As a photographer and lover of history, I make it a priority to find places that have a visually inspiring story to tell. St. Augustine has, from the very beginning of my photographic career, been a center of inspiration for me. 

What I particularly love are those moments where I can have a timeless scene captured by my camera. What may be the first instance of having that feeling was in 2016. I was walking near the Castillo De San Marcos. Golden afternoon light basked on the guard tower and corner of the beautiful coquina structure. Off in the distance, the Schooner Freedom was the only ship to be seen. There were no cars in sight, no modern homes, or power lines. Just a scene that could have come right out of the 1800’s. At that moment, I was transported to another time.

While St. Augustine is certainly a tourist attraction in many ways, there is still a great balance between the touristy parts and the roads (slightly) less traveled. The high concentration of historic structures along the streets ensures that I find something new and appealing to photograph every single time I take a walk. And once I am done photographing for the day, there are plenty of options for a great bite to eat. In my commercial work, I have been a food photographer for many of these great establishments, so I know firsthand the overall quality of dining in historic St. Augustine! And working in the Ancient City has provided unforeseen opportunities. I recall once I was finishing up a food photoshoot at A1A Alehouse. As I was packing up to leave, a rainbow appeared right above the St. Augustine Lighthouse, and the Schooner Freedom again made an appearance. I took full advantage of that opportunity to capture the fleeting moment! 

Any lover of history can immerse themselves in a lifetime of history and culture in St. Augustine. Preservationists have done a great job in maintaining the city’s character, and the number of people who vacation here shows the success of this character. I think it is a great joy to have the opportunity to work in downtown St. Augustine as much as I do because it feels like a mini vacation! There is no shortage of attractions to keep people’s attention.

Night of Lights is beyond comparison for a photographer. Each holiday season, I teach photography classes with the Guy Harvey Outposts team, teaching students how to harness the power of their cameras and the light to make the most of the holiday festivities and incorporate the magic of the season into their street scenes. It is so much fun to share the magic of the season and see the reaction when it all “clicks” in a student’s mind. 

It is a blessing to work and play in the Ancient City!