Make Your Vacation Last a Lifetime!

Sutton B Photography shares her expertise on capturing the perfect family photos

BY KATIE GARRISON

FAMILY PHOTOS PROVE THEIR VALUE as the years pass fleetingly. And family vacations offer some of the happiest memories. Most families only get one vacation a year or every few years. Why not freeze this special moment in time with a photo session on the beach?

DestinFlorida.com’s go-to photographer, Sutton Godar of Sutton B Photography, shared with us her insider knowledge, recommendations and suggestions for capturing perfect moments to last a lifetime.

▶ Beach family photos make for a unique shoot. We’re not kidding — the scenery alone makes for the ideal backdrop. And you can get creative with themes and props. Godar offers a children’s mermaid package that makes for a unique photo opportunity along the Destin shoreline.

There are so many options beyond the ocean as the background. The dunes, parks and piers make for stunning photos. Godar recommends Henderson Beach State Park, Eden Gardens State Park and Norriego Point for photo shoots immersed in natural beauty.

Her favorite spot to photograph is Eden Gardens with its 163 acres of beautiful land and the historic Wesley House. The park offers tall moss-draped oak trees amid a lush greenscape, a fountain complementing the elegant estate home and camellia and azalea gardens, all looking out over Tucker Bayou.

▶ Let’s talk about Destin’s breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Destin is known for its sugar-white sand and emerald waters, but the sky is equally stunning. You get the picture — it’s the whole package! Godar recommends beginning your shoot at sunrise or in the afternoon, 45 minutes before sunset, to capture your golden-hour moment.

And she said that an off-season trip is perfect for photo shoots.

“The fall is the absolute best time of the year for sunsets,” said Godar. “If you plan a trip down to the emerald coast for the fall, give me a call.”

The mix of orange and pastelpink skies, calm waters and lessened crowds make for a magical beach backdrop.

▶ Rounding up the kids for a perfect shot can be tough. Let’s be honest — when you’re busy chasing little ones, sometimes a family photoshoot seems more like a chore than a fun vacation activity. But the long stretches of

Emerald Coast beaches offer plenty of room for the little ones to burn off steam in between shots and sometimes even during.

“Organic photos make for some of my client’s favorite photos, and mine!” Godar said.

To make it fun for the kids, Godar shared some of her go-to distractions that encourage an organic family shoot. She said that playing in the water, messing around in the sand, parents tickling kids and simply allowing the kids to run around can offer some of the best results.