I recently upgraded my Nikon D700 to a Nikon D750. With a new camera purchase comes the break-in period of adjustment, so on an overcast Sunday I spent some time photographing Ana in her room. With my Nikon 24-70mm 2.8 at 2.8 and the ISO set to 2500, I had fun capturing Ana with her crib in its new daybed state. Then we prepared for a family trip with grandma to Sarasota to visit the Ringling.

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Afterwards we decided to visit The Ringling compound in Sarasota, Florida. A quick 35 minute drive south of St Pete, The Ringling offers an unbelievable gorgeous outdoor setting on the water for the former mansion of John and Mabel Ringling named Ca’ Z’an, the Ringling Museum of Art, the Circus Museum, and Bayfront Gardens. We recently upgraded our Dali Museum Membership to the NARM level, which included access to this amazing Sarasota destination.

Exploring The Ringling Ca’ d’Zan Sarasota Florida | Sarasota FL Photographer | Kids Family Portraits St Pete Florida | NIKON D750 + 24-70mm 2.8 @ ISO 6400, f/3.6, 1/500

We make a quick stop at the Ringling Circus Museum and Ana loved these large prints. Meanwhile, I had fun getting used to the Nikon D750 and loved it autofocus capabilties. The AF is a definite improvement over my D800 and the flip LCD was a treat to use, especially for low camera angle shots. It will take some time adjusting to this camera but I am loving the 24MP size, a nice compromise between the D700’s 12MP and the D800’s huge 36MP.

Exploring The Ringling Ca’ d’Zan Sarasota Florida | Sarasota FL Photographer | Kids Family Portraits St Pete Florida| NIKON D750 + 85mmD f/1.8 @ ISO 100, f/1.8

The gardens at Ringling are amazing to explore with rose gardens, Banyan trees and nice statuary. The Ringling Gardens also included a nice children’s playground for Ana to explore. We toured the Ca’ D’zan mansion interior  with a docent and had fun exploring the exterior. We barely scratched the surface of the Ringling and look forward to exploring the Museum of Fine Arts, more time at the Circus Museum, attending performances at the Asolo Theatre and learning at the Ringling Education Center.

Exploring The Ringling Ca’ d’Zan Sarasota Florida | Sarasota FL Photographer | Kids Family Portraits St Pete Florida

Exploring The Ringling Ca’ d’Zan Sarasota Florida | Sarasota FL Photographer | Kids Family Portraits St Pete Florida | NIKON D750 + 24-70mm2.8 @ ISO 640, f/2.8