Iggy Pop once said, “[If Miami were a person] it would be Rudolf Valentino, because it’s dark and moody, with a brilliant and sensual side, and it captures and inflames the imagination of a great deal of the western world.”​​​​​​​

It is, and it does. And like a multi-faceted gemstone, Miami has many faces. It’s sunny, colorful beach days and hot, glittering nightlife.

There is lush greenery and aquamarine sea and cityscapes surrounded by palm trees.

Suffice it to say, Miami is inspiring – and an absolutely gorgeous backdrop for engagement photos.

Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite engagement photo locations. Plus, a few outfit ideas I think would work perfectly for a Miami engagement session.

Locations for Your Miami Engagement Session

When choosing possible engagement photo locations, consider your preferences. Do you prefer an indoor or outdoor session? Are you going for a certain vibe (laid-back beach vs. rooftop formal)? Do you want a secluded area or a place buzzing with activity?

Beaches, Parks + Gardens

Miami is abundant in beauty. So why not use its jewel-box colors and natural wonders as your engagement backdrop?

A peek at some spots to consider:

Matheson Hammock Park

The vibe: Mangrove forests alongside a sandy beach. Coral and limestone surround a manmade bayfront pool naturally fed by the Biscayne Bay surrounded by palm trees, which makes for gorgeous photos! There are equal opportunities for seaside lounging and ocean activities, including stand-up paddleboarding. Now imagine those engagement photos!

Bill Baggs State Park

The vibe: Just minutes from downtown Miami on the tip of Key Biscayne, Bill Baggs offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean A Lighthouse (Miami’s oldest standing structure), sandy beaches and golden sunsets.

Crandon Park Beach

An absolute treasure of scenic Key Biscayne, Crandon Park is located in Bear Cut Preserve. Its two-mile-long sandy beach boasts sand dunes and tons of Palm Trees which make for a perfect beach to photograph you on for that ultimate “tropical beach look”. Consistently named among the top beaches in the nation, Crandon Park beach features soft sand, calm waters and gorgeous light in the afternoons.

South Beach

The vibe: Everything you think of when you imagine a famous beach. A busy boardwalk, sunbathers, volleyball players, turquoise waves lapping over plush sand. Colorful lifeguard towers and beachgoers’ umbrellas dot the area. SoBe is almost always a hub of activity, but we could always capture a few serene sunrise photos if you’re up for it. There’s South Pointe Park, the strip of Art Deco Hotels and the Art Deco Lifeguard stands to name a few great areas!

Fairchild Tropical Gardens

The vibe: Beautiful landscapes, rich colors, butterfly gardens, aquatic exhibits – the list goes on. Finding a lovely spot for your engagement photos is as easy as closing your eyes, spinning around, and pointing!

Museums

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

The vibe: A historical beauty featuring Mediterranean-style architecture and an interior like something out of a Versailles fairy tale. The European-inspired gardens include orchids, roses, lily ponds, vine-covered statues, secret garden-esque nooks, and everything in between. This garden will always be a local favorite for me for its romantic, old world architecture and beauty!

Perez Art Museum

The vibe: Cool, contemporary architecture and plenty of interesting textural backdrops to play with. Stellar views and art installations. And the massive greenery hanging from the roof is a must-have photo spot!

Deering Estate

The vibe: A historic estate nestled along South Dade’s coast and boasting a beautiful palm Tree lined view of the coast in the backyard gardens, The Deering Estate has florida character and charm.

Hotels

Biltmore Hotel

The vibe: Coral Gables, spanish style luxury everywhere you look. If you want to get dressed to the nines, this is your engagement session location. Plush lounge areas, chandeliers, columned archways, balconies, and staircases. There is no shortage of gorgeousness here! Important Note: You’ll have to get written approval from someone at the Hotel.

1 Hotel

The vibe: Chic contemporary meets laid-back Miami beach. The ambiance here is one of tranquility and luxury. Poolside, beachside, rooftop, lounge deck – we might spend all day taking photos here. Important Note: You’ll have to get written approval from someone at the Hotel. Here’s Greg & Samee’s session.

Your Home

The vibe: You! Sometimes you just can’t beat staying in and snuggling on the couch. And being surrounded by all of the things that make up the two of you makes these engagement photos extra special.

I can recommend engagement photo locations all day long, but if there’s a specific spot that holds meaning for you (like the café where you first met or the park where you said yes), follow your heart. Let me know what areas you have in mind, and we can plan your session around the one that means the most to you both. 

You should also know that it’s totally okay if you’re not quite sure about the kind of engagement session you want to have. That’s what I’m here for! We can chat about what sparks your interests, what inspires you, and how your love story can help us uncover your ideal engagement location.

Miami Engagement Session Outfit Ideas

To help you sort through your closet (or shop for something new), think about pieces that are:

1. Comfortable – You’ll likely be moving around in them quite a bit
2. Coordinated – Clashing colors and patterns don’t make for great photos
3. Classic – Trendy outfits are fun, but how will you feel looking back on them 20 years from now?

Some tried and true options?:

Keep it casual with “matching” jeans and neutral tops especially for the beach if you plan to be playful!

Color coordinate like Gianara and Ilian did for their engagement session. Look at how his navy blue jacket paired perfectly with her floral maxi dress at Crandon Beach Park.

Linen pants and polos strike a balance between chic and casual. Plus, linen keeps you cool.

Formal is never off the table. This lovely couple opted for a casual beach session and a more formal look at the Vizcaya Museum.

If the weather is warm (and when isn’t it, really?), wear something that floats in the breeze. You can also kick off your shoes and go barefoot in the sand or grass. Always a favorite!

Can’t decide? Bring multiple outfits. And despite my warning about clashing prints, patterns, and colors – don’t be afraid of them! This bride’s sundress added the perfect pop of orange to the photos, and the striped pattern looked fantastic against the groom’s gray shirt at The 1 hotel.

If you need a little extra help choosing an outfit, I’m happy to assist!

Set up your engagement session, and we’ll go over everything – including location spots and outfit options. All you need to do now is contact me, and we can get started. Let’s do it!