Photoshoot Locations in Dubai
- The desert around Dubai: amazing views of the dunes, camels and gazelles give you plenty of photo opportunities. You can come in an expensive luxury supercar, just don't drive onto the sand, or you'll be saving for the repair for the rest of your life.
- Kite Beach. A public beach. You can take stunning photos at sunrise and sunset. If you shoot after 9:30, use SPF 50+: you'll burn instantly, it's really dangerous here.
- Fairmont beach on Palm Jumeirah: a view of the Dubai Marina skyscrapers, a fantastic cityscape.
- The old town. If you change outfits, you'll most likely be asked to leave...
- Business Bay, the Dubai Fountain and of course Burj Khalifa. Lots of tourists, but for a photoshoot you only need one square metre.
- Dubai Mall. I don't recommend walking around with a professional camera, but there are some great spots on the top floors. If you want to be shot on film, go to Urban Outfitters or write to photographer and videographer Anton Mislawsky.
- Madinat Jumeirah Souk: an old Arabian town with traditional buildings and canals and a great atmosphere. You can even get a shooting permit if you email them in advance.
- The footbridge over the Dubai Water Canal
- Bluewaters - phone shooting only. With a professional camera you'll be asked to stop quickly...
Important! What you can't photograph in Dubai
You can't photograph everything everywhere in Dubai and the other emirates of the UAE. Here are the key restrictions:
Following these rules will help you avoid unpleasant situations and fines during your stay in Dubai and the other emirates of the UAE.
- Photos and videos without permission:
- You can't photograph other people without their permission; it can be punished with a fine of up to 500,000 AED and at least six months in prison1.
- This rule is applied especially strictly to photographing women and families in public places. If you break it, your camera may be confiscated and the recordings destroyed2.
- Restrictions on certain buildings and zones:
- It is forbidden to photograph or film government and military sites, including buildings such as the Dubai Chamber, Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Courts, Dubai Public Prosecution, the Department of Finance and other government entities3.
- Photographing political, government and military sites can lead to prison4.
- Photos and videos are forbidden in military zones, palaces, courts, government buildings and on some bridges. Breaking these rules can mean one to three months in prison or a fine of up to 5,000 AED5.
- Shooting on private property:
- Some hotels and private venues require special permission for professional photo or video shoots, especially with professional equipment, models, makeup artists and so on.
Following these rules will help you avoid unpleasant situations and fines during your stay in Dubai and the other emirates of the UAE.
24.10.2026