House of Refuge Family Photoshoot | Daniella’s Family

A few days ago, I had the opportunity to do this House of Refuge family photoshoot. This location is beautiful, and the day was spectacular. In fact, the beach, with its majestic rocks at sunrise, gives us breathtaking views and colors. That’s why this place is perfect for a family session.

Daniella arrived with her family very early, at dawn. She, her husband and their baby posed naturally in front of the camera. First, we started next to the rocks, and I soon noticed that her baby couldn’t stop smiling. “A happy baby,” as she said, “a marvel.” Indeed, I always say that we can only shoot a family session if the baby lets us, and this is the living example. If you’re thinking about family photos in Jupiter, sessions like this one are exactly what I love to do.

Next, we walked to the south beach, and then we ended up at the dock on the river side. The light, the colors and the waves against the rocks, in contrast with the calm water behind, all sweetened by Daniella’s family, made this House of Refuge family photoshoot a true delight.

Why the House of Refuge is perfect for a family photoshoot

The House of Refuge, at 301 SE MacArthur Boulevard on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, is the oldest surviving building in Martin County. It was built in 1876 as one of several houses of refuge along Florida’s east coast, where shipwrecked sailors could find shelter. Moreover, today it’s a museum, and the beach around it is one of the most photogenic in the area.

In fact, the coastline here is different from Jupiter’s sandy beaches. For example, large rocks rise out of the sand, sculpted wave by wave, and at sunrise they glow with warm colors. On the other side of the road, there’s a calm river with a wooden dock. As a result, in one session we can photograph the ocean, the rocks and the dock.

Good to know

Tips for your House of Refuge family photoshoot

• Wear sandals or go barefoot carefully. The rocks can be slippery and sharp, so we always pick safe spots.
• Book a sunrise session. Because the rocks face the ocean, they glow with the first light of the day.
• Check the tide. At low tide, there’s more room on the sand between the rocks.
• Plan a little extra drive time. Hutchinson Island is about 30 minutes north of Jupiter, so it’s worth arriving a few minutes early.

Are you planning family photos? Then have a look at my Jupiter family photographer page for more locations, pricing and answers to common questions. And if your family is growing, have a look at my newborn photography in Jupiter.