I film content all over this city and after doing this for a while you start to build up a mental map of which locations are genuinely brilliant and which ones look great in photos but are a nightmare to actually work in. Here is my honest guide to the outdoor spots I keep coming back to in Dubai, and exactly what each one is best for.
Dubai Marina Waterfront
This is probably my most used outdoor location. The combination of water, the skyline, and the promenade gives you an incredible variety of shots within a very small area. In the morning before it gets too busy, the whole place has a calm and cinematic quality that is hard to beat.
It works brilliantly for fashion, lifestyle, fitness content, and any brand that wants to communicate a premium Dubai feel. The reflections on the water in the golden hour, both morning and evening, are spectacular. If I am shooting a talking head and I want it to feel aspirational without being too on-the-nose, this is where I come.
Best time to shoot: 7am to 9am or from 5pm onwards. Midday in summer is genuinely brutal.
Alserkal Avenue
For brands that want a creative, artistic, slightly edgy backdrop, Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz is the answer. The industrial architecture, the murals, the corrugated iron and concrete create a visual texture that is really distinctive and stands out from the typical shiny Dubai aesthetic.
It is particularly good for fashion content that wants an alternative feel, streetwear, creative services, beauty brands that are targeting a younger or more style-conscious audience. Street interviews work incredibly well here because the people who come to Alserkal are usually interesting and happy to chat.
Best time to shoot: Late afternoon gives you gorgeous directional light through the structures. Weekend mornings are good too when it is a bit quieter.
Bluewaters Island and Ain Dubai
The scale of Ain Dubai as a backdrop is genuinely jaw-dropping. Having the world's largest observation wheel in the background of your content immediately communicates Dubai in a way that nothing else does. The whole Bluewaters development is also beautifully designed with a lot of photogenic corners and covered walkways.
This location is great for travel content, anything targeting tourists or aspirational lifestyle, unboxing content where you want a wow-factor background, or fashion content with a dramatic edge. The evening when the wheel is lit up is particularly stunning.
La Mer
La Mer has a really specific visual identity that a lot of brands are drawn to. The open-air beach concept, the street art, the colourful architecture against the sea and the distant skyline. It manages to feel relaxed and premium at the same time, which is not easy to pull off.
It is an obvious choice for F&B content, beauty and skincare brands, fashion brands targeting women in their twenties and thirties, and fitness content that wants a healthy outdoor feel. The beach itself gives you natural movement and energy that indoor shoots cannot replicate.
Best time to shoot: Early morning before the crowds arrive, or late afternoon. The sunrise light over the water here is genuinely beautiful.
Al Fahidi Historic District
If your brand wants to tell a story about the authentic soul of Dubai rather than just the glitz, Al Fahidi is where you come. The wind tower architecture, the narrow lanes, the heritage feel. It is completely different to the rest of the city and it photographs beautifully.
I find this location works incredibly well for brands that want to feel grounded and genuine. Artisan food and drink brands, boutique hospitality, beauty brands with a natural or heritage aesthetic. It is also brilliant for street interviews because the area attracts curious, interesting visitors from all over the world.
Desert Locations (Hatta and the Dunes)
Sometimes you need to get out of the city entirely. A quick drive out to the dunes or up to Hatta gives you some of the most dramatic natural landscapes you will find anywhere in the region. The desert at golden hour is truly breathtaking and the contrast of modern products against ancient landscape is a really powerful visual story.
This works best for travel brands, adventure and outdoor brands, lifestyle content, and any brand that wants to communicate freedom, space, and authenticity. It does require a bit more logistics to organise but the results are worth it.
A Note on Timing and Permits
Dubai in summer is genuinely hot and outdoor shoots need to be scheduled smartly. We are talking very early morning or after sunset for most of the peak summer months. During winter from roughly October to April, the city is beautiful at almost any time of day. Some locations require filming permits so it is always worth checking in advance. As a Dubai-based creator I know the logistical side of this well and can handle it as part of any project.
Want to talk about locations for a specific shoot? Get in touch and I can recommend exactly what would work best for your brand and campaign.