Family Photos with a Senior Dog at Apollo Beach Nature Preserve
Family Sessions Greg Betza Family Sessions Greg Betza

Family Photos with a Senior Dog at Apollo Beach Nature Preserve

A Golden Hour Extended Family Session at Apollo Beach Nature Preserve

If you've never been to Apollo Beach Nature Preserve, it's one of those spots that doesn't show up on the typical "best photo locations in Tampa Bay" lists — and honestly, that's part of what makes it work so well. No crowds, no competing for space with three other sessions at once, just weathered limestone rock formations, low mangrove scrub, and open water views that turn gold about an hour before sunset.

This session was with an extended family group — nine people across three generations, all in coordinated black, white, and camo tones that held up beautifully against the rock and water backdrop. Bigger groups like this come with real logistics: getting nine people looking at the camera at the same time, working around uneven rock terrain, keeping the energy up through wardrobe changes. It's a different job than a mini session, and it's one of my favorite challenges to solve.

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A Golden Hour Extended Family Session at Apollo Beach Nature Preserve (Copy)
Family Sessions, Pet Sessions Greg Betza Family Sessions, Pet Sessions Greg Betza

A Golden Hour Extended Family Session at Apollo Beach Nature Preserve (Copy)

Family Photos with a Senior Dog at Apollo Beach Nature Preserve

Some sessions are about capturing a moment. This one was about capturing time.

This family came to me wanting two things in one session: their usual family portraits, and time with their black lab mix, who's older now and slowing down. They wanted photos of him with their daughter, with the family as a whole, close up on his face — the kind of images that matter more with each year that passes rather than less. Their goldendoodle came along too, and having both dogs in the frame gave the session an easy, lived-in feeling instead of anything staged or heavy.

Apollo Beach Nature Preserve turned out to be a good setting for this kind of session. The open sandy paths gave the dogs room to walk naturally instead of being wrangled into a pose, and the golden hour light softened everything — there's a shot of their daughter wrapped in a blanket with the black dog nose-to-nose with her that says more than any posed portrait could have.

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Family Photos at the Mosaic in Lithia, FL
Greg Betza Greg Betza

Family Photos at the Mosaic in Lithia, FL

Family Photos at the Mosaic in Lithia, FL

In early November, I teamed up with a friend and fellow photographer, Megan, for a shoot swap — she photographed my family when we first moved to Florida, and this time I got to return the favor with a session of my own.

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Family of Five on a FishHawk Porch
Greg Betza Greg Betza

Family of Five on a FishHawk Porch

Family of Five on a FishHawk Porch

Some of my favorite sessions happen on a porch, not a beach or a field. This one — mom, dad, and three kids ranging from toddler to teenager — brought a lot of genuine, unposed laughter to a set of old wooden steps in FishHawk.

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Three Generations at the Lake House, FishHawk
Greg Betza Greg Betza

Three Generations at the Lake House, FishHawk

Three Generations at the Lake House, FishHawk

Some of the best sessions aren't about one family — they're about three generations showing up together. This one brought together mom, dad, their daughter, and dad's parents for an afternoon at FishHawk's Lake House, with the lake and hanging Spanish moss doing most of the scene-setting for us.

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Family Photos on a New Lithia Ranch — The Beginning of Something
Greg Betza Greg Betza

Family Photos on a New Lithia Ranch — The Beginning of Something

Family Photos on a New Lithia Ranch — The Beginning of Something

Some sessions come with a story built right in. This one did: a family of six, plus grandma and the family dogs, gathered on land in Lithia that will one day be a working horse ranch. This session marked the beginning — the first family photos taken on land that's about to become something much bigger.

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Christmas Mini Session at the Lake House in FishHawk
Greg Betza Greg Betza

Christmas Mini Session at the Lake House in FishHawk

Christmas Mini Session at the Lake House in FishHawk

This Christmas mini session at the Lake House in FishHawk was a favorite — oak and palm trees framing a lakeside setting as the sun dropped low, casting warm, golden light over a family of five.

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Family Photos at the University of Tampa | Rainy Day Session
Greg Betza Greg Betza

Family Photos at the University of Tampa | Rainy Day Session

Family Photos at the University of Tampa | Rainy Day Session

As a Tampa family photographer, I love finding moments that mean something more than a pretty photo. This session at the historic University of Tampa campus — Victorian architecture, manicured gardens, a light rain falling the whole time — turned out to be one of those.

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Family Photos at Ballast Point Park, South Tampa
Greg Betza Greg Betza

Family Photos at Ballast Point Park, South Tampa

Family Photos at Ballast Point Park, South Tampa


A heartfelt South Tampa family photo session at Ballast Point Park. With their 9-month-old boy stealing the show, genuine moments were captured. The devoted grandmother's presence added depth, showcasing the special bond with her grandson. Beautiful surroundings, tender interactions, and candid shots made this session truly memorable.

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Cypress Point Park Family Photos — Tampa, FL
Greg Betza Greg Betza

Cypress Point Park Family Photos — Tampa, FL

Cypress Point Park Family Photos — Tampa, FL

Imagine capturing beautiful family portraits amidst the stunning backdrop of Cypress Point Park in Tampa — even with a packed beach around you. This particular Saturday afternoon was busy, and the challenge was finding a quiet stretch of sand that felt like it belonged only to this family of four. We found it, and had a great time doing it.

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Family Photos at Winthrop Plaza, Riverview, FL
Greg Betza Greg Betza

Family Photos at Winthrop Plaza, Riverview, FL

Family Photos at Winthrop Plaza, Riverview, FL

Winthrop Plaza in Riverview is a hidden gem for family photography — small in size, big on backdrops. Brick walls, ivy-covered buildings, colorful murals: this one location gives you three or four completely different looks without moving the car.

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Family Photos at Gizella Kopsick Arboretum, St. Petersburg
Greg Betza Greg Betza

Family Photos at Gizella Kopsick Arboretum, St. Petersburg

Family Photos at Gizella Kopsick Arboretum, St. Petersburg

Let me tell you about a recent family session at Gizella Kopsick Arboretum in St. Petersburg — a family of four with two young boys. What made this shoot special was having two completely different backdrops within walking distance of each other: the arboretum's tropical plants and winding paths, and Tampa Bay itself, just across the street.

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Family Photos at Medard Park, Plant City — Golden Hour Session
Greg Betza Greg Betza

Family Photos at Medard Park, Plant City — Golden Hour Session

Family Photos at Medard Park, Plant City — Golden Hour Session

As a Tampa-based photographer, I've captured a lot of family portraits — but this golden hour session with a family of four at Edward Medard Conservation Park in Plant City stood out. It was my first full family session in Florida since relocating from New Jersey, and the location made the introduction an easy one.

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