Nude Beach Photography: Do’s and Don’ts (Adults Only)

As a photographer who works with models, I’m always open to trying new ideas. I enjoy collaborating with models to create something we both feel really works. Recently, I decided to push that idea a little further and do a shoot at Haulover Beach—the nude beach here in Miami.

In the middle of the day.
On a packed Sunday afternoon.
Packed.

There were definitely lessons learned from that experience, and what follows is the story of my afternoon shooting Taylor at Haulover Beach.

Just Another Day… Sort Of

Taylor had been staying with me for a few days, and thinking it was her last day in Miami, we talked about what we wanted to do. We decided to head north to Haulover Beach, hang out, and do a shoot. The plan was simple: lots of candids mixed with posed shots, similar to our previous shoots, just with more spontaneity.

That’s how I like to shoot anyway. Candids often produce the best images, the moments between the moments. There’s almost always a gem hiding in there.

Working on Limited Time

Taylor’s flight was scheduled for 5 p.m., which gave us a tight window. Haulover is about twenty minutes north of my place, so we packed towels, the camera, a couple drinks, and hit the road. We stopped for tanning oil and snacks and arrived around 1 p.m. I reminded her we absolutely had to leave by 3 p.m. She was unconcerned.

We parked across from the beach ($5—be prepared), walked through the underpass past the purple candy-striped lifeguard tower, and there it was: Haulover Nude Beach in all its glory. The beach was absolutely packed. And contrary to popular myth, it wasn’t filled with hideous naked people. It was just… people. Regular people. Only naked. With lots of boobs, wieners, and vajayjays.

Haulover, for the uninitiated, is one of the most famous clothing-optional beaches in the country. It’s legally designated, patrolled, and attracts locals, tourists, couples, exhibitionists, and the simply curious. On weekends, especially Sundays, it can feel less like a beach and more like a very naked street fair.

The First Set

We picked a spot and headed over, or so I thought. I turned around to find Taylor climbing into an empty lifeguard tower. Camera out, I followed. She finished removing the last of her swimsuit as people nearby began watching. I was nervous at first—bringing a camera to a nude beach feels like a social landmine—but no one seemed upset.

I was extremely careful to keep other people out of the frame or unidentifiable. That respect went a long way. Everyone around us was cool. The pissed-off people came later.

This is key when shooting at a nude beach: respect everyone else’s privacy. Most people are there to not be photographed, and they deserve that courtesy.

Candids on the Sand

Taylor would pose when she wanted to; the rest of the time I shot candids. The mix worked beautifully. We moved between the tower and the sand until a Miami Beach truck politely told us to move off the structure. Fair enough.

Back on the beach, we got comfortable. Taylor went into the water. More shots. She posed at the shoreline. People nearby stayed friendly. I chatted with a gay couple, who kindly watched my camera while I took a dip myself.

Yes, I got naked.
Yes, my ass is extremely white.
Yes, I frolicked.

Nudeness Everywhere

Eventually, I went back to shooting. Taylor posed again near the water’s edge, and things got slightly more erotic—not explicit, just suggestive. That’s when I noticed three Latino guys nearby taking cell phone photos of her straight-on. This was no longer implied anything.

I warned Taylor. She turned. We moved on.

They didn’t.

They followed us for a while, lingering every time she came out of the water. Another couple even warned me they looked pervy. They were right. Eventually, we moved again and the guys faded away.

An Indecent Incident

Later, while using a zoom lens as Taylor played farther out in the water, I became very aware of how bad that looked to outsiders. When she jokingly flipped me off mid-shot, an older naked man approached and accused me of photographing people without permission.

I explained. He understood. Crisis averted.

We should have stayed in our original spot where everyone knew us. Instead, we were now strangers with a camera.

Mayor McBronze Wiener

Then came the loud guy. Naked. Reclining. Yelling. Angry about the camera. I explained again. He kept yelling. I lost patience. Words were exchanged. It was a scene.

Taylor heard it. We decided it was time to wrap up.

Calling It a Day

We took a few final shots, packed up, and left. The same guys from earlier were lingering near the entrance—now with reinforcements. I was very glad to be leaving.

We missed her flight. Knew that would happen.

Still, it was a great day overall. Despite the weirdness, Haulover is a fascinating place to shoot. My advice: don’t go when it’s packed, pick a spot, respect everyone’s privacy, use common sense, and bring sunblock—unless you want to walk away with a bright pink ass.

Editor’s Note: Originally published on June 14, 2008. Updated in 2026 with new photography; Scott Alexander's original writing remains unchanged.