Matthews Family Photos at Maclay Gardens

This year when I photographed this crew for their family photos, we had a surprise at arrival! It was the evening of the park’s annual, Moon Over Maclay music event. The area we were planning to work in was full of guests picnicking on blankets and enjoying some live jazz! Thankfully, this sweet family just rolled with the punches. We explored another area of the park to take these images and I love them so so much.

I think my first session with the Matthews family was when their little guy was only 1 year old. It’s such an honor to be a family photographer. I don’t take it lightly that clients would trust me enough to return for multiple years. I love doing this work for families.

Matthews Family at Maclay Gardens State Park

Interested in booking your own family photos at Maclay Gardens? Contact me here.

7 Best Photoshoot Locations in Tallahassee

Stephanie’s Dreamy Maternity Session at Maclay Gardens State Park

What Is Lifestyle Newborn Photography?

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7 Best Photoshoot Locations in Tallahassee

Stephanie’s Dreamy Maternity Session at Maclay Gardens State Park

What Is Lifestyle Newborn Photography?

Want to read more?

7 Best Photoshoot Locations in Tallahassee

Stephanie’s Dreamy Maternity Session at Maclay Gardens State Park

What Is Lifestyle Newborn Photography?

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sarahgrayphoto

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Maternity • Newborns • Babies • Family
Photographer based in Tallahassee, Florida
Master Baby, Family, and Maternity Photographer awarded by @napcp

There are certain places that just make everything easier.

The light falls right. The space feels calm. The family relaxes without even realizing it.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the locations I keep coming back to, and what it is about them that works. Some are outdoors with gorgeous natural canopy and soft, open light. Some are quieter, more tucked away. Some I discovered by accident and now I wouldn`t trade them.

What they all have in common is this: they feel true to the families I photograph here in Tallahassee and the surrounding area. Unhurried. Warm. Real. Give me all the "old Florida" vibes.

Swipe through to see a few of my favorites right now. Do you have a favorite spot around Tallahassee, or somewhere nearby that means something to your family? I would genuinely love to hear it - drop it in the comments or send me a message. I am always looking to grow this list.

Seen here are Goodwood Museum and Gardens, St. Theresa, Summer Camp Beach, Park Avenue Chain of Parks, and Dorothy B. Oven Park.

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 18022539362884509
There are certain places that just make everything easier. The light falls right. The space feels calm. The family relaxes without even realizing it. I have been thinking a lot lately about the locations I keep coming back to, and what it is about them that works. Some are outdoors with gorgeous natural canopy and soft, open light. Some are quieter, more tucked away. Some I discovered by accident and now I wouldn't trade them. What they all have in common is this: they feel true to the families I photograph here in Tallahassee and the surrounding area. Unhurried. Warm. Real. Give me all the "old Florida" vibes. Swipe through to see a few of my favorites right now. Do you have a favorite spot around Tallahassee, or somewhere nearby that means something to your family? I would genuinely love to hear it - drop it in the comments or send me a message. I am always looking to grow this list. Seen here are Goodwood Museum and Gardens, St. Theresa, Summer Camp Beach, Park Avenue Chain of Parks, and Dorothy B. Oven Park.

That’s not a filter. That’s the finish.

Editing isn’t about fixing something that went wrong, it’s the last step in creating the image. The light, the color, the feeling. It all comes together in the edit.

Raw files are a little like unfinished film negatives. They’re where we start, not where we land. What you receive is the image as it was always meant to look.

This is the part of the work I genuinely love. And it shows up in every single image I deliver.

65 8
Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 17940814791276580
That’s not a filter. That’s the finish. Editing isn’t about fixing something that went wrong, it’s the last step in creating the image. The light, the color, the feeling. It all comes together in the edit. Raw files are a little like unfinished film negatives. They’re where we start, not where we land. What you receive is the image as it was always meant to look. This is the part of the work I genuinely love. And it shows up in every single image I deliver.

Memberships and Affiliations

Sarah Gray Photography | Professional Photographer of America Member
Sarah Gray Photography | The Motherhood Anthology Member
National Association of Professional Child Photographers Member 2026-2027

Sarah Gray creates timeless and joyful images that are designed for living room walls and photo albums. A tallahassee photographer, Sarah Gray also serves Thomasville, Crawfordville, St. Marks, Gainesville and throughout the Forgotten Coast and panhandle of north Florida and south Georgia.

email us | sarah@sarahgray.com

telephone (850) 321-0208

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located in tallahassee, florida