I am asked quite often my opinion on the best photography locations and most instagrammable spots here in NYC. Whether you are a blogger, photographer, tourist with a discerning eye, or someone looking for locations for a wedding or engagement shoot, hopefully the below recommendations can be of help. Below I am discussing some of my favorite places to shoot as well as a few tips and tricks for navigating the busier locations.
DUMBO
Dumbo is brimming with photo opportunities- which has created quite the tourist situation over the past few years. To shoot in Dumbo I would highly recommend arriving early in the AM to grab the perfect shot without hoards of people in the background.
The Brooklyn Bridge, connecting City Hall in NYC and Dumbo in Brooklyn, is my favorite bridge in the city. If you want to shoot here successfully, be prepared to set an early alarm. Really early. This bridge is notorious for tourists and biking commuters, so be patient, and be careful. If you like being yelled at at 6am, try shooting in the bike lane. 🙂 Another reason for an early start here is the sunlight. There is absolutely no coverage when you are up on the bridge above the water, so the light can be quite harsh after the early morning timeframe. Also note that the bridge is just over a mile long and it can take some time to get to the center or opposite sides – so plan accordingly!
Another great shot of the Brooklyn Bridge comes from the Brooklyn side on the waterfront park in Dumbo. The pink rain shot was taken on Pebble Beach in Main Street Park looking back at Jane’s Carousel with the bridge and the city in the background. Be prepared for gaggles of brides, grooms, and weddings parties on Pebble Beach, even on the weekdays.
Washington street at Water Street (photo with the orange coat) is another wildly popular photo location. Again getting here early is key – and even arriving early you will most likely run into a few brides and photo crews. The street is wide and you can get an incredible shot of the Empire State Building framed by the Manhattan Bridge.
If you are looking for a dramatic shot with the Manhattan Bridge in the background head to the Manhattan Bridge lookout in John Street Park (directly behind the restaurant Celestine). This location isn’t as well known and typically you won’t have to fight any crowds (shot of me in the pink/red above).
Dumbo is full of wide streets, cobblestone, and dramatic bridge views. Walking around you will find lots of great locations, even outside the super popular ones. One of my other insider favorites that typically isn’t crowded is Anchorage Place at Water Street. The only other nuisance when shooting in Dumbo is there is SO. MUCH. CONSTRUCTION. Everyday the streets look slightly different as they tear up cobblestone, move equipment and block streets – so beware that some locations may be very messy depending on the day.
CENTRAL PARK
An obvious choice, Central Park is at the top of my list of NYC photography locations! Spring is an amazing time to take photos here as the cherry blossoms begin budding in April, and many of the blooms around Loeb Boathouse start to come out in early May.
Some of my favorite locations in this very large park are around the amazing fountains. Grand Army Plaza (5th ave and E 59th street) and Cherry Hill Fountain, (center of the park at 71st street) are two of the best.
The prettiest and most photographed bridge in the park is the Bow Bridge (just a short walk from Cherry Hill and even with 73rd Street).
The Gapstow Bridge (pictured above with me sitting on the edge in the blue bow blouse) is perfect for a more dramatic shot with the city, and The Plaza Hotel, as the backdrop.
If you are looking for stately stairs (like in the lilac post above) head to the Bethesda Terrace, which is just south of the Boathouse in the center of the park, even with 72nd street.
The cherry blossoms can be found all over the park but the largest cluster is located across from the Loeb Boathouse! I shot an amazing cherry blossom tree a few years ago (as seen here) which was right next to the King Jagiello of Poland Statue!
As you can image Central Park can feel bust-at-the-seams crowded, especially on nicer days and over the weekends. I would advise to head out early in the morning if you plan on taking shots in any of these locations to avoid crowds (particularly the Bow Bridge). I also recommend using the Sun Surveyor app to track the location of the sun and figure out what times are best for shooting!
WEST VILLAGE
I called the West Village home for over five years and it is truly one of the most beautiful and iconic neighborhoods in NYC. From top to bottom, and left to right, I am outlining all of my favorite little photo nooks in the hood!
First stop is Grove Court. This adorable gate with picturesque houses lining the backdrop is located at 13 Grove Street. The private small courtyard is filled with pumpkins in the fall and tulips in the spring, each making for great photo ops. Fun fact, it is about 50 feet away from the apartment building featured in the show Friends (on the corner of Grove and Bedford above Little Owl).
In the fall I love taking photos on Leroy Street (between Hudson and 7th Ave). The trees turn the most vibrant yellow color for about two weeks and rain golden leaves.
My favorite street is the entire city may be Commerce (at Barrow). The street is lined with quintessential West Village townhouses and turns sharply to the left, creating a great shot. It was especially charming during one of our snowstorms!
It’s nearly impossible to pick a favorite townhouse in the West Village, but this cutie with the yellow door and green shutters is high on my list. It sits on West 12th between Washington and Greenwich.
At the far north of the West Village sits Abington Square. This cozy park has scores of dark green bistro tables, benches, and chess tables, which all make for great sitting shots. You are within a block or two of incredible bakeries and cafes, should you need a few props!
Unlike many other neighborhoods in the city, aside from a walking tour group here and there, the West Village is typically not too crowded, making it a relatively easy spot for shooting!
FINANCIAL DISTRICT
I don’t shoot in the Financial District too often, in fact, only on the weekends when there are no crowds of busy workers (no matter how early you get here during the week it is crowded as FiDi gets it start EARLY)! The best time to shoot is actually on holiday mornings (if you are ambitious like me and always trying for the perfect shot). Fun fact, I have shot here on Thanksgiving on my way out of town and also on President’s Day! The intersection of William and Beaver is a great corner and for a more dramatic shot. I’ve also had success shooting up Liberty Street by the Federal Reserve (the above all green look).
SOHO
One of my favorite neighborhoods for quintessential NYC shots! I adore the wide cobblestone streets of Soho and it’s historic cast-iron buildings. I typically enjoy shooting on the streets that run north-south as the traffic is lighter and the light is usually better. I also prefer to shoot a bit further south (closer to Canal Street) as most of the historic buildings are located here and it’s farther from most of the stores. The first two shots above were taken up Greene Street just south of Broome – my favorite street to shoot. If you are looking for something more colorful, check out the pink Marc Jacobs exterior – also on Greene Street!
West SoHo has a very different feel and is more of a neighborhood, filled with small restaurants and coffee shops. One of my favorite spots to shoot was Once Upon A Tart (pictured above) but sadly it is now closed!
GRAND CENTRAL & BRYANT PARK
If you are looking for shots with taxi cabs, head to Grand Central Terminal! The vast majority of the time, they are lined up right out front on 42nd Street. Again, and you probably sense a theme developing here, but it’s a crowded spot, particularly during rush hour when commuters are heading in and out to catch trains (and are typically in horrible moods). I’ve had the best success here during off hours like 6am, and just after the morning commute around 10am. Skip the rush hour windows completely! While shots inside Grand Central can be a bit tricky (there are always lots people and the lighting is very yellow), you must stop in, as I don’t think any building in NYC is as beautiful or dramatic. It was actually to be torn down and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis played a large part in ensuring it stayed a landmark. The Oyster Bar in the basement feels like a little trip back in time and is one of my favorite spots for a glass of champagne and seafood snack.
A few block west on 42nd street is Bryant Park. On the 5th Avenue side sits the New York Public Library. This historic landmark is full of photo opportunities with stairs, granite benches, fountains, and courtyards galore on all sides. Technically, you need a permit to shoot on the stairs and under the terrace. If you are just taking a selfie or a few casual pictures, clearly it is fine, but if you plan on taking wedding photos with a crew, be prepared to present a permit. On the back side of the building is the park. More bistro tables, greenery, and smaller monuments provide a host of great photo ops (photo of me in the floral outfit sitting)! This side is not so great to shoot in the winter as it transforms into holiday shops and an ice rink, but is beautiful in the spring and summer.
THE CUTEST CAFES
I love a great cafe shot, and NYC is full to the brim with them, so I want to round up a few of my favorites. I am starting from top to bottom, left to right!
Caffe Dante in Greenwich Village is picture perfect with wicker chairs and gold foiled signage on the glass. There are only a few tables outside, and it can get crowded, so arriving right when it opens is key. If you like shooting indoors, the ornate, tiled bar is also strikingly beautiful.
So, Seamore’s on the corner of Broome and Mulberry is technically not a cafe at all, but I wanted to include it on the list anyways. The white exterior, graphic corner column, and black and white umbrellas contrast nicely with the green seating. I love this location for more optic black and white shots! Cha Cha Matcha is right across the street too for all of your cute cup selfie and detail shots!
Bakeri is a quaint and cozy Scandinavian bakery located on Wythe and N 8th in Williamsburg. The inside is tiny with just a few tables and window seats, but the mini garden in the back is beautiful and makes a perfect backdrop for spring florals!
Cafe Colette in Williamsburg has made an appearance on the site on quite a few occasions. The bench on the front corner provides more of a vintage feel, while the take out coffee window and outdoor tables in the back provide space for more typical cafe shots. The space is absolutely gorgeous inside as well.
Island Oyster is located on Governors Island, a quick ferry ride from 10 South street in the city or Pier 6 in Brooklyn. Double check the ferry schedules before you leave! The restaurant is open seasonly and is a one-of-a-kind experience. The grounds are painted in pastel blue with pops of red and coral and mixed with black and white striped areas and yellow and white striped awnings. The panoramic views of New York Harbor and downtown Manhattan are unbeatable!
If you are looking for a #ihavethisthingwithfloors shot, look no further! This amazing tile floor is in the front patio of Cafe Standard, the cutest cafe at The Standard in the East Village.
Bluestone Lane has a few locations in the city, but I prefer the location on Carmine Street in the West Village as there are outdoor patio tables and the location is so close to both SoHo and the West Village. Insider tip – that blue wall in the shot above, is just a few short blocks away on Minetta street.
Pilot, located on Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, is the perfect nautical spot to capture the cutest shots and get stellar views of the Manhattan skyline. The restaurant and bar sit on a docked Grand Banks style schooner that was used during WWII!
FLATIRON
Another get-here-early-or-else neighborhood, the Flatiron is high on my list of approved NYC photography locations. The iconic wedge-shaped Flatiron Building itself, is of course the focal point of the neighborhood. The best shots are from the north looking back south upon the building from 5th Avenue or the top of Broadway on the other side of the plaza.
Right next door is Madison Square Park, which is home to amazing seasonal art instillations and the original Shake Shack! The park has tons of curved benches and bistro tables for all your seated shot needs. Quick tip – the NYC Flower Market, on 28th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues is only a few blocks away from Madison Square Park. Oftentimes, I will stop there (and buy aggressively large flowers) before shooting in the park!
PROSPECT PARK
Prospect Park in Brooklyn has a few go-to spots that aren’t to be missed! On the Northwest entrance to the park sits Grand Army Plaza. This small sliver of the park hosts the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, a massive monument that pays homage to those who served during the Civil War. It is huge and dramatic and a beautiful spot to shoot. Inside the park itself, there are a few additional spots that I favor. The Audubon Center, featured above, has gorgeous steps, light fixtures, and arched doorways that span the entire backside of the building. Across the pond is the beautiful Lullwater Bridge where you can get shots looking back at the building. Another great spot off of Parkside Avenue on the south side of the park is The Peristyle monument (not pictured, but where I shot this post years ago). The gorgeous pillars and intricate laid brick patterns provide amazing opportunities for dramatic photos.
STUYVESANT STREET
The little Renwick Triangle on the corner of Stuyvesant Street and East 10th (first two images) has been a long standing favorite spot of mine. I particularly love this location on cloudy days in the fall when the foliage pops. There are gorgeous townhouses up East 10th street for stoop shots as well. Oftentimes when shooting here I will also walk a few blocks north up 2nd Avenue to Stuyvesant Square. This smaller urban greenspace features walking paths, statues, and a fountain. Rutherford Place, the bordering street to the west of the park, and the home of St. George’s Church, is very quiet and a great spot to get crosswalk shots. Even more pretty houses await on the north side of the park on East 17th Street heading back west to 3rd Avenue.
A FEW MORE COLORFUL LOCATIONS
You know I love pops of colors in my outfits as well as my photo locations! Here are a few to consider!
Canal Street Oysters located on Canal and W Broadway has gorgeous, oversized yellow doors and checkerboard tile.
This colorful primary wall in Dumbo is located on York between Washington and Adams, just a few blocks from the walking entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge.
Domino Park on the waterfront in Williamsburg has lots of aqua colored stairs and large scale structures to take advantage of. Plus, there is a taco restaurant in the park called Tacocina that offers lots of colorful tables and chairs!
Under the FDR by Pier 36 in the Lower East Side, you’ll fine the entire underpass painted purple! The lighting can be tricky here, but it’s worth a stop!
This bright pink wall in Williamsburg has made it’s way on the site more than a few times. We even shot a few Atlantic-Pacific x Halogen looks here! It is located on N 9th off of Kent Ave.
