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NYC Photo Spots for Outfit Pics

13 items

Maya Banks

The best free NYC photo spots for outfit pics that look editorial, no photographer budget needed. Classic backdrops in Central Park, the West Village and DUMBO, holiday spots like Rockefeller Center and the Fifth Avenue windows, and iconic architectu...

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Sections

Central Park, Brooklyn & the Village

Holiday Photo Spots

Iconic Architecture Backdrops

Central Park, Brooklyn & the Village

Free, everyday backdrops that look like a magazine shoot: park bridges, tree-lined paths, cobblestones and brownstone blocks. Go early in the morning for soft light and empty frames.

The most romantic bridge in Central Park, with the lake and fall trees behind you. Go right after sunrise on a weekday to have it almost to yourself. Long coats shine here.

Bow Bridge

A tunnel of elm trees that turns gold in late fall. Stand in the center of the path and have your friend shoot low for that long-legs, walking-away editorial shot.

The Mall and Literary Walk

Grand stone arches, the tiled arcade and the fountain all in one spot. The lower arcade gives soft, even light even on bright days, so it flatters any outfit color.

Bethesda Terrace

The iconic shot with the Manhattan Bridge framed between brick buildings. It gets packed, so go before 8am and shoot from the sidewalk or the cobblestone plaza nearby.

DUMBO Manhattan Bridge View

The whole lower Manhattan skyline behind you, minus the Dumbo crowds. Go about an hour before sunset for soft, glowy light and a pink sky over the city.

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Tree-lined brownstones and stoops that scream old-money NYC. Shoot on a stoop (sidewalk side, not blocking doors) for an effortless street-style pic. Be kind to residents.

Perry Street, West Village

Holiday Photo Spots

The holiday backdrops worth braving the crowds for, from late November through New Year's. Go on a weekday morning for the most space.

The tree goes up in November and lights on December 2. Shoot from the plaza with the tree and gold statue behind you. Weekday mornings mean way fewer people in your frame.

Rockefeller Center

The holiday windows along Fifth Avenue make a free, glowy backdrop once they're unveiled in late November. Shoot at blue hour, right after sunset, so the windows pop.

Fifth Avenue Holiday Windows

Twinkle lights, holiday stalls and the rink with the library behind it. Pose by the rink rail at dusk with a cocoa in hand for a cozy, glowing winter outfit pic.

Bryant Park Winter Village

Iconic Architecture Backdrops

Grand arches, marble and big windows that make any outfit look polished, rain or shine. Great for coats, tailoring and going-out looks.

The Main Concourse, with its arched windows and gold clock, looks like a film set. Stand on the grand staircase and have your friend shoot from below for a dramatic pic.

Grand Central Terminal

The marble arch with Fifth Avenue framed behind it is peak downtown chic. Fall leaves in the park add color, and street performers make for fun candid moments.

Washington Square Arch

The white, wing-like ribs of the Oculus make a sleek, futuristic backdrop, and it's indoors, so it's great on rainy or freezing days. A head-to-toe neutral look pops here.

Oculus World Trade Center

The marble steps and famous lions on Fifth Avenue are a free, timeless backdrop. Sit on the steps in a long coat for a classic NYC shot, then walk to Bryant Park right behind it.

New York Public Library - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building