Behind the Lens: An Afternoon with Wilhelmina Miami at 1111 Lincoln Rd
There’s a certain energy that only happens when the right people end up in the same room.
This past Sunday, I found myself on a rooftop at 1111 Lincoln Rd for an intimate midday conversation and networking hour hosted by Wilhelmina Miami, in collaboration with Funkshion and JJPR - part of the broader Miami Swim Week universe. The backdrop: open sky, the Miami skyline, and a panel of voices that genuinely had something to say.
Who Was in the Room
The panel brought together some sharp perspectives from across the industry :
Paulette Ellison, Agency Director at Wilhelmina
Lyndzee McDaniel, Senior Agent at Wilhelmina
Kye Alexis, Wilhelmina Model
Arielle Baril, Designer at Rielli
Why I Show Up to These Events
I’ve been shooting commercially and editorially for over 10 years. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the best opportunities rarely come from cold emails. They come from conversations - the kind that happen at an industry lunch, or in a ten-minute exchange after a panel wraps.
Events like this one are where photographers, models, designers, PR firms, and brand people share the same space. For me, that’s not networking in the transactional sense. It’s staying connected to the creative community that makes this work meaningful.
The Creative Scene in Miami Is Real
Miami often gets reduced to its beaches and nightlife. But there’s a legitimate creative infrastructure here - agencies, magazines, designers, brands - and it’s growing. Swim Week alone draws international attention. The fact that Wilhelmina has a presence here, that luxury publications are operating out of Miami Beach, that jewelry designers and PR firms are building real businesses - that’s a signal. If you’re a brand or creative professional looking to produce high-quality photography in Miami, you’re not settling for a secondary market. You’re tapping into one of the most visually rich cities in the country.
What’s Next
I’m actively taking on beauty, product, and personal branding projects for Q2 and Q3 2026. If you’re a brand, designer, or creative professional looking to elevate your visual identity, let’s talk.
Erik Jimenez is a Miami-based commercial and editorial photographer with clients including MONAT Global, Richline Group, and Google. He specializes in beauty, product, and personal branding photography.