The Ultimate NYC Photography Guide: Snap Like a Pro (Or at Least Look Cool Trying)

Unlike Disneyland, where they drop the giant mouse ears on every tourist and try to keep people in line, New York City is full of pigeons that do not fear death, cab drivers with veiled vendettas against most city traffic laws, and other assorted factors that keep the life and vibe of the city alive.”

Last year I traveled to New York to make the best visual I could. The places during winter that have snow provide magical shots, but I still roamed around searching for the picture-perfect New Yorker vibes.

Whether you’re here to photograph jaw-dropping skylines and chaotic street life or simply to flex on Instagram, this guide will help get you the best shot!

1. The "I Was Here" Shots -

Showing off on Instagram is our everyday life. NYC is filled with postcard-perfect spots, so let me tell you the best places you have to shoot because if you don’t, did you really visit them?  

• Times Square – Go there after midnight, the nights there are young and it feels like being inside a pinball machine!

• Brooklyn Bridge – Sunrise is the best time to avoid the influencers blocking the walkway for their photoshoots.

• Central Park – Fall? Stunning. Winter? Snow. Summer? Sweaty but aesthetic. Spring? Allergies, but worth it.

• Empire State Building – Take the classic skyline shot, or better, go to Top of it!

• Statue of Liberty – You can get an overpriced boat ride, or just take the free Staten Island Ferry and pretend you meant to shoot from a distance. If you take a 200mm lens with you the free ferry is worth it! 

  
  

2. NYC’s Best-Kept Secrets (Shh, Don’t Tell TikTok)

For those I’m-not-like-other-tourists shots:

• DUMBO (Brooklyn) – That Manhattan Bridge shot you’ve seen a million times on Instagram? Yeah, it’s here. Go early before the engagement photoshoots take over.

• The Vessel – Looks like a giant beehive. Cool for abstract shots, but don’t climb it if you fear heights… or existential crises.

• Roosevelt Island Tramway – A budget helicopter ride with actual stunning aerial views.

• The High Line – A former train track turned into a park. Great for artsy urban shots, but watch out for slow walkers.

• Green-Wood Cemetery – Yes, a cemetery. Trust me, the Gothic architecture is next-level, and the vibes are immaculate (if you don’t mind ghosts watching you work).

  
  
  

  

  
  
  

3. Where NYC Looks Like a Movie

Because every photographer needs that “I run this city” shot:

• Top of the Rock – Arguably the best because you get the Empire State Building in the frame.

• One World Observatory – The view is wild, but so is the price.

• Brooklyn Bridge Park – Perfect for sunset and the occasional romantic proposal photobomb.

• Gantry Plaza State Park – A chill skyline view with fewer people.

• Edge at Hudson Yards – A glass floor that makes you question your life choices while taking the most epic shot ever.

4. The Art of Not Getting Caught - NYC Photography Guide

NYC is the ultimate street photography playground, but here’s where you’ll get the best shots without getting side-eyed:

• SoHo – Think cobblestone streets, expensive fashion, and models pretending they’re not freezing in their photoshoots.

• Chinatown & Little Italy – Neon lights, food stalls, and the kind of vibrant chaos that makes for epic shots.

• 5th Avenue & Madison Avenue – High fashion, high energy, and the occasional dog in a designer outfit.

• Grand Central Terminal – Catch the light streaming through the windows for that cinematic magic.

• Coney Island – Beach + amusement park = dream street photography setting. Bonus points if you capture a seagull stealing someone’s fries.

5. What to Pack So You Look Legit

• Camera: Mirrorless or DSLR for serious shots, iPhone for "I-just-casually-took-this" flexes.

• Lens: Wide-angle for skylines, 50mm for street shots, zoom for those "let’s pretend I’m a spy" moments.

• Tripod: For night shots and long exposure magic.

• Filters: ND filters to make your long exposures dreamy and cinematic.

• Settings: Aperture priority for street shots, manual for landscapes, and burst mode for when you only have a split second before a New Yorker walks into your frame.

  
  

Final Thoughts: Just Go Shoot!

NYC is an endless source of photographic inspiration, from its epic skylines to its weird and wonderful street life. Whether you're shooting for the ‘Gram, your portfolio, or just for fun, the city won’t disappoint. So charge your batteries, clear your SD cards, and most importantly—don’t block the sidewalk while setting up your shot, or you will get yelled at, I say it from experience..

Happy shooting!