Florida Botanical Gardens Engagement

Florida Botanical Gardens Engagement with Teressa & Max

A recent engagement session with Teressa & Max at Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo, FL. This was my first time meeting and working with the stylish couple. It was also my first time shooting at the gardens and I was very impressed. It’s in the middle of a busy part of town, but as soon as we walked through the gates we were transported somewhere magical. Teressa and Max were in town from Brooklyn for the shoot. They are both great people and a sincere pleasure to work with–super photogenic, fun and totally excited about the shoot. I’m looking forward to being the photographer at their wedding as well.

It was a breezy, overcast day with hints of sun at times–perfect for photos. We shot in several areas of the garden including the Wedding Garden, bridge and areas around the its large pond complete with Adirondack chairs. A wooden boardwalk ends at an observation deck. There are golden Art Deco style gates, as well as some quotes about love carved in stone on the walkways. In the center of the garden there’s a metal bench with sculpted florals that I had them stand on for a few arty photos. There’s also a pergola and a rose garden. Free parking, no admission fee and no restrictions or licenses required to take photos. It’s really a photographers dream come true.

I photographed this engagement session in natural light in the late afternoon using two Nikon D750 cameras supported by a HoldFast Money Maker Harness and 24mm, 35mm, 85mm and 90mm (macro) prime lenses carried in an ONA Bowery Bag. The last photo on the bridge was backlit using a Godox AD200 flash with MagMod’s MagSphere attached.