Naples Beach Vacation | Wedding Portrait Photographer Florida

I’m pretty sure she will roll her eyes and tell me how she can’t believe I would put her in this outfit when she is older, but for now, I am enjoying how cute she looks in it. Caroline had a mini portrait session on our Naples Beach vacation. She also met a giraffe, went on a big boat and ate all the snacks.

Those little curls with that hat! This pretty little dress was a hand-me-down from Caroline’s mini BFF a few months back. I had almost forgotten about it. Digging through the summer stuff I had put for beach attire I found it. I am so glad I did. These portraits of her will be treasured forever.

This one is my absolute favorite of all of her beach portraits.

Caroline took her first plane ride and her good friend Gerald the giraffe was there with her to experience it. We are headed to California next week but I’m not sure I am looking forward to the plane ride after this travel adventures. If you have tips on how to travel with a toddler, PLEASE do share. You can only give her so many snacks.

Our little family vacation to Naples didn’t seam long enough but I’m pretty sure she grew up even more on it and she gained a molar. Her favorite trip was to the zoo where she met her good buddy the giraffe and fed him.

For the steep price of $5 you could feed the giraffe 3 pieces of lettuce at the Naples Zoo. I’m normally not one to do this sort of thing BUT I guess sometimes I am a sucker. Watching Caroline’s face light up over feeding the giraffe was well worth the $5 in my book.

Get ready for a cute stay friends… Caroline and I fed the giraffe and I was putting her back in her stroller when she insisted on walking. Thinking she was walking to go find Aaron and my dad I left her lead the way. She walked right over to the giraffe food purchasing station and told me mom “dis.” She wanted to feed her new friend again.

I gave her another $5 and she gave it to the zoo employee in exchange for her lettuce. She couldn’t have been happier! Thankfully Aaron and my dad came back just as she got the lettuce and Aaron was able to help her feed her friend. Out of the whole trip, this little bit of time was by far my favorite.

She also met a turtle at the zoo and while she wan’t sure about his at first, he was hit after a moment.

I didn’t bring my real camera out a lot on this trip but I made sure I did capture a few important things. Being a photographer, and one for 13 years, it’s hard to balance phone photos and real camera photos. It’s not like a don’t enjoy taking real camera photos I just don’t always want to be behind my real camera. I want to be in the moment with my family and my phone makes it quick and easy.

It’s now safe to say that Caroline is a beach bum. She LOVES the sand and the water. I am not doomed. I HATE the beach. Gasp, I know friends. I hate the hot sun and how the sand gets EVERYWHERE! Unlucky for me, these two cuties love it.

I’ve now hd the privilege of taking my little mini to my favorite childhood beach though and while I still don’t like the beach, it was another priceless memory.

Since our 2018 family vacation to Bald Head Island was a total bust due to evacuating after a day there, this one didn’t turn out so bad. I have felt totally cheated out of our first family vacation since. This lazy Naples beach trip was just what we needed. Aaron and I even snuck in two date night since my parents joined us.

If you ever make it to Naples, be sure to enjoy the pier at sunset. Drive down 5th Avenue in the dark to enjoy all of the lovely lights. IF you are up for it, accidentally stumble upon the Ritz-Carlton’s beachside restaurant for tasty food beachside.

Yes, I’m not kidding, we accidentally found our way to the Ritz-Carlton. Aaron and I went out in search of a delightful spot on the beach to dine and while trying to find the location of choice, discovered our dinning establishment was a part of the resort. So we valet parked our rental mini van and enjoyed a grand night out. Laugh all you want friends, it was the second highlight of the trip next to Caroline and the giraffe encounter.

Well, I hope you have enjoyed a little peak inside our Naples beach vacation. Until, our next Jackson adventure! <3