Miami Fever: How Carlos Ramos Captures the Real Magic of Miami Beach Streets

A beautiful kismet happens when Carlos Ramos—better known as Miami Fever—clicks his shutter on the streets of Miami Beach. The twenty-something photographer is a master at capturing the city’s outdoor pulse, turning everyday moments into something electric.

Carlos documents Miami Beach with an eye for its full spectrum: the glamorous and the gritty, leggy beauties and their sky-high shoes, luxury cars gleaming in the sun, mouthwatering plates of food, bold architecture, buzzing nightlife, carefree beachgoers, and the colorful characters who make the city hum.

“I am inspired by the unique architecture, colors, history and natural beauty that can serve as either a complimentary or contrasting setting to the very diverse people who visit and inhabit Miami Beach,” Carlos explained in our utterly pleasant phone chat.

While he shoots across Miami, it was his Miami Beach work we talked about most. No matter how much I praised his shots, he stayed humble—classic mark of a true artist who lets the work speak louder than the ego.

From Student to Street Shooter

Carlos was fresh out of school when we spoke, enjoying a well-earned breather after earning his MBA. He was weighing a career in business—another passion—because, let’s be honest, making it as a full-time photographer isn’t easy. “Why not both?” I asked. “Well yes,” he laughed. He’d already juggled school pressures while honing his craft on the side. Photography was his stress release.

Carlos was fresh out of school when we spoke, enjoying a well-earned breather after earning his MBA. He was weighing a career in business—another passion—because, let’s be honest, making it as a full-time photographer isn’t easy. “Why not both?” I asked. “Well yes,” he laughed. He’d already juggled school pressures while honing his craft on the side. Photography was his stress release.

So far, he’d landed just one commercial gig—a swimwear shoot for Unikswim—but he’s open to more. “I would love to do work that personally moves me, something that I find an interest in,” he said.

At heart, though, he lives for the spontaneity of street photography. “I like to capture the moment as it is. If I could make myself invisible it would be great,” Carlos said. “You never know what you’re going to find.”

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Carlos has bounced between the island and Miami his whole life. He remembers riding his bike around Miami Beach as a kid, camera in hand. “I was always a visual person,” he told me. “When I was little, I was known for my drawing and painting. I guess I’ve always liked to show people things on paper—or, as is the case now, on a computer screen.”

Self-Taught & Obsessed

Largely self-taught, Carlos always had some kind of camera, but early ones were automatic—no real control. Everything changed in 2004 when he got his first 35mm SLR. Without a mentor, he dove into books and became fascinated by photography’s artistic side. It turned into personal growth and self-expression.

“I read more and more and tried to learn as much as I could about photography. The more I learned, the more I wanted to experiment. The more I experimented, the more I wanted to perfect. I became possessed.”

He took one formal class in 2004 (working with lab chemicals), but soon switched to digital with minimal post-processing. “Everything I do now is pretty much straight from the camera,” he said. “When you’re out there on the street you can’t really control what goes into the frame. Sometimes I add a little color or contrast, but that’s it.”

His shots showcase incredible detail, depth of field, composition, and lighting. He occasionally plays with tilt-shift effects, making real scenes look like miniature models.

These days he rarely leaves home without his camera and two lenses—one wide, one zoom. “My girlfriend always holds my left hand when we walk,” he joked, “because my camera is always on the right. I just shoot whatever moves me. I like the idea of being able to preserve memories.”

Favorite spots: Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive—so many people catch his eye. He loves shooting at sunset for the golden light, and he’s a night owl, so plenty of his work happens after dark. He doesn’t go out just to shoot—he captures life as it unfolds.

Why “Miami Fever”?

The nickname is pure Latin energy: “fever” implies warmth, but in the best way. Miami Beach streets are “hot” with incredible subject matter. “I like how the scene can change from one day to the other,” Carlos said. “The revelers who flock to the beach for Memorial Day weekend hip-hop festivals can be just as interesting to watch as the snowbirds and sophisticates who come down for winter and Art Basel.”

Miami Beach and Miami Fever feel almost synonymous. “Miami Beach has influenced my definition of what is photogenic,” he told me. “It influenced my creative eye. Regardless of where life takes me, Miami Beach will always be home and perfectly suited to my photographic style.”

Through his lens, Carlos is documenting the city as it lives and breathes today—building a masterful street photography archive for tomorrow. One day his images may feel as nostalgic as 1940s postcards. But right now, they make Miami Beach look even more beautiful because he’s showing us what’s already there.

Get Some Fever

I’ve followed Carlos on Flickr for about a year. Since I don’t club much anymore, his nightlife shots let me live vicariously. As a Miami Beach resident for ten years, I can vouch: scrolling his stream brings the city’s current vibe to life—you can almost feel the salt air and hear the bass.

It’ll be fascinating to watch his work evolve. In the meantime, grab a coffee, head to his Flickr (search “Miami Fever” or Carlos Ramos), and catch a little fever for yourself.

Carlos Ramos Today (2026 Update)

Carlos Ramos, still shooting under Miami Fever, has built a strong following as one of Miami’s most consistent and evocative street photographers. Over the years he’s expanded into commercial work (events, portraits, lifestyle shoots), collaborated with local brands, and exhibited prints in Miami galleries and pop-ups. He’s also on Instagram (@miami.fever), where he shares new work. His style—minimal post-processing, strong composition, golden-hour magic—hasn’t changed much; it’s just gotten sharper with time.

Editor’s Note: Originally published December 21, 2007. Updated in 2026 with new photography; Maria de los Angeles's original writing remains unchanged.