Best Places to Take Family Photos in Hollywood, FL

The Broadwalk at 6 a.m. in November looks nothing like the Broadwalk at noon in July. Same location, completely different photography situation. Early morning gives you soft light bouncing off calm water, empty benches, and families who aren’t squinting or sweating through their clothes. Midday summer? Harsh overhead sun, crowds blocking every clean shot, and kids who want nothing more than to be anywhere else.

Hollywood has dozens of spots where families can get great photos, but most people default to the beach because that’s what everyone does. The beach works, but it’s not always the best choice depending on what you’re after. Some locations give you natural shade and interesting backgrounds. Others require specific timing or you’ll fight terrible light all session long.

Why the Broadwalk works for most families

Hollywood Beach Broadwalk runs 2.5 miles from Hallandale Beach Boulevard down to Sheridan Street, and almost every section offers something different. The northern end near Johnson Street has the colorful lifeguard stands and wider beach access. The central section around Margaritaville has the iconic yellow and turquoise Art Deco buildings. The southern stretch near Charnow Park gets quieter with more natural dune vegetation.

Here’s what most families don’t think about: the Broadwalk faces directly east. That means sunrise sessions give you gorgeous light coming off the ocean, but late-afternoon sessions put the sun behind you, lighting faces evenly without harsh shadows. If you’re booking a session between 4 and 6 p.m., the Broadwalk delivers consistently good light from October through March. Summer evenings work too, but you’re dealing with afternoon thunderstorms that roll in like clockwork.

Parking is metered along the side streets off the Broadwalk. Johnson Street and Connecticut Street both have public lots that fill up fast on weekends. Weekday mornings before 9 a.m., you’ll have no problem. Weekend afternoons, plan to circle a few times or park a few blocks west and walk in.

The Broadwalk has zero shade. Bring water, plan for short sessions, and know that kids under five will hit their limit faster than you expect when it’s 90 degrees.

Dr. Von D. Mizell–Eula Johnson State Park gives you variety most beach spots can’t match

This park sits just south of Port Everglades and gives you way more than just beach access. You’ve got mangrove trails, open water views, dune systems, and actual tree cover in the picnic areas. It’s the last undeveloped coastal ecosystem left in Broward County, which means your photos won’t look like every other beach session shot on a crowded public beach.

The park opens at 8 a.m. and closes at sunset, 365 days a year. Admission is $6 per vehicle. That fee keeps crowds lighter than the free beach access points, which is exactly what you want for family photos. Fewer people in the background, more flexibility to move around and find clean compositions.

The mangrove boardwalk on the west side of the park gives you dappled shade and a completely different look than beach photos. The wooden walkway, the twisted mangrove roots, the water reflections — it’s a natural backdrop that works especially well for families who want something other than sand and surf. The light filters through the canopy differently depending on time of day. Late morning works better here than golden hour because you need some overhead light to penetrate the tree cover.

The beach side of the park faces east, same as the Broadwalk, but the dune vegetation here is thicker and more natural. You can position families with sea oats and native grasses in the frame instead of beach umbrellas and volleyball nets. The sand is the same, the water is the same, but the overall feel is quieter and less commercial.

One thing to know: as of early 2026, some facilities are closed. Restrooms 3–4 and beach access from parking lot 3 aren’t available, and certain picnic pavilions are unavailable. Call ahead if you’re planning to use specific amenities. The photography locations themselves — the beach, the boardwalk, the trails — remain accessible.

West Lake Park works when you want zero beach tourists in your shots

West Lake Park sits on Sheridan Street west of the Intracoastal, and most tourists have no idea it exists. That’s the entire appeal. You get 1,500 feet of natural shoreline along a coastal lake system, mangrove forests, hiking trails, and native hardwood hammocks. No beach chairs, no jet skis, no volleyball games happening behind your family.

The park has a paved trail that loops through different ecosystems. Some sections are open with water views. Others have tree canopy overhead. The variety means you can shoot multiple looks in one session without getting back in the car. Families with young kids appreciate this because toddlers can walk the paved paths without sinking into sand every three steps.

The light here works differently than beach locations. You’re shooting near water but surrounded by vegetation, which means you get reflected light bouncing off the lake mixed with filtered light coming through the trees. It’s softer and more forgiving than direct beach sun. Late afternoon sessions work well here year-round because the western sun creates warm backlighting through the tree line.

The parking lot is small. Weekends get busy with kayakers and cyclists. Weekday mornings are your best bet for easy parking and quiet trails. The park doesn’t charge admission for walk-ins, which keeps it popular with locals.

Anne Kolb Nature Center offers something completely different

Anne Kolb sits in Hollywood but technically falls just over the line into Hallandale Beach. It’s a 1,501-acre park built around West Lake, with an observation tower, boardwalks, and boat launches. The observation tower gives you elevated views of the Intracoastal and the mangrove forest below — not a typical family photo backdrop, but it works for families who want something architectural mixed with natural elements.

The boardwalks here wind through dense mangrove tunnels. The light is low and green-tinted from the canopy. It’s moody and different. Not every family wants this look, but the ones who do get photos that stand out from the standard beach session. The wooden railings, the curved boardwalk paths, the mangrove roots twisting through the water — it’s all there.

This location requires more cooperation from the family because the lighting is trickier and the spaces are tighter. Beach sessions give you room to spread out. Boardwalk sessions in mangrove tunnels mean everyone needs to stay relatively close and positioned where the light can reach them. It works better for older kids and adults who can follow direction. Families with toddlers who want to run in every direction will have a harder time here.

What time of day actually matters in South Florida

Most photography advice says golden hour is the only time to shoot. That’s not wrong, but it’s incomplete. Golden hour in South Florida happens fast — the sun drops from perfect light to gone in about 30 minutes from November through February. Summer gives you a bit more time because the sun sets at a shallower angle, but you’re also dealing with heat and afternoon storms.

Early morning sessions between 7 and 9 a.m. give you beautiful light, cooler temperatures, and locations that aren’t crowded yet. The Broadwalk at 7 a.m. looks pristine. The beach is empty. The water is calmer. Kids are usually more cooperative before the heat wears them down. If you can manage getting everyone ready and out the door that early, morning sessions often produce better results than late afternoon.

Overcast days are underrated. Photographers obsess over golden hour, but a solid cloud cover creates even, flattering light all day long. No harsh shadows, no squinting, no blown-out highlights. If you’re booking a session and the forecast shows partly cloudy, that’s actually ideal. Full sun is harder to work with than most people realize.

Skip the obvious and think about what you actually want

Most families book beach sessions because that’s what you do in South Florida. Beach photos are great, but if your family doesn’t spend time at the beach, if your kids hate sand, or if you want something that looks different from your neighbors’ photos, consider the parks and nature centers. The variety of backdrops in Hollywood means you’re not locked into one look.

If you want help figuring out which location makes sense for your family, give me a call at 954-986-4455. After 35 years shooting in South Florida, I can tell you pretty quickly what will work based on your kids’ ages, what you’re planning to wear, and what time of year you’re thinking about. Sometimes the best location isn’t the most popular one — it’s the one that fits your family and the light on that particular day.