I have moved around a fair amount in my life, but after moving to Jacksonville this past year I proudly call it home. Jacksonville is the largest city in terms of square milage in the U.S. Because of that, there is a vast amount of incredible photo spots throughout all 840 square miles.
When you think about Florida, you don’t normally think about the seasons. Although, here in Northern Florida, temperature can drop into the 30s at night during the winter. Of course, our beautiful summers are what everyone thinks of when they think of Florida. Those temperature changes can cause fog to drop over the city, or a mist to be thrown into the air when closer to the beaches. But don’t worry — most of the time it’s 60 plus degrees out, so pack those shorts with confidence.
The best time for photography in Jacksonville is a personal choice. You can’t go wrong with sunrise or sunset, since it seems like every day one or the other is absolutely stunning. From bright oranges to cotton candy blues, these colors help make photography easy. While urban photography is my main focus, you will see there is a variety of options available no matter what you like to shoot. Here are some of my favorite photo spots in Jacksonville.
Mayport
Mayport — which is located at the mouth of the St. Johns River — is a small neighborhood in Jacksonville that feels like a different city altogether. Mayport is host to Naval Station Mayport, Mayprot Lighthouse, and is known for fishing. It also has a ferry that will take you across the St. Johns River to access to Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach. While not the most bustling spot in Jacksonville, it is a good location if you are looking for some fishing, sunset, or photos of the ships and aircrafts from the Naval base.
Big Talbot Island State Park
Big Talbot was one of the first photo spots that really captured my attention when I moved to Jacksonville. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean and most North Eastern corner of Jacksonville. This is one of my favorite spots to explore, specifically Boneyard Beach. It gets it name because of the massive driftwood trees scattered across the beach. With so many down trees, you won’t have to worry about someone else capturing the same shot as you. My favorite time to shoot here is at night as the moon rises because you can catch the reflection and glow off the Atlantic Ocean.
Jacksonville Beach Pier
Jacksonville Beach — specifically the pier area — is great for those looking for stellar ocean photography. It is a hot spot for surfers of all ages and hosts all sorts of other water activities. If you are ever looking to hang loose and snag some epic shots of surfers catching the next big wave, this is the spot for you. The pier adds a great backdrop or centerpiece to any photo on the beach. You can capture drone shots from out at sea, long exposure from land, or action-style surf photos.
You can also check out this 42West article on How to Become a Surf Photographer.
Dames Point Bridge
Dames Point Bridge or Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Bridge is one of Jacksonville’s seven bridges, and definitely my favorite to shoot. You can get so many different shots of this bridge via drone. When I’m flying high, the drone I use is the DJI Air 2 S and try to capture directly under it at Dames Point Bridge Park or from miles away down the St. Johns River. There are also a number of angles to capture a long exposure and get those cool light trails. The shear grandiose size of this bridge and its iconic look make it one of Jacksonville locals’ favorites.
Urban Core
The urban core is our downtown area. While smaller than some other cities, it certainly doesn’t disappoint. This is the host to many events, murals, skyscrapers, historic buildings, with parts connected by our awesome Skyway (tram). You can wander this area and find your next shot with ease — whether that’s trying to frame the skyway in a unique fashion or looking for the next best shot of our skyline.
Conclusion
All of these shots were made possible using my Canon 5DS R and mainly my 24-70mm 2.8 II USM and 70-200mm 2.8 IS II USM lenses. These five photo spots are a great example of the diversity of Jacksonville, and I’m not even scratching the surface. This is why Jacksonville is — in my opinion — one of the best spots for photographers of all niches.
If you’re interested in photo spots in other U.S. cities, check out these articles:
