Miami, FL Photography Spotlight with Maria Rock Photography
Hey there, milspouse photographer! If SOUTHCOM is your next assignment, this location guide is for you. Maria Rock knows Miami and has plenty of stunning spots to share. Keep reading for her expertise in this Miami, FL Photography Spotlight!
What are your top three favorite locations for sessions? Briefly share about each.
Wynwood Walls and Design District
Wynwood is an artsy section of town with murals on dozens of buildings. It’s beautiful and modern and pretty close to the Design District.
Model: Julian Galeano, @julgaleano
South Beach
…because beach! 😉 You can get beach, tropical vegetation, and city backdrops all in a short distance, and they’re all great.
Commercial Work
While in Miami, I photographed models at the locations above, and both headshots and products on location at businesses. This allowed a staff member to be responsible for merchandise. If you go this route, I recommend having a portable kit for on-location product photography and headshots.
Are there any particularly busy seasons for photographers in this area? Any events an incoming photographer should know about?
There are events every weekend in Miami! My top 5 are:
- Art Basel Miami Beach (December) – The world’s most famous contemporary art fair in the U.S. and the centerpiece of Miami Art Week
- Ultra Music Festival (March) – One of the world’s premier EDM festivals
- Calle Ocho Festival (March) – Largest Hispanic street festival in the United States
- Coconut Grove Arts Festival (February) – Prestigious juried outdoor art festival on Biscayne Bay
- South Beach Wine & Food Festival (February) – Celebrity chefs, tastings, and culinary events
What should an incoming photographer know about permits in this area?
There are very few permits required for parks, city or beach, but it’s best to check with venue websites. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is gorgeous and does require a permit/fee.
What is the biggest piece of advice you’d give to an incoming photographer?
When in Miami, embrace the commercial side of photography. Be open to some great opportunities for work Monday-Friday.
Any other local expertise you’d like to share?
Miami was beautiful and I enjoyed it very much. Try the food. Go to the festivals. There isn’t a base or commissary, so you’ll feel like a civilian. Sometimes that’s a bit quiet. There seemed to be more opportunities for commercial work compared to other places. Some of the businesses or handymen are a little sketchy, so be careful of scams. Be aware of people initially lowballing as sport; explain your worth and they’ll respect you.
Where can other milspouse photographers connect with you?
Website: https://www.MariaRockPhotography.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrockphoto
Are you a milspouse photographer interested in contributing? I’d love to have your insight! Please send me an email at erin@erinthompsonphoto.com and I’ll be in touch with the details!
If you enjoyed this Miami, FL photography spotlight, be sure to check out other featured location guides and tips for moving your business!
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I HAVE A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR YOU!
I've been navigating military life with my family since 2008. In that time, I went from a full-time classroom teacher to an online course designer to a photographer. Actually, I still teach a little math on the side because I just love it too much!
Through it all, I've discovered how passionate I am about connecting with military families. Whether it's taking photos at a retirement ceremony, coaching a fellow milspouse photographer, or just grabbing coffee with a new squadron friend, I love this community. And as a teacher at heart, I'm excited to use this space to share what I've learned about business and life with you.
I'M ERIN.
Hey there!
