My Top Picks
Those of us that are lucky enough to live in Miami, or visit often, know there is no shortage of scenic locations. We’ve got beaches, parks, gardens…you name it, we’ve got it. And many of them make the perfect backdrop for portraits. People are always asking for my best photo shoot locations in Miami, so I thought I would share my top 5.
1. Prado Entrance
The Prado Entrance in Coral Gables has beautiful trellises, bougainvillea and picturesque fountains. It is a small location, but has lots of variety, which makes it one of my best photo shoot locations in Miami. Before you schedule a photo shoot, be sure to obtain a permit or you might get stuck with a hefty fine.
2. Virginia Key
If you’re looking for a location that’s a little more rugged and undiscovered, go to Virginia Key. It looks completely uninhabited with the natural beach, tall grass and rock jetties. It’s also very quiet and private, especially on weekdays – truly one of the best photo shoot locations in Miami. Be careful though – Virginia Key is sometimes used for special events, so you’ll want to plan ahead and go when there is no worry about party tents in the background! Also it helps to bookmark the Virginia Key Beach Park website to keep up with their hours of operation. The park can close early, sometimes too early, leaving you without photos at the lovely golden hour.
3. Matheson Hammock
Matheson Hammock is one of my best photo shoot locations in Miami because it is huge, with lots of room to wander and explore. It has a lake, open grassy areas, beautiful banyan trees, and plenty of gorgeous spanish moss. It is also a great afternoon photo spot, with the light peaking through the trees, producing this wonderful dreamlike effect. If you choose this location, my advice would be to visit on weekdays. Parking can be a challenge on weekends, and special events can make it very crowded (and very difficult to keep the crowds out of your photos).
4. South Beach
Most people have heard of South Beach, but I bet many wouldn’t choose it for a photo shoot location. For starters, it can be extremely crowded. And parking can be a challenge all on its own. But, it has the most amazing skies, especially at sunrise, and the crowds and parking are much more manageable then too! In addition to the skies, the white sand looks incredible in photos. Plus, I love the colorful lifeguard stands and the rock jetty at south point.
5. Vizcaya
Vizcaya is probably one of the more popular photo shoot locations in Miami. It has this wonderful old world feel with the European-inspired gardens and gorgeous architecture. There are lots of great places for photos here, including some with access to open water. Keep in mind the permitting fee when planning a photo shoot here – $125 per permit. The hours (9:30am to 4:30pm) can also be a challenge for natural light photographers, so keep that in mind too.
If you have a favorite local spot for photos that isn’t on this list, I would love to hear from you! Or if you would like to schedule a photo shoot with me, please email me at steph@stephanieanders.com.