Top 10 Photoshoot Locations: Miami Edition
It’s been a real treat exploring Miami and seeing all of the different places it has to offer. From the Design District to Wynwood to Museums and even Hotel lobbies. It feels like at every turn Miami has more stunning art and architecture to offer. Miami to me is colorful, loud and cultural. It has a lot of character. It has deep rooted history while also being an icon for art, design and food. I still have a lot to explore within Miami and up and down the entire coast that is South Florida, but for now, I wanted to share with you my 10 favorite locations I’ve used to shoot some of my Instagram photos. I hope that as I become more and more familiar with the city, I will find more and more hidden gems. For now, let’s just call this Part One of the Miami Edition!
Cape Florida Lighthouse, Key Biscayne
Shops at Bal Harbour Mall
Upper Buena Vista, Miami
Four Seasons, Surfside
Cape Florida Lighthouse: 1200 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne
This lighthouse location has beauty, serenity and rich history dating all the back to 1513 all wrapped in one! There are three different locations you within the State Park you can set up for your photoshoot that will all have the lighthouse in the background.
Definitely get there as early as you can as it does get crowded pretty quick with bikers, fishermen and other tourists. The park is open from 8:00 AM - Sunset every day of the year.
We did have to pay a fee of $8 to get in, but that was it!
Bal Harbour Shops: 9700 Collins Ave, Bal Harbour
Bal Harbour Mall is an upscale indoor/outdoor mall that has a variety of different luxury stores and boutiques. I can’t personally afford anything here (lol) but hey, it’s great for a photo-op! The mall has multiple floors, restaurants, fish ponds, tons of greenery and natural light making this spot an optimal location for bright and colorful photos.
Heads up, you do have to pay for parking but if I’m remembering correctly it’s only $2 for up to an hour.
Hours of Operation: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Saturday, 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM on Sunday
Mandolin Aegean Bistro: 4312 NE 2nd Ave, Miami
This adorable indoor/outdoor Turkish and Greek restaurant has great food but also a great photoshoot backdrop! Right before you enter in the front of the restaurant you will get major Greece vibes with the vibrant blue painted doors and windows against the white buildings. They always have flowers planted and hanging around the entrance making this restaurant a total VIBE.
It doesn’t open until 12:00 PM so I like to get there earlier in the day as it usually gets pretty busy with lines of people waiting to get in once it’s open. If you do go close to the time that it opens, stick around for the Kofte!
Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club: 9011 Collins Ave, Surfside
Walk the lobby of this gorgeous hotel for the ultimate photo shoot. The halls are adorned with big palms, colorful tiles and even an indoor mini fountain leading you up a curved staircase. You will be wowed by the aesthetic of this hotel.
Within the hotel they also offer a chic waterfront restaurant / bar / lounge area called Le Sirenuse offering Italian classics, cocktails and wine. So snap a couple of photos in the lobby then head over to the bar, grab a cocktail and snap a few more!
Be prepared to Valet!
Swing Set at Politan Row Food Hall: 140 NE 39th Street, STE 241, Miami
The Miami Design District is a hub for everything art and luxury outdoor shopping. You can spend hours walking around this area and at every corner you will find a different backdrop, art installation or photo opportunity.
There are a couple of staple photo ops in this area, like the Fendi Store or the Fly Eye’s Dome, but my personal favorite are the swings just up the escalator from Palm Court and in front of the Politan Row Food Court (formerly known as St. Roch Market).
These hexagon shaped swings are yet again surrounded by greenery and florals and make for the perfect picture. Since it’s a completely public space, you can go at any time of the day. You will have to find parking on the street or there is a parking garage close by.
Perez Art Museum: 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami
Perez Art Museum has outdoor art installations that are constantly changing so this is a great location that you can keep coming back to! Their outdoor dining area also has hanging plant life, swings and steps leading to a breathtaking waterfront view. It also comes with a walkway lined with palm trees. Get here early for the sunrise or come later in the day for sunset. If you stay outside of the museum there is no charge except to park in the parking garage.
The Standard / Lido Hotel: 40 Island Ave, Miami Beach
This boutique hotel tucked between Miami and Miami Beach has a great photo opportunity some may not know about. On your walk outside, behind the hotel and towards the Hotel’s waterfront restaurant, the Lido you will walk through a small jungle of modern seating arrangements and green walls creating different spaces to get a drink and chill. It made me feel like I was Alice in Wonderland walking through a chic maze.
The Shops at Merrick Park: 358 San Lorenzo Ave, Coral Gables
I guess you can say I’m a sucker for big palms and plant life because here is another 2-story open air mall with upscale retail shops but more importantly, GREENERY! The mediterranean aesthetic fits in perfectly with the rest of Coral Gables and the plush landscaping with palm tree lines walkways just makes it captivating to the eye.
Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday: 11:00AM - 7:00PM, Sunday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Miami Beach Lifeguard Stands: Miami Beach at South Point Park to 86th Street
Miami Beach is known for their colorful and fun shaped lifeguard stands. The lifeguard was nice enough to let me take pictures on the stairs quickly which was a must because I had the perfect bikini to match the vibrant orange and purple! Leave it to Miami to design even their lifeguard towers in this cool Art Deco style. These are iconic for Miami’s beaches and it’s such an easy place to shoot. The colors range from pinks with yellow to lime green and light blues and bright reds with orange. Everything is so vibrant it makes for the perfect photo.
Upper Buena Vista: 184 NE 50th Terrace, Miami
I like to think Upper Buena Vista is another hidden gem in Miami. It’s located in the Upper East Side which is due to get some face lifts in the coming months and is expected to be a new up and coming scene for restaurant life. The space is considered a “sanctuary” which is so cool and you can feel it the moment you step onto the grounds. It’s all outdoors with local places to buy clothes, jewelry and other accessories. It also has various restaurants and even a rooftop. My favorite thing about Upper Buena Vista is the Zen-like vibe it boasts. The entire place is a walking photo opportunity complete with a ribbon wish tree and plant nursery.
