The most family friendly beach in South Florida

We are very familiar with all the best beaches for photography and can recommend where to go, what time is best for light and crowds, and how to find easy parking. Just two miles from our studio—and the beach we take our kids to —is Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. This is my number one pick for easy access, few crowds, and natural beauty. Whether you are local or are visiting, there is no better place to take memorable family photos than this beach! 

Lauderdale by the Sea is best in the hour and a half before sunset and for about 20 minutes after sunset. The next best time is 20 minutes before sunrise and about 30 minutes after. I have taken great shots at other times on overcast or partly cloudy days. In the summer (June-Oct) it can be brutally hot and sweaty mid-day.

In addition to being in a gorgeous location for photography, we will work hard to make your family photos a fun and relaxed experience so you also remember it as being a good time. We will help you look your best! And afterward, you can enjoy one of the many restaurants on Commercial Blvd (our fav is Tacocraft) or a little treat at Kilwins or Sloan’s.

Lauderdale-By-the-Sea

When we moved down to Florida in 2017 we looked for a place to land, everywhere from Homestead to Jupiter. We picked here. There are a few things that make this beach special. First, there are three large coral reefs, one of which is only 100 yards off the beach and, depending on the tide, is about 8-15 feet deep. Snorkeling here is like swimming in a tropical aquarium, with colorful fish, nurse sharks, lobster, sting rays, and sea turtles. We like to paddleboard on calm days when you can see straight down to the bottom with all the wildlife activity. While the pier is in shambles because of several big storms and not open to the public, it helps make a wonderful home for creatures under the sea. Second, Lauderdale by the Sea is a small town and never gets nearly as crowded as anywhere in Miami or Fort Lauderdale Beach. Third, despite being a small town, the main drag is very lively on the weekends with many of the restaurants providing live music and happy hour specials.

I like to meet families at El Prado Park. There is a large parking lot right across the street between El Mar Drive and A1A and the park has very easy access to the beach. It is several blocks from the hustle of Commercial Blvd and I can always get a empty spot of beach for beautiful family photo without crowds in the background.