A Strawberry Festival Photo Session in Plant City
A Fun Fair Date Turned Photo Shoot
Some photo sessions are carefully planned. Others feel like a spontaneous adventure.
This one was a little bit of both.
For the past two years, I’ve had this concept in the back of my mind, a fun, playful photo session at the fair. Movement, lights, rides, laughter… something that felt less like posing and more like an experience.
So this year, I finally went for it.
I put out a model call for a discounted Strawberry Festival session here in Central Florida, and I was honestly
blown away by the response. So many people reached out, excited about the idea.
Now, I know some photographers search for one very specific “look” when it comes to model calls, but that’s just not my style. I’m more of a first come, first served kind of person. If you reach out, our visions align, and the energy feels right, you get the golden ticket.
That’s how I ended up working with Skylar and her boyfriend, Damon.
Planning Around the Strawberry Festival
If you’ve ever been to the Strawberry Festival, you already know, it’s not just about showing up. There’s strategy involved. Between concerts, crowds, and parking, timing is everything.
We worked together to pick a day that fit both of our schedules and helped us (hopefully) beat some of the heavier crowds. When planning a session at a busy event like this, there are a few things I always keep in mind:
- What concerts are scheduled that day
- What time those events start
- What day of the week it falls on
- And most importantly… parking
Parking alone can make or break your arrival time, so planning ahead is key.
And of course, Florida had to keep things interesting. The weather shifted on us last minute, and we had to pivot from a sunset session to a daytime shoot to avoid an incoming downpour. Thankfully, we both had flexibility, and everything worked out even better than expected.
Outfit Planning That Nailed the Vision
One of my favorite parts leading up to this session was helping Skylar plan her outfit.
We were texting back and forth while she was out shopping, talking through different ideas, colors, and overall vibe. I shared my vision, and she absolutely ran with it.
She showed up in the cutest blouse and jeans combo from American Eagle, and it fit the fair aesthetic perfectly. Effortless, playful, and photogenic without trying too hard.
Meeting at the Fair
When it comes to sessions like this, communication is everything.
Parking, entry, where to meet, navigating a crowded space, it all matters, especially when it’s your first time meeting in person. One of my favorite little tricks when working with clients who have iPhones is sharing my location, even if it’s just temporarily. It makes finding each other so much easier.
And honestly, the timing couldn’t have been better. I had just shared my location, looked up, and she was already about to walk right up to me. Instant connection.
From there, we grabbed ride passes and jumped right into the session.
Turning the Fair Into a Playground
Before they arrived, I had already done a full walk-through of the fairgrounds, scouting out the rides I knew I wanted to use. Having a plan going in makes everything flow so much smoother. We started at the ferris wheel.
Now, I will say… I had to break the ice a little here. I asked Skylar to hop up on Damon’s shoulders, and she was not immediately on board. There was a little hesitation, a little fear, but she trusted him and she absolutely nailed it. They were laughing, spinning, fully in the moment. It set the tone for everything that followed.
From there, we made our way over to the swings, which ended up being one of my favorite parts of the entire session. Something about them felt almost timeless, like an old painting or a scene from another era.
I gave them a mix of direction and freedom, on the ride and off, but the goal stayed the same:
When in doubt, just have fun. And they did exactly that.
We chased a bit of shade when the sun couldn’t decide what it wanted to do, then made our way to the bumper cars for something a little more playful. After that, we took a break with lemonade and snacks, sitting by the games and soaking in the atmosphere.
There were so many little in-between moments, the kind you can’t plan, and those always end up being the most meaningful.
By the end of it, it didn’t even feel like a photo session.
It felt like a date day… and I just happened to be there documenting it.
More Than Just Photos
That’s always the goal for me. Not stiff posing. Not forced moments.
Real connection, real laughter, real memories.
Skylar and Damon were so easy to work with, so open to trying new things, and just genuinely kind people. It made the entire experience that much better. And for me personally, this session was a big one.
It was something I’ve been wanting to create for two years, and finally getting to bring it to life felt so rewarding.
What’s Next
The Strawberry Festival checked the box for 2026, but I already know this concept isn’t stopping here.
Next year, I’ve got my eyes on the Tampa Fair.
And when I say I want to level this up… I mean it.
Think slides. Ski lift rides. Merry-Go-Rounds. More movement. More storytelling. Even more of that “just living in the moment” kind of energy.
The ideas are already flowing.
