The 12 Best Portrait Photographers in NYC (2025)
- Date: June 18, 2024
- Topic: Photography
- Contributors: Written by Peerspace Staff
Source: Instagram / @patrycjahorn
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Photoshoot locations on Peerspace typically cost $60 — $190 per hour.
Are you searching for the very best portrait photographers in NYC? While a quick Google search will pull up thousands of portrait photographers in the NYC area, you need to be able to distinguish the best from the rest. But don’t worry; you don’t have to go it alone.
Ahead, we share our top picks of the best portrait photographers in NYC. Hand-picked by Peerspace, the following photographers are quite extraordinary if we might say so ourselves.
Where to book the perfect portrait shoot location in NYC
Need an amazing setting to suit the style of an amazing photographer? Well luckily, you’ve come to Peerspace, the world’s largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals.
We work with photographers daily to help them find the most incredible, one-of-a-kind spaces to bring their artistic vision to life, although anyone can book a Peerspace for an NYC photoshoot, event, meeting, and basically anything else that requires a special space.
So what types of venues can you book through Peerspace for your portrait shoot? Here are just a few of our favorite options:
- This daylight photo studio in East Williamsburg (pictured above).
- This Parisian oasis apartment on the Upper West Side.
- This raw industrial loft studio with natural light in Long Island City.
- This penthouse in the heart of Chelsea with floor-to-ceiling windows.
As you can see, Peerspace can offer you easy access to stunning spaces across NYC. But enough about us! Without further ado, here’s a roundup of the most talented portrait photographers NYC has on offer. Enjoy!
1. Star in your own cinematic-worthy portraits when you partner with Luiz Camargo
The best portrait photographers in NYC know how to use the city’s urban landscape to their advantage. While Luiz Camargo is no exception to this rule, he is exceptional. Relying heavily on New York’s neon light sources, Camargo produces images that could almost be confused with candid street photography, if not for their movie-like poses.
Even in full daylight, Luiz creates striking photos that capture the inner “cool” of anything he shoots. If you’re not currently in NYC, you will feel like you are and wish you would be just by browsing through his captivating portfolio.
2. Create hip photos with a warm-vintage feel a la Patrycja Horn
Patrycja Horn’s photography is as unique as the spelling of her name. Using heavy vignettes and shallow depth of field, Horn creates an intimate world between her subjects and the camera. The Long Island photographer’s images are warm and inviting with dewy, soft lighting and natural foregrounds. Fans of Polaroid images and late-night record parties will also feel right at home on her wildly popular Instagram page.
3. Joseph Paradiso and Yuki Tseng
Joseph Paradiso and Yuki Tseng joined photographic forces in 2006 and never looked back. The two artists share similar styles that come together beautifully. In fact, their cohesive and imaginative body of work has graced the pages of Vogue Taiwan, Vogue Mexico, Grazia Paris, Mojeh, W magazine, Who magazine, Women’s Wear Daily, Schön!, and Shape.
The dynamic duo has developed a cult following on social media, with people loving their beauty editorials and portraits. Not only that, but they have earned an expansive list of high-end professional relationships.
Hoping to take portraits en plein air? Then you need to see our handy guide detailing the most dreamy outdoor photoshoot locations near NYC!
4. Get candid, magazine-worthy portraits when you partner with Paul Woo
In 2016, Paul Woo left his engineering life to focus on his newfound passion for weddings and portraits. His award-winning documentary-style photography also uses impressive scenery, high contrast, and saturated colors to achieve visually striking photos of intimate moments. This is also something he feels extremely privileged to do.
Woo’s enthusiasm and talent have caught the attention of the Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, and Brides magazine, to name a few.
5. Get sharp editorial-worthy portraits when you book Brian Shumway
Brian Shumway has lived and worked as one of the top portrait photographers in NYC for over a decade. His relaxed and level-headed approach has helped him create breathtaking fashion and lifestyle images that have been recognized by an extensive list of high-profile competitions. The list includes the New York Center for Photographic Art, LensCulture Portrait Awards, San Francisco International Photo Exhibition, and the Magenta Foundation Flash Forward Top 100.
When he’s not creating works of art for the likes of Time magazine and London Sunday Times, Brian is likely snuggling with kittens and enjoying long walks on the beach.
6. Get portraits that beautifully radiate your personality when you work with Neil van Niekerk
https://www.instagram.com/neilvn/
As the author of several books on photographic lighting, Neil van Niekerk is equally skilled in location and studio portraits. Originally from South Africa, Neil left his former career as a broadcast engineer to pursue a career in photography in the U.S.
His expert knowledge of light quality and desire to spread happiness help him create dramatic portraits that capture his client’s personalities and memories. He is undoubtedly one of the best portrait photographers in NYC, especially when it comes to headshots.
7. Get bespoke family photos courtesy of Tiffany Settina
Tiffany Settina is a travel enthusiast, lifestyle photographer, and founder of Munchkins and Mohawks. The latter is a company dedicated to creating intimate time capsules through unfussy, delicately lit photos. Her appreciation for people and nature radiates throughout her impressive portfolio of sun-drenched headshots and family portraits.
When she’s not taking pictures, Tiffany is galavanting across the globe with her significant other.
8. Work with the best of the best when you hire Lindsay Adler
Lindsay Adler is an industry leader in fashion editorials. So much so that she even speaks internationally on the subject of photography education. Her bold and graphic style uses dramatic shadows and neon colors that pop on any platform.
Lindsay’s work has also been featured in Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle. We especially love her use of crisp lines and unique poses (and super-handy posing guides) that have inspired thousands of photographers worldwide.
9. Capture your true beauty effortlessly when you book Harris Davey Jr.
With the look of old film, Harris Davey’s soft black-and-white portraits can subtly capture the essence of the New York woman. His color images are equally impressive with their flattering natural light and sun-kissed, subdued colors.
While Harris shoots expertly on location, he’s also no stranger to well-lit studio portraits that highlight skin’s natural dewiness. Additionally, his poses are both well-thought-out and relaxed.
Considering booking a sultry boudoir sesh? Then you need to check out our favorite vibey spots for a hotel room photoshoot in NYC!
10. Get perfectly-composed beauty portraits when you partner with Ian Jacob
Dually based in South Florida and New York, Ian Jacob’s close-up portraits provide a level of detail that highlights his subject’s features. So much so that his beauty portraits have been sought after by companies like Orange Theory Fitness and Dr. Brandt Skincare. When looking at Jacob’s work, it’s easy to see his dedication to his art. He is a photographer who continues to evolve alongside the industry’s ever-changing trends and techniques.
We also love the way Ian describes his photographic journey, then and now. “My desire to pursue photography started with my father, who was also a photographer, and then continued as I pursued my college degree … I believe that learning never stops and I am ever seeking a greater knowledge of my trade to create new and captivating imagery for myself and my clients.”
11. Get the perfect fitness portraits when you work alongside Laura Barisonzi
https://www.instagram.com/barisonzi_photo/
This Laura Barisonzi is a self-described “nerd for lighting” who strives to capture genuine emotion. She uses long-exposure techniques to bring out the color depth and put light into motion while capturing the natural actions of those lucky enough to be photographed by her.
Laura Barisonzi’s impressive client list includes athletic brands, like Adidas, New Balance, Reebok, and the NFL – all of which have benefited from her dedication to fitness and sport.
12. Create dramatic, emotive portraits when you work with Boris Zaretsky
Using a mix of photojournalism and fine art portraiture, Boris Zaretsky’s velvety rich hues and romantic poses capture the depth of his subject’s emotions and presence. His clients also describe him as a tremendous talent and a great listener.
In fact, Boris’s ability to nurture and guide his clients throughout the typically awkward process is appreciated by all who work with him. That is quite the compliment, considering his focus is portraiture.
13. Become your own work of art when you play muse for Lena Di
We certainly cannot have a list of the best portrait photographers in NYC without Lena Di. She has been a professional photographer since 2015, with artistic portraits, landscape, and fashion photography filling her portfolio. She decided to become a professional after ditching her finance career, a truly huge leap from the corporate to the creative world.
Nowadays, Lena focuses on female-centric fine art photography. Check out the “Faces” portfolio on her website and you will see incredibly expressive portraits filled with shadow and individuality.
Portrait photographers in NYC: conclusion
We hope that you reach out to one of these incredible portrait photographers in NYC for your next project. We also hope you check out Peerspace anytime you need creative spaces, including the best New York City photoshoot locations. All of our venues are available by the hour and range from professional studios to photogenic lofts, cabins, mansions, penthouses, galleries, warehouses, and more. Get started today and start your search for the perfect space to call your own for a few hours!
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