A Week of Fashion Shoots in Miami: Brands & Private Clients

What goes into a week as a Miami fashion photographer? I’m Daria Koso, and I’m excited to bring you along for a week in my life. I’ll share with you the challenges that I experienced, how I was able to get beautiful photos in a variety of settings and some of the new people who I was so grateful to have met. I’ll also discuss how I approached editorial brand campaigns as well as private client photo shoots.

Commercial Photo Shoots

First up was a commercial photo shoot for a new fall collection. Here, the biggest challenge was dealing with Miami’s heat while shooting cozy, fall-themed outfits. The solutions were focused on the locations. We shot outside next to a pool, and we enjoyed using an indoor setting that looked like a museum, which really helped create a nice fall vibe.

Afterwards, we walked through some large puddles that had formed during a typical Miami rainstorm.

Later in the week, so early in the morning that sunrise hadn’t even happened yet, I headed on an hour-and-a-half drive to an On Cloud photo shoot that one of my agency’s photographers was doing. This was a very challenging one because so many of the shots involved windows and working around the reflections and glare that come off of them, and I wanted to make sure that everything went as planned.

Another challenge on this day, an unexpected one, was construction taking place across the street and all of the workers over there wearing bright orange and green colors, but we made it work and came out with so many great shots.

At this time, we were also doing the same type of photo shoot for On Cloud in New York.

Private Photo Shoot: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Vibe

Also this week, I had my own private photo shoots. In one, we wanted to get a “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” vibe and started at the Tiffany & Co. store in the Design District before stopping at a scooter that really matched the theme for a few shots and wrapping up at a studio that I’d never worked in before.

The main challenge with one of the spots in the studio, which looked like a bar, was that the lighting wasn’t good, but the portable light that we brought helped the photos come out really good. We even used its direct harsh lighting at times to imitate the glamorous setting of a paparazzi shoot that worked out well. We also took some shots in a dark studio that was also so cold because of the air conditioning that was blowing right on me.

Next, we went with an even more classic “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”-style outfit and used the soft, diffused light from the windows while focusing on close-ups to even more closely capture the mood, the expressions and the overall vibe.

The hairstyle, outfits, props, movements and poses used throughout these locations really brought things together in a nice way. Everything looked truly elegant.

Amanda Tirado was the focus of this photo shoot, and she was also so happy with how the photos came out. Doing a photo shoot has actually turned into an annual birthday tradition for her, something that she set out to start doing after she missed the opportunity to do so on her 15th birthday.

A drive through another Miami downpour followed that amazing experience; I’m so thankful that the rain waited until after our shoot was over.

Editorial Photo Shoot: Construction Theme

As a commercial photographer in Miami, I get to experience a variety of photo shoot settings and themes, and one of the more interesting ones was this week. It was a construction-inspired shoot for a magazine that was so similar to my job series photo shoots.

What I loved the most about the construction theme that was used here was that it’s messy, fun and unique, all of which opened the door to so much creativity.

For one of our shoots on this day, we simply taped paper to the wall and tore it down the middle to create some powerful imagery.

Next, we worked with a model in a yellow gown, and we wanted to incorporate some yellow paint while ensuring that her clothing and skin didn’t get covered in it. To do this, we painted part of the wall behind her yellow and then had her pose like she had done it herself. Those photos turned out really well.

To finish up, we had some of the models wear bold red dresses, and the look was so powerful and memorable.

Lifestyle Content for a Medical Spa

Next was a lifestyle content project for a medical spa, and I was excited to also test out the new iPhone 17 Pro on this day.

Belly Dance Photo Shoot

On another day, we shot Marion in a belly dance outfit that looked so incredible. I was very excited about that photo shoot, which we did in several different locations. One of those featured a car that was very Miami-style vintage Art Deco.

Throughout this shoot, I experimented so much. I shot with the strobe, with day lighting and with soft lighting, and we also combined several outfits in the same style. A beautiful series of photos resulted.

The shoot ended up inside after it got too hot to continue working outside and we embarked on the hour-long drive to the studio, where the shoot turned especially classic and elegant. Here, we created stunning images that are meant for large prints and are perfect as statement decor pieces for homes.

Workshop Location

After more driving later in the week, an hour and a half this time, we arrived at a perfect location for an upcoming workshop.

I’m always trying to do something different at our workshops. Last time, it was a surprise dinner that nobody expected, and it ended up being so cozy and nice. It was such a great time to relax around the table, talking about what we learned, the kinds of shots that we got and the overall process that we experienced. I’m planning an even more exciting surprise for the next workshop.

What makes this location so great for my upcoming workshop’s bonus day is how well it incorporates multiple sets. We’re planning to use six completely different sets and six models and also rotate the models so that everyone who’s participating in the workshop will have very different pictures.

If you’d like to join this workshop, there are a few spots left, and I can’t wait to meet you in person. Provided for you there will be models, hair and makeup artists, a photo assistant, a wardrobe stylist, professional lighting equipment and meals, snacks and refreshments.

I also offer 1-on-1 mentorships and portfolio reviews and photo critiques.

Editing

Interspersed throughout my days doing my busy photo shoots is editing all of these images, which, honestly, takes up 80% of my time, a difficult but also rewarding process.

I’m grateful that you came along for a week in my life as a Miami-based fashion photographer.