Best Photo Locations in NYC for First-Time Visitors

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yellow cab street photography nyc
It’s been almost ten years since the first time I visited New York. It was back in 2009 and I spent a few days there before going to my final destination: my au-pair year in San Francisco. The city that never sleeps stole my heart. I especially loved the architecture (and the shopping!). The place is heaven for any photographer. NYC has so many picture perfect spots you will need several memory cards during your stay.
New York is an incredible city to explore. There are so many things to see and do that it can be quite daunting when you visit it for the first time. The second time I visited was a year later and I got to experience it much more than the first one as it was known territory. Once again, it took my breath away. Every time you visit the city is different and the word “boring” disappears from your vocabulary while you are there. You can bump into celebrities or walk into a movie set at any moment. New York should be in everybody’s bucket list. You simply cannot love it.
So how can you make the most of NYC photography? Let’s see some tips together with 25+ photos that will give you serious wanderlust.m&m store nyc

New York is a very popular place for tourists and photographers alike so be prepared to wait at picture perfect locations to get your shot. The most beautiful photos are taken at golden hour or blue hour but if you want to have the place to yourself you are going to have to wake up at the crack of dawn and get there before everybody else.

squirrel central park new york city
architecture nyc water deposit
petrossian nyc architecture
belvedere castle central park nyc

Visit the museums. You can’t miss the Guggenheim, the MOMA or the MET.

guggenheim museum new york
architecture building upper east side nyc

Designer fashion shops are spectacular. Walk around 5th Avenue and also go to SoHo. Photography inside is generally forbidden but some of them have impressive facades too.

apple store nyc central park 5th avenue
louis vuitton store 5th avenue nyc
architecture nyc skyline
chrysler building architecture nyc

If you have enough time, visit one of the other boroughs like Harlem. It’s so different from Manhattan but equally impressive. I had the chance of attending a Gospel mass in Harlem and it’s and experience I will never forget.

harlem borough new york
street photography NYC yellow cab
liberty truck nyc street photography

Get lost in Central Park. It has so many beautiful photo opportunities! There are so many things to photograph there: the people, the Bethesda Fountain or the romantic Bow Bridge! How dreamy it would be to do a photo shoot there with the first rays of light… The Loeb Boathouse is also a beautiful place to photograph and to eat, I had an amazing meal there.

bow bridge central park summer nyc
School bus NYC
Remember John Lennon at the Dakota. This New York landmark was his home until his murder in the archway of the building in 1980.dakota building nyc central park imagine
america flag empire state building nyc

The statue of Atlas carrying the heavens in front of the Rockefeller center is one of the most impressive photos you can get.

Atlas heavens Rockefeller center
new york architecture
Empire State Building
New York peer Lower Manhattan

Photograph touristy spots from a different angle like beautiful Lady Liberty below.

statue liberty nyc
seagull peer nyc black white
New York Stock Exchange wall street
ground zero memorial nyc

The Brooklyn Bridge is a true New York icon, from there you can see all the major New York City Buildings like the Chrysler or the Empire State buildings. Speaking of the Empire State, make panoramas when you are on the top. The views of the city are jaw-dropping.

Brooklyn Bridge nyc
Views Brooklyn Bridge NYC

Capture the most vibrant colors (and eat great pasta!) at Little Italy.

Little Italy Manhattan NYC
architecture nyc black white
Photograph the Flatiron building from all the possible angles. Did you know that its name comes from its resemblance to a cast-iron clothes iron?flatiron building nyc
view empire state building nyc

The iconic hotels. The Plaza, The Palace and the Waldorf Astoria must be in your pics. They are too pricey for most of us but you can always go in and take a peek to see how beautiful they are inside.

Plaza Hotel New York
Unconditional Surrender kiss sculpture NYC

For night time photography go to Times Square. The screen contrasts with the darkness and that equals amazing photos.

times square night nyc

Whether it’s day or night, you must stop at Grand Central Terminal. How many movies can you name that have been set there?
Tip: a long exposure is needed inside the station to capture your perfect shot.

grand central terminal station night new york

If you go to Brooklyn you can get a beautiful view of the Washington Bridge from a place called DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass). Right now this is one of the most popular instagrammable spots in New York City.

When in New York…put on your walking shoes, charge your camera batteries, empty your memory cards and set off on the amazing adventure that is visiting New York City.

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Two Traveling Texans

0 thoughts on “Best Photo Locations in NYC for First-Time Visitors”

  6. Kelleyn Rothaermel

    I am book marking this for the next time I go to New York. I was there in September. Sadly it rained the whole day we were there. We were running for cover it was raining that hard. Hoping to explore the west village the next time I go!

    Reply
  13. Carolyn Eddie

    What a great post and love the tips. Thanks for taking me 'home' (sort of
    ! I lived in Darien for 15 years, an hour outside NYC, so recognise many of your photos. The Whitney is the new rather spectacular curated American art gallery and it is near the Highline. Two places to add to your list for next time!

    Reply
  14. Kathryn Sprowl

    Thanks for sharing this! Planning on making it to NYC some day and your post has given a Midwesterner who has never been there great ideas of things to check out.

    Reply
  17. Anisa Alhilali

    Love these photos! Makes me miss NYC. I lived there for 13 years. My favorite spot is Central Park so glad you took some time to explore it. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard

    Reply
  18. Deborah Regen

    So many places, so little time! If the weather is good, just about anywhere can serve as an iconic NYC background in a photo. The great public library is another option as well as the Lincoln Center plaza. #TheWeeklyPostcard

    Reply
  20. Cynthia Mackintosh

    There truly are so many beautiful places to take photos in NYC. We were there during Christmastime and it was a great time to visit! #TheWeeklyPostcard

    Reply
  21. Kathleen (Kat)

    I think NYC is the only place in the United States that I would love to go, lol! Because it's NYC! Love your pics…and I hope to get there some day, soon 🙂 #TheWeeklyPostcard

    Reply
  37. Cristina

    So glad you liked the post, Kelleyn! I'm so sorry it rained a lot while you were there, that's the worst when you travel. I hope you get better weather next time.

    Reply

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