I have been wanting to do this post for a while on some of my favorite locations for engagement session in and around the Sarasota area. Although I do travel to St. Pete or Tampa frequently for sessions, Sarasota definitely has my favorite! Read below for some favorites. From woodsy, to the best beaches, to a historic museum! Sarasota/Bradenton has it all.
Beer Can Island (Longboat Key Driftwood Beach)
My most requested location for engagement sessions! A gorgeous beach at the very north end of Longboat Key and named “Beer Can Island”. Many think you can only get to it by boat – but you can actually park and walk through a trail. Although I love the unique driftwood along the beach, my favorite spot is actually on the trail on the way.
Cara and James published on Trendy Bride Magazine
Downtown Sarasota & Driftwood Beach Engagement Session
The Ringling Museum
Definitely an epic location for engagement photos – although there is a fee to shoot here. It is absolutely stunning – from huge banyan trees, the Ca d’Zan, to the pink courtyard. You can’t go wrong!
Mariah and Truitt’s Ringling Museum and Beach Engagement Photos
Allie & Kevin’s Ringling Museum Engagement Session
Rye Wilderness Preserve
For the ‘non beach lover’ this is the perfect woodsy alternative. Long, tall grass and very natural woodsy location.
Beka and Jonathan Trendy Fall Engagement Session also published on Inspired by This
Anna Maria Island (Bean Point)
My personal favorite and most photographed location. Although not technically Sarasota, its worth the drive to the very north end of Anna Maria Island. The gorgeous mangrove pathway, the grassy sand dunes and the wide open beach is nice for the minimalist who wants to keep their engagement session simple and elegant.
The Celery Fields
Often overlooked, I love the unique-ness of The Celery Fields. It is lots of green grass and definitely requires some wardrobe styling and maybe even a bouquet from a florist! But everyone will be asking where you traveled for your engagement photos to get such an epic, green landscape in Sarasota.
Bohemian Bridal Inspiration at Celery Fields
Siesta Key (Access 8)
Although I am partial to Anna Maria Island – Siesta Key, access 8 definitely competes. The gorgeous field before the actual beach is perfectly backlit, and a nice natural grass background. It also has catamarans, and more seagrass. Then of course, the beautiful beach and sunset itself.
