Indoor Places to take photos in St Augustine
Lightner Museum
75 King Street, St. Augustine, FL
This is one of the coolest places to take photos in St Augustine! This is a museum and event venue housed in the former Alcazar Hotel. There is an epic courtyard, intricate grand lobby, and multiple spaces inside that make this place unique. There are limits on use though since its both popular and filled with priceless antiques.
Permits: Required for professional photography
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, during museum hours
Learn more about Lightner Museum
Villa Zorayda Museum
83 King St, St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Villa Zorayda was built in 1883 by Franklin W. Smith as his winter home utilizing Moorish Revival Architecture. This is one of those crazy, looks like it belongs in movie kind of buildings. The architecture and detail is insane making it one of the best places to take pictures in St Augustine! The do require permits for any kind of photography that isn’t purely recreational.
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, early morning
Learn more about Villa Zorayda Museum
The Assembly Room at Art ‘n Motion
283 San Marco Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084
This is by far my favorite indoor place to take photos in St Augustine. This is a classic car museum filled with a regular rotation of classic cars, industrial design, and two floors to take photos in. This is honestly a rare style for northern Florida, and it’s one that you can pretty much guarentee privacy in.
Permit: Required
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, early morning
Learn more about Art n Motion
waterfront places to take photos in St Augustine
Vilano Beach Pier
260 Vilano Road, St. Augustine, FL
This is kind of a catch all spot to take photos, with a ton of opportunity. Theres a pier, a relatively private beach, a small but very retro themed shopping area, and a ton of on the water options. This is probably best fit for sunset because its one of the few water views that face the right way at sunset.
Permits: Not required for professional photography
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, early morning or late afternoon
Learn more about Vilano Beach Pier
Washington Oaks Garden State Park
6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast, FL
This is a bit out of the way for a place to take photos near St Augustine. This location is split into two. On one side you have beautiful gardens with hidden river views for sunset. On the other side theres an epic oceanfront beach with coquina rocks, which give this beach a lot more character. I would recommend the gardens side for sunset, and the beach side for sunrise if you want that direct golden hour look for your photos.
Permits: Required for professional photography at special events (weddings or anything requiring tons of people or equipment)
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, early morning or late afternoon
Learn more about Washington Oaks Garden State Park
St augustine Municpal Marina
111 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine, FL
This marina is located right next to the Bridge of Lions and is within walking distance of the historic district. You be able to see ships and water like any marina, however you can also see the Castillo as well. This is one of the more unique places to take photos in St Augustine because of the sailboats and views nearby and often its my first recommendation to folks.
Permits: Not required for professional photography
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, early morning or late afternoon
Learn more about The St. Augustine Municipal Marina
Bridge of Lions
Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine, FL
This is a Mediterranean inspired bridge with views of the Matanzas Bay connecting downtown St Augustine to the island. From the bridge itself you’ll get views of many of the landmarks and there are spots to take photos on the bridge without interrupting traffic.
Permits: Not required for professional photography
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, early morning or late afternoon
Learn more about Bridge of Lions
St Augustine Pier
350 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine, FL
This pier is located at the St Johns County Ocean Pier Park (seriously this needs to be renamed). It’s a wooden pier jutting out into the water, where I ave regularly seen sharks, dolphins, and jelly fish. the sun sets behind you, so this is better for sunrise. One thing to note is there is a small fee required to be on the pier itself – but you can get pretty uniwue images underneath it too.
Permits: Not required for professional photography
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, early morning or late afternoon
Learn more about St Augustine Pier
Gardens & Parks for Engagement Photos in St Augustine
Magnolia Ave
Magnolia Avenue, St. Augustine, FL
bold, meaningful photos. The kind that feel like memories. The ones you obsess over.
Magnolia Ave, a scenic street lined with towering oak trees draped in Spanish moss, is a picturesque location for engagement photos in St Augustine. The avenue’s natural canopy creates a romantic, dreamy atmosphere perfect for capturing intimate moments. The soft, filtered light that streams through the moss-covered branches adds a magical quality to your photography in St Augustine, FL.
Unique Features:
- Towering oak trees draped in Spanish moss
- Romantic, dreamy atmosphere with soft, filtered light
- Intimate, natural place for St Augustine engagement photos
Type of Location: Garden
Permits: Not required for professional photography
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, early morning or late afternoon
Learn more about Magnolia Ave
Alpine Groves Park
2060 State Road 13, Switzerland, FL
Alpine Groves Park, located just outside St. Augustine, offers a tranquil and scenic place for engagement photos. The park’s sprawling grounds feature a historic farmhouse, rustic barn, and beautiful gardens, providing a variety of scenes for your photography in St Augustine, FL. The serene atmosphere and natural beauty of the park make it a perfect location for St Augustine engagement photos.
Unique Features:
- Historic farmhouse and rustic barn
- Beautiful gardens with diverse flora
- Serene, tranquil atmosphere surrounded by nature
Type of Location: Park
Permits: Required for professional photography
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, early morning or late afternoon
Learn more about Alpine Groves Park
Unique Places to Take Photos in St Augustine
Alligator Farm
999 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park offers a unique and adventurous place for engagement photos in St Augustine. The park’s lush vegetation, historic structures, and, of course, the alligators themselves provide an unforgettable scene for your photography in St Augustine, FL. The park’s rustic charm and the thrill of being surrounded by wildlife make it a one-of-a-kind location for St Augustine engagement photos.
Unique Features:
- Lush vegetation and historic structures
- Alligators and other wildlife for an adventurous scene
- Rustic charm and unique, thrilling atmosphere
Type of Location: Wildlife
Permits: Required for professional photography
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, during park hours
Learn more about Alligator Farm
Fountain of Youth
11 Magnolia Avenue, St. Augustine, FL
The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park offers a unique and historic place for engagement photos in St Augustine. The park’s 15 acres are home to the Spring House, where Ponce de Leon is said to have discovered the mythical Fountain of Youth. The park’s lush gardens, peacocks, and the historic Discovery Globe provide a variety of interesting scenes for your photography in St Augustine, FL.
Unique Features:
- Historic Spring House and Discovery Globe
- Lush gardens and roaming peacocks
- Unique, mythical atmosphere tied to St. Augustine’s history
Type of Location: Unique
Permits: Required for professional photography
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, during park hours
Learn more about Fountain of Youth
World Golf Village
1 World Golf Place, St. Augustine, FL
The World Golf Village, home to the World Golf Hall of Fame, offers a unique and sophisticated place for engagement photos in St Augustine. The village’s grand architecture, manicured gardens, and the iconic Tower of the Four Winds provide a variety of elegant scenes for your photography in St Augustine, FL. The village’s golf course and the nearby Renaissance Resort offer additional photo opportunities for golf enthusiasts.
Unique Features:
- Grand architecture and manicured gardens
- Iconic Tower of the Four Winds
- Golf course and Renaissance Resort for golf enthusiasts
Type of Location: Unique
Permits: Required for professional photography
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, early morning or late afternoon
Learn more about World Golf Village
Palencia Club
600 Palencia Club Dr, St. Augustine, FL
The Palencia Club, a country club in St. Augustine, is a great place for engagement photos. The club’s Mediterranean-style architecture, grand ballroom, and stunning golf course views provide a variety of elegant scenes for your photography in St Augustine, FL. The club’s upscale atmosphere and attention to detail make it a perfect location for sophisticated St Augustine engagement photos.
Unique Features:
- Mediterranean-style architecture and grand ballroom
- Stunning golf course views
- Luxurious, upscale atmosphere with attention to detail
Type of Location: Private Estate
Permits: Required for professional photography
Least Crowded Day & Time: Weekdays, early morning or late afternoon
Learn more about Palencia Club
What’s the best time of day for a photo shoot in St. Augustine?
Golden hour is ideal. Early morning an hour after sunrise to just before 11am or late afternoon one or two hours before sunset provides soft, flattering light.
How long should our engagement photo session last?
Most sessions last about 1-2 hours. This gives you enough time for outfit changes and different locations.
What should we do if it rains on our scheduled photo shoot day?
Discuss a backup plan with your photographer. Many offer rescheduling options.
How can we make our engagement photos unique?
Try doing an indoor photoshoot at a local brewery like the ice plant, doing the session at night, or incorporating the kinds of things you regularly do on date nights (ice cream, a picnic, a drive). You can also bring in props, bring a pet, or dress up a bit. Check out my entire guide to what to wear to an engagement session.
You deserve the absolute best.
That’s why I want to make sure I am the right choice for you.
I do not take every wedding I’m approached to photograph. It’s important that I work with couples who share in my brand values.
I’d love to hear more about you and your story. Fill out the contact form and I’ll be in touch basically as soon as humanly possible.
info@royserafin.com
