Kraft Azalea Garden: A Hidden Orlando Gem

Tucked on the shore of Lake Maitland in Winter Park, Kraft Azalea Garden is Orlando’s quiet, romantic antidote to the theme parks — and one of its most photographed spots for a reason. Here’s how to shoot it.

The essentials

What to shoot

Two signature elements: the towering cypress domes with golden light filtering through them, and the freestanding Exedra — a white Greek-style colonnade that frames couples beautifully against the lake. White marble benches and the Lake Maitland shoreline round it out. It’s compact, so you can work several looks in a short session.

Time it right

Golden hour is the move — the low light rakes through the cypress and warms the white stone. Late winter adds azalea blooms; the garden is photogenic year-round otherwise.

💡 Permit note: Winter Park requires a permit for professional photography here (as it does at Mead and Central Park). Sort it before you shoot — it’s an enforced, popular spot for sessions and small weddings.

Make it a story

The Exedra and cypress make an elegant, romantic backdrop — one of Orlando’s top engagement and proposal spots. See our proposal photography page.

Plan your shoot

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FAQ

Do you need a permit to shoot at Kraft Azalea Garden? For professional photography, yes — Winter Park requires a permit. Casual personal phone photos are generally fine.

When’s the best light at Kraft Azalea Garden? Golden hour, when the low sun filters through the cypress and warms the Exedra colonnade. Late winter adds azalea blooms.