Here at Thru My Eyes Productions – we photograph Sarasota full-time, 52 weeks a year, with cameras, drones, and video rigs, and a serious love for nature. We’ve taken tens of thousands of photos here over the last 5 years, and this list is the real deal, just the spots that actually make our clients cry happy tears and fill our portfolio with award-winners.
This 2026 edition includes brand-new hidden gems, updated 2026 drone regulations, new boardwalk extensions at Celery Fields, and exact times, lenses, and secret parking tricks we only usually share with booked clients. Let’s dive in!
0ur Top 15 Photography Spots in Sarasota for 2026:
- Siesta Key Public Beach & Point of Rocks – Still the Best
Why it’s #1: That 99% quartz sand glows like powdered sugar at sunset. Point of Rocks has limestone formations that create natural leading lines and tide pools full of marine life.
Best time: Sunset (currently ~5:45–6:15 PM in winter, ~8:15 PM in summer). Arrive 90 minutes early for golden hour on the sand.
Pro tips: 16-35mm or 24-70mm for wide scenes. Use a 6-stop ND for silky water over the rocks. Polarizer is mandatory here.
Drone legal? Yes from the public beach (stay under 400 ft, avoid crowds, use LAANC for instant authorization – Sarasota airspace is controlled). Best view: 120–150 ft looking south toward Point of Rocks.
Parking: Large county free parking lot at Siesta Public Beach (fills by 10 AM on weekends). Secret: Park at Turtle Beach for free and walk/ride the free Siesta Breeze trolley.
GPS: 27.2631° N, 82.5508° W (main beach) | Point of Rocks: 27.2490° N, 82.5435° W
- Ringling Bridge at Blue Hour – Sarasota’s Most Iconic Shot
The bridge turns electric blue, the skyline lights up, sailboats glide underneath. Hands down my most requested location.
Best time: 20–40 minutes after sunset for true blue hour (use PhotoPills app).
Pro tips: 70-200mm from Bird Key Park for compression, or 14-24mm from Island Park for foreground reflections. Long exposure (10–30 sec) with Big Stopper ND.
Drone legal? Yes with LAANC authorization (Class D airspace). My favorite altitude: 200–250 ft looking west.
Parking hack: Free at Island Park (south side) or Bird Key Park (north side – better for clean skyline).
GPS: 27.3370° N, 82.5548° W (Island Park)
- Celery Fields – The “Rolling Hills of Sarasota” (NEW 2026 Gazebo Overlook!)
2025 saw the completion of the new elevated boardwalk and gazebo on the east side – it’s an absolute game-changer for sunrise compositions.
Best light: Sunrise – the hills glow orange and birds explode out of the wetlands.
Pro tips: 100-400mm for bird photography, 24-105mm for landscapes. The new gazebo gives perfect elevation for leading lines.
Drone legal? YES and spectacular! One of the few places in Sarasota County with almost zero restrictions. Fly 200–300 ft for the “Tuscany in Florida” look.
Parking: Free, huge lot, rarely full.
GPS: 27.2990° N, 82.4490° W (new gazebo boardwalk entrance)
- Beer Can Island (Greer Island Driftwood Beach) – True Hidden Gem
Massive driftwood trees, turquoise water, almost zero people. Feels like you’re shipwrecked in the Bahamas.
Best time: Low tide at sunrise (check tide chart – needs to be below 0.5 ft).
Pro tips: 35mm or 50mm prime for intimate driftwood portraits. Bring bug spray.
Drone legal? Yes – open water, no restrictions. 360° panoramas here are insane.
Access: Kayak/SUP from Longboat Pass (I rent from Happy Paddler) or walk from north Longboat Key at extreme low tide (not for flip-flops).
GPS: 27.4440° N, 82.6890° W
- Myakka River State Park – Wild Florida Magic
Canopy walkway, alligators, Spanish moss, palm hammocks. The deepest “old Florida” vibes.
Best time: Early morning (park opens 8 AM) or golden hour.
Pro tips: 70-200mm or longer for wildlife. The canopy walkway is perfect for elevated compositions.
Drone legal? NO for recreational use in 2026 (Florida State Park rule – permit required for commercial).
Parking/Entry: $6 per vehicle. Get there at opening on weekends.
GPS Canopy Walkway: 27.2470° N, 82.3160° W
- Bean Point, Anna Maria Island
Where Gulf meets Bay. Powder sand, sea oats, no buildings in sight.
Best time: Sunset – the sky explodes pink/purple.
Drone: Yes, but keep distance from homes.
GPS: 27.5390° N, 82.7390° W (walk to end of street)
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (Downtown Campus)
Banyan trees, Spanish moss curtains, koi ponds.
Best light: Morning shaded or cloudy days.
Drone: No (private property).
Entry: $26 adult.
GPS: 27.3360° N, 82.5450° W
- Phillippi Estate Park
Historic mansion, giant live oaks, waterfront. Permit-free!
Drone: Yes, excellent.
Parking: Free.
- North Lido Beach / Ted Sperling Park
Mangrove tunnels, dunes, secluded beaches.
Best for: Adventure engagement sessions.
Drone: Yes
- Coquina Beach South
Wide beach, Australian pines, amazing groynes.
Parking: Free, huge lot.
- The Ringling – Ca’ d’Zan & Rose Garden
Venetian palace + rose garden = European elegance.
Drone: No (museum property).
- Bayfront Park + Marina Jack + O’Leary’s Tiki Bar
Skyline, sailboats, dolphins.
Drone: Yes with LAANC.
- St. Armands Circle at Christmas
Millions of lights, European village feel (seasonal Nov–Jan).
Best: First two weeks of December before crowds peak.
- Felts Audubon Preserve (Palmetto)
Boardwalks through untouched wetlands, almost zero people ever.
Drone: Yes, incredible.
- Big Pass / South Lido Nature Park
Jetty rocks, passing boats, turquoise water where Gulf meets ICW. New 2025 boardwalk extension makes access easier.
Best light: Sunrise looking east toward downtown skyline.
Ready for Portfolio-Worthy Photos Without the Guesswork?
Here’s the truth, these spots are incredible… but 90% of the magic is knowing exactly when the light hits, where to stand, which lens to use, and how to avoid the crowds.
We’ve spent years visiting these locations and making lasting memories for our clients. We would love to take photos of your family, your wedding, or whatever your vision may be, at the best spots in Sarasota, at the absolute perfect time, with professional photos you’ll frame forever! Reach out today to book your shoot!
We hope to see you under the Sarasota sun,
Nicholas & Jasmine
Sarasota’s Trusted Photography & Drone Team
