Blog
Naples Pier: An Icon Through My Lens
An icon never gets old.
As a local photographer, I’ve captured the Naples Pier more times than I can count — for homeowners, real estate, businesses, and collectors. Every sunrise, every sunset, every storm gives it something new.
To see debates about rebuilding it reminds me how important this landmark is — not just for the tourists, but for our city’s identity.
As a photographer who lives and works here in Naples, there are few places more iconic — or more photographed — than the Naples Pier. And yet, no matter how many times I have been there, I have never stopped seeing it as something new.
Photo captured by John Paul from a residential bedroom.
More Than a Landmark
The Naples Pier isn’t just another structure. It’s woven into the very identity of this city. Built originally in 1888 as a freight and passenger dock, it has withstood hurricanes, fires, and generations of change. It’s been rebuilt, reimagined, and restored multiple times, always rising again to serve as Naples’ signature front porch overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
Recently, city council discussions surrounding its redesign have sparked concern about potential delays and scaled-back plans for reconstruction. And while the challenges of cost and permitting are real, as a local, I’ll say plainly: to not rebuild would be a shame for our beautiful city. The Pier is more than wood, nails, and concrete — it's part of the Naples soul.
John Paul
A Photographer’s Relationship with the Pier
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to photograph many of the luxury homes that line our coast — homes designed to showcase views of the Naples Pier right from their beachside bedrooms. Some owners intentionally minimize window coverings, choosing instead to let the view itself be the artwork they wake up to each morning.
I’ve captured images of the Pier that now hang in offices, reminding clients and staff of the paradise they call home. My photographs of the Pier have even found their way onto company vehicles, becoming rolling billboards of what makes Naples so visually special.
The Pier has served as a backdrop for real estate shoots, commercial campaigns, and countless private collections. Its symmetry, its weathered texture, and its perfect position jutting westward into the Gulf offer endless creative opportunities for any photographer willing to chase light and wait for the right moment.
Why The Pier Still Matters
For visitors, the Pier is a destination. For locals, it's a place to pause — to fish, to watch dolphins glide just offshore, or to simply breathe in another sunset. But for those of us who tell Naples' story through our lenses, the Pier represents something more: it’s a timeless subject, one that continues to anchor both the skyline and our collective memory of what makes Naples unique.
As our city grows, and as new developments rise along Gulf Shore Blvd, the Pier remains the quiet constant. And that’s why preserving and rebuilding it isn’t just about maintaining a tourist attraction — it's about protecting the very heart of Naples’ visual and cultural identity.
Capturing Naples, One Frame at a Time
Whether it's the Naples Pier, a Gulf-front high-rise, or a luxury residence built with an intentional view, my goal as a photographer is to document both the structure and the emotion that surrounds it. Architecture isn’t just about buildings — it’s about stories.
FOLLOW ALONG AS I SHARE SNAPSHOTS AND RAW VISUALS CAPTURING COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO PROJECTS IN NAPLES, SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, AND BEYOND.