A Photographer's Guide to New York City | Where to Eat, Sleep, and Shoot
If you’re planning a trip to New York City and feeling overwhelmed, I’ve got you covered. There are so many things to see, do, and eat that even after watching dozens of YouTube videos or a guidebook, you may still feel unsure where to begin. I’m constantly asked for recommendations by friends and family who come and visit, and therefore, I decided to curate that knowledge into this single blog post. This list includes ALL of my favorite local places and where I recommend booking, given short notice. I hope this guide has a little something for everyone.
My Favorite Places to Eat & Drink
Maison PicklE
2315 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
Arguably my favorite place for breakfast in the city. Anytime a friend or family member comes into town and can make the time, we head to Maison Pickle. Frankly, every single person I've ever taken there wants to go back. Excellent service, staff, and hosts. Their breakfast is to die for! French toast on Giant Brioche buns & ‘Pull Apart Honey and Butter’ bread is a Godsend. I highly recommend the Maple butter-n-Syrup.
Photo by Maison Pickle
ELLA Social
249 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10023
As someone who has traveled to Spain, the tapas were fantastic. It’s a little pricey, but the food is terrific. If you like pulpo, ceviche, empanadas, or sangria, this place is excellent! Highly recommend!
The Slipper Room
167 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
A cozy spot to watch burlesque shows and other fun acts. Their MCs are hilarious, and every show is unique. Fair warning, the late shows are prone to leaving a little less to the imagination.
Socarrat Paella Bar - Chelsea
259 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011
Let me begin by admitting that this is a chain of 3 restaurants in the city, however, it is AMAZING paella, sangria, and cocktails.
Famous Original Ray's Pizza
462 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024
Pizza in New York is a religion, so take this with a grain of salt. This is NOT my favorite pizza spot, because that’s in Brooklyn, however, this is my favorite spot in city–and it looks straight outta the 90s? What’s not to love?
GRECA
452 Washington St, New York, NY 10013
If it’s summer and you want a cute spot away from all the tourists, and you happen to like Greek food–always go to GRECA.
Schmackary’s NYC
362 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
Do you like cookies? Yes? Go. That’s all you need to know. You’re welcome.
My Favorite Places to Sleep
Everyone has a different perspective on where to stay in NYC. I tend to enjoy quieter neighborhoods away from tourists. Fair warning: As a photographer, carrying any equipment inherently comes with a risk, and I recommend mitigating that by staying low-key when possible and away from transient areas like Port Authority.
Upper West Side
Pros
Quiet
Walking distance to Central Park and Riverside Park
Family friendly
A wide variety of restaurants
Cons
Not much nightlife
Further from tourist attractions
Upper East Side
Pros
Close to the Museums
Easy access to Central Park
A wide variety of dining options
Quieter and Family friendly
Cons
Not much nightlife
Hotels and food can be pricey
Further away from popular attractions
SOHO
Pros
Easy access to shopping
Quiet a few bars and restaurants
A 10–15 minute walk to Little Italy
Cons
Can get pretty crowded depending on the day
My Favorite Studios to Rent
Space-4-Shoots
37 W 26th St, Manhattan, NY
http://space4shoots.com
Fair pricing with a fully equipped rental studio. However, be very clear with what you’re paying for, as extra gear and fees will quickly add up if you’re not paying close attention.
Highlight Studios
36 East 30th St, New York, NY 10016
https://highlightstudios.nyc
A little pricey, but it has everything you need to make fantastic studio portraits happen. They’ve also billed themselves as the “ONLY AUTHENTIC NORTH-LIGHT STUDIO…” which I don’t necessarily agree with, but it is beautiful light.
Other Solutions
Everywhere
https://www.peerspace.com
Here’s the thing. Not everyone can afford to drop hundreds of dollars a day on full-fledged photo studios, and that’s where Peerspace comes in. Peerspace has been a Godsend for me as a creator, especially when I book last-minute shoots for a project or client. And to be clear, I have no affiliation with Peerspace whatsoever; they’ve just saved my behind more times than I care to admit.