An intelligent shading umbrella comprises a base assembly, a stem assembly coupled to a base assembly, and a center support assembly coupled to a stem assembly, the center support assembly comprising one or more arm support assemblies. The intelligent shading umbrella further comprises one or more blades, coupled to the arm support assemblies, a shading fabric, coupled to at least the one or more blades; and a camera, the camera to capture images of an area in proximity to the intelligent shading umbrella. The camera may be located in the center support assembly and the center support assembly may rotate with respect to the base assembly, allowing the camera to capture a variety of images of an area in proximity to the intelligent shading umbrella.