Planning to take prom or graduation photos? Try these picture-perfect spots around Brevard

Not only is spring on the Space Coast prom and graduation season, but it's also a great time to get outdoors — especially for the ever-traditional big-day photos.

While in years past, prom and graduation photos were often taken at the event, many high schoolers now enjoy posing for pictures in their formal attire at a location of their choosing.

Take someplace unique to the Space Coast, for example.

For Ty Pope, Viera Wetlands was the perfect place to snap some photos before heading to prom. He's co-captain of Edgewood Jr./Sr. High's cross country and track team, and they often train along the marshy paths. The area holds a special place in his heart.

Pope and his date, Ella Hovan, along with brother Trey Pope and friend Jackson Reyier, stopped at the wetlands Friday afternoon before heading to prom, where they enjoyed dancing and spending time with friends.

"I thought the photo machine was cool, and I loved hanging out and dancing with all my friends," Ty said.

For Trey, a senior, prom was particularly special, and the photos of the friends in a much-loved place reflect that.

"I enjoyed hanging out with my friends, especially knowing it was the last time we would all get together like this," he said.

Whether you're looking for somewhere meaningful, artsy or just plain fun to snap a few pics before prom or next month's graduations, here are some ideas to get you started.

Opt for a pier instead of the beach to avoid the sand

The beach might give your photos a quintessential Florida feel, but it could come with the risk of getting your prom attire sandy or wet. Instead of traipsing down to the shore, try visiting a pier.

There are numerous piers across the county, with some attracting large numbers of tourists, while others are more low-key.

If you're looking for a quieter location, piers like Melbourne Beach pier and Riverside Park in Indialantic may be what you're in search of. While you might run into a few people fishing, as the docks are located along the Indian River Lagoon, these piers are small and less crowded than other locations.

There are also piers with more activity. Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier is a popular tourist spot on the beach, as it has lots of activity and is a good place to watch rocket launches. The pier extends 800 feet into the ocean and has a restaurant, bar, gift shops and live performances.

Jetty Park Pier in Port Canaveral is 1,200 feet long and mostly used by fishermen, but if you can't snap a good photo on the pier, the surrounding campground provides a lush backdrop for pictures.

Look for paved areas for nature photos

Brevard blooms with places to take photos with a nice nature backdrop. While places like Viera Wetlands can be fun to visit, you'll need to exercise caution and likely want to avoid anywhere that doesn't have a paved path, unless you have the proper footwear.

The Joy and Gordon Patterson Botanical Garden at Florida Tech boasts tropical plants and water features along a paved trail. You'll find colorful flowers and plants, a turtle pond and a butterfly garden along the path.

If you're looking for something with a little more of a natural backdrop, try visiting one of Brevard's parks or sanctuaries like Turkey Creek Sanctuary in Malabar or Erna Nixon Park in West Melbourne. Both have boardwalks that take visitors over landscapes of native plants and marshes.

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Try one of Brevard's downtown areas for an artsy vibe

If you want your photos to have a more artistic backdrop, there are multiple unique downtown locations around the county.

Historic Cocoa Village offers an eclectic mix of old and new architecture, with historic buildings built more than a decade ago scattered among the colorful new shops and restaurants. You'll find some of these older sites near Cocoa Riverfront Park, like the Porcher House and St. Mark's Episcopal Church.

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If you're looking for a more artistic vibe, consider visiting the Eau Gallie Arts District. Located along the Indian River Lagoon, EGAD is a Florida Main Street project, making it part of a national movement of local volunteers working to renew neighborhood business districts.

Among the numerous businesses in the area is an "outdoor museum," or murals and other pieces of art spread throughout the community. A map of these 29 pieces created by local artists be viewed on EGAD's website.

Other locations around the county with murals, colorful backdrops and unique architecture include Downtown Melbourne and Downtown Cocoa Beach.

Finch Walker is the education reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Walker at fwalker@floridatoday.com. X: @_finchwalker.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Perfect prom, grad photos are a snap at these Space Coast spots