Design District: Shoot My Travel Photo Walk

Just Shoot Me

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There are certain frustrations that only a solo traveler will face! I will not sugarcoat this journey and act as if it’s painless.

Thankfully, this is not a matter of life and death. But if you love pictures like I do, asking a total stranger to take them is hit or miss.

Sometimes even people traveling with familiar groups will experience bad photos. At least you can retake until satisfied.

That would be expecting too much from a stranger.

Pose for the Camera

I’m 5’9”, considered tall for a woman. A lot of times, if a shorter person takes my picture, the angle comes out wrong!

My goal is not to look like a caricature! It has happened often!

The worst feeling is to check a picture and half of your head is missing. Or the important landmark behind you is cut in half.

In the example below, I asked a random stranger to take my picture. I’m grateful she didn’t hesitate.

In the first shot (left), I sensed she was not capturing my whole body. She was holding my phone wrong.

I asked her nicely if she could see my whole body and my risk paid off!

That’s the only reason why my shoes are not cut off in the picture on the right.

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Point & Click

To my delight a few years back, I came across ShootMyTravel.

Their service seemed like the perfect solution for a ‘pictures loving’ solo traveler. They offered local professional photography all over the world.

Wherever you traveled to, you could book them for a photo shoot. At that time, I wasn’t aware of other companies doing the same.

Shoot my Shot

I never got the opportunity to book them. Yet, I followed them on social media. ShootMyTravel.

Recently, Facebook alerted me to an event they were having in the Miami Design District. BeeComing

It was a free photo walk. All levels of photographers were welcomed.

No Filter

Once I started blogging, I vowed to take advantage of all opportunities. I knew I could not let this one pass me by.

It was local and I had a chance to see professionals at work. I could soak up all things photography.

I love taking pictures. It’s a passion without formal training.

This would be the first event of it’s kind that I would participate in. The invite included everyone but I worried about picture quality.

My equipment was not up to par. I have a Canon (A1200) that occasionally takes decent pictures.

My phone was a back-up. Even that was not top of the line.

Was I going to allow lack to stop me? Not at all!

In this season of my life, I’m practicing to just GO. No doubt, fear or second-guessing.

The boldness started with my first blog, TheNakedTraveler and I want to keep the momentum going.

Break a Leg

In March, I injured my ankle. I’m in the final healing stage.

I recently traveled to Jamaica and it held up well through walking tours.

I wasn’t sure of the photo walk’s distance. The district itself was only a couple of blocks long (between NW 36^TH and 43^rd street).

No worries about putting undue stress on the ankle.

Unfortunately, I did get lost. I walked enough blocks to test my ankle’s strength.

My phone’s GPS kept leading me to the wrong spot. To make matters worse, this was happening in the car and on foot.

The thought to go back home crossed my mind many times!

I resorted to asking for directions. That didn’t help. The address was wrong!

Don’t Sweat It

Miami was muggy as usual and my wrinkled tissue was barely blotting my face. I was wearing minimal foundation for oil control. It felt like I had rubbed it all off.   

I knew there was a good chance I would be in some of the pictures. My intention was not to look like the Florida sunshine had given me a beating.

A glance at the email confirmed the updated address. I arrived after walking for 30 minutes.

Good thing I left the house an hour ahead. I would have missed the walk!

I checked-in to the event and sat down thinking I was going to rest after my trek. Coincidentally, the walk began!

I made it just in time!

Take a pic! It lasts longer!

I’m delighted that I attended this event. I can’t take back the getting lost part. Maybe I needed the exercise!

The Design District was redeveloped into an upscale area, near downtown Miami.

The reconstruction started nearly a decade ago. I still consider it ‘up and coming’.

The photo walk was like a visual masterpiece. I couldn’t stop smiling or shooting!

Shoot my Travel made me feel like a tourist in my own town.

When the Canon’s batteries died, I resigned myself to using my Android.

I was not going to allow anything to ruin this experience!

Point and Click

I was proud of my phone. This was one of the times it was on good behavior and took some passable frames.

I’m pleased enough to have used them in this blog.

There were many images begging to be captured!! I was eagerly lifting up my Android and clicking right alongside the professional cameras.

Our leader had a bullhorn which he used to guide us to each location. There were times I lingered too long and had to catch up with the group.

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‘Show me wutchu workin wit’

Taking pictures makes me feel alive! This walk confirmed that I was in my element.

I can’t wait to invest in a quality camera to get more practice. In the meantime, I worked with what I had.

The group was told about a Shoot my Travel contest for best pictures. I vocalized how I was competing with all these nice cameras.

Our guide reassured me that equipment type doesn’t always dictate winning odds. I may take his advice and submit some of my ‘work’.

Photo Collage

Our first stop was just a building away on the seventh floor. I used the elevators to give my ankle a break.

Garage Museum is a structure with an eclectic mix of awe-inspiring designs. (See pics below).

The rooftop was constructed as a large skating ramp.

One side was painted fuschia and yellow. The other a contrasting muted pastel.

I intentionally wore bright colors and that fuschia color was a perfect backdrop.  

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Yes, pictures please

From the rooftop, the views of the neighborhood blended into a natural artistic canvas.

We watched as the photographer used colorful smoke bombs to create unique shots. The photo walk was very interactive.

Throughout the experience, they asked for volunteers to model in the pictures. I was ready and obliged.

Queen Bee also received requests for pictures from other participants. How could I not ‘give the people what they wanted’?

Next, we walked to the epicenter of the Design District. This is where you are up close with top fashion designer boutiques like Prada, Dior, Gucci, Balenciaga, Miu Miu and more.

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As a resident, I drive through the area often. This was my first time stopping.

Miami has much to offer. It was no wonder that I felt like a visitor.

Do it for the ‘Gram

If you’re into photography or just love to model for IG, you have to take your talents to the Design District. There are many unique picture opportunities.

The neighboring Wynwood is more popular with the “do it for the Gram” crew. However, you have ‘first dibs’ on the district.

My creativity was stirred at every corner. I kept imagining poses and outfits to go along with the scenery.

There were other photographers and models around us taking pictures.

Don’t delay, the area is increasing in popularity!

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Head in the clouds

The center is all-inclusive. You can take ‘haute couture’ (high fashion) pictures, shop and eat.

Street parking is metered. The hourly rate is about $3.

Many thanks to Shoot my Travel for opening Miami up to me in a greater way. Who knows if I would have ever visited this gem of an area?

I’m grateful to have experienced the beauty and sophistication of Miami Design District. I live where people vacation (you’ll see me write that a lot).

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All the world’s a stage...

As a solo traveler, my backyard doubles as a hunting ground. I want to inform anyone who visits or lives in South Florida about all of the hot locales that add up to a memorable experience.

If you’re visiting Miami and did not document at least one ‘IG worthy” spot, did you even visit???

While you’re here, give ShootMyTravel a shot!

~Poof Bee Gone

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