About Us
We're Rob and Jill — a husband-and-wife team who've been photographing families on Amelia Island since 2014. We're parents and St. Augustine locals, and after more than a decade we still chase that Florida light: the way it pours through the oak canopies.
Our approach is easygoing and documentary. Rob sees light and angles like the engineer he used to be; Jill reads the room and knows just when you need a quiet minute. We're there to capture your day the way it actually feels — the belly laughs, the happy tears, the small in-between moments — not to stage it.
More about us →Where We Shoot
From Fort Clinch dunes to Fernandina's Victorian streets
Amelia Island gives you more variety in a small space than almost any other Florida destination. Thirteen miles of uncrowded barrier island beach, a walkable Victorian historic district, a Civil War-era state park, and resort grounds — all within a short drive of each other. Here are the locations we recommend most for family sessions:
The most accessible stretch of Amelia Island's east-facing coast. Wide beach, easy parking, and a consistent backdrop of dunes and Atlantic horizon. Great for families with young kids who need room to move. Golden hour here is especially warm in fall.
A Civil War-era fort on the island's northern tip, with dunes, maritime forest, and views of Cumberland Sound. The natural framing here is unlike anything else in the area — gnarly live oaks, soft sand paths, and historic stone walls. Park permits required; we handle the process.
Victorian storefronts, brick-paved Centre Street, and flowering trees that look great in morning light. If your family isn't a beach crowd, or you want a mix of beach and town portraits in one session, Fernandina's historic district delivers. It's also uncrowded before 10am.
The Ritz-Carlton and Omni Amelia Island Plantation both have beautifully maintained grounds with beach access. If you're a resort guest, we can shoot on property — manicured lawns, live oak canopy, and direct beach access all in one location.
Not sure which location fits your family best? Tell us your kids' ages, how long you want to be outdoors, and where you're staying — we'll make a recommendation that works for your trip.
Amelia sits at the far north end of the First Coast, so if your family is closer to Jacksonville's south side we also photograph sessions about an hour down the coast in Ponte Vedra and the neighboring Nocatee community.
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Style Guide
Coordinated tones, not matching outfits
The best color schemes for family photos are coordinated tones — not matching outfits. Start with one person's outfit (usually mom's dress) and build complementary pieces around it, mixing 2-3 colors with neutrals.
A classic family photo combo. White tops with jeans or khakis — timeless, clean, and pops against sand and water. Add variety with rolled sleeves, different shades of denim, or a linen texture.
Cream, beige, taupe, and light gray with warm accents like rust, burnt orange, or mustard. Earth tones balance the cool blues of the Amelia Island ocean and look beautiful at golden hour.
Dusty rose, sage green, light blue, and muted lavender. Coordinating pastels harmonize with the sky and water without competing. Keep patterns minimal — let the colors do the work.
Skip neon, busy patterns, and large logos — they pull attention from faces. Don't go all-blue (you'll blend into the ocean). And avoid everyone wearing the exact same thing — coordinated always looks better than matching.
We send a detailed wardrobe guide after booking with color palette suggestions tailored to your session location, time of year, and the colors in your home if you plan to frame the photos.
The Process
From inquiry to gallery in four simple steps
Tell us what you're looking for — beach, downtown Fernandina, Fort Clinch, resort grounds. Tell us when you're on the island and we'll check availability and talk through the best options.
Once you book, we'll send you an outfit guide and prep checklist. We'll nail down the location, the time of day, and a plan for keeping things low-stress — especially with little ones.
We handle the kids, the posing, and the light. You just show up and be yourselves. Sessions typically run about 60 minutes, and we mix candid moments with a few classic portraits.
Highlights within a few days. Your full edited gallery — with download and print rights — delivered in about two weeks.
Pricing
Clear, straightforward — no hidden fees
We also photograph elopements and weddings on Amelia Island:
Amelia Island Elopement Photographer · St. Augustine Family Photographer
Trena
Olivia
The Lynn Family | Vilano Beach Sneak Peek
Margrete and Cody
FAQ
Common questions about family sessions on Amelia Island
Most shoots run 60-90 minutes, giving us plenty of time for different groupings and outfit changes if desired. Extended groups may run longer depending on size.
Kids are unpredictable—that's part of what makes them wonderful. We embrace the chaos and know how to work with wiggly toddlers and reluctant teenagers. Some of our best work comes from unscripted scenes. Relax and let them be kids.
Golden hour—the 1-2 hours before sunset—gives us the finest light. The sun is soft, the shadows are flattering, and the colors are gorgeous. Amelia's east-facing beaches can also be stunning at sunrise if your family is up for it. We'll recommend exact timing based on the season.
Fort Clinch State Park and Amelia Island State Park require special-use permits for photo sessions. We know the process and handle this for you when your session is inside park boundaries. Main Beach Park and most public stretches of shore don't require permits for family sessions.
For peak season (March-May and October-November), we recommend booking 3-4 weeks ahead. For summer vacation dates, book as soon as you know your travel window — those spots fill quickly. We can sometimes accommodate shorter notice outside peak season.
Absolutely. If you're staying at the Ritz-Carlton, Omni Amelia Island, or a vacation rental near the beach, we're happy to start at your property and walk to the session location together. We work around your vacation schedule.
Testimonials
290+ five-star reviews on Google, WeddingWire & The Knot
“Rob and Jill are two of the nicest people we have met. They are amazing to work with and did an amazing job for my daughters wedding in October at The Treasury. Rob captured amazing photos we will treasure for...”
“Absolutely INCREDIBLE to work with this beautiful couple. They are so patient and work so well with clients requests and shenanigans. Thank you Rob and Jill for making mine and Jason’s wedding so incredibly...”
“Rob Futrell is a professional photographer who is a no nonsense get the job done right young man who is a ball of positive energy. We loved the photos he took for our daughters wedding (Mary & Luke)at the...”
“Rob and Jill did my daughter's dance photos, and they did an amazing job! They were incredibly patient and had wonderful personalities that made working with young children so easy. It's not always easy to...”
“We can’t say enough about Rob and Jill. They were exactly what we needed. A fun, friendly and professional husband and wife team. They were easy to work with, and made taking photos fun. Great personalities and...”
“If I could give 100 stars I would. Our wedding was captured so perfectly by Rob and Jill. On our wedding day they were so great, very organized and accommodating but ready to go with the flow if necessary. It...”
Tell us your travel dates, how many people, and what you're picturing — we'll take it from there. We'll help you pick the right spot, whether that's the beach, downtown Fernandina, Fort Clinch, or your resort grounds, and send an outfit guide and prep checklist once you book. Sessions typically run about 60 minutes, highlights arrive within a few days, and your full edited gallery follows in about two weeks.
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