New York City Photo Tours
Private
Tours
Available All Year!
Booking a private photo expert
allows you to select the below carefully planned routes or when your
photo guide contacts you directly (your email required), to make
desired changes where possible according to your interest including
architecture and photojournalism.
More
details...
Group Tours
Available All Year!
Wall Street's
Up - Brooklyn Bridge Down
First we'll meet up on
the steps of Federal Hall, where George Washington was inaugurated
as the first U.S. President. From there, you'll get a nice view of
the New York Stock Exchange nearby. Most of the streets in the
Financial District are extremely narrow. This, combined with some of
Manhattan's tallest skyscrapers, creates an experience similar to
standing at the bottom of a canyon. Many of these streets see very
little sunshine, even at high noon. This will create unique
opportunities for low-light daytime photography. As the sun trickles
its way down into the bottom of the canyon, we'll venture over to
the historic South Street Seaport district.
The Seaport is known for its pedestrian-friendly streets as well as
its many shops. You will get a distinct feel for old New York Harbor
days, of dockworkers and fish markets, a time when the piers were
bustling areas of commerce. From the Seaport we'll make our way up
toward City Hall and the Municipal Building, both of which are near
the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge.
Once we start walking over the Brooklyn Bridge you'll get a steady
sense of rising above the smaller buildings below. In fact, when the
Brooklyn Bridge was built, people walking across it for the first
time were elated by the experience of being so high above the river
that birds flew below them, beneath the bridge's walkway. As we
approach the gothic arches of the Manhattan-side tower, picture
possibilities will abound. Lines, repetition, symmetry will all beg
to be photographed. If the sun is out, there may be possibilities
for interesting silhouettes.
Once we're well onto the bridge you'll be able to turn around and
take in breathtaking views of Lower Manhattan. You'll be able to see
Midtown Manhattan off in the distance. Boats will be in the water
below and many people will be enjoying the bridge. Get out your
telephoto lens and photograph the Statue of Liberty to the
southwest.
A convenient stairway will allow us to exit the bridge on the
Brooklyn side and put us in the neighborhood of Fulton Ferry, which
is similar to the South Street Seaport. At Fulton Ferry Landing and
Park, known for its spectacular vantage of the looming Brooklyn
Bridge, you'll be able to go right up to the water and take in the
view. From Fulton Ferry it's just a short walk over to DUMBO (an
acronym for Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass), an industrial
factory district with picturesque cobblestone streets. DUMBO affords
some classic views of the Manhattan Bridge, which will be high
overhead with subway trains loudly roaring past.
STARTING POINT:
Financial District, 26
Wall Street, on the steps in front of Federal Hall near the statue
of George Washington.
ENDING POINT:
DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) across the East River
in Brooklyn
Friday
: 8:30am -
12:00pm (All Year)
Languages: English
Tour Fee per
person :
$US 175 (Min 2 persons)
Inquiry Form
Downtown Eclectic
First we'll meet up in
the heart of Greenwich Village, Sheridan Square. There are many
streets that lead to Sheridan Square. Once you're there, be on the
lookout for the small park with the white statues, where our group
will meet. From there we'll tour some of the nearby streets that
make up some the most scenic and sought-after residential real
estate in Manhattan. Greenwich Village is known for being "off the
grid." That is, while nearly all of Manhattan was designed as a
rigid grid of avenues running north and south perpendicular to
streets running east and west, the streets of Greenwich Village
retain their original haphazard layout, complete with diagonals, odd
angles and dead-end alleys. Even life-long New Yorkers can get lost
trying to navigate these streets.
One very scenic block that appears to be absolutely unchanged since
the 1790s is Commerce and Barrow. Here you'll definitely get a
unique perspective on how the scales and perspectives of the Village
can change from block to block. From there we'll head east via
Bleecker Street and catch another dog-leg street, Minetta Lane. From
there it's just a few blocks to the epicenter of the Greenwich
Village, Washington Square Park.
New York University has a large presence in this neighborhood.
Occupying many buildings around Washington Square Park, NYU provides
a fresh batch of youth to the aging neighborhood each fall when
school begins. But the centrally located fountain at Washington
Square Park is a popular meeting point for people of all ages.
You'll see lots of dogs in the park, impromptu jam sessions by
guitarist and drummers, magicians, people reading, and people
playing chess. You'll also get some great views looking up Fifth
Avenue, which begins at the north end of the park.
Venturing south past Houston Street, we'll be crossing over from
Greenwich Village into a neighborhood known as SoHo, which stands
for South of Houston. SoHo is now known for its upscale clothing
boutiques and restaurants. But the neighborhood was once a robust
industrial district of warehouses and factories. Architecturally,
the neighborhood still retains this feel. But many of the storefront
spaces now fetch some of the highest rents in the commercial real
estate market. SoHo has a lot of cobblestone streets and cast-iron
facades. The sidewalks are always jam-packed with people on the
weekends.
From SoHo we'll cross Broadway and head a little south and a little
east, into Little Italy. Mulberry Street is known unofficially as
the main street of Little Italy, because each year it hosts the
immensely popular Feast of San Gennaro Festival. On many weekends
Mulberry Street is closed to automobile traffic and becomes a
bustling pedestrian mall, thus providing prime people-watching
opportunities.
Before you know it, you'll be in Chinatown. In fact, you can cross
back and forth from Little Italy into Chinatown without knowing it.
The main artery through Chinatown is Canal Street, which is always
chock full of tourists looking for discounts on imitation Rolex
watches and Gucci bags. Canal Street is by many measures the true
cusp of downtown Manhattan. We'll go a few more blocks south and end
up at another dog-leg street, Doyers. From there you'll have plenty
of affordable Chinese restaurants to choose from for lunch.
STARTING POINT:
Sheridan Square,
Greenwich Village (also known as West Village, or just The Village).
At intersection of Seventh Avenue, West 4th Street, Christopher
Street.
ENDING POINT:
Pell and Doyers Streets, Chinatown
Sunday
: 8:30am -
12:00pm (All Year)
Languages: English
Tour Fee per
person :
$US 175
Inquiry Form
Bright Lights - Big
City
During this tour you will be
photographing some of central Manhattan's brightest, most classic
nighttime spots. Think "Bright Lights, Big City." Starting off, we
will meet at the fountain on the west end of Bryant Park, opposite
the New York Public Library. Bryant Park itself is very photogenic,
with people relaxing on the lawn or in chairs surrounding it. Take
in commanding views of the Chrysler Building, which can be seen
along 42nd Street.
From there we'll walk to nearby Times Square, an international icon
of New York City known for its sophisticated electronic billboard
imagery. It is there that you will be in the unmistakable heart of
New York and come away with photographs that show the diversity and
energy of the Big Apple. See all the faces in the crowd, the wonder
and amazement of the Great White Way. Walking up Broadway through
Times Square you will know you are in the media and entertainment
capital of the world when you see all the lit marquees showcasing
the top musicals, movies, television shows and current events.
Next we'll cut over to Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas) and see
the instantly recognizable lights of Radio City Music Hall. Radio
City Music Hall is a part of Rockefeller Center, which is a
pedestrian-friendly suite of buildings constructed throughout the
1930s. We'll take in all of the Art Deco style architecture, see
some famous sculptures and maybe even some of the holiday
decorations.
Then it's on over to Fifth Avenue, which acts as the central spine
of Manhattan. Immediately you'll see the neo-gothic twin spires of
St. Patrick's Cathedral, built in 1878. Fifth Avenue along this part
of Manhattan is known for its world-class stores such as Saks Fifth
Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, etc., as
well as the recently opened 24-hour Apple store. All of these stores
have impressive window displays, which at nighttime literally pop
out as you walk along the sidewalk.
Dart in and around pedestrians coming from all directions as we make
our way up to our final destination, the Plaza Hotel, located on
Central Park South. Grand Army Plaza, from which the hotel gets its
name, is a classic intersection of New York, Fifth Avenue and 59th
Street. There are all sorts of vendors and caricature artists that
make for great photos. But the area's real draw is the horses and
their carriages waiting to take passengers on a scenic ride through
the park. This will be the end of our tour and you'll be free to go
further into the park or back toward Times Square. Subway access in
this neighborhood is abundant, as are taxis ready take you to your
next destination.
STARTING POINT:
Bryant Park Fountain
(west end of Bryant Park, at 41st and Sixth Avenue)
ENDING POINT:
Grand Army Plaza (Central Park South, 59th Street and Fifth Avenue)
Friday
: 7:00pm -
10:30pm (All Year)
Languages: English
Tour Fee per
person :
$US 175 (Min 2 persons)
Inquiry Form
Private Tours
Available All
Year!
Booking a private photo expert allows you to select
the below carefully planned routes or when your photo guide contacts
you directly (your email required), to make desired changes where
possible according to your interest including architecture and
photojournalism.
On request - available all year
Languages: English
Private Tour Fee :
$US 400 (1-4 pax)
Wall Street's Up - Brooklyn Bridge Down
Meeting Point: Financial District, 26 Wall Street
Daily 8:30am-12:30pm
First we'll meet up on the steps of Federal Hall, where George
Washington was inaugurated as the first U.S. President. From there,
you'll get a nice view of the New York Stock Exchange nearby. Most
of the streets in the Financial District are extremely narrow. This,
combined with some of Manhattan's tallest skyscrapers, creates an
experience similar to standing at the bottom of a canyon. Many of
these streets see very little sunshine, even at high noon. This will
create unique opportunities for low-light daytime photography. As
the sun trickles its way down into the bottom of the canyon, we'll
venture over to the historic South Street Seaport district and then
over to the Brooklyn Bridge with long views of the Statue of Liberty
to the southwest.
Downtown Eclectic
Meeting Point Sheridan Square, Greenwich Village
Daily 8:30am-12:30pm
First we'll meet up in the heart of Greenwich Village, Sheridan
Square.
Greenwich Village is known for being "off the grid." That is, while
nearly all of Manhattan was designed as a rigid grid of avenues
running north and south perpendicular to streets running east and
west, the streets of Greenwich Village retain their original
haphazard layout, complete with diagonals, odd angles and dead-end
alleys. Even life-long New Yorkers can get lost trying to navigate
these streets.
One very scenic block that appears to be absolutely unchanged since
the 1790s is Commerce and Barrow. Here you'll definitely get a
unique perspective on how the scales and perspectives of the Village
can change from block to block. From there we'll head to the famous
Washington Square Park and continue into From SoHo, Little Italy and
before you know it, you'll be in Chinatown.
Bright Lights - Big
City
Meeting Point Bryant Park Fountain
Daily except Sunday 7pm-11pm
During this tour you will be photographing some of central
Manhattan's brightest, most classic nighttime spots. Think "Bright
Lights, Big City." Starting off, we will meet at the fountain on the
west end of Bryant Park, opposite the New York Public Library.
Bryant Park itself is very photogenic, with people relaxing on the
lawn or in chairs surrounding it. Take in commanding views of the
Chrysler Building, which can be seen along 42nd Street.
We'll walk to nearby Times Square, an international icon of New York
City known for its sophisticated electronic billboard imagery. It is
there that you will be in the unmistakable heart of New York and
come away with photographs that show the diversity and energy of the
Big Apple. See all the faces in the crowd, the wonder and amazement
of the Great White Way. Walking up Broadway through Times Square to
the instantly recognizable lights of Radio City Music Hall and
Rockefeller Center.. We'll take in all of the Art Deco style
architecture, see some famous sculptures and maybe even some of the
holiday decorations. Then it's on over to Fifth Avenue, passing
world-class stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman,
Tiffany & Co., and end at the Plaza Hotel, located on Central Park
South.
Inquiry Form
Additional Information
•
Participants must have a basic knowledge of their cameras.
• We reserve the right to change the route based on local
conditions.
• Tours leave rain or shine. In extreme conditions please call the
local number.
• We suggest good walking shoes, a lightweight poncho, in case it
rains and in high temperatures a small bottle of water & sun hat.
• A lightweight tripod is recommended for evening sessions
• Clients who have not booked this activity in conjunction with a
hotel are advised to provide contact details.
• Cancellation fees may apply.
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