10 Great Places to Find Photoshoot Inspiration in NYC

Looking for photoshoot inspiration in NYC? New York City, NY is a photographer’s paradise, with thousands of unique venues to offer a different setting for your professional or amateur photographs any time of year. No matter what you have in mind for your photoshoot — family portraits, a fashion shoot, corporate headshots — there’s an ideal venue here for every occasion. In fact, the problem may just be narrowing down all the amazing options you have!

Luckily, that’s something we at Peerspace know all about. As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, we make it easy to book amazingly inspirational spaces in NYC and beyond. Our user-friendly platform helps you filter and sort spaces based on your needs, be it location, pricing, venue style, or included amenities.

We’ll share some of our favorite places to find photoshoot inspiration in NYC ahead to help get your project started. Many of these venues also have add-on options, including catering and equipment rentals, to provide everything you need for a shoot! Let’s check it out.

1. Have a blast in this personality-packed photo loft in East Williamsburg

We’ll start off our list with a punch from this professional photo studio in East Williamsburg. It gets plenty of natural light and has a variety of equipment and props on site for you to choose from. Some are included with your rental, while others are available for an added fee. There’s a cyclorama wall you can use as a plain white backdrop, plus antique furniture and a piano.

This venue boasts 1,100 square feet of space and can fit up to 25 people. But if you need more room, you can also inquire about other facilities available in the same warehouse location.

Another bonus that comes with renting spaces on Peerspace? You can read real reviews from genuine renters to help you narrow down your choices. And this Williamsburg studio is the stuff of legends with more than 1,200 glowing reviews! Here’s one helpful example: “The space is beautiful and welcoming, and had everything you could possibly need and more. Mark was wonderful, punctual, helpful, and great at communicating during the booking process. Would absolutely use this space again and again.”

2. Bask in the creativity of a bright and elegant artist’s loft in Bushwick

This Bushwick artist’s loft is geared toward creative types, with raw concrete floors, massive east-facing factory windows, and eclectic decor throughout. It’s chandeliers, muslin backdrops, and distinct furnishings make it ideal for artistic portraits. Who would be the best fit for this space? We think a startup looking for corporate photos or an Instagram influencer seeking photoshoot inspiration in New York City will find a lot to love about it!

Check out all of its photos to appreciate the loft’s unique indoor spaces. You can also utilize the outdoor space for even more shooting options!

These cool secret spots in NYC will enhance your project (and let’s be honest, maybe even your life!). Check them out!

3. Revel in the simplicity of this industrial Soho daylight studio

This bright white 1,500-square-foot studio in Little Italy is on the 5th floor and is your go-to spot for taking crisp shots. With large windows and an open floor design, views of the Lower East Side can serve as your backdrop for a fashion or glamour shoot that belongs on a magazine cover.

It also boasts room for about 18 people, so while this venue is intimate, it’s ideal for small-sized crews. However, this space also provides you with a bit of New York City history, thanks to its original flooring, original tin ceiling, original windows, antique cast-iron fire escape, two original iron large shipping doorways, brick walls, and industrial-style entry.

A photographer who booked this venue shared the following Peerspace review: “Beautiful studio in a great location! Really loved shooting here. Also, the host is nice and accommodating. Definitely recommend this space!”

4. Feel at home in a vibrant townhouse in the East Village

This bright and open townhouse in Alphabet City can double as a restaurant, an office space, or even a home thanks to its unique style. This multi-story unit has been recently renovated and features a skylight overlooking the entire 3,000-square-foot floor plan.

Wood, brick, and metal decor lend it a classy industrial vibe suitable for social media photos or corporate branding. The kitchen and dining area has a quirky vintage feel, with five bar stools, a comfortable booth, and a full dining table. There’s also a patio and garden for outdoor shots. Bring your team of 30 to 60 people for an off-site company retreat and photoshoot.

A Peerspace reviewer shares: “This space is wonderful and unique with opportunity for beautiful photographers in every nook and cranny. Alex is a great and generous host as well.”

5. Get inspired at this luxury NoHo ground-floor triplex

This ultra-chic NoHo luxury triplex is editorial-worthy thanks to its layout and immaculate design. It’s a one-of-a-kind place to find photoshoot inspiration in NYC. It’s a 3,300-square-foot space spread across an entire ground-floor unit that boasts skylights, floor-to-ceiling built-in bookshelves, and custom lighting from Italian brand Flos. Rent this unit for a photoshoot (with an eight-hour minimum), or host a birthday, work event, book launch, or cocktail party for up to 45 people.

6. Enjoy access to this grand five-story greystone in Midtown

Choose this venue for an elegant, classy photoshoot in Midtown Manhattan. This five-story unit is full of antique furniture, including a grand piano, grandfather clock, four-poster beds, and more. Patterned wallpapers, framed art, and decorative mirrors offer a variety of backdrops.

Whether you’re shooting themed portraits or creative Instagram shots, this versatile venue offers all of the spaciousness of a full-sized mansion without having to leave New York City!

Next, check out our Instagram photoshoot ideas in NYC for more location inspiration!

7. Stoke your creativity in an eclectic renovated church in Hamilton Heights

This former church has been converted into a massive shooting space that can be rented out for photoshoots, music videos, and more. Decorated with colorful fabric, furniture, and artwork, this venue provides plenty of photoshoot inspiration in NYC. The balconies offer several different vantage points of the main hall, while the raised stage can be used for a live music performance or book reading. Up to 50 people can fit in this uniquely amazing venue.

“Such a phenomenal unique space in the heart of Harlem,” shares a Peerspace reviewer, “We utilized several different areas in the space for our shoot and the Team there were amazing to work with. Highly recommend.”

8. Go unexpected with a shoot in a vintage barbershop on the Upper West Side

This unconventional photoshoot location is perfect for 1920s- and ’30s-themed shoots. It’s full of antique props such as barbershop poles and chairs, chandeliers, and vintage cash registers. Use this venue to create fun family portraits, themed advertising materials for a business, or 1930s-style photos for your Instagram feed. Up to 10 people can fit here at a time, so it’s best for small-scale productions.

As a Peerspace reviewer shares: “Great place! Very unique! Loved shooting here and Arthur was super helpful! Thank you so much Arthur for making it such a pleasant event for us!”

9. Escape the grind at this moody artist’s parlour in Williamsburg

We think that exploring this wildly unique and slightly goth artist’s parlour in Williamsburg will provide the perfect photoshoot inspiration in NYC. It’s 750 square feet of space and boasts several areas of fully-furnished and totally eclectic styling. While you can utilize the artist’s parlor, talk to the host about also booking the on-site retro trailer for more photoshoot fun!

In the words of a Peerspace review: “This was the perfect place for the vintage photoshoot concept I was going for. The staff is very friendly and accommodating.”

10. Embrace the grandeur of this light-filled Tribeca loft

This light ground-floor loft in Tribeca has so many unique angles, that it was hard for us to pick a featured photo! It’s a 2,000-square-foot space with 14′ ceilings, a street-level entrance, columns, and tons of chic, interesting furniture. We especially love the idea of hosting a boudoir shoot in the retro and feminine bedroom! It’s a live/work space with rotating furnishings, so be sure to ask the host for a current photo before your shoot if the loft’s decor matters to your project.

“For our photo/ video shoot (commercial) we found this perfect space with its unique character, very tasteful interior design, art, color palette and overall appeal,” confirms a helpful Peerspace reviewer. “This beautiful loft is spacious and Alana was not only very responsive but also incredibly accommodating and helpful. The crew, director, and client felt very well taken care of and the final product will look stunning once finalized.”

Photoshoot inspiration in NYC: conclusion

New York is one of the best cities to plan a photoshoot. Whether you need a professional studio with all of the latest gear or a low-key outdoor space to host a small gathering, browse through our NYC photoshoot listings on Peerspace to find the right location for you.

You can even ask your host if you need recommendations for a caterer, bar staff, A/V gear, or photo equipment. Book it all on one platform for a streamlined and stress-free shoot!

Find unique event venues in NYC on Peerspace