St. Augustine Photos: Best Places to Take Pictures
A local photographer's guide to the most photogenic spots in America's oldest city
Looking for beautiful St. Augustine photos? After 15 years and 2,500+ sessions, we've photographed every corner of this city. These are the locations we return to again and again—the spots that consistently deliver stunning pictures for engagement sessions, family portraits, weddings, and everything in between.
St. Augustine isn't just Florida's oldest city—it's one of the most photogenic places in the entire Southeast. Spanish colonial architecture, ancient oak trees draped in moss, waterfront views, and cobblestone streets create backdrops you simply can't find anywhere else. These Saint Augustine Florida photos showcase why we love shooting here.
Whether you're a visitor looking for Instagram-worthy spots or planning a professional photo session, this guide will help you find the perfect location for pictures of St. Augustine.
Best Places for St. Augustine FL Photos
Castillo de San Marcos
The iconic 17th-century Spanish fort is arguably the most recognizable landmark in St. Augustine. Its coquina walls, massive bastions, and bayfront location make it a photographer's dream. The fort faces east, so sunrise shots are spectacular, but sunset creates beautiful warm light on the ancient walls.
We love shooting on the seawall just south of the fort—you get the entire structure in frame with the bay as your backdrop. During Nights of Lights (November-January), the surrounding palm trees glow with millions of lights.
Photography Tips
- Best light: Sunrise or 1 hour before sunset
- The grass lawn is perfect for family portraits
- Avoid midday—harsh shadows on the walls
- Parking: Castillo Drive lot or street parking on Avenida Menendez
St. George Street
This pedestrian-only street is the heart of historic St. Augustine. Colonial-era buildings, overhanging balconies, and narrow alleys create endless photo opportunities. It's busy during the day, but early morning (before 9 AM) gives you the street almost to yourself.
Our favorite spots include the historic City Gates at the north end, the Spanish moss-draped side streets, and the colorful storefronts that line the main drag. The variety here is unmatched—you can get a dozen different looks without walking more than a few blocks.
Photography Tips
- Best time: Before 9 AM for empty streets
- The City Gates make an iconic backdrop
- Side streets offer more privacy and unique angles
- During Nights of Lights, come after dark for magical shots
Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
The Cathedral Basilica is the oldest Catholic church in Florida, and its Spanish Renaissance facade is absolutely stunning. The bell tower, ornate entrance, and Plaza de la Constitución in front create a European feel that's hard to find elsewhere in the U.S.
The interior is equally impressive if you're photographing a wedding or need indoor shots. Outside, the plaza offers open sky for dramatic portraits, while the surrounding streets provide more intimate settings.
Photography Tips
- Best light: Late afternoon when the facade glows golden
- The plaza fountain makes a great foreground element
- Wedding ceremonies require advance booking
- Respectful attire required for interior shots
Flagler College / Lightner Museum
Henry Flagler's former Hotel Ponce de Leon (now Flagler College) is one of the most photographed buildings in Florida. The Spanish Renaissance architecture, with its red-tiled towers, ornate carvings, and grand courtyard, looks like something out of a European fairy tale.
The Lightner Museum across the street (originally Hotel Alcazar) offers equally impressive architecture with the added bonus of a stunning interior courtyard. Together, these two buildings offer endless photography possibilities.
Photography Tips
- Flagler courtyard access may require tour ticket
- The exterior and surrounding streets are always accessible
- Lightner Museum courtyard is free to enter
- Best light: Morning for Lightner, afternoon for Flagler
Aviles Street
Aviles Street holds the distinction of being the oldest documented street in America, laid out in 1572. It's narrower and quieter than St. George Street, with an artistic vibe thanks to the galleries and studios that line it.
The street's intimate scale and historic buildings make it perfect for couples and small groups. We especially love the section near the Ximenez-Fatio House, where ancient coquina walls and overhanging trees create a timeless atmosphere.
Photography Tips
- Less crowded than St. George Street
- Afternoon light filters beautifully through the trees
- Art galleries provide colorful backgrounds
- Connects to King Street for more variety
Bayfront & Bridge of Lions
The Matanzas Bay waterfront offers some of the most dramatic views in the city. The Bridge of Lions—with its iconic marble lion statues—is a St. Augustine landmark, and sunset shots here are absolutely stunning.
The seawall along Avenida Menendez provides a long stretch of waterfront access, with the downtown skyline and sailboats as your backdrop. This is our go-to location for sunset engagement sessions and golden hour portraits.
Photography Tips
- Sunset is the best time—the bay faces west
- The lions make great foreground subjects
- Bridge opens on the hour and half-hour—capture it raised!
- The marina has beautiful boat reflections at calm tide
St. Augustine Lighthouse
The black-and-white spiral lighthouse is one of the most distinctive structures on Florida's coast. At 165 feet tall, it's visible from all over the island—and the grounds surrounding it offer beautiful photography opportunities.
The lighthouse keeper's house, maritime hammock trails, and waterfront views of the inlet all provide variety. This is a great location when you want something different from the typical downtown shots.
Photography Tips
- Best angles: From the grounds looking up, or from across the inlet
- Morning light illuminates the red keeper's house beautifully
- Grounds require museum admission
- The deck at Cap's on the Water offers great lighthouse views
St. Augustine Beach
No photography guide to St. Augustine would be complete without the beach. The wide, uncrowded stretches of sand offer classic Florida beach photography with the bonus of being far less developed than other coastal areas.
Sunrise is spectacular here—the east-facing shoreline means you get that golden ball rising right out of the Atlantic. For sunset, head to the inlet side where you can capture the sun going down over the Intracoastal Waterway.
Photography Tips
- Sunrise is magic—arrive 30 minutes before
- Low tide reveals tidal pools and wider sand
- The pier makes a great leading line
- Vilano Beach offers a quieter alternative
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
About 20 minutes south of downtown, Washington Oaks offers two completely different photography environments. The formal gardens feature live oaks, rose gardens, and manicured landscaping. The beach side has the famous coquina rock formations—unique geological features you won't find anywhere else.
This is our top recommendation when couples want a nature-focused session with variety. You can shoot in the garden, walk to the beach, and get completely different looks in the same visit.
Photography Tips
- State park entry fee required ($5/vehicle)
- The coquina rocks are best at low tide
- Gardens are shaded—great for midday shoots
- Allow time to explore both sides of A1A
Plaza de la Constitución
The heart of downtown St. Augustine, this public square has been a gathering place for over 400 years. The central gazebo, Confederate monument, historic buildings, and towering trees create a classic Southern atmosphere.
During Nights of Lights, the plaza is transformed with thousands of white lights—making it one of the most magical spots in the city. Year-round, it's a central location that connects you to all the other downtown spots on this list.
Photography Tips
- The gazebo is perfect for couples portraits
- Surrounding buildings provide architectural variety
- Nights of Lights: November through January
- Market days (Wed & Sat mornings) add colorful activity
Bonus: Hidden Gems
Beyond the top 10, here are a few lesser-known spots that locals love:
- Fort Mose Historic State Park — The site of the first free Black settlement in America, with beautiful marsh views
- St. Augustine Distillery — Industrial-chic vibes in a restored ice plant building
- Lincolnville neighborhood — Victorian homes and tree-lined streets, less touristy
- Castillo Drive — Spanish moss-draped oaks along the approach to the fort
- Old Jail courtyard — Historic architecture with a quirky edge
Ready to Book Your St. Augustine Photo Session?
We've been photographing sessions at these locations for 15 years. Whether you're planning an engagement shoot, family portraits, or professional headshots, we'd love to help you capture beautiful images in our favorite city.