Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Bean.
Hi Patricia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve often heard people say that Saint Augustine finds you — you don’t find it. And I believe that’s true. This town has a certain magic, a pull that seems to know when you need it most.
Before moving here, I was living in San Diego caring for my mother, who had Alzheimer’s. When she passed away I found myself at a crossroads. I needed something that would lift my spirit — a place that offered both beauty and purpose, somewhere small enough to find community but vibrant enough to stay inspired.
A close friend had recently moved to Saint Augustine, and we shared a love of photography. She invited me to visit, and from the moment I arrived, I was captivated — the light, the textures, the architecture, and the layers of history. Within three months of returning to California, I knew I was meant to start a new chapter here.
I packed my small SUV with only the essentials — my camera gear, a few clothes, a fork, a spoon, a towel, and a roll of toilet paper — and began the long drive east. The journey itself became its own story. Along the way, friends opened their homes and hearts. I stopped in Flagstaff for my sister’s birthday, in Albuquerque where I spent five days with three close friends — sharing stories, laughter, and exploration — then continued through Texas to stay with an old school friend. That’s also where I found the graves of my father’s ancestors, a quiet and unexpected connection to my past. From there, I made my way to New Orleans for a few days of reflection with a dear friend whose husband had passed earlier that year.
I photographed the entire journey with “My Little Duck,” an old wooden pull toy that became my whimsical travel companion — a small reminder to stay lighthearted even in big transitions.
When I finally saw the exit for Saint Augustine, I cried — tears of exhaustion, relief, and gratitude. Within a few weeks, I had found a place to live, a job, and a new rhythm of life. I began to explore and learn how I could blend my lifelong career in photography with this town’s incredible history and atmosphere.
That idea became Saint Augustine Photo Tours — a way to serve travelers and vacationers, helping them see this city through a creative lens. To offer the tours, I became a licensed history guide, and over time, I discovered that what I was really teaching wasn’t just photography — it was a way of seeing.
Working with hundreds of visitors, I realized I kept repeating the same process I’d used throughout my 30-year commercial photography career: creating images with intention, purpose, and emotion. That evolved into a step-by-step method I now call the Premium Traveler’s Photography System — an approach that puts creativity before the technical, helping people move from snapshots to artful storytelling.
Most people come to me thinking they need to master settings first, but once they learn to see like an artist, the rest falls into place. That’s the heart of what I do — helping travelers slow down, look closer, and connect to the stories a place has to tell.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road — but that’s what made it worth it.
The first challenge came right away when I learned that, to legally operate tours in Saint Augustine, I had to become a licensed history guide. At the time, I knew very little about the city’s long and complex past, so I dove in headfirst. It took months of studying and more than a few failed attempts before I finally passed the city’s history exam. But through that process, I fell in love with the depth of this place that make it so unique.
When I went back to the city offices to finalize my license, they asked, “Who do you work for?” and I said, “Myself.” That completely threw them! At the time, there wasn’t anyone else doing what I was doing — combining photography instruction with a guided walking tour. After some back and forth, they eventually understood and issued my license.
Of course, having an idea and making it real are two different things. I had to learn how to market my tours online, manage booking platforms, and navigate all the moving parts of a small business. But being both a creative and an entrepreneur, I was already comfortable with figuring things out as I went. Each challenge became an opportunity to learn — and that’s been true ever since.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At my core, I’m a photographic artist and educator who helps travelers see the world differently — to move beyond taking snapshots and start creating images with intention.
Through Saint Augustine Photo Tours, I’ve had the joy of guiding visitors through the historic streets of America’s oldest city, helping them connect to its light, architecture, and stories in a new way. What started as a simple idea — to combine history and photography in a single experience — has grown into something much larger. It’s now part of what I call the Premium Traveler’s Photography System, a creative framework that teaches people how to see like an artist before worrying about the technical side of photography.
My background is in commercial photography, where I spent over 30 years creating images for clients that had to communicate meaning — every photograph needed to tell a story, evoke emotion, or create desire. That same philosophy carries into my teaching today. Whether I’m working with a curious traveler using an iPhone or an experienced photographer with a DSLR, I focus on helping them discover their own visual voice and create images that express what they feel drawn to, not just what’s in front of them.
What I’m most proud of is seeing that moment of discovery — when someone realizes they can create an image that feels like art. It’s less about the gear and more about awareness, curiosity, and connection.
What sets my work apart is that it bridges art, history, and personal experience. My tours and guides aren’t just about photography; they’re about learning to see the soul of a place — its light, rhythm, and stories. I believe every photograph should be intentional, and that travel photography can be as creative and expressive as fine art when guided by purpose and emotion.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’ve taken risks all my life — not because I love danger, but because I’ve always believed in following my own path.
Moving across the country from California to Saint Augustine was one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. I didn’t have a perfect plan — I just knew I needed a change and wanted to do something that felt meaningful. I followed what inspired me. That leap of faith completely changed my life.
Risk has taught me a lot. It’s shown me how to trust the process, even when I don’t have all the answers. Sometimes things work out beautifully, sometimes they don’t — but I always learn something valuable. Looking back, every major turning point in my life came from saying “yes” to something uncertain. My life is richer because of those choices — full of lessons, surprises, and the satisfaction that comes from making things happen on my own terms.
Pricing:
- Saint Augustine Self-Guided Photo Tours — Starting at $69, these downloadable guides include an interactive map, creative prompts, and photography tips for exploring the city at your own pace.
- The Premium Traveler’s Photography System — A collection of guides and short courses designed to help travelers improve their photography while exploring new places. Individual guides start at $25, and bundled experiences are $69–$189.
- Private Walking Tours (final season 2025–2026) — Personalized two-hour photo tours with hands-on instruction, beginning at $178 for one or two guests.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.saintaugustinephototours.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/st.augustinephototours/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photographsaintaugustine/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@patriciabeanphotography7762
