BEST WEST VILLAGE SPOTS FOR YOUR PHOTO SESSION
The West Village is known for countless iconic movie & television scenes.
From New York City’s scene debut in When Harry Met Sally at Washington Square Park, to Carrie Bradshaw navigating her complicated romantic relationships at 66 Perry Street, to the characters of Modern Love’s second episode buying their cup of joe from Stumptown Roasters & meandering around the tree lined streets, the West Village permeates media representations of this city for good reason.
It is a classically beautiful neighborhood, with views of the Empire State Building & World Trade Center from certain streets, while also feeling like an escape from the business of midtown or the east side.
On one street will be brownstones,
on the next is a busy avenue with accessible taxis, & on the next are quiet escapes with outdoor seating that is reminiscent of European culture.
It is not surprising, then, that the West Village is one of the most requested photoshoot locations by my New York City clients. In my years of living in New York, I have come to know this neighborhood like the back of my hand. My eye does not just catch on to these stunning intersections for my photo work, but also catches on to new bars & cafes I want to try out with my partner during our next date night (currently, Dante is at the top of my list to try out).
& now I want to share my favorite West Village photoshoot locations with you!
1) In front of Bar Pisselino
Listen. There is something about THIS intersection & the way the sun lights it up that gets my heart feeling some typa way. This will always be my go to spot where I know I will get a beautiful image, no matter what. The World Trade Center, the fairy lights on Pisselino’s awning, & the liquor store sign meld together to create the most perfect photo backdrop.
I am patiently waiting to have an elopement couple who celebrates inside Bar Pisselino after their nuptial ceremony. I feel it in my soul that I will get to photograph that one day & I cannot wait.
2) W 11th St & Greenwich St
This corner building really does speak for itself, but allow me to speak about it anyway.
Vinery is one thing, but a WHOLE BUILDING draped in vinery is every photograph’s dream. The simplest of poses & movements are elevated so elegantly when in front of this classic background.
3) Up & down W 4th St
When you hear West Village you think brownstones, & W 4th provides plenty of them. Both on the street itself, & on the streets that branch off of it, are tree lined sidewalks, with stunning brownstones that get plenty of light.
One of my favorite prompts to give on the steps of brownstones is “Go to the top of the stairs, walk hand in hand as if you are leaving your home, & stroll onto the street right past me like you are headed to a morning coffee date.” It always provides authentic moments of laughter & love as you channel your New York real estate dreams.
4) Stumptown Roasters or Fellini Coffee
With the European energy of the cafes in this are, I would be remiss if I did not highlight my two favorites. Stumptown Roasters is great for some classy through the window shots, & Fellini is wonderful to really encapsulate the street seating energy of Paris. You can even get some brownstones in the background depending on where you shoot from!
5) The crosswalks of 7th Ave
In many ways, the West Village is as magical as it is because of how historic it feels. But, let us not forget it is in the heart of a bustling modern city with buildings like the Empire State & World Trade Center, which can be seen from different angels of 7th Ave.
Whether you just take photos in the middle of the street, or with a restaurant in the background, you really can’t go wrong with any angle.
6) The Christopher St 1 Train Station
Just because there is a subway station does not mean it is going to be a subway station that is aesthetic enough to take pictures in front of. The Christopher St Uptown station, though, never disappoints.
The exit is wide enough to comfortably walk up & down as if you are in transit to a dinner date at one of the West Village’s best French restaurants. Then, as you can see in some of the images at the end of this post, directly behind the station is a corner that gets gorgeous light, & also often houses a grungy NYC steam tower. I am all about romanticizing New York’s quirky elements.
7) Joe’s or Bleecker St Pizza
What better way to end out a session than with a New York slice? Joe’s is an NYC classic, & results in fun standing photos or you can always move to the curb like Amara & Deion did. Then, Bleecker St allows some flexibility in sitting, almost cafe style again, while enjoying a crispy slice.
You can’t go wrong either way for this classic city vibe.
