Destin Photography – Okaloosa Island Beasley Park – Soto Family

Destin Photography by Tiffany Sims Photography | Okaloosa Island Beasley Park

I had the pleasure recently of shooting a Okaloosa Island Photography session for some family friends of ours, the Sotos. Luis and my husband coach baseball at Shalimar Little League and soccer with Fort Walton Beach together for our sons, who are close in age, and so I was delighted when they asked if I could take family portraits of them. Having gotten to know them over a few years of baseball and soccer practices, I felt confident that I could immediately capture the loving family dynamic they have. I so enjoy seeing family dynamics play out in pictures when beloved extended family members are brought in, so Luis’ mother was a wonderful addition to our time on the beach.

Luis and Kristin are locals, so we had no trouble picking out a beach together. Okaloosa Island, specifically Beasley Park, has gorgeous dunes full of wild fronds that add texture to already scenic backgrounds, and is close to several shopping and dining venues that I often recommend to my out of town clients. It is also one of the quieter beaches on the Panhandle stretch, and offers crystal clear blue water and rolling dunes. Even rambunctious boys like these two can burn off some energy without tripping over sunbathers or disturbing anyone.

When planning a photography session, always take some time to consider your color scheme. Their choice of color scheme for their Okaloosa Island Photography session – classic blue button downs for the boys, and that great pop of coral on Kristin – looked beautiful in the afternoon light. I’m always delighted when the weather cooperates and offers that soft, diffused light as in these pictures, but luckily our beaches here, in Destin and the Emerald Coast tend to have a golden hour that I’m always excited to take advantage of.

Wilfredo and Mateo clearly have a lovely bond with their grandmother, who is an active figure in their lives. I was thrilled to capture a moment of tenderness between these sweet boys and their grandmother on the beaches at Okaloosa Island. Wilfredo has a winning smile in front of a camera, and Mateo’s personality is wonderfully present in each photo he’s in. Best of all is the photo of the two boys by themselves, clearly thinking up some kind of mischief!

I make sure to come prepared to every shoot with several ideas about how to arrange family members to get the most variety out of your family photos, but I love when families come with suggestions for me too. Luis and his wife wanted to make sure that his mother had one just with Wilfredo and Mateo, which will remind her of lovely memories for years to come. I thought that was wonderfully generous, and it turned out to be one of my favorite photos of the series.

Families come from all over to visit 30A, Destin, Okaloosa Island, and Panama City Beach.  There is still time to squeeze in a summer session before school starts back.  Contact tiffany@tiffanysims.com or 850.259.3807 to book a session.