Places to take pictures in Brandon (Tampa, Sarasota: homes, subdivision, fences)

[andrea3821]

Hi, I am going to be meeting a friend in the Brandon area at the beginning of March to take some family pictures for her. I haven't had any luck with Google in trying to find some places for ideas to take the pictures. I was hoping someone local could recommend a few places for me to consider. I was thinking a park or something like that, something with a variety of backdrops. Stairs, barns, buildings (brick, stone, cool wooden architecture), water, nice grassy fields, trees, tunnels, fences...you get the idea.

[algia]

There are no Tunnels in Florida for one, second you won't find many good backgrounds in Brandon, it is a big strip mall subdivision. You want to go to Ybor for "brick", downtown Tampa for "buildings", Plant City for "Barns", St Pete Beach for "water", or the Bay by Ballast Point Park for example, or along Bayshore Blvd next to downtown Tampa, Fort De Soto for "stone".

"Fences"...hmmm not so much, and not those cool looking ones you see on Jersey beaches...there are wooden fences by the beaches in certain areas like there's one on Honeymoon Island, but then pretty much every state park has those you may even find it at Hillsborough County Park. "Cool wooden architecture"...VERY hard to find...it is not prevalent to this area at all. Between Brandon and Plant City you should fine plenty of grassy fields, it just depends what's on them and who they belong too...

Just be prepared to drive around a lot, as all the stuff on your list is definitely not in Brandon.

[Annie of Oldsmar]

I very much agree with Algia.

Look around Tampa for buildings. West Tampa has the most amazing buildings from the cigar time. I just love them. If I were a professional photographer I would take photos of Old Tampa and publish a book, like I have seen in other states and other countries.

[algia]

I am a professional photographer...and I agree, all around Ybor and on the other side of I-4 are a ton of gorgeous buildings. Also in Seminole Heights there are a LOT of craftsman style homes that are wonderful, some have been restored, but some are sadly left in disrepair which is a true shame.

You can also find beautiful homes all throughout South Tampa, I usually call for permission to photograph them, or photograph in front of them, as a courtesy because some people don't like that. I was very lucky though and never had an issue.


Also, there are 2 bridges one closer to downtown by Publix, and one by the Hospital that you can get some awesome shots with downtown as a back drop. Just do it at Dusk...BEST LIGHT for Tampa's downtown because of the way the sunset reflects on those glass buildings. If you get some clouds even better...if not, well there's always Photoshop...LOL

Also if you have time, you could go see the Ringling Brothers Villa in Sarasota, THAT would give you an outstanding backdrop. Or you can visit Pinnelas County Botanic Gardens, they have some awesome areas for photos.

Originally Posted by Annie of Oldsmar

I very much agree with Algia.

Look around Tampa for buildings. West Tampa has the most amazing buildings from the cigar time. I just love them. If I were a professional photographer I would take photos of Old Tampa and publish a book, like I have seen in other states and other countries.

[algia]

I am sorry, why are you in this thread?

I've been to Ybor during the day on SEVERAL photo-shoots and it is perfectly safe. PLUS Nobody takes "family" photos AT NIGHT in Ybor!!!

Please stop attacking my posts. I have traveled all over Tampa Bay for photo-shots as it is MY JOB, OK! I didn't tell her to go there at night, if she does, chances are none of the backgrounds she wants would show UNLESS she brings heavy Lighting equipment which I highly doubt she will. She didn't ask for "night time" locations to photograph.

She asked where SPECIFIC things are located. I answered because I KNOW 1st hand!

1% of the stuff she wants is "near the coast"!

[user8]

[
totally disagree. stay within ybor city proper during daytime and there are plenty of photo-worthy opportunities.

ybor itself is great, just not the slums that surround it.

you're like some paranoid old grandmother who sits at her front window peeping through the curtains.

[kbrkr]

Just up the road from Brandon is Plant city and
Edward Medard Park: Edward Medard Park and Reservoir • Eastern Hillsborough County, east of Brandon

Try Davis Park in Brandon:
Davis Park Reviews (Brandon, Florida) - IgoUgo

Finally, check out this site, it shows pictures of the area as you scroll the map....very cool!! This could help you find that ideal photo background:
Panoramio - Photos of the World

[kbrkr]

Originally Posted by algia

I am a professional photographer...and I agree, all around Ybor and on the other side of I-4 are a ton of gorgeous buildings. Also in Seminole Heights there are a LOT of craftsman style homes that are wonderful, some have been restored, but some are sadly left in disrepair which is a true shame.

You can also find beautiful homes all throughout South Tampa, I usually call for permission to photograph them, or photograph in front of them, as a courtesy because some people don't like that. I was very lucky though and never had an issue.


Also, there are 2 bridges one closer to downtown by Publix, and one by the Hospital that you can get some awesome shots with downtown as a back drop. Just do it at Dusk...BEST LIGHT for Tampa's downtown because of the way the sunset reflects on those glass buildings. If you get some clouds even better...if not, well there's always Photoshop...LOL

Also if you have time, you could go see the Ringling Brothers Villa in Sarasota, THAT would give you an outstanding backdrop. Or you can visit Pinnelas County Botanic Gardens, they have some awesome areas for photos.

HI Algia,

Can you recommend any Photog clubs in the Tampa Area? I'm an amateur photographer and would like to go on photo shoots and outings and exchange notes with fellow photogs in the area.

[algia]

Actually believe it or not, Scott Kelby's main offices are in Oldsmar, and they organize photo walks every year. I've been to an awesome one in Tarpon a few years ago.

Scott Kelby's Fourth Annual | Worldwide Photo Walk

Click around the map of FL and you can find walks:
Find a Photo Walk Near You | Worldwide Photo Walk


You can also check on Meet up, there are a lot there too.

I would usually go by myself as I would think of something specific I wanted to photograph, or couldn't get my schedule together with others, but when we get back I am definitely going back to Kelby's walks. You get to meet really cool people, and then go from there.

Originally Posted by kbrkr

HI Algia,

Can you recommend any Photog clubs in the Tampa Area? I'm an amateur photographer and would like to go on photo shoots and outings and exchange notes with fellow photogs in the area.

[Annie of Oldsmar]

kb, a friend belongs to this group.

http://www.flccp.org/