Photographing NYC as a solo traveller

When you think of solo travelling, the last place that comes to mind is New York City. It's expensive to eat and bunk alone, and to be honest the attractions and events you find in the city are better with friends. However, this trip was a different type of adventure. A break from my routines and an escapism into unknown territory. I booked a one-way ticket with a grocery list of a plan.

There are a few reasons I chose New York as a destination- firstly, flight tickets are crazy cheap from Toronto, Canada. I found a flight for just over $100 using Kayak.

If you've ever visited the big apple, you'll know the city is very very easy to navigate, the subway system is top shelf explanatory, and you can go practically anywhere within the five boroughs.

It wasn't too far or inconvenient to work my day job from my laptop, with cafes located almost on every corner, I knew I could work through the bustle of the city.

And to be honest, I was really craving American-Chinese food, that stuff just hits different!

I went for a full seven days, but my suggestion would be to plan for a max of four to five days. This is enough time (especially alone!) to go to the sights you want to see and do the things you want to do while sparing your budget on accommodations and food. This was also my fourth trip to NYC, so I skipped the huge tourist spots like the 'Top of The Rock.' Although you can find all the fun tourist information all over the web; I instead want to focus on how to travel to NYC like a travel photographer.

I'm going to break this down by Manhattan and Brooklyn neighbourhoods to share the best food and things to see as a solo traveller. Bring your camera and come along to all my favourite places:

Chinatown

Dumbo

Williamsburg

Times Square

Central Park

CHINATOWN

In Canada, we just don't have that grease and flavour in our Chinese food like they do in the States! And so, with my camera in hand, I was on a mission to get some delicious dumplings in the area for dinner. And what better to get a taste and some creative inspiration than China Town.

Situated in the lower part of Manhattan, Chinatown is a bunch of narrow streets filled with delicious food and friendly vendors. I absolutely love taking photos here, it's so cute and vibrant, even at night! Honestly, there are so many great restaurants in this area! Try the food at the oldest dim sum haunt in NYC: Nom Wah Tea Parlor. Or cheap and delicious dumplings at Tasty Dumplings ! Remember to bring cash as some places do not accept card for payment!

Photography-wise, Chinatown is the greatest night photography location in NYC. Use the glowing lights from the lanterns and storefronts to elevate your subjects and capture all sorts of street-style images.

DUMBO

My favourite neighbourhood in all of New York City is Dumbo. It's a cute, little district in Brooklyn underneath the south side of Brooklyn and Manhattan bridge.

The best way to get to Dumbo is crossing over the Brooklyn Bridge. I woke up at 5AM to catch the sunrise, thinking it would be slightly quieter to snap a few pictures, but you wouldn't believe the amount of cyclists and people walking over the bridge at this time! I got a few clean photos on the bridge:

The light was truly magnificent. If you have the time, try to capture some photos at sunrise and sunset for two different moods.

Once you get off the bridge in Brooklyn, you can look down a hill on your left and you've entered Dumbo! You've probably seen this photo online:

Yes, there is another bridge in this area: the Dumbo Bridge! Not going to lie, this area is very bougie. Coffee will run you around $7 a cup and there are lots of food options as well. Check out the Time Out market if you're hungry as there's tons of choices of cuisine from Turkish to Italian. There's also a Dumbo market where you can shop for gifts and vintage clothing. I also went to the cafe Butler, and got their "everything cruffin," which is a croissant mixed with an everything bagel- trust me, it's soo delicious.

I spent the entire day in this area, drinking too much coffee and using the free wifi while I watched the sun rise and fall. In the mid-day, I walked around the neighbourhood where the east river separates Dumbo from Manhattan. If you walk along the path, you can hop on a boat ride and just barely see the Statue of Liberty in the distance. This was a cute area with bike routes if you want to rent a city bike, or take a stroll beside the water.

Williamsburg

Another cute neighbourhood to check out in NYC is Williamsburg. Head here on the weekends to shop around the vintage stores and find tons of cafes and restaurants. Williamsburg is a popular destination for photographers looking to capture the vibrant and eclectic energy of this hip neighbourhood. If I were to describe this location as a foreigner, I would say the area is upscale hipster with an industrial vibe. It is also very accessible by subway. Some popular spots for taking photos include the Williamsburg Bridge, with its stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, and the many street art murals that can be found throughout the neighbourhood. I don't have many photos of the location as I was too busy looking through all the great vintage clothing and drinking free trade beans.

Times Square

It's not a trip to NYC without a stop in Times Square! Of course I visited this iconic location although I've been here plenty of times. The lights are mesmerizing, the crowds are loud and the traffic is crazy, but that's just the charm of New York City. I went at night and got some great street-style photos of other tourists and locals.

A tip for better street-style photography: Make sure your subject is looking at the camera! It creates a more interesting portrait.

I was also passing through Times Square during the day and stumbled upon a protest. The protesters blocked off two streets to protest against the violence of women in Iran. I decided to snap a few photos of the protesters:

When you're taking photos of an important event, make sure to respect other's space. There were a lot of journalists here as well snapping photos alongside me. It makes me happy to see people speaking up against the violence and injustice in Iran.

Central Park

Our final stop on our photo adventure- iconic Central Park, NYC. Spanning 843 acres in the middle of Manhattan, Central Park offers visitors a wide variety of attractions, including walking paths, gardens, lakes, and fountains. There are plenty of activities to enjoy, from boating on the lake to ice skating in the winter months. The park is also home to many iconic landmarks, such as the Central Park Zoo, the Bethesda Fountain, and the Bow Bridge. It is the perfect place to snap some nature and people photographs.

I spent a few hours specifically at the Bethesda Fountain, listening to live music and people watching. There was one man under the bridge who was playing a sort of string instrument. I gave him a tip and he started posing for me.

With its beautiful landscapes, stunning architecture, and iconic landmarks, Central Park is a photographer's dream. Whether you're a professional photographer or just enjoy taking snapshots, you're sure to find plenty of inspiring subjects in the park.

New York City is one of the most photogenic cities in the world, with its iconic landmarks, bustling streets, and diverse neighbourhoods providing endless opportunities for capturing amazing photos. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just enjoy taking pictures, there's always something new to discover in this vibrant city. From the bright lights of Times Square to the stunning skyline views from the Brooklyn Bridge, New York City is full of picture-perfect moments waiting to be captured. So, grab your camera and explore all that this incredible city has to offer. With so much to see and photograph, you're sure to come away with memories that will last a lifetime.