The Secret Spot for Great Photos in New York City

10 December 2025

How do you see the Empire State Building without seeing the Empire State Building?

When I travelled to New York City at the tail end of 2024 and into 2025 for the Martha Graham Winter Intensive, I was amazed by the architecture of the city. Somehow, their glass buildings reflect the rays of twilight perfectly each evening, creating an illusion of transparency and infinity.

The cityscape's incredibly photogenic for this reason, and I accidentally discovered the perfect secret spot for photos on my third day there. A old friend took me to The Shops at Hudson Yards to show me around. Halfway back toward 33rd and 8th along W. 33rd St., I saw the Empire State Building in front of me; the sky a pastel blue; the orange lights over Penn Station complementing perfectly; and a directional sightline pointing straight towards the centre of it all.

The clouds overhead provided the perfect diffused lighting so preferred in photography to soften your features.

It was beautiful.

I asked my friend to snap some shots for me, and while passersby were unavoidable, they still turned out to be some of the best photos I got in the city.

No lines, no stress. Just a girl with that, "I'm in New York City, baby!" excitement. Imagine what you can do with more preparation and a better camera.

In winter, try to go between 4:30 PM - 5 PM for that evening glow.

I wasn't interested in the view from atop the Empire State Building, so this was the perfect alternative to avoid the tourist crowds and still have my cake.

If you go to New York City, you'll notice that many streets lead your eye to a centre focal point, what with the massive skyscrapers on both sides and their reflective material. It can be incredibly aesthetic and satisfying.

Here's another photo I took from Bryant Park Winter Village, looking up.

Notice how you can see the reflected buildings perfectly in the visage of the primary building. The pastel sky provides a gentle warmth to an otherwise harsh subject matter.

There are tons of places you can make into a photoshoot location with a bit of creativity and a good eye. If you don't trust yourself to make that call or want some local insight, then book a professional photographer like I did:

New York, New Year: How I Got a Professional Times Square Photoshoot for Only $70!

Typically, photographers cost a lot, especially for outdoor shoots. But, one platform has gained popularity in recent years that’s changed the market game…

lonely pirouetteAngela Xu

That's all for today. Over and out 😄

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