Family Photographers of Southwest Florida

For our January 2019 issue, we put a call out for tips from photographers throughout Southwest Florida and got an amazing response. Here's a little about each one and we welcome adding more to this list (it's in alphabetical order by photographer's last name). Any photographers who would like to be added to this list are encouraged to contact the editor by emailing editor@swflparentchild.com.

New addition:

Val Newell | Ella Photography

• Where: Serves all of Southwest Florida, but her home studio is in south Fort Myers off Alico Road
• Specialties: Family, children, milestones, seasonal mini sessions
• About: I am a mom of two and my love for photography started right before my daughter was born. I decided to take it to the next level and have not looked back since! I absolutely love what I do and I love working with small children and families. My main goal during a session is to make it fun and easy going for everyone because family photos tend to be very stressful! I feel most accomplished knowing that my clients also love my work and knowing that I am able to make people so happy by providing them with beautiful memories that will last forever!
• Website: www.ellaphotonaples.com
• Contact: 239-940-1355, ellaphotonaples@yahoo.com or via Facebook at facebook.com/ellaphotonaples
• On location: Yes
• Studio: Yes
• Digital/print: Yes
• Cost: Sessions start at $225

Tonya Barnes | Tonya Barnes Photography

• Where: Cape Coral, Fort Myers and surrounding areas
• Specialties: Outdoor family photography, portraits, weddings, candid events and themed photography
• About: I have always been an artist. I have only been a “self-taught” photographer for close to 10 years. I moved to Florida two years ago from the Big Island of Hawaii where I was seamstress with a clothing line. I started photography because I was always in need of a photographer to photograph my products when I came up with a new design. I realized that I rather enjoyed fashion and modeling photography and that my art background showed in the photographs I took. I have since been involved in many projects showcasing my art coupled with photography such as the Save the Sirens Project RED TIDE and RAW Natural Born Artists.
• Website: tonyabarnesphotography.com
• Contact: 239-203-8750 or tonyabarnesphotgraphy@gmail.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: Yes (but she says “able to accommodate a studio photo session with backdrops etc., so I’m not sure how to go on this)
• Digital/Print: Both
• Cost: $

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Chelsea Blackwood | Blackwood Birth Photography

• Where: Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, Lehigh Acres
• Specialties: Birth photography
• About: I started my photography journey in 2005 with my first “big girl” camera. In college, I took formal photography classes and learned all about composition and what made a photo great, however, I learned a great deal more through practice. When I was pregnant with my daughter in 2014, I took a new direction and fell in love with birth. I adored Ina May Gaskin and dreamed of taking a road trip to give birth on a farm in Tennessee. From there, I really got serious about birth photography and I began to #PhotographAllTheBabies. I am most recently certified through Birth Becomes Her and The Beauty in Birth. My next project is reviving the SWFL Birth Network.
• Website: blackwoodbirthphotography.com
• Contact: 419-450-9777 or blackwoodbirthphotography@gmail.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Both
• Cost: $$-$$$

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Alma Bruffy | Alma B Photography

• Where: Southwest Florida (based in Fort Myers)
• Specialties: Family, weddings, events and headshots for business professionals
• About: I studied photography in college, apprenticed with a Beach Portrait Studio for a number of years and worked for half a dozen other photography companies. I also take numerous workshops every year and belong to Professional Photographers of America.
• Website: almab.photography
• Contact: 239-687-3940 or almabruffy@gmail.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: Yes
• Digital/Print: Both
• Cost: $

Jennifer Clark | Ainslie Images Photography

• Where: Based in Cape Coral, works throughout Southwest Florida and travels
• Specialties: Children, families, maternity, newborn, cake smash, senior portraits, weddings and events.
• About: I absolutely love meeting, working and connecting with all of the amazing people I am blessed to meet. I have lived in Cape Coral all my life, and I love it here. My style is a mix of traditional and candid and have over seven years of photography experience.
• Website: www.ainslieint.wix.com/aiphotography
• Contact: ainslieint@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/ainslieimages
• On location: Yes
• Studio: Home studio
• Digital/Print: Both
• Cost: $$

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Natasha Cuevas | Natasha Cuevas Photography

• Where: Southwest Florida
• Specialties: Family, maternity, newborn, engagements, weddings
• About: I am here to capture your happy. I will photograph your story. I want you to be you, the silly, funny real you. I am here to capture the happy and sparkle of you and your children and the magic and wonder of your family. My style is simple, modern and true with an editorial approach and colorful twist. I strive to capture your fun moments as well as the unique connections of your favorite people. The little giggle, the silliness, the fun tickle times.
• Website: natashacuevas.com
• Contact: info@natashacuevas.com or 239-247-5703
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Both
• Cost: $$$

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Caitlyn Eakins | Caitlyn Eakins Photography

• Where: Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties
• Specialties: Birth and newborn
• About: I want all my parents to remember those precious first moments just like when they were happening. The tired pushing, the joyous birth, the first sounds, the first latch, the first time dad gets to hold his new baby, and so much more. Legal and insured business trained in newborn safety and CPR.
• Website: www.caitlyneakins.com
• Contact: hello@caitlyneakins.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Digital
• Cost: $$$

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Heather Frank | Heather Frank Photography

• Where: Port Charlotte
• Specialties: Wedding, family, maternity, lifestyle newborn and birth photography
• About: I have been in the photography industry full time for almost six years, working with digital photography only.
• Website: heatherfphotography.com
• Contact: heatherfphoto@gmail.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Both for weddings, digital only otherwise
• Cost: $$-$$$

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Courtney Garbow | Courtney Garbow Photography

• Where: Naples and surrounding area
• Specialties: Family, couples/engagements, weddings
• About: I have been photographing professionally since 2010, with workshops and plenty of experience under my belt. Another passion of mine though that has also helped me with family sessions, is that I have worked with children since 2007. I used to direct at an after-school program, and for the past almost 5 years I was in prevention, teaching children life skills in elementary and middle schools.
• Website: cgarbowphoto.com
• Contact: 239-537-4862 or cgarbow@hotmail.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: Yes, but not for family sessions
• Digital/Print: Both
• Cost: $$$

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Jessica Gompper | J Gompper Photography

• Where: Based in Cape Coral
• Specialties: Lifestyle family photography
• About: Photography courses in college and practical experience in the Czech Republic, four years in business. Also, my dad was a photographer, so it was handed down to me and has always been a part of my life.
• Website: jgompperphotography.com
• Contact: jess@jgompperphotography.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Digital (prints available through lab)
• Cost: $$-$$$

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Lisa Gonzalez | Keys to Design & Photography

• Where: Southwest Florida
• Specialties: Portraits and fine art
• About: More than eight years of experience in photography and design, bachelor’s degree in digital design and animation
• Website: lisawheels89.wixsite.com/keystophotography
• Contact: lisagonzalez413@gmail.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Digital
• Cost: $

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Jenny Hodges | Moondance Photography

• Where: Based in Bonita Springs, available from Sarasota to Marco Island
• Specialties: Lifestyle photos, families, children, seniors, engagement, weddings, styled shoots, lifestyle headshots
• About: I've been a professional photographer in St. Louis, Missouri, since 2007 and moved to Southwest Florida in 2017. It's been an adventure traveling around the Sunshine State checking out new locations.
• Website: www.moondancephotography.org
• Contact: 239-292-4969 or jenny@moondancephotography.org
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Both
• Cost: $$-$$$

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Tracy Houston | Let Me Be Candid Photography

• Where: Southwest Florida (based in Naples)
• Specialties: Outdoor, family and weddings
• About: I am a former preschool/elementary school teacher, so I have patience in spades to help round up and photograph your children. I like to take both candid and posed photos.
• Website: letmebecandid.com
• Contact: tracyhouston@letmebecandid.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: Home studio
• Digital/Print: Digital (with option to print through a lab)
• Cost: $$

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Stephanie Lynn Huber | Stephanie Lynn Huber Photographer

• Where: Fort Myers and surrounding areas
• Specialties: Documentary family photography
• About: Outside of online workshops, I am completely self-taught. I have been shooting documentary family sessions since the summer of 2016. Watching the children's personalities grow over the years is my favorite part of the job.
• Website: stephanielynnhuber.com
• Contact: hello@stephanielynnhuber.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Digital
• Cost: $$

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Rob Hurth | Rob Hurth Photography

• Where: Based on Port Charlotte, photographs throughout Southwest Florida
• Specialties: Family, newborn, maternity, weddings and boudoir
• About: I've been photographing professionally 32 years, now.
• Contact: 239-961-5944 or rob@robhurthphoto.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: Yes
• Cost: $$$

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Dawn Laurine | Dawn Laurine Photography

• Where: Within 25 miles of North Port
• Specialties: Children and families
• About: Self-taught with a couple of online classes. Been shooting photography for over 20 years now.
• Website: dawnlaurine.wixsite.com/photography
• Contact: 941-302-2217 or dawnlaurine@outlook.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Both
• Cost: $

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Emma Marie | Emma Marie Photography

• Where: On location in the areas of North Port, Port Charlotte, Venice, Sarasota and Englewood
• Specialties: Family portraits, single portraits and events
• About: My passion for photography started when I was around 11 years old, I found an old camera of my father's. I began photographing my pets and family. I fell in love with the details, the way you could feel a certain emotion just by looking at an image. I wasn't simply capturing the moment, I was capturing the feeling. Eight years later, I'm still freezing time with my photos. Located in North Port, FL but I love a good road trip. 
• Website: emmamariephotography.co
• Contact: emmamariesphotography@gmail.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Digital
• Cost: Starting at $200 an hour

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Lorraine Mason | Lorraine Mason Photography

• Where: Within 50 miles of Cape Coral
• Specialties: Weddings and portraits
• About: I have been a wedding and portrait photographer for 30 years. From college I went to work on the cruise ships for 10 years as a photographer. That's where I met my husband. After leaving the ships, we got married and settled in my hometown in England. There I owned a photography business/studio for 10 years, then we emigrated to Florida and started up my business here.
• Website: lorrainemason.zenfolio.com
• Contact: 239 961 8924 or lorrainemason@live.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Both
• Cost: $

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Ashtin Nelson | Ashtin Marie Photography

• Where: Northeast Naples
• Specialty: Families, maternity and newborn
• Website: www.ashtinmariephotography.com
• Contact: ashtinmariephotography@gmail.com or 239-210-8846
• On location: Yes
• Studio: Yes
• Digital/Print: Both
• Cost: $$

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Samantha Phoenix | Samantha Phoenix Photography

• Where: Mostly Lee and Collier counties, but will travel
• Specialties: Weddings and bands
• About: I love capturing those wonderful candid moments of our lives. Tomorrow isn’t promised to us. Leaving photos to our loved ones to remember us by is such an amazing gift to give someone. Especially when one day we might not be able to remember.. we leave a legacy.
• Website: www.facebook.com/sweethart49 www.instagram.com/samanthaphoenix_photography
• Contact: sweethart49@hotmail.com or 440-319-0030
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No, has access to one if needed.
• Digital/Print: Both
• Cost: $$

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Dara Prettyman | Dara Prettyman Photography

• Where: Throughout Southwest Florida
• Specialties: Children, family and couples
• About: Nearly 10 years of photography experience, a love for capturing memories for a lifetime of enjoyment.
• Website: daraprettymanphotography.weebly.com
• Contact: prettymanthings101@gmail.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Both
• Cost: $250-300

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Dulce Ruiz | Dulce Ruiz Photography

• Where: Based in Fort Myers, range is from Collier County to Sarasota County
• Specialties: Lifestyle and weddings
• About: Five years of experience working with families in our area shooting lifestyle family, maternity and lifestyle newborn sessions.
• Website: dulceruizphotography.com
• Contact: 239-281-2358 or dulceruizphotography@gmail.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Digital
• Cost: $$$

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Ashley Santana | Ashley Santana Photography

• Where: Southwest Florida, will travel, based in Estero
• Specialties: Outdoor family and children photography, headshots, portraits and events
• About: I’m a home-schooling mama of four littles, passionate about foster care, adoption, and of course, photography. I enjoy working with families and children of all ages, capturing their special moments, events and life stages as memories to last a lifetime. My love for photography started when I was very young (I think I drove my parents nuts with my endless need to develop the film from my little disposable cameras.) and I feel incredibly blessed to be able to use my favorite hobby to bring joy to others.
• Website: ashleysantanaphoto.wixsite.com/mysite and ashleysantanaphotography.pixieset.com
• Contact: ashleysantanaphotography@gmail.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Both
• Cost: $$

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Barbara Spratlin | SandBar Portrait Art

• Where: Southwest Florida
• Specialties: Mixed media paintings; family, children, pets and horse photography turned into a painting
• About: A master photographer and certified professional photographer, Barbara has been in business for 13 years.
• Website: sandbarphotography.com
• Contact: 239-707-9570 or sandbarphotos@aol.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Prints
• Cost: $$

Renee Stalions | Elsie J Photo

• Where: Based in Fort Myers but does travel
• Specialties: Family, maternity, and weddings
• About: Whether it is photographing the beginning of their forever (a wedding) or our yearly family portrait sessions and watching client's children grow up, I feel like we've created a special little community, and I feel so blessed to do it.
• Website: www.elsiejphoto.com
• Contact: elsiejphoto@gmail.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Both available
• Cost: $$

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Mandy Stewart | Mandy Stewart Photography

• Where: Based in Cape Coral, on location throughout Lee County
• Specialties: Storytelling, family, children and elopements
• About: I started in college with photography courses about 19 years ago. Mostly focused on weddings until becoming a mother seven years ago, when I refocused my style and inspiration toward capturing childhood and families. I also absolutely love photographing elopement love stories!
• Website: instagram.com/mandystewartphotography or facebook.com/mandystewartphotography
• Contact: 239-994-1260 or mandystewartphotography@gmail.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Digital only
• Cost: $$

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Lindsay Stone | Lindsay Stone Photography

• Where: Lee County and northern Collier County
• Specialties: Natural light photography
• About: This started out as a hobby. I would try and take photos of my toddler at the time, and they were always blurry due to her moving around so much. I have been in the photography business for about five years now. For me, it’s not about the money I make, it’s truly about the memories I get to capture for my customers. I thoroughly enjoy what I do, as I get to see the children grow when I see them at a new session.
• Website: facebook.com/lindsaystonephotography
• Contact: Facebook or LindsayStonePhotography@gmail.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Both
• Cost: $

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Bobbilee Tanner | Bobbilee Tanner Photography

• Where: Southwest/Southeast Florida
• Specialties: Children with special needs, weddings
• About: I have been photographing families and families with special needs children for just over two years. Weddings for about six.
• Website: btannerphoto.com
• Contact: 954-495-7738 or btannerphoto@gmail.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: No
• Digital/Print: Digital only
• Cost: $$

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Jamie Taylor | Taylor Rowe

• Where: Cape Coral to Naples
• Specialties: Portraits that celebrate the beauty of women and their children
• About: I have 12 years of experience in photography, and having photographed nearly every genre, focusing on a woman centered clientele makes my heart happy.
• Website: taylorrowe.com
• Contact: 720-212-5048 or Jamie@taylorrowe.com
• On location: Yes
• Studio: Yes (home studio)
• Digital/Print: Both
• Cost: $$