When people think of Miami, the first thing that comes to mind is beaches. Maybe some rollerblading in ocean-side walkways, amid the palm trees. So, engagement photoshoots in Miami should be at the beach, right? Not so fast. While those are definitely very Miami features, it’s important to note that the South Florida area has much more to offer! So why limit yourself?
Many places are beautiful, but the location for your engagement photoshoot should be thoughtfully selected. In order to make your love blossom in front of the camera, pick somewhere that has meaning to you and your partner. This will help you connect and be truly in the moment.
Keep reading for a list of location options around engagement photoshoots in Miami. I’ve paired them with photos taken there for inspiration!
The location: Beach views, a pier, rocks, winding paths that cut through tall grass, rolling dunes, and interesting hills.
The time: This location is open from sunrise to sunset. I recommend going there on a weekday, and preferably at sunrise to avoid crowds and have more privacy for your session.
Fees: Parking is free until 8am.
The location: Here, you’ll find beach views with an adjacent forest flush with large trees, lakes, interesting flora, and even peacocks! The beach is particularly captivating because it has clusters of palm trees interspersed with dunes of tall grass, making it stand out from the typical “naked” sand beaches you see in South Florida.
The time: The park is open from sunrise to sunset, but keep in mind that at sunrise there will be tracks from the sand compression trucks, which doesn’t look very natural in pictures. I recommend going there on a weekday, at sunset.
Fees: Flat fee of $5.
The location: The lighthouse at this park is the oldest structure in Miami! This park has a lot to offer: beach, rolling dunes, tall grass, lots of palm trees, seaside trails through a forest, rocks, etc.
The time: It’s open daily from 8am to sunset. I recommend shooting around sunset.
Fees: Parking is $8 per vehicle (2-8 people). See more admissions fees here.
The location(s): Open sea! This is an option if you’re looking for an exclusive experience and want your photos taken from the privacy of a sailboat or yacht. If you don’t have access to a boat, you can rent one for the session.
Here are some rental options to consider:
The location: A hidden gem! This venue is pretty big and easy to get lost in; you’ll forget you’re in the city. It has thick, tropical foliage with plants that cover the ground and even the tree trunks—it feels like an enchanted forest.
The time: My recommendation is to go close to sunset (although keep in mind that with the thick foliage it might get dark quicker). Weekday or weekend works, as I’ve rarely seen large crowds on weekends.
Fees: Free parking!
The location: A picturesque landscape that includes groves of aged live oak trees and its signature wooden tree house structure. You’ll find a variety of backdrops, from thick forests to large clearings, and even lakes.
The time: It is open daily from 8am to 7:30pm. I recommend shooting there around sunset.
Fees: $1.50 per person
The location: This is the most beautiful botanic garden you can find in Miami. It’s big and it has a wide variety of plants, such as ferns, orchids, palm trees, oak trees, and many more. You’ll also find lakes, waterfalls, fountains, bridges, trellises, and rustic architecture. My favorite part is the “rainforest” mist-filled area, which has shade and water-loving plants. The light percolating through the mist is exquisite and unique.
The time: It is open daily from 10am to 4pm. If you happen to be a member, we can go on Tuesdays at 7am.
Fees: A permit is $100 for 3 people (including the photographer). See more here.
The location(s): If you’re feeling an urban vibe, definitely opt for the setting of a downtown Miami rooftop for your shoot. You can look for buildings with rooftop parking on Google maps, and go up there! The cool thing about it is that you can see tall buildings all around, and it looks different than your typical Miami beach scene.
The time: Up to you! Think of what light you want in the urban backdrop. Maybe it’s the orange glow of a sunrise/sunset on buildings, or the sprawling, colorful night lights from neighboring balconies and windows.
Fees: Parking is typically between $7 and $15 for an hour. Alternatively, park on the street and head up there just for the photoshoot.
The location: If you have an artistic vibe, you’ll definitely want to consider the Wynwood Art District. A graffiti outdoor museum in which each mural is more beautiful than the other. The best part is that a lot of the artwork is ephemeral, so you’ll always see something new!
The time: Because of its popularity, Wynwood is typically crowded, especially on weekends. I recommend going there on a weekday at sunrise, before the streets fill up with cars.
Fees: Metered street parking.
The location: If you’re looking for the specific Latin American art deco sizzle, you can’t get much more urban Miami than Little Havana. Colorful street life and nightlife, Cuban restaurants, cigars, dominos… you get the gist.
The time: This bustling urban area is going at all times; schedule your session considering what you’d like to see around you—the urban area waking up, the weekend hustle, or the night.
Fees: Metered street parking.
The location: Abandoned Miami Stadium with a pretty private narrow beach with a view on the Miami Downtown skyline.
The time: I recommend shooting around sunrise or sunset.
Fees: Free parking
The location: If you want photos that look like they’re taken in a temperate climate, this venue is great for that! It has lakes, pine trees, dry grass, and forests. No one will ever believe your photos were taken in South Florida. Adrian and I did our trash-the-dress session there with Dani Parada and had such a great time! The photos turned out gorgeous.**
The time: It is open daily from 8am to 6pm. I recommend going there around sunset.
Fees: $1.50 per person on weekends and holidays.
**PS: I highly recommend doing a post-wedding photoshoot in which you get to wear your dress once more and take more intimate photos in a different location than your engagement/wedding venue.
The location: With winding forest-like trails, lush tall trees, bogs, and bridges, this park doesn’t look like your typical Miami landscape.
The time: It is open daily from 8am to 7:30pm. I recommend going there around sunset for golden tones.
Fees: $1.50 per person to access the park.
The location: This place looks like somewhere in the middle of nowhere in the midwest.
The time: I recommend going there around sunset for golden tones.
Fees: Free parking at the casino, and it’s accessible from there
The location: If you want a Bridgerton-esque experience and have a fare with European estates, this is the perfect place for you. The water-facing villa is replete with plants and winding gardens and stone structures that take you back to the Gilded Age. Waterfalls, sloping stone steps, stained glass, and statue-filled courtyards provide multiple options for capturing a love session.
The time: Daily (except Tuesdays) from 9:30am to 4:30pm.
Fees: Permit is $250 + tax (week day) / $350 + tax (weekend) up to 5 people (including a photographer). Premium sunrise access available for $450 + tax.
The location: If you’re looking for a historic neighborhood with lots of beautiful mediterranean architecture including arches, columns, fountains, grand staircases, colorful tiles, and walking distance from a beach, then this place if for you!
The time: I recommend going there sometime in the morning or late afternoon.
Fees: No fees. Street parking available.
Perhaps there’s no more perfect place to capture your love than the four walls of your home. Capturing in-home sessions has been a staple of my work and I still find it as special as ever. If you want to learn more, check out my blog post with ten reasons for doing a couple photoshoot at home.
If you’re not local to Miami or you don’t want to shoot at your place, renting an AirBnB or studio by the hour is a great alternative. Peerspace is a great resource to look for studios!
Once you choose a location, you can think of how to personalize your session to make it even more unique! Check out my blog post about how to personalize your in-home couple session as a starting point (these tips can be applied for an outdoor session, too).
If you’re a couple and would like to book a unique couple session with me to capture a collection of unique and meaningful photographs that represent your love, INQUIRE HERE!
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