Taking photos in ugly locations

A few weeks ago I was driving in the car with my kids and I spotted some beautiful tall grasses. The surroundings weren’t the best, however, the grasses themselves and the trees behind them made a great spot. This gives us a great example of to take beautiful photos in ugly locations as long as you know what to look for. Thankfully, one of my kids was decently dressed and had been wanting me to take some pictures of her with her new doll.

We pulled the car over and hopped out. This is what we saw when we first drove by. Definitely nothing you’d think would be magical.

ugly photo locations

At first glance, this doesn’t look like much, however, those tall grasses are a neutral backdrop and the pine trees in the background were diffusing the setting sun. This little patch as just across the street from District 850.

photos in ugly locations

There was garbage on the ground and cars passing by, but I saw potential. I placed my daughter in one spot that was free from trash. The grasses and pine trees were behind her and we took these photos.

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sarahgrayphoto

873 1,683

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

Our country turns 250 this year. I was in the middle of editing a gallery when that number actually stopped me.

I have four kids - 6, 11, 15, and 17. And I have spent years telling other families that childhood is fleeting, that these seasons pass before you`re ready, that photographs are one of the most meaningful ways you hold onto them.

I`ve said it hundreds of times.

And then I sat there and realized I needed to take my own advice.

So this summer, I`m photographing all four of my kids in what I`m calling Heirloom Portraits. Not elaborate. Not trendy. Just simple, timeless portraits that show exactly who they are right now, in the year America turned 250.

Because someday I want them to be able to show these to their own kids and say, `This is who I was that year.`

That thought made the decision easy.

I opened up a small number of spots for other families to do the same. Details are linked in my bio if this is something you`ve been quietly wanting.
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#TallahasseePhotographer #TallahasseeFamily #TallahasseeChildrensPhotographer #HeirloomPortraits #HeirloomPhotography #TimelessPortraits #ChildhoodUnplugged #PrintYourPhotos #ChildhoodPortraits #FamilyLegacy #MemoryKeeper #NorthFloridaPhotographer #FloridaFamilyPhotographer #DocumentYourDays #250thAmerica

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 18084779510159741
Our country turns 250 this year. I was in the middle of editing a gallery when that number actually stopped me. I have four kids - 6, 11, 15, and 17. And I have spent years telling other families that childhood is fleeting, that these seasons pass before you're ready, that photographs are one of the most meaningful ways you hold onto them. I've said it hundreds of times. And then I sat there and realized I needed to take my own advice. So this summer, I'm photographing all four of my kids in what I'm calling Heirloom Portraits. Not elaborate. Not trendy. Just simple, timeless portraits that show exactly who they are right now, in the year America turned 250. Because someday I want them to be able to show these to their own kids and say, 'This is who I was that year.' That thought made the decision easy. I opened up a small number of spots for other families to do the same. Details are linked in my bio if this is something you've been quietly wanting. * * * * * #TallahasseePhotographer #TallahasseeFamily #TallahasseeChildrensPhotographer #HeirloomPortraits #HeirloomPhotography #TimelessPortraits #ChildhoodUnplugged #PrintYourPhotos #ChildhoodPortraits #FamilyLegacy #MemoryKeeper #NorthFloridaPhotographer #FloridaFamilyPhotographer #DocumentYourDays #250thAmerica

I drove to a beach session in the rain once.

The whole hour down, I was watching those clouds like they personally owed me something. The family only had a few days at the beach house - no rescheduling, no backup dates. We had an indoor plan ready just in case, but I was really hoping we wouldn`t need it.

And then, right as I was pulling in, the sky cleared.

Just like that.

We walked out onto the sand and the session unfolded the way the best ones do - easy, relaxed, full of real moments. That soft post-storm light hit everything just right.

I think about that drive a lot. The backup plan was real and we would have used it if we needed to. But the thing I keep coming back to is this: flexibility and a good attitude matter more than perfect conditions.

When families come in willing to roll with whatever happens, the photos almost always reflect that ease right back at them.

The clouds cleared. They almost always do.
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#ForgottenCoast #30A #StTeresa #ForgottenCoastPhotographer #FamilyPhotographer #VacationSessionPhotographer #FamilyPhotography #BeachFamilyPhotos #GulfCoastPhotographer #FloridaBeachPhotographer #FamilyLegacy #PrintYourPhotos #MemoryKeeper #FamilySessionPhotographer #TravelingPhotographer

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Open post by sarahgrayphoto with ID 17970088338064483
I drove to a beach session in the rain once. The whole hour down, I was watching those clouds like they personally owed me something. The family only had a few days at the beach house - no rescheduling, no backup dates. We had an indoor plan ready just in case, but I was really hoping we wouldn't need it. And then, right as I was pulling in, the sky cleared. Just like that. We walked out onto the sand and the session unfolded the way the best ones do - easy, relaxed, full of real moments. That soft post-storm light hit everything just right. I think about that drive a lot. The backup plan was real and we would have used it if we needed to. But the thing I keep coming back to is this: flexibility and a good attitude matter more than perfect conditions. When families come in willing to roll with whatever happens, the photos almost always reflect that ease right back at them. The clouds cleared. They almost always do. * * * * * #ForgottenCoast #30A #StTeresa #ForgottenCoastPhotographer #FamilyPhotographer #VacationSessionPhotographer #FamilyPhotography #BeachFamilyPhotos #GulfCoastPhotographer #FloridaBeachPhotographer #FamilyLegacy #PrintYourPhotos #MemoryKeeper #FamilySessionPhotographer #TravelingPhotographer

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