PLACES TO AVOID IN NYC AROUND THE HOLIDAYS FOR ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

NYC WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | NYC ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS | BEST TIME FOR NYC HOLIDAY ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS

Planning holiday engagement photos in New York City can feel magical, but as a New York City wedding photographer, I always like to remind couples that theres a season between Thanksgiving and the first week or so of New Year’s that brings some of the city’s heaviest crowds. There are so many iconic photo spots that are packed late morning and into the night, making it tough to capture those intimate moments. So many couples are self conscious having their photo taken in front of other people, but NYC doesn’t exactly nurture the ‘we don’t like to be the center of attention’ mindset.

If you’re newly engaged and hoping for romantic holiday photos, the best strategy is avoiding certain hotspots and making the best time for NYC holiday engagement photos. Also, choosing sunrise or late-night sessions when the city is quieter. First, I’ll say that I have so many ideas as to where to take my couples if they aren’t familiar with the city or still want that holiday romance in the city that never sleeps. We’ll just probably avoid some subway stops in the winter, hours pending. I listed the top places I would avoid below.
(none of these photos are mine!)

PLACES TO AVOID AROUND THE HOLIDAYS FOR YOUR SESSION

ROCKEFELLER CENTER TREE

Unless you plan on renting out the ice for a pretty penny, you’ll be battling shoulder to shoulder crowds. It’s iconic, centrally located in midtown and where some of the heaviest foot traffic happens around the holidays. It’s lit from 5am to about midnight every year and if you’re trying to beat crowds, this would be your best bet.

TIME SQUARE

Time square doesn’t scream holiday or romance to me. It’s pretty busy 24/7… There are buildings dating back to the mid 1600’s in the city. If you’re looking for timeless and romantic, massive lit up billboards isn’t usually the best route to go in all of your options for boroughs.

BRYANT PARK WINTER VILLAGE

I know Bryant Park Winter Village is festive and magical. They have a free admission skating rink, unlike Rockefeller and a ton of different shops for the holidays, but it’s cluttered. It doesn’t offer big landscapes and you’ll be competing with pop up booths, shopping bags and a lot of people. You’re also controlled a lot in a sense of where your photographer can shoot. However, if you felt so compelled, sunrise between Mon-Thurs would be best.

FIFTH AVE STORE FRONTS

I’m all for working with different colored lights and shadows, but fifth ave offers it’s own light show that can be difficult to shoot in. Especially near Saks and St. Patricks. It’s gridlock. Besides, who wants a bunch of people taking selfies in the backdrop of their photo. I will say though… if you want to buy out 620 Loft & Garden for your photos, I wouldn’t be mad at it one bit!

BROOKLYN BRIDGE

I have a soft spot for Brooklyn, but I feel the need to add it to the list. Not because it’s shoulder to shoulder like so much of the other locations, but because it has a popular reputation and while there are plenty of times of day during the week that you could make these photos work, they don’t decorate the bridge, so you would have the opportunity to dress festive. While it’s SO romantic in my opinion, if you aren’t used to the cold weather, the wind on the bridge can be a lot in the winter. It can be frigid and the wind will take your hair everywhere.

GRAND CENTRAL STATION

I want to say yes to this one so badly, so I will to some extent. Grand Central around the holidays is not only your usual commuters, but a lot of holiday travel, rush and tours. Some areas are also off limits, but it’s beautiful, classic and festive. If was on your list, I would say between 6:30-8am on a weekday would be your best bet and we can still get the warm light and motion blur of the hustle and bustle that’s around.

WHERE ARE ALTERNATIVE LOCATIONS FOR YOUR SESSION?

While all of these places are absolutely gorgeous. There are so many other places around the holidays in the city that offer that romantic, timeless, holiday city vibe. If you’re looking for the best time for NYC holiday engagement photos, reach out and let’s make some magic. Whether it’s a session, elopement or wedding, I’m the best third wheel.