10 Places to Photograph in New York
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10 Places to Photograph in New York

If you’re new here, nice to meet you! My name is Martha, and I have been a photographer here in New York since 2010. Even though I know and have photographed sessions in almost every corner of this city, it was VERY difficult to make a list of just 10 places that I love the most to photograph my clients. That’s because New York is one of those cities where no matter which direction I point my camera at, it looks nice, and there is a variety of settings for all types of shoots.

Oh, before I forget…If you would like to book a photo session with me or one of my associate photographers, DM me on @fotografaemnovayork!

To see more of my day to day life in NYC and get the hottest tips, join my NYC tips Facebook group HERE,  follow me on Instagram (@marthasachser) and subscribe to my YouTube channel! And click HERE for my NYC complete guide with step-to-step itineraries!

What are the best places to to photograph in NYC? Here are my top 10 places:

1. Times Square

Times Square is one of the first places that come to my mind when I think about NYC. And it’s no wonder! In Times Square, we can go shopping, watch Broadway shows, see the giant billboards, try popular restaurants and enjoy lots of entertainment!

One of the things I love the most about Times Square is the energy of having people from all over the world in one place!

Some tips: I avoid shooting on weekends, it is usually a lot busier than weekdays.

Some cool places for photos in Times Square:

  • Near a yellow taxi
  • With the lights of the Broadway theaters
  • TKTS staircase
  • In front of themed stores
  • On the crosswalks
  • If you would like to book a photo session with me or one of my associate photographers, DM me on @fotografaemnovayork!

2. Central Park

This is one of the places where I do most of my photoshoots here in New York! Considered one of the most filmed and photographed locations in the world, Central Park is a must-visit to fill your Instagram and heart with wonderful photographs!

The park, besides its marvelous views, offers a diverse setting for photos: you can see both nature and the architectural beauty of the buildings surrounding the park! Moreover, the park is full of tunnels, fountains, bridges, lawns, lakes, and, of course, trees and flowers!

To get the best photos, below are some locations where I usually take my clients:

  • Bethesda Fountain and Terrace
  • Gapstow Bridge
  • Belvedere Castle
  • Bow Bridge
  • Sheep Meadow
  • The Mall
  • If you would like to book a photo session with me or one of my associate photographers, DM me on @fotografaemnovayork!

3. Brooklyn Bridge Park

A location that deserves a special mention is Brooklyn Bridge Park, in the same area as DUMBO. The park offers various attractions for residents and tourists, along with a fantastic view of Lower Manhattan and the two most famous bridges in NYC, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge.

Some of the best places to get beautiful photos in the area are:

  • By the water, facing the skyline during sunset, capturing the buildings and the Brooklyn Bridge in the background.
  • There are several great options in the vicinity of Brooklyn Bridge Park! If you really want to explore more of the area, don’t forget to download my New York guide with ready-made itineraries HERE!
  • If you would like to book a photo session with me or one of my associate photographers, DM me on @fotografaemnovayork!

4. SoHo

Located in the heart of Lower Manhattan, SoHo stands for South of Houston Street and stretches from Houston to Canal Street.

SoHo is well-known for its shops, restaurants, hotels, and bars. It also offers excellent backdrops for those seeking urban photos in New York.

Some of the best places to get beautiful photos in SoHo are:

  • The arches at the entrance of the Nomo Hotel
  • Greene Street, Mulberry Street, and parallel streets
  • The corner of Fanelli Cafe
  • If you would like to book a photo session with me or one of my associate photographers, DM me on @fotografaemnovayork!

5. West Village

West Village is a neighborhood known for its bohemian style, restaurants and cafes, shops, and for being, in my opinion, the most photogenic neighborhood in the city.

With a European small-town vibe, it’s an excellent option for a more romantic and less crowded photo setting. There, you will surely get those charming photos with the famous brownstone buildings that we see in movies.

Here are some of the best locations for photos:

  • Corner of Grove Street and Bedford Street
  • Gay Street
  • Perry Street
  • Corner of West 4th Street and West 11th Street
  • Commerce Street
  • If you would like to book a photo session with me or one of my associate photographers, DM me on @fotografaemnovayork!

6. Brooklyn Bridge

One of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States, connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn, it is also one of the most photogenic bridges, thanks to its size, location, and grandeur.

Regardless of the time of day or the season, the bridge will always be one of the most popular and beautiful spots for photos in New York. If your goal is to avoid people in the background, I recommend avoiding peak hours (sunset/twilight) or allowing some extra time in your itinerary if you want to take photos without many people in the background. Avoid weekends if you want that type of photo as well. But remember to explore different angles to make the most of your time there. These photos from the shoot I captured were taken during peak hours. Since I know the bridge very well, I know the best times and angles, which optimize the time and make it seem like it wasn’t overcrowded, right?

Remember that you can also take photos with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background without necessarily being on the bridge itself.

Here are some tips and locations to capture that perfect Instagram photo:

  • With the bridge centered in the background
  • View of the Manhattan skyline
  • From the sides to capture the skyline, the river, and the Manhattan Bridge
  • On the ground with the Bridge in the background
  • If you would like to book a photo session with me or one of my associate photographers, DM me on @fotografaemnovayork!

7. DUMBO – Brooklyn

With a rich and interesting history, DUMBO gets its name from the abbreviation of Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass.

For those unfamiliar, it is one of the most charming regions of the city and blends with other neighborhoods near the river, providing a view of the Manhattan skyline.

The area is quite picturesque, forming a beautiful backdrop for photos of all styles and is one of the most requested by my clients when choosing a setting for their shoot.

Here are some of the best locations to fill your Instagram with photos:

  • Corner of Water and Washington Street
  • Jane’s Carousel
  • Brooklyn Bridge Park
  • Empire Stores Rooftop
  • Pebble Beach
  • Pier 1
  • If you would like to book a photo session with me or one of my associate photographers, DM me on @fotografaemnovayork!

To explore more of Brooklyn, be sure to download the official blog guide with 16 ready-made itineraries and step-by-step instructions to explore NYC HERE!

8. High Line Park 

The High Line Park is a linear elevated park built on the former elevated railway tracks. It’s a beautiful location that offers stunning views of the streets and architecture of the Chelsea area.

Here are some of the most interesting photo spots:

  • Art exhibitions – The park always hosts art exhibitions, so keep an eye out for good photo opportunities!
  • Old train tracks – About one-third of the original tracks have been preserved and are part of the park’s design.
  • Benches and lounge chairs – Made of wood, they blend into the park’s decor and can be very interesting focal points for photography.
  • Street traffic below – With a view from above, the movement of cars can make for great photographs.
  • View of the Empire State Building.
  • If you would like to book a photo session with me or one of my associate photographers, DM me on @fotografaemnovayork!

9. Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park has a more local atmosphere and becomes even more beautiful in spring due to the cherry blossoms and being home to the famous Washington Square Arch monument.

Here are some locations for the best photos in this park:

  • Park benches
  • Fountain
  • Washington Square Arch
  • If you would like to book a photo session with me or one of my associate photographers, DM me on @fotografaemnovayork!

10. The Vessel

Located in Hudson Yards, The Vessel is an architectural project of a spiral staircase that offers an excellent backdrop for photos. Previously, it was possible to enter and climb to the top, but as of the time of this post, it remains closed, so only external photos are possible or from its base, looking up from below.

Here are some tips for the best photos:

  • If you don’t want many people in your photo, try to go in the early morning hours and avoid weekends.
  • Depending on the time of the day, it can be very windy, especially in winter.
  • Explore the surroundings. You can capture beautiful photos not only of The Vessel but also of the surrounding buildings, which can add even more beauty to your photos.

Are you traveling to NYC? Get my NYC guide now and save time, money and explore the city like a true New Yorker!

What’s inside?

  • 16 detailed step-by-step itineraries to explore NYC from morning to evening with all the attractions, shops, spots you can’t miss and restaurants I recommend in each area (organization is key when exploring NYC so don’t worry, I got you!) and much much more. PLUS:
  • Travel to and from the airports
  • How to use the NYC subway (metro)
  • Budget friendly hotels and hostels
  • Weather in NYC
  • Month by month event calendar
  • Store guide
  • The best outlets near NYC
  • Restaurants you can’t miss in every neighborhood
  • NYC FAQ
  • NYC with kids (the best things to do and attractions)
  • Free attractions you can’t miss
  • Extra tips, fun facts, movie and TV shooting locations
  • Exclusive discounts for my readers
  • “Instagrammable” spots
  • Most used Apps in NYC
  • Google maps exclusive links, so you can simply use your phone and find the attractions mentioned on the book near you
  • Gluten-free and vegan restaurants
  • What to do in the winter and summer in NYC
  • And much much more!

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