When searching online for a Fort Lauderdale family photographer you’re probably flooded with images of families at the beach at sunset, am I right? And don’t get me wrong, family beach photoshoots are beautiful, for sure. Especially here in South Florida.

But with the Lawson family, we’ve been there, done that. With the kids getting older and Mom being a very proud Fort Lauderdale native (which is rare around here!), I said why not use the urban city vibe of downtown as the backdrop for their family photos? Mom loved it.

So, here’s how we tried something new for their family photoshoot this year, trading the beach for the city.

A Modern Family Session: Fort Lauderdale Family Photographer

Right in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale, we found our perfect urban family photoshoot location on Las Olas Boulevard! 

And if you’re visiting the area, the official Visit Lauderdale website is a great place to explore everything Fort Lauderdale has to offer.

If you don’t already know, Las Olas Boulevard is a fun area in downtown Fort Lauderdale that is just a total vibe. As a Fort Lauderdale family photographer, I just knew it would be perfect.

Ps…..read about how I styled their exact family photo outfits, complete with Amazon links!

This Fort Lauderdale Family Photographer’s Favorite Spots on Las Olas Blvd

I arrived about 45 minutes before our session was scheduled and took a little walk to see what jumped out at me as interesting spots to shoot. These spots create a perfect mix of color, texture, and skyline views for Fort Lauderdale family photos.

Here’s what I found:

Textured Tile Wall

I was looking for spots that could work for solo photos of the kids like the dramatic green tile wall I found for images of Olivia.

Stone Ledge

I saw a stone wall and column in front of an office building that had a really cool shaped skyscraper, towering behind it and could totally picture it as the perfect backdrop for Ben. (We actually started with this as our very first shot of the session!)

Hotel Holiday Wreaths

I even found a great spot in front of the Riverside hotel decorated for the holidays. There were these huge, beautiful wreaths filled with silver and gold ornament balls and a giant red bow- gave us a perfect holiday touch for this family of 4.

Arched Alley with Flowers

I also looked for little hidden alleyways that had different textures and different light. A perfect little moment and change of pace to capture mom and her sweet kids.

Colorful Acrylic Wave Wall

I love when you come across a happy surprise for something interesting to photograph. This is actually the side of a building in downtown Fort Lauderdale. I never even saw the detail until we were standing up on top of the rooftop. I thought that the waves and the color were fun to have the kids mess around and play in front of.

Rooftop Garage

My favorite spot ended up being the rooftop of a parking garage where we ended the shoot. It was a Fort Lauderdale family photographer dream!

Tons of open space- the kids loved it and they got to run and play. It had that beautiful city skyline as a backdrop that towered over us even though we were about 10 stories up ourselves. It was the perfect way to end our photoshoot! Everyone was laughing, giddy and just loving the city vibe up there.

I am so in love with this urban family session, but if you are more into natural, outdoor locations then you will love this session where I photographed a beautiful family with their older son off a sandy trail surrounded by South Florida grasses and trees.

For more details on my family photography experience, learn more on my family photography services page, where I share details on what its like to work with me for family photos!

These spots create a perfect mix of color, texture, and skyline views for Fort Lauderdale family photos.

Gallery Reveal + Wall Art Product Order

So after this awesome family session, I could not wait to come back home and cull and edit them down. We got so many gorgeous shots.

About two weeks later, they came back to my photography studio for their “gallery reveal”- my favorite part!

They ooh’d and aaah’d over their gorgeous family portraits. They ended up ordering a wall collage of one(1) 20×30 and four (4) 16×16’s, a 12×12 custom heirloom album, plus the add-on of the digital images of the full gallery.

I actually have this page where you can find more information on all my wall art and photo products that I offer!

Where to Take Family Photos from an Experienced Fort Lauderdale Family Photographer

As a Fort Lauderdale photographer, I have found SO many incredible locations for my family sessions!

Yes, this session focuses on Las Olas Boulevard, and it is my favorite Fort Lauderdale location for family photos- but here are some more of my favorite locations in Laudy: 

Birch State Park- a Fort Lauderdale Family Photographer’s Favorite!

• Great for families with kids of all ages.
• Has all the textures and nature there- beach, sandy trails, canals, bridges, banyan trees and palm trees.
• Fort Lauderdale’s version of “Central Park”!

Riverwalk

• Great for families with small kids.
• Tons of space to run around
• Parks, Plazas and Gazebos to use for family photos.

Fort Lauderdale Beach

• Perfect for families looking for those traditional beach family photos!
• Wide sandy beaches and busy promenade!

FATVillage Arts District

• Even though its under construction right now, its set to reopen by the end of 2025.
• This location is very artsy with lots of murals.
• Good for families with older kids.
• I know some photographers like Flagler village, but I prefer FATVillage!

Ready to Book Your Fort Lauderdale Family Photographer?

After eight years of photographing the Lawson family, I can tell you that kids grow up fast. Those little ones who used to need snacks and stroller breaks are now exploring downtown Fort Lauderdale like teenagers, I swear.

If you’re thinking about family photos in Fort Lauderdale, let’s chat about what would work best for your crew and your lifestyle. Maybe you want that classic beach look, or maybe you’re ready to try something totally different- something urban or “downtown” in feeling- like we did with this family.

If you’re curious about all of my sessions, you can visit my Fort Lauderdale family, maternity and newborn photographer page.