The Dos And Don’ts Of Taking Photographs At Beach Clubs

We love beach clubs. We love them because they are the epitome of relaxation, luxury and, of course, Instagram-worthy moments. From the clear, beautiful waters of Bali to the chic vibes of Miami, there are beach clubs everywhere where there’s sea and sand. 

These coastal hotspots attract, quite literally, millions of visitors every year, and they’re all eager to capture memories of their sun-soaked experiences. But snapping the perfect photograph at a beach club isn’t just a question of pointing and shooting.

There are unspoken rules (and sometimes, if you’re lucky, clearly articulated rules), local customs and other practical considerations to take into account. You want to ensure that your photography enhances your experience of your day, but also respects other people around you. 

Whether you’re lounging at a Boho-eco-friendly joint in Tulum or a high-energy venue in Mykonos, our guide will walk you through all the dos and don’ts of taking photos in beach clubs worldwide. 

Why Does Beach Club Photography Matter?

Beach clubs are photogenic by design. Swaying palm trees, beautiful architecture, infinity pools, crafted cocktails, golden sunsets, etc., combine to provide a setting that is simply built for stunning photographs.

Whether you’re a professional photographer or a happy, casual smartphone snapper, there’s no doubt that these places are hugely appealing. But great photos don’t happen on their own – they require some thoughtfulness, respect for your environment and an understanding of the club’s unique vibe.

In this social media age, your photos might inspire someone else to visit a destination, so it’s worth getting the shots you make, right. 

So, let’s take a look at the dos and don’ts and yes, they’re tailored to the diverse array of beach clubs in popular locations like Bali, Mykonos, Tulum, Ibiza, Miami, etc. 

The Do’s Of Beach Club Photography

Let’s start with the basics – what to do with your photography in beach clubs. 

Do Research The Beach Club’s Camera And Photo Policies

Every beach club will have its own rules and regulations regarding photography in their venue, and this can vary depending on the location:

• Bali, Indonesia: FINNS, the world’s best beach club, is happy for you to rock up with your smartphone or action cam and make awesome photos for your social media, but you can’t bring in your professional gear or drones without prior written permission. Many of Bali’s other beach clubs have similar policies. 
• Ibiza, Spain: High-energy clubs like Ushuaia and Blue Marlin tend to be very relaxed about people taking photos, but there’s usually a blanket ban on flash photography when there are artists on the stage. 
• Miami, USA: Exclusive beach clubs like Nikki Beach have very strict rules about the use of professional cameras as they strive to protect the privacy of their guests. 

Before you set off to a beach club, check the website and their social media for their photography guidelines. If you can’t find them, call the club and ask. Respecting the club’s rules means you can avoid any confrontations and, more importantly, the confiscation of your gear by security teams. 

Do Capture That Local Vibe

Beach clubs all have their own personality, and it’s always a good idea to ensure your shots reflect that personality. For example:

• Tulum, Mexico – in places like Nomade and Caas Malca, you want to emphasise all those Boho touches like the macrame decor, jungle greenery and rustic wooden structures
• Mykonos, Greece: highlight the Cycladic aesthetic in spots like Nammos and Scorpios, the whitewashed walls, blue accents and minimalist luxe appeal
• Dubai, UAE: showcase the opulent infinity pools, gold-accented cocktails, skyline views, etc., at places like Sirene by GAIA and Zero Gravity. 

You can use your camera to tell a story about the location and destination. Wide angles are great to capture the architecture, and then close-ups of cocktails bring the viewer inside with you. 

Do Try To Time Shots For The Best Light

Lighting is the key aspect to photography, and you’ll find that beach clubs offer a range of conditions depending on the time of day and location:

• Golden Hour – think FINNS, Potatohead, Ku De Ta, etc. in Bali, where the incredible array of hues in the sky at sunset make for a truly magical light
• Midday – in places like Phuket, you can find that the midday sun is simply overwhelming and creates harsh shadows, you can soften this with filters or move into shaded areas for your shots
• Nighttime – while clubs like Blue Marlin in Ibiza can come alive at night, you need to use high ISO settings or a phone’s night settings rather than flash to get the best shots. 

Make sure to check the weather forecast too, an overcast sky in the Maldives can help to diffuse the light, whereas a gloomy day in Miami might send you scurrying back indoors. 

Do Respect The Privacy And Sensibilities Of Other Guests

Beach clubs are, of course, social spaces, but you should remember that not everyone wants to star in your photos. You ought to ask people’s permission before including them in your shots, and particularly in intimate settings like:

• The Seychelles – exclusive clubs like Club Med Seychelles have strict privacy policies, and their guests may be very sensitive about being photographed
• Monaco – at clubs like Twiga, the high-profile guests demand and are assured discretion

If you take a wide shot of a crowd, make sure nobody is easy to identify unless you have their permission. A quick, “Mind if I shoot this view?” can go a long way to making everyone feel at ease. 

Do Use Props & Styling Thoughtfully

There’s no doubt that beach clubs can be awesome for styled images, but props should enhance rather than overwhelm your scene. Consider:

• Cocktails – a colourful drink with a nice umbrella in it screams “beach club”. In Barbados, for example, the clubs like The Cliff serve Instagram-ready cocktails that really pop in your shots.
• Outfits – try to dress to match the overall vibe of the club, flowy dresses in Tulum, sleek swimwear in Miami, etc. If you wear branded clothing, try to keep the brand discreet rather than too bold.
• Natural elements – palm leaves, seashells, sand, etc. natural elements can really help to frame a shot. Especially in eco-conscious places like Bambu Beach Club in Costa Rica. 

Keep your props to a minimum to ensure your photos remain authentic. A cluttered photo will detract from what you’re trying to say. 

Do Experiment With Angles And Perspectives

Get creative to ensure your shots are different from the typical photos in a given beach club:

• Low angles – shooting from the ground really helps to grab the grandeur of infinity pools, cabanas, etc. 
• Aerial shots – if you are allowed to use a drone, then their sparing use can deliver some amazing images (Bora Bora’s beach clubs are great for this)
• Reflections – hit up Finolhu in the Maldives, for example, and get amazing reflections in the glassy waters to make amazing images

Don’t be afraid to switch between portrait and landscape modes to see which gives you the best image in a scene. A unique perspective is what stands between a good photo and a great one. 

Do Your Editing Lightly

You want to enhance your photos, not turn them into something unnatural and unworldly. So, go sparingly in your editing app:

• Adjust the brightness and contrast of your shots to get tropical clarity. Destinations like the Amalfi Coast, which is notoriously cloudy really benefit from this
• Enhance the colours to make the water pop, the Sandals Resorts of the Caribbean are great for trying this technique
• Avoid heavy filters, they will only take away from the natural beauty of where you’ve been

Keep your edits subtle to preserve the authenticity of your beach club experience. A slight enhancement to a photo makes it more shareable than one that now looks like a cartoon. 

Do Share Your Photos Responsibly

When posting your photos, tag the beach club and use relevant hashtags to boost the visibility of your shots. For example:

• In Bali, tag #FINNSBeachClub, #CangguVibes, #Flamingo, etc.
• In Miami, tag #NikkiBeach or #SouthBeachLife, etc. 

Mentioning the club might earn you a sweet repost, which increases the reach of your shots. But make sure to avoid oversharing personal information in these shots; it’s a bad idea to include your real-time location, as it might risk your safety. 

The Don’ts Of Beach Club Photography

Now, let’s take a look at the thornier side of beach club photography, what not to do. 

Don’t Try And Sneak Gear In That Violates The Beach Club’s Policies

We can’t stress this enough, and if you get caught trying to sneak gear into a beach club, there are really only a few possible outcomes, and none of them are good for you:

1. The beach club outright refuses you entry and may/may not confiscate any deposit that you’ve paid too depending on their policies
2. The beach club confiscates the offending items and hands them to security, which may or may not have them at the end of the night

It really is best just to stick to the rules in beach clubs, while they are technically “public places”, they are also private property and thus allowed to set their own rules. 

Don’t Use Flash In Crowded Or Dark Settings

Flash can be really disruptive at times, particularly in a lively or intimate setting:

• Ibiza – at live performances in places like Amnesia and Pacha, flash can distract and really annoy other partygoers
• Las Vegas – dayclubs like Encore Beach Club are usually packed out, and the flash can create harsh, unpleasant and worse, unflattering light

Just rely on natural light or your camera’s night mode. If you really have to use an external light source, you might get away with a soft, diffused portable LED. 

Don’t Block Other People’s Views Or Otherwise Disrupt The Beach Club Experience

Beach clubs are there for people to enjoy and have fun in the moment; they are not there for you to pose for hours at a time to get the best shots. Avoid:

• Setting up tripods (if the venue permits them) in busy places like the pool deck at The Standard in Miami
• Standing in front of other guests’ views, such as during the sunset in Bali
• Hogging a prime spot for too long, particularly in high-end pricey beach clubs like Bagatelle in Saint Tropez

In short, be mindful of the surroundings and keep your photo sessions brief to respect the people around you and their enjoyment of the beach club. 

Don’t Ignore Local Customs

You should also be aware of local photography norms and remember that while some beach clubs may be less strict, many reflect their cultural environment:

• Dubai – at clubs like Cove Beach, it’s important to avoid photographing women in their swimwear without their consent, as privacy is upheld very strongly, as is modesty
• Thailand – in places like Phuket at Catch Beach Club, it’s worth noting that Buddhist imagery from nearby temples can be seen in parts of the club, make sure not to have provocative poses with such imagery visible in the frame
• Brazil – you can take vibrant shots in part of Rio’s Copacabana Palace, but you must also respect the family-friendly areas

It’s vital to research cultural sensitivities before you visit a beach club to ensure you keep things respectful. 

Don’t Use Drones Without Permission

Drones can really up your game and capture awesome aerial footage, but they are usually heavily regulated:

• The Maldives – many places like Soneva Fushi require you to have a drone permit and to ensure guest privacy, and to protect local marine life from interference
• Greece – Mykonos has very strict regulations around airspace near airports, which affects clubs like Cavo Paradiso
• Australia – most Australian clubs prohibit drones entirely because of crowded skies 

Always seek the club’s permission before you use a drone, and follow all the local laws to avoid confiscation or worse. 

Don’t Overstage Photos

Styling can be awesome, but overly choreographed shots look forced and inauthentic:

• Avoid fake candids that disrupt the natural flow of things, like don’t pretend to laugh at Cafe Del Mar in Ibiza
• Don’t rearrange the furniture or decor without permission from the staff, it could get you asked to leave at exclusive venues like One&Only in Cape Town
• Skip the clichéd poses like jumping in the air, unless they actually suit a club’s vibe (like at Zuma in Phuket)

Let the beach club’s atmosphere shine through naturally to get the best shots. 

Don’t Neglect Your Camera Gear

Beach environments aren’t always great for cameras and phones:

• Sand – places like Moomba Beach in Aruba are pretty windy, and flying sand can damage your lenses. Use protective cases or lens filters to offset this.
• Water – splashes from the pool at places like Vegas’ Marquee Dayclub can damage devices that aren’t waterproof. Take a waterproof phone pouch if that’s your phone.
• Heat – in the scorching summers of Dubai, overheating can kill your device entirely. Keep the gear in the shade when you’re not using it.

Make sure to clean your lenses regularly and back up your photos asap to avoid losing your memories. 

Don’t Post Without Consent

If your photos include other guests, don’t share them without their permission:

• In Monaco – guests demand and are assured their privacy is protected, as they are often high-profile individuals
• In Tulum – eco-conscious folks prefer things to stay low-key rather than glom onto social media exposure. 

A quick chat can help to prevent hurt feelings or worse, legal issues, particularly in exclusive destinations. 

Don’t Forget To Have Fun, Photography Is Part Of The Experience, Not All Of It

It’s all too easy to get caught up in trying to find the perfect shot and to forget that you’re meant to be enjoying the beach club experience. Put the camera down and:

• Dance to the DJs at FINNS in Bali or Ushuaia in Ibiza
• Savour some ceviche at Playa Vik in Uruguay 
• Watch the sunset in peace at Bali’s Potatohead

Your memories should be more than photography – balance taking images with living your best life. 

Practical Tips For Taking Photos In Beach Clubs Worldwide

We’ve also got some simple tips for making sure that your day of photography goes without a hitch at any beach club:

Pack Light

Take only what you need. While it’s tempting to bring a plethora of lenses, lighting kit, tripods, etc., it’s only going to weigh you down and worse, it’s a temptation for light-fingered folks. 

It’s best to travel light; one lens is ideal if you use a fast prime, and then crop stuff in post. Keep the lighting to a minimum and ideally, just up your ISO. Then, you only have to focus on the shooting not the gear. 

Charge Up

It’s super easy to spend a whole day at a beach club and then a whole night too. There may not be any facility to charge batteries, though, so either bring a power bank that works with your charger or bring spare batteries.

There’s nothing worse than running out of juice just as the big party of the day kicks off or sunset lights up the sky. 

Know Your Seasons

The light varies from season to season, as does the weather. You want to make sure you’re prepared to shoot what’s in front of you, rather than what you’d like it to be.

Ibiza in September is very different from Bali in June. 

Learn Basic Editing

A little bit of basic editing can go a long way to make your photos look professional. You don’t need to become a Photoshop expert or Lightroom guru to tweak your images after the fact. Less is almost always more when it comes to editing anyway. 

Engage With Beach Club Staff

The beach club staff can help you find the best places to shoot from, or even take the occasional photo with you in a starring role rather than behind the camera. 

They may also be able to offer tips on the best times for shooting and more. 

Final Thoughts On The Dos And Don’ts Of Beach Club Photography

In general, beach clubs are friendly towards photographers who want to capture awesome moments without driving other guests to distraction.

Our dos and don’t guide has everything you need to collect your best experiences at a beach club while keeping everyone else around you happy. Enjoy!