Looking for outdoor photo shoot location in NYC, Brooklyn preferred

April 9, 2013 12:06 PM

I'm starting an online clothing store and am hoping to put together a spring lookbook in two weeks. We're trying to find someplace pretty, like a park or community garden, where it won't cost us to shoot. It would also be nice if we didn't have to get a permit. Brooklyn is preferred, but we're open to anywhere it's easy to reach by subway. It's probably going to be 4 people (the photographer, the model, the makeup artist, and me). Equipment will include the camera, tripod, possibly a pop-up changing station, a rack of clothes, and possibly reflectors. Suggestions for locations would be much appreciated!
posted by Triscuitier to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (12 answers total)

Most public places probably require permits but people don't necessarily get them. Yesterday I was biking over the Manhattan bridge and some people were doing a fashion shoot in the middle of the bike path. Prospect Park is full of beautiful places to shoot and if you're in and out quickly and don't go when it's crowded, you can probably get away with it.
posted by Obscure Reference at 12:16 PM on April 9, 2013 [1 favorite]

Erie Basin Park in Red Hook, by Ikea? Modern gardens, recovered industrial settings, and generally-neat decorative elements and backdrops?

It is possible that you need a permit, but it's generally so empty I don't expect there to be much complaint. I've certainly seen people using it as settings for their non-professional photo shoots, for profile pics or whatever.

It is also possible that Sandy did a number on it, like it did on the also-neat warehouses next door, and I stand to be corrected by someone who's been there recently.
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:25 PM on April 9, 2013 [1 favorite]

John Paul Jones Park?
posted by Splunge at 12:41 PM on April 9, 2013

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is really pretty, especially this time of year. From their website...

"Tripods and easels are not permitted in the Conservatory, the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, in flower beds, or blocking any Garden paths. Commercial and wedding photography is only permitted by prior arrangement."

No idea if 'prior arrangement' = a permit/fee but can't hurt to ask.
posted by Captain_Science at 12:59 PM on April 9, 2013

My friend did this for her online clothing store and she just used her rooftop. You could ask around to see if there's someone who has access the top of their building. Everything looked great with the background of the city behind.

McCarren Park or the East River State Park are both good locations in Williamsburg - I don't personally know anyone who's done a photo shoot at either location so I don't know if you'd have a problem without a permit. You could try all the new open access areas that are part of the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative too.

You could probably do a photo-shoot in Green-Wood cemetery without anyone even noticing if you go deep into the cemetery - but you would probably need to use a car - it's a big cemetery - and very very beautiful. Again - I have no idea if they'd require a permit.
posted by rdnnyc at 2:20 PM on April 9, 2013

Fulton Ferry Landing? Every single time I have been there, I have seen a bride, groom, photographer, and helper taking pictures. Honestly, your biggest problem with that venue will be keeping other brides out of your shot.
posted by hhc5 at 2:34 PM on April 9, 2013

NYC Parks department does require permits. In the park where I worked, if you weren't in the way or putting your models in the flower beds, you would probably get the following warning from me:
"Officially you need to have a permit to take commercial photos, however, as long as you don't hurt my flowers, I don't really care what you're doing. That said, don't be surprised if someone does show up and start being cranky at you."

And seriously, DO NOT SHOOT IN THE MIDDLE OF A FLOWER BED. Gardeners will turn on sprinklers to protect their babies.
posted by sciencegeek at 2:39 PM on April 9, 2013 [2 favorites]

Brooklyn Bridge Park is really pretty, and has the added perk of having a great view of Manhattan in the background. I can't say anything to the permit issue though.
posted by Geppp at 3:32 PM on April 9, 2013 [1 favorite]

The area around the Audobon Center in Prospect Park is excellent for this kind of thing. Prospect Park in general is huge and pretty laid back -- you could probably get away with shooting without a permit as long as you weren't getting in anyone's way or destroying the plants.
posted by Narrative Priorities at 3:58 PM on April 9, 2013

I've done shoots twice in Prospect Park by the lake, for several hours, but didn't have as much with me, so I wasn't worried about not having a permit. Like others said, you're technically supposed to have a permit to shoot in any public park. We had four or five people, but no real equipment out most of the time other than cameras, and no big things like a clothes rack. On one of the shoots, rangers came by, and didn't ask us anything about a permit...I think you can probably get away with it. It will be easier on a weekday when there are fewer people at the park. I've also shot a little at Brooklyn Bridge Park. I think there are more places to hide at Prospect Park, so that would be my first recommendation.

The Cloisters in Manhattan is far away but very pretty.
posted by three_red_balloons at 5:32 PM on April 9, 2013

For what it's worth, getting a permit for most NYC park locations (other than the Botanical Gardens) only costs around $25. It may not be possible to get the permit approved in time for your shoot, but if you apply and have proof of it (easy enough to do online), you could probably show that as a good-faith sign if anyone hassles you.
posted by Mchelly at 7:43 PM on April 9, 2013

Fort Greene Park is an underused beautiful location. I shot some movie footage there in Fall and it was gorgeous.
posted by ThatFuzzyBastard at 9:36 PM on April 9, 2013