It’s no secret that if you are wanting to take iconic photos, New York City is one of the best places in the world to do it. Whether you are celebrating a life event, building your brand, or just want to say you did something epic, you can count on NYC to deliver. It’s the city of dreams, and the city where opportunities turn into moments that can change your life. But discovering where and how to take the best photos in New York City can be a challenge, especially if you’re not familiar with the city itself.
The Brooklyn Bridge
But don’t worry! That’s where I come in. If we haven’t met, I’m Gina, and I’m an aesthetic traveler/travel blogger who loves all things that involve fashion, photography, and getting on a plane.
When I decided that I wanted to become a blogger, I knew one thing I absolutely had to have was professional photos for my website. Not only that, but I wanted photos in different settings and outfits that I could use in multiple different blog posts. I knew that NYC was the place to make that happen.
So, I asked my photographer, Kelsey, to come to NYC with me on a whim and take these photos. We spent a weekend in the city and had an absolute blast, and the pictures came out even better than I imagined.
In this post, I will show you some of the best, most iconic NYC photo spots to capture whatever story you’re trying to tell. This post is not so much about highlighting NYC landmarks as it is about discovering some of the most gorgeous spots in NYC to snap photos of YOU.
Some of these locations are obvious, and others, not so obvious. The best thing about NYC is that Instagrammable spots are literally EVERYWHERE. You just have to be open-minded and open to creativity.
Tips For Doing A Photoshoot in New York City
- Some businesses – including hotels and restaurants – do not allow professional photography equipment without prior permission. I have made a note which places are like that in this post. When in doubt, contact the business/restaurant/hotel for their policy.
- A lot of NYC-based photographers charge outrageous prices because, well, it’s NYC. If you can’t bring your own photographer, try searching for freelance photographers, or look up photographers on AirBNB (yes, you read that correctly!).
- Be mindful of crowds, and know that you may have to wait a bit to get photos in certain locations with minimal people in the background.
- The weather in NYC can be unpredictable. Find a cute restaurant or bar and be prepared to improv if it rains.
- Plan your outfits in advance. I had multiple outfits for each day and carried my clothes, accessories, and shoes in a backpack with me.
- Bring props! Flowers, books, balloons, hats – whatever suits you!
The Best Instagram Photo Spots in New York City
1. The Brooklyn Bridge
Let’s start with the obvious, shall we?
Is there anything…I repeat ANYTHING…more iconically “New York City” than the Brooklyn Bridge? No. Don’t even tell me things like the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building. It’s just…no. The answer is no there isn’t.
When I planned this photoshoot, the Brooklyn Bridge was the one place that I absolutely HAD to have photos from. To ensure your photos are flawless, check out my post about 5 Tips for Taking the Best Brooklyn Bridge Photos. (Bonus: You’ll also read about how this photoshoot almost didn’t happen, and learn why I had to get a police escort in NYC!)
To me, the Brooklyn Bridge symbolizes everything that is New York City. It is monumental…old and grungy, yet strong and beautiful…and the perfect place to capture that epic, “power-shot” photo.
2. The Archway Entrance to NoMo SoHo
NoMo SoHo is one of the most beautiful hotels in New York City, and it all starts with the archway leading to the entrance of the building. In the midst of all the skyscrapers and concrete, it’s giving secret garden. Throw on a flowy, feminine outfit to make it feel like even more of a fairytale.
3. Summit One Vanderbilt
- Professional photography not allowed without permission
Summit One Vanderbilt is an immersive art experience in New York City that marries physics with aesthetics. It’s one of the most unique Instagram spots in this post. There are 3 levels of space, each with its own visually inventive twist to make your jaw drop.
There’s a room with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, another room with floating orbs and floor-to-ceiling windows, and an open air terrace where you can walk out and see the Manhattan skyline. My favorite photos were the ones that combined the orbs and the city.
If you know me, you know I booked my tickets around sunset, and I suggest you do the same. When it gets dark, the room with the mirrors lights up. If you booked your tickets around this time, you can get photos with cool lighting, such as the one below:
- Check out the Summit One Vanderbilt website to purchase tickets and more.
- Pro Tip: You need advanced permission for professional photography, but iPhone photos are OK
4. Hail a Taxi
In a world where Uber and Lyft dominate the transportation scene, there’s something so classically New York City about hailing a taxi when you want to go somewhere. I think this is one instance where you could take a great picture facing away from the camera, like I did in the top two photos below.
5. A Trendy Department Store
You’d be surprised at the creativity you could come up with in a store with a lot of sparkle, and that’s exactly what Kelsey and I did on a whim. We were walking down the sidewalk and happened to spot a cute pair of shoes inside Aldo. What started out as retail therapy turned into an impromptu photo shoot, and I loved the pictures we came up with!
6. Central Park
Ahhh Central Park – the oasis in the center of the concrete jungle. This park is huge – 843 acres, to be exact. In other words, you have endless opportunities for photos!
You’re probably thinking, “okay, but…with that many acres, where do I start?” Well, that’s a great question. In fact, I’ve dedicated a whole other blog post to the best places to get photos in Central Park because there are just so many options.
I’ll give you a preview of my Central Park post in this section and say that one of your best photo ops will be by the flowers, especially if you go in the spring/summer. For these photos, I decided to keep it more neutral in terms of my outfit choices and let nature be the pop-of-color we never knew we needed.
Central Park
- Photography Pro Tip: Fake flowers make for a great prop. I found the ones I’m holding at Michael’s Arts & Crafts
7. Magic Hour Rooftop Bar at the Moxy Hotel
If you love all things pink, girly, and feminine, you will love Magic Hour. They have a menu with pink-themed sweets (try the Sweetest Surprise – a cake shaped like a present box), pink cocktails, and enough pink decor to make you wonder if you’re in a real-life Barbie movie.
One of the most famous props at Magic Hour is a pink, spinning carousel. The decor changes from sparkly flowers in the summer to aprés ski in the winter (don’t worry, the theme is always pink). During the colder months, the open air rooftop is covered, so you are able to enjoy Magic Hour year-round.
- Pro Tip: The lighting on the carousel is actually NOT good for photos if you come here at night. Have the person taking your picture use a selfie light (or the flashlight from their cell phone) and point it towards you if they’re taking your photo at nighttime.
Magic Hour is one of the prettiest bars in the city. To check out some of my other favorite spots, read this post about some of the must-visit bars in NYC.
8. Actually, Let’s Expand on The Rooftop Bars…
I mentioned Moxy’s rooftop bar above specifically for its pink and girly aesthetic, but I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t tell you you need a rooftop bar that highlights the Manhattan skyline, not just the bar’s interior. Wait…you probably already knew that. I digress.
When planning this photoshoot, one of the photos I knew I wanted was a shot from way high up with the city lights blurred in the background. Unfortunately for us, the weather wasn’t overly cooperative, so many of our shots turned out dark and blurry. We did snag a couple good ones though – this one being my favorite:
Kelsey and I took this photo at the Panorama Room on top of The Graduate Hotel. I picked this location specifically because I knew it was a prime spot to get not only the Manhattan skyline, but a close-up of the lights from the Queensboro Bridge in the background.
Although I loved this view and would recommend this location for photos, it’s important to point out the Panorama Room is not right in Manhattan. It’s located on Roosevelt Island, a small strip of land in between Manhattan and Queens.
- For more rooftop bar suggestions, check out The Best Rooftop Bars With a View in NYC.
9. The Edge at Hudson Yards
- Professional photography, video cameras, recording devices, and tripods are not permitted. Selfie sticks are permitted indoors only.
Content Note – The Edge is the only destination on this page that I visited before I became a blogger, so these photos were taken by me and my 2 friends that came with me during this trip.
The Edge is a rooftop observation deck on the 100th floor of Hudson Yards that gives you panoramic views of NYC. Yes, I realize I just gave you rooftop options in the two previous sections, but stick with me here. The key word is options, and when it comes to the NYC skyline, you can never have too many.
The views from here are wild. The observation desk has glass windows that lets you see the entire skyline from the Western edge of Manhattan.
There’s even a glass floor where you can see clear down to the street below. You can get some really creative photos sitting or laying on this floor. The Edge also has a champagne bar so you and your friends can toast to the city!
Of course, the most popular photos to get here are those that showcase the city in the background. Weather-wise, I got really lucky during my visit to The Edge. My friends and I came right after a rain storm, and we were able to see a rainbow cascade over the city. I had so many locals tell me seeing a rainbow is a very rare occurrence in NYC, which makes me love these photos even more.
- Tickets are required to visit The Edge – book your tickets here.
- Pro Tip: According to the website, professional photo equipment, video cameras, recording devices, and tripods are not permitted. Selfie sticks are permitted indoors only.
10. Times Square
Okay, this one might be the most obvious of them all, so I won’t spend too much time here other than to tell you to go at night to capture Times Square in all its splendor. Although the entire square is famous, two of the most iconic spots to get in the background of your photo are Radio City Music Hall and Lion King on Broadway.
For me, Times Square is the ultimate celebrity moment. I knew I wanted to wear my most sparkly dress and heels to capture the glitz of this part of the city. When you get your photos here, really take time to be present and take it all in. Times Square is where the magic happens in New York City, and you’re right in the middle of it all, having your moment!
- Pro Tip: Play around with the lighting! Some of the coolest shots in Times Square are when the lights are blurred in the background.
11. Street Murals/Graffiti
Street art in New York City is evvverywhere, and serves as the perfect backdrop for photos. I loved playing around with these shots because I could make them grungy yet aesthetically appealing.
Another thing I love about taking photos with street art is that they allow you to create that “effortlessly cool” look that can be really hard to pull off in other settings. Times Square? So much effort. Brooklyn Bridge? Even more effort. Wall mural? Nah girl, we just bring the vibes to this shoot…
You can create even more grunge with graffiti. I had SO much fun with this part of the shoot because I didn’t feel like I had to worry about keeping my outfit perfect like I did in places where I was more dressed up. I could run down the streets of NYC like the world was mine.
I highly encourage you to find cool graffiti wherever you can and just live it up. NYC is known for its commitment to the arts, and while graffiti may not be the first thing you think of when you hear this term, it is everywhere…and you might as well use it to your advantage!
12. In Front of the Flatiron Building
Okay, so this one is not considered a must-do IMO, but I still had to mention it just because the Flatiron Building is so unique-looking. As you might expect from the name, it is flat, making it stand out amongst many other skyscrapers in the city. If you do choose to get a photo here, make sure to include the gold 5th Avenue Building clock. It’s one of the city’s last remaining cast iron street clocks and is designated as a “landmark site” in New York City.
13. Inside a Cute Coffee Shop
As I type this, I can’t help but sing Rick Ross’s “Everyday I’m Hustlin” in appreciation for the fact that this city NEVER STOPS HUSTLING. New Yorkers are always working, jogging, or in a hurry. In other words, everybody here runs off of caffeine, which means there are obviously a plethora of cute coffee shops for your Instagram moment.
My first time in the city, I stumbled upon Maman, a coffee shop with an aesthetic that’s part primitive and part rustic/femme. Towards the back of the shop, they have the Secret Garden by Floratorium that transports you out of the concrete jungle and into a room filled with boho chic flowers, tree branches, and string lights.
Of course, you can also snap some pics as you bask in the ethereal aesthetic sans coffee, which I would also recommend!
- Pro Tip: Maman has multiple coffee shops throughout the city; these photos were shot at the Bryant Park location
Side note – my one complaint about Maman was they weren’t offering mugs…only to-go cups. The cups were white with a blue flower print though, so it could’ve been worse. I mean…they ARE pretty cute, right?
14. Oscar Wilde NYC
My favorite thing about Oscar Wilde NYC is – no surprise – the creativity they put into the restaurant’s aesthetic. Oh…you thought I was going to say the drinks? While I’m not crazy about their cocktails, I do love how they decorate. But the photos you take will depend on the time of year you come.
To say Oscar Wilde goes all out for the holidays is an understatement. During Christmas and Halloween, they have the whole place decorated to the point that you can barely see the walls. If you come during this time, they’ll usually have a decorative display set up when you first walk in, so you’ll be able to get some photos without anyone in the background.
Kelsey and I came to Oscar Wilde in May, and the spring decor consisted of minimal pink flowers lining the back of the restaurant. Although it is beautiful, it is not nearly as extensive as what they do during Halloween/Christmas.
But it was exactly what I wanted. I wanted my photos in here to embody that vintage romance of the Victorian Era that Oscar Wilde lived in…and that’s what we got. These photos were taken near the entrance of the restaurant in front of the windows, and I loved the intricate details, soft lighting, and dreamy feel.
At the time, I didn’t know what I would use these particular photos for, but I knew they would be important to my brand. I ended up using them for my blog post about how to romanticize your life, and I thought they fit perfect.
- Pro Tip: Although Oscar Wilde has become somewhat of a “tourist trap” thanks to its outrageous holiday decor, I still tell people to go here just because it’s a sight to behold. To read about some of my other favorite restaurants in the city, check out The Top Restaurants to Visit in Manhattan
15. Get Creative with 5th Avenue Storefronts
Carrie Bradshaw once said, “I like my money where I can see it: hanging in my closet.” And I couldn’t agree more.
In terms of iconic New York City activities, you can’t forget about the shopping. NYC is famous for its high-end 5th Avenue stores, so if your goal is to embody the essence of this part of the city, find a decorative boujee storefront and start snapping.
And because it’s 5th Avenue, you won’t have to try too hard to find a good one. These stores belong to the world’s most famous designers who practically live in front of a camera and on the runway – in other words, they’re always decorated and ready to be your backdrop.
16. The New York Public Library
- Professional photography not allowed without permission
If you want some classy, powerful, I’m-the-CEO-of-my-own-life shots, look no further than the New York Public Library. The neutral stone interior combined with the light fixtures that cost more than I’ll make in my life are the perfect combination of simplicity meets elegance. A classic setting like this one calls for the ultimate classic fashion statement: the little black dress!
- Pro Tip: Like the storefronts that I mentioned above, The New York Public Library is also located on 5th Avenue. We love the convenience!
But wait…I’m not done yet. 😉
The New York Public Library has these INCREDIBLY high, gorgeous ceilings (and more gorgeous light fixtures) that you can use to your advantage. You can create the ultimate dark, moody/mysterious aesthetic here. This allows you to portray a whole different kind of power-shot.
17. The Subway Station
I know, I know…the nasty, dirty, grimy, giant-rats-are-living-under-the-train-tracks subway station?!
Before you slam your laptop shut or turn your phone off, hear me out: when you think of NYC, you think of taking the subway. New York City has the best, most efficient, most built up subway system in the world. It is one of the most legendary, iconic things about the city, and what was the title of this post? Mmhmm….
NYC subway station
If you’re an avid reader of this blog, you have probably heard me say before that I love dualities. In other words, things that are opposites, yet somehow go together. This is especially true when it comes to photography.
I think you could take a cool, edgy photo here, or get really creative and go in the complete opposite direction. Something really flashy and pretty that would contrast the grunge of New York City’s famous underground.
- Photography Pro Tip: If you hold reeeeally still while the subway is coming behind you (as in, hold-your-breath still), you can get really cool shots like this one!
If you “just can’t” with the underground, don’t worry! You can highlight the entrance to the subway station instead.
18. The Plaza Hotel
- Professional photography not allowed without permission
The Plaza Hotel is arguably THE most iconic hotel in New York City. You walk in and it just smells like money. Never mind the dozens of ginormous chandeliers that happen to be everywhere and the $45 champagne you can get at the Palm Court bar inside. Every time my best friend and I go to New York, we make sure to stop in the Plaza, grab a glass of champagne, and daydream about what it’s like to actually be able to afford to stay there.
Lucky for us though, it cost $0 to daydream, or to come inside and snap a few (non-professional) photos. I highly suggest you take advantage of the opportunity. This hotel has been home to countless celebrities, presidents, and British royalty…and who’s to say you can’t pretend to be one of them? After all, Carrie Bradshaw once said, “anything can happen…this is New York!” Now, go treat yourself to some champagne.
19. Aesthetically-Conscious Businesses and Restaurants
As you meander down the New York City sidewalks, you will likely stumble across multiple businesses and restaurants that have vibrant, eye-catching façades. Obviously, they did this to attract you, the visitor, so use them to your advantage!
TBH, I don’t remember where I found any of these places with these decorations because Kelsey and I just happened to run into them as we were exploring. The takeaway: be an opportunist! Although I spent so much time planning this photoshoot, a lot of the places that we got photos from actually weren’t planned at all…and this is a prime example!
20. The Water Tower Bar at Arlo Williamsburg
- Professional photography not allowed inside main hotel without permission
Okayyy, so this one’s *technically* in Brooklyn…but it’s one subway stop away from Manhattan’s East Village, which is close enough!
The Water Tower Bar sits atop Arlo Williamsburg (previously The Williamsburg Hotel), a trendy hotel with a rustic interior in North Brooklyn. Kelsey and I stumbled into this one by accident, as we were originally just going to take some photos downstairs in the hotel’s restaurant. We didn’t even know the Water Tower Bar existed until fate stepped in and led us up the elevator, into the room with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and let us take all the photos we wanted.
What can I say, it’s the high ceilings for me. Well, and the rustic pendant lighting. Can you imagine this at sunset and after it gets dark?! I’m screaming. Please come take photos here and tag me in them. Oh, and they also have an equally cute bar:
Planning A Photoshoot in New York City
After reading this post, you might be wondering – how difficult is it to plan a photoshoot in New York City?
IMO, that answer depends on what you need the photos for and the level of perfectionist that you are. When I decided that I wanted to become a blogger, I knew one thing I absolutely had to have was professional photos for my website. Not only that, but I wanted photos in different settings and outfits that I could use in multiple different blog posts. I knew that NYC was the place to make that happen.
For me, this photoshoot took months to plan out because I had to do a lot of research. Before doing this shoot, I had only been to New York twice. Therefore, I had to not only find the best places to take photos, but I also had to learn my way around the city.
I researched everything I could about the different areas of Manhattan: iconic places, buildings, restaurants, bars, etc. Although it was a lot of work, it was absolutely worth all the planning. I’m considering writing a more detailed post about my planning methods, so if you think that would help you, LMK in the comments! Truly though, I think having professional photos for my website and social media was a game changer and part of what helped me become successful.
