At 6:45 AM on a January morning, steam rose from a subway grate on the Lower East Side and caught my studio light in a way I've never been able to repeat. My model was in a vintage overcoat, her breath visible in the cold, with the Manhattan Bridge glowing faintly behind her. That one frame got more engagement than anything I shot all summer.
Winter is the season I chase. The light is softer and more dramatic. The crowds vanish from places that are normally packed. Fresh snow turns gritty streets into cinematic sets. If you only shoot from April to October, you are missing a lot of what this city offers.
Outdoor winter photoshoot locations
When the first snow falls or the holiday lights go up, these are the places to go.
- Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue. Yes, it is iconic. There is a reason: the tree, the ice rink, the golden Prometheus. Shoot early morning as the sun comes up for a soft glow before the crowds arrive. Or go late evening when the lights are at their peak and use the reflections and the scale for high-fashion shots. Then walk down Fifth Avenue past the luxury storefronts. The window displays have their own lighting and make good backdrops.
- Bryant Park's Winter Village. It turns into a European-style market. The ice rink, the stalls and the string lights are good for candid, joyful portraits or stylized fashion shoots. Have your model interact with the place: sipping hot cocoa, laughing by the rink, browsing the stalls.
- Central Park. Everyone shoots it in spring. In winter it is a different place.
- Bethesda Terrace and Fountain. With a dusting of snow, the carvings and the scale stand out more. The fountain is often frozen or has mist rising, which adds a surreal touch.
- The Mall. Bare trees make strong leading lines, especially after fresh snow.
- Bow Bridge and Gapstow Bridge. In winter they look quiet and a little melancholy. Dark wood or stone against white snow and bare branches works well.
- Quieter paths. Get off the main drag into the wooded areas. You will find untouched snow and secluded benches.
- Historic streets.
- Stone Street (Financial District). Cobblestones and historic buildings. When snow settles on the old bricks it looks great, and it is less crowded than other areas, so you have more freedom.
- West Village and Greenwich Village. Brownstones, gas lamps and winding streets suit cozy, intimate portraits. Picture a model in a good coat walking past a snow-dusted stoop with steam rising from a coffee cup.
Indoor and semi-indoor locations
When the wind chill is brutal, these still look like New York.
- Grand Central Terminal. Light pours through the big windows of the main concourse. You can get dynamic shots with the crowds blurred behind your subject, or quieter moments on the staircases.
- New York Public Library (Stephen A. Schwarzman Building). The marble lions outside are a classic shot, especially with a dusting of snow. Inside, the grand halls and reading rooms give a sophisticated, intellectual look. Be respectful.
- Cafes and restaurants. This takes some planning and permission, but a cafe with warm lighting, exposed brick and a cup of coffee makes intimate, relatable portraits. Think about places in the East Village or Williamsburg in Brooklyn.
Winter shoot tips
Nobody wants frostbite, and dead batteries end a shoot.
For models
- Layers. Start with thermal underwear, then build up.
- Outerwear. Statement coats (faux fur, wool trenches), chunky knit sweaters, scarves, hats and gloves. They keep you warm and add texture to the shots.
- Footwear. Wear warm, waterproof boots between shots and switch to heels or fashion boots for the photo.
- Hand and foot warmers. Buy a pack. Put them in your gloves, boots and pockets.
- Hot drinks. A thermos of hot tea or coffee helps.
For photographers
- Extra batteries. Cold drains them fast. Keep spares warm in an inside pocket.
- Weather-sealed gear. Use it if you have it. If not, be careful with your camera in snow or rain. Lens hoods protect the front element.
- Gloves that work. Find gloves that let you use the camera controls. Fingerless gloves with mitten flaps work well.
- Microfiber cloths. Snow, mist and condensation mean you will need them all the time.
- Camera. I have been using my Sony A7 IV for outdoor winter shoots. Its low-light performance and build help when the sun goes down early and the snow starts, and its autofocus handles tricky light.
- Lens. You want something fast and sharp to separate your subject from the busy NYC background in low light. I often use the Sigma 35mm f/1.4. It holds the wide NYC scene and still gives good bokeh and separation.
- Portable lighting. A little off-camera flash helps even in daylight, as fill against bright snow or for a catchlight in cloudy conditions. I always pack my Godox V860III Flash to add light to shadows or make rim lighting when the ambient light is not enough.
- Post-processing. Winter shots need more work in post. Keep the cool tones, bring up the glow of the lights and clean up stray snowflakes. I use Adobe Creative Cloud.
Go shoot in the cold
Winter in New York takes more planning and more grit. The light, the festive atmosphere and the quiet of a snow-covered street are worth it.
I am always looking for new talent for the Dante's Models roster, and my calendar is open for NYC photoshoots. Get in touch at dantet9.com.
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Photo by Renan Tagliaferro on Pexels
