The 10 Best Photoshoot Locations in Central Florida
Central Florida does not disappoint when it comes to beautiful photoshoot locations. There are tons of amazing places to shoot at and I really haven’t even scratched the surface on this topic. When clients book a photoshoot with me I give them the option to choose their own location but often than not they ask me to locate the perfect spot for them. That’s why I have put together a list of my favorite photoshoot locations in Central Florida.
1. Lake Runnymede Conservation Area
Address: 4600 Rummell Rd, St Cloud, FL 34771
Lake Runnymede Conservation area is located in Saint Cloud just minutes away from Saint Cloud Lakefront. The preserve itself is only 43 acres, made up of two small hiking trails through the woods but it is home to the most beautiful ancient oak trees. This is probably my favorite location so far for the simple reason that the lighting is perfect at any time of day. I’ve worked here in the morning, afternoon, and also in the evening and I’ve never had an issue with the lighting. As any Photographer will know, most of our sessions are planned around the lighting situation. This is one location where you do not have to worry about the time.
Behind one of the trail loops is a small field with tall grass that seems to be a favorite amongst Photographers. The long orange grass makes for some really nice photos. Be careful though, as we have found some ugly looking spiders in there. Make sure to take bug spray if you’re going in the evening as mosquitos love this area. Apart from the bugs, you cannot go wrong with this location.
If you’re looking to avoid other Photographers, I would recommend going in the morning or around lunch time as it does tend to get busier in the evening and most photographers tend to favor the old oak trees as their primary shoot location.
2. Celebration, FL
Celebration is a community in Kissimmee, Florida that is very close to Disney. In fact, once upon a time it was actually owned by Disney but in 2004 they sold it. Celebration sits on roughly 4,900 acres but keeps growing. Picture this; beautiful traditional American homes with white picket fences. Picturesque scenery, beautiful trees and lakes. It’s the ultimate dream.
It’s such a beautiful location to work out of and luckily isn’t over saturated with Photographers. There are many great photo opportunities in and around Celebration. In the town center you have The Bohemian Hotel, the old movie theatre, the huge lake in the middle, and the shops on Market St. If you’re looking for something a bit more rustic then you can venture further out to other villages in Celebration and explore the beautiful real estate and parks. There are a few hidden gems around Celebration so definitely plan a day trip to scope them out. Wherever you choose, you cannot go wrong and you will always have option after option here.
3. Cypress Grove Park
Address: 290 Holden Ave, Orlando, FL 32839
Cypress Grove Park is a beautiful 90 acre park with a gorgeous 1920’s estate house sitting on it. It’s a popular location for weddings and senior portraits. As you drive through the gates at the entrance you pass through a tunnel of trees which makes for absolutely gorgeous photographs, especially when the light is shining through them. Other features that attract me to this park are the small white bridges, the pretty buildings, and the beautiful Cypress trees over by the lake. If you’re looking for beautiful sunset photo ops for your portrait sessions then this park will not let you down.
The only downside to this beautiful park is that on the weekends and holidays it gets very busy. Photographers love this location but luckily the park is so big that there is plenty of space to create.
The park is child-friendly and has a small playground on it.
4. Downtown Winter Park
Winter Park is a City in Orlando, FL. It is known for it’s beautiful parks, elegant homes, first-class shopping and dining experiences, Rollins College, museums and overall its charming vibe.
If I was to list all of the locations within Winter Park that are great for taking photographs I would be here until next Tuesday so let’s just start with a few that are downtown. The buildings on Park Ave (Shops, townhomes, and apartments) are stunning. There’s the park outside the train station that has a beautiful fountain, trees, and plants. The side streets behind the train station offer a great portrait lighting and background, especially early in the morning. As a Headshot Photographer, this is my go-to location for Portraits.
This place can give you both City and rural vibes all in one. Whether you’re a Portrait Photographer or Architectural Photographer, Winter Park has something for everybody.
5. Shingle Creek Regional Park - Steffee Landing
Address: 4280 W Vine St, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Steffee Landing at Shingle Creek in Kissimmee is one of my favorite locations to shoot out of during early to mid morning as the sun shines through the trees perfectly. I enjoy the editing process whenever I work from this location as the lighting is spot on. This location is great for family photoshoots and portrait sessions.
This location is home to the original 1980’s Shingle Creek Cabin that has since been restored. Great photo locations include the bridge that goes over the creek, the small walking trails that intertwine between the two landings, the cabins, and the small field at the back of the trail. In Fall when all the leaves fall off the trees, the back field is a good place to go for a photoshoot.
I would advice bringing bug spray as the mosquitos there can sometimes get a little aggressive but other than that it’s a pretty little location that I enjoy working out of. If you don’t want to walk too far then this location is perfect for you as it’s only small.
6. Dickson Azalea Park
Address: 100 Rosearden Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
Dickson Azalea Park is a picturesque oasis of beautiful oak trees with Spanish moss, flowers, birds, and other wildlife. Located in the Milk District in Orlando, FL it is only set on approximately 3.6 acres which makes it a perfect location for children’s portraits or other portrait sessions where you don’t necessarily want to walk very far. To achieve the best lighting for your images, make sure to go early morning before 10am. That is when the light shines beautifully through the trees and looks stunning on a photograph. As you enter you’ll notice a beautiful white bridge towards the back of the park which is a photographer favorite.
This location is a gem but not a hidden gem. Like most places in Central Florida, it can get slightly busy. Dickson Azalea runs parallel to Langford Park which is also really nice for photoshoots.
7. Mead Botanical Garden
Address: 1300 S Denning Dr, Winter Park, FL 32789
I know that I’ve previously mentioned Winter Park, but Mead Botanical Garden deserves it’s own mention. Mead Botanical Gardens is 47 acres worth of beautiful seasonal flowers, a huge variety of trees, other plants, and a walking trail, an outdoor amphitheater, and ponds. If you’re looking for a pop of color in your photos keep this place in mind. Mead Botanical Gardens is a very popular wedding and photoshoot location but what’s great about it is if you choose to go at the right time, you can avoid bumping into other photographers. Unlike other Botanical Gardens in the area Mead Botanical Garden does not have an entry or parking fee.
I would advise visiting this location in either the morning or evening as sunlight can get harsh in some areas that aren’t shaded, but overall this is one of my favorite locations to take photos at.
8. Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek
2491 Babb Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Pioneer Village in Kissimmee is a nice little location to shoot from as the scenery behind the village itself is really pretty and has a walking trail you can explore. The area is shaded by huge old oak trees, one of which has previously fallen over. That itself makes for a fun photograph.
It doesn’t get too busy here which makes it a good option for a quiet photoshoot.
9. Hunters Creek
Orlando
Hunters Creek is a community in Orange County. Around Hunters Creek there are few hidden gems that are really nice spots for photoshoots. You’ve just got to drive around and find them. Most of their parks say they require an ID to enter, but they do not enforce this. I like this area because a lot of my clients are actually from Hunters Creek and sometimes it just makes sense for me to work from there.
If you’re looking for a less typical place to shoot out of or somewhere that’s kid-friendly, then definitely explore Hunters Creek.
10. Rollins College
Winter Park
Rollins College is a private college in Winter Park, which is a favorite amongst Photographers because of the stunning architecture and suburban setting. A lot of Portrait Photographers work out of here but don’t let that stop you. During the week it isn’t actually busy and luckily the campus is big enough (80 acres) that you’re never going to be on top of each other anyway.
