Tampa Wedding Photographer

The best thing about Fort De Soto is that it’s not just a beach. It’s a fort, it’s a road with beautiful symmetrical palm trees, it’s a spot with greenery, and a beach with unique man-made architecture. In short, you get your desired beach photos and much more. This guide breaks down how to make the most of your engagement session here.

For more Tampa Bay + St. Pete engagement spots, check out my full engagement session location guide.

Why Choose Fort De Soto for Your Engagement Photos?

The intro spoiled it, but Fort De Soto shines because it gives you variety. When a couple tells me they’re looking for a beach location, my goal is to give them even more than they expected. Yes, this spot has a beautiful beach setting complete with a pier in the background of your images to give it a little extra character. But we also have the option of variety of backdrops that make this beach location unlike any other on the west coast.

Best Photo Locations In Fort De Soto

The Historic Fort Ruins

Fort De Soto was built in the late 1890s as part of the coastal defense system during the Spanish-American War. Though it was never used in battle, its historic ruins — including cannons and brick bunkers — now offer a dramatic and unique backdrop for modern-day visitors. It gives us a chance to play with cool silhouettes and unique textures that you probably didn’t expect when you were thinking of beach photos.

The Palm Tree Entry

As you drive into the Fort, you’ll enter through a road that is backlit perfectly by the setting sun and flanked by tall, slender palm trees. I’m a sucker for symmetry so this is one of my favorite spots to begin the session if a couple is up for it.

The Beach at Sunset

And of course, the main event. I time it so we’re here about 25 minutes before sunset when the light is softest and flattering, gently wrapping itself around you to help create those magical moments. At the beach expect to kick off your shoes, roll up your pant legs and have some fun in the water! We’ll play, pose and sometimes even run to give you plenty of variety in your gallery. There’s also man made architecture that adds some visual interest in your photos.

When to Schedule Your Session (and What to Expect)

The ideal days for a session are Monday through Thursday starting no earlier than one hour before sunset. This limits the amount of people in the area, giving you a little extra privacy and giving us little more room to play with in our locations.

Usually the order I start with is the entry road (10 min), then the fort (10-15 min) and finally we walk over to the beach to finish.

Now, it is Florida so during the summer rain is a consideration. But even on days where the forecast has looked a little suspect, the ocean breeze helps keep Fort De Soto a little drier. I pay close attention to the weather forecast and I’ll stay in constant communication with you.

What To Wear For Fort De Soto Engagement Session

Want to look and feel amazing at Fort De Soto? The trick is wearing outfits that move with the breeze, soak up that dreamy light, and most importantly — let you shine.

Here are a few quick tips to make the most of your session:

• Barefoot is best. Or at least something beach-friendly. Of course, heels don’t really mix with sand and grass. Important: expect to wear footwear if you’d like images around the fort and entry road.
• Go with fabrics that move. Think flowy dresses, linen, gauzy skirts — anything light that catches the wind and the light. Structured stuff tends to feel stiff on camera, especially in a relaxed setting like this.
• Stick with soft, warm tones. Neutrals like white, cream, terracotta, dusty blue, or muted green work beautifully with the colors of the beach. Loud patterns or neon tend to pull focus (and not in a good way).
• Coordinate, don’t match. Pick colors that look great together rather than identical outfits. The goal is to feel cohesive, not copy-pasted.

And above all — wear something that feels good on you. If you’re tugging at straps or adjusting buttons the whole time, it shows. When you feel amazing, it comes through in the photos. Not sure what to wear? Plenty of couples share outfit options with me before the shoot so I could weigh in (and some even bring them at the beginning and change in the restroom!).

Pro Tips from Someone Who’s Been Here Plenty

Here are a few brief tips to make sure you’re ready for your session

• Bring a couple of towels. At the very end of the session is when we’ll venture into the water, so expect your clothing and legs to be wet and full of sand as we head back to our cars.
• Parking. In Google Maps, you’re going to want to search for “Fort De Soto Quartermaster Museum“. It’s a large parking lot. Park closer to the north, near the fort. There is a $5 parking fee through a self service machine.
• Consider bug spray. If your session is in the summer, there’s a chance some mosquitoes are around the grassier areas.

Let’s map out a session at Fort De Soto engagement session that feels like you — relaxed, romantic, and a little windswept in the best way.