Hello:

We are taking a family vacation in July and would love to have our pictures taken on the beach. If anyone can provide any recommendations for a photographer they have used I would very appreciative!

Thanks!

You might want to try Trip Advisor. They have a Destin board and a number of locals post there. It is likely someone would have a recommendation. Also AOL travel has a Florida Panhandle board that is frequented by locals. Hope you find someone.

I live in Fort Walton Beach/Destin. Will check with friends in the area who have used local photographers for beach portraits and reply with names and phone numbers. I know there are a couple who are particularly good. Give me a few days!

Gulf Reflections Studio @ 850-863-2288.

Their are located in Fort Walton Beach which is just west of Destin, maybe 10 minutes. They do exceptional work and are excellent with children. Saw a beach portrait of a friend's daughter at 4 YO that was gorgeous. Each photographer has their favorite area they like and will meet you. With our snow white beaches, time of day is critical to a good shot. Portraits are best in early morning or late afternoon to avoid the glare and resultant squinting.

They're setting fee and photos are pricey, but well worth the $$$ for a quality product. There are other listings in the phone book, but these folks do the best work I have seen.

If neither of these options worj for you, you might look into photographers in your area. For example, in our city, there are two photographers who visit Destin 3 times a year and allow families to make appointments while they are down there.

Gulf Reflections Studio is wonderful! It's a husband and wife team--I think the wife is the better of the two. We've had pictures of each grandchild done at 5 years of age--so far, three of them---and each picture was great. They've also done some family pictures for my son in law's family that were terrific. They make the pictures late in the afternoon and you go to their studio (home) the next day to see the proofs on a screen via an LCD (or something like that). They are extremely helpful in assisting you with picking the best pose--point out things that most people wouldn't notice (until the picture was there and it was too late!). For my money, Gulf Reflections is the best--they are pricey but the end product is well worth it.

I have Mari's Paradise Imagse with 15 years of award winning photojournalism experience. I would be happy to make your memorable images from your trip to the Emerald Coast. Please call:
850.699.3403
or visit my web site:
http://www.mindspring.com/~newsphoto/paradise