New York City senior photoshoots are something I can’t believe I haven’t written about sooner—but after a wave of inquiries asking about NYC sessions, it was clearly time!

I’m well known for my beach and field senior portraits, but there’s a whole other side of my work that’s very urban. I love photographing on the fly and finding unexpected corners of the city that reflect you as a senior. So let’s dive in.

Pre-planning is a must

Senior photos in New York require planning well in advance. I work with many clients from across the country who are visiting NYC, which means their calendars are tight—and mine needs to sync up perfectly. That’s where advance planning comes in.

Contact me early to book your shoot. Just last week, I had to turn away a potential client who reached out for a session only a month out. I already had a booking—and if you’ve read any of my other posts, you know I hate saying no. Moral of the story: once your trip to the city is booked, reach out immediately.

LOCATION

Because New York offers endless location options, sessions can range from a couple of hours to a full day. Shorter sessions typically keep us in one specific area—usually close to your hotel—where we’ll capture as many different looks and “city feel” shots as possible.

For example, this shoot was done in Chelsea, which offers a variety of backdrops within walking distance. That means more shooting and less time hopping in and out of taxis or Ubers.

If you’re interested in combining locations—say Doyers Street in Chinatown (that iconic curved street), Chelsea, and maybe Times Square—that becomes a full-day shoot. Travel time between locations plus outfit changes adds up quickly.

You don’t need to be an expert in NYC locations. I’ll guide you through this during our initial call and fine-tune everything during the styling call.

Styling

Several of my clients come to me for an additional senior photoshoot after already having one done in their hometown. The NYC shoot is where they want something more edgy and urban.

That’s when we style to match the location. It doesn’t mean “more black”—it simply means we consider the look, vibe, and energy of the locations you’ve chosen during our styling call.

Timing

The best time to shoot in the city really depends on location. Generally, Sunday mornings are when NYC is at its quietest.

I’ve already booked a December shoot that takes place before the Rockefeller Center tree is lit, and I honestly breathed a sigh of relief. Midtown becomes absolutely wild from the moment the tree goes up through New Year’s.

Last year, I was the victim of an engagement shoot in Central Park in mid-December—during SantaCon and one of the busiest days of the year in NYC. To say I scrambled for shots would be a massive understatement… lol.

An option with more flexibility

Another great option is a studio + outdoor combination. I have several favorite professional studios I love shooting in, which offer a completely different look. Pair that with nearby outdoor city shots, and you get a beautiful mix. This client chose that route, and I loved the variety we captured.

Expectations

This is your chance to fully lean into the city vibe—blurred motion shots, edgy moments, and lots of movement. We move fast, and the energy of the city doesn’t allow us to linger in one spot for long, which is honestly one of my favorite parts of shooting in NYC.

New York City senior photoshoots can be absolutely magical, but they do require advance planning to make sure timing and locations work in our favor. I’ll guide you every step of the way, using what years of experience have taught me about what works—and what doesn’t.

How to Book

First things first: get in touch. Remember, advance planning is always to your benefit. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s only February and my calendar is already filling for the year. I can’t wait to hear from you. Let’s make your New York City senior photoshoot amazing.