New York Photo Safari

Professional Photography Tours in New York City

New York City Photo Safari runs its own photography tours and workshops in New York City, taught by working professional photographers. The site says it has been "Turning Picture Takers into image makers since 2009" and describes itself as "founded and run by professional photographers who love their craft and NYC." Its tours cover Manhattan and nearby icons, with named safaris for Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, the World Trade Center, Times Square and New York after dark. The homepage says more than 15,000 participants from around the world have joined, and that they have made it "the #1 Photo Tour in all of New York on Tripadvisor.com."

The motto page sets out the approach. Where most walking tours are "postcard" tours that point out landmarks, it says, its guides "have degrees in photography and work as New York City photographers," can answer technical questions and understand "the aesthetics of being an image maker," and the tours are "more photography class in New York than a walking tours." It adds that it is "not the camera equipment but the photographer who takes a picture."

The Photographers

The Meet the Pros page introduces the instructors. Rob, a New York native, has photographed commercially for over 25 years, studied photography at RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology), served as national Vice President of American Photographic Artists and on the New York board of the American Society of Media Photographers, and has won PDN Photo/Design and PDN/Nikon Self Promotion awards; for his book "SHE'S OUT THERE! The Next Generation of Presidential Candidates" he traveled to 20 states to photograph 35 women and girls. His commercial clients have included Adobe, American Express, British Airways, Kodak and Newsweek. Bruce, known for a natural lighting style, teaches at the International Center of Photography, has shot for Architectural Digest and New York Magazine, and has served on the ASMP NYC board. Zim has shot professionally since 1990 for clients such as Arizona Highways Magazine and The Times of London, holds a fine art degree from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, has worked in 60+ countries on 6 continents and has taught photography at college level. Frank, a New York native who specializes in fashion and beauty and has shot portraits and dance, is the outgoing president of the ASMP New York chapter. Mark studied at Santa Monica College, opened his New York studio in 1986 and lists clients from Jameson Irish Whiskey to GQ. Tony moved to New York in 2000, teaches photographic lighting at Parsons, has taught at SVA and chairs the APA NY board. The mix means a guest might learn from a commercial, architectural, fashion or travel photographer, and the Meet the Pros page links to each one's own portfolio site.

Tour Types

The menu lists the fixed safaris: Iconic NY 1 and Iconic NY 2, Central Park, NYC Local, NYC After Dark, the Brooklyn Bridge and the World Trade Center, plus a Photo Boot Camp, a 5 Day Workshop, custom photo safaris, virtual photo workshops and gift certificates. The homepage describes a 3 day Manhattan Photo Boot Camp, "an awesome three days of non stop photography," alongside short sessions of 2 to 3 hours, and private one-on-one classes, including a "Nuts & Bolts" class for people who want to get off Auto.

An online calendar shows upcoming departures, such as Iconic NY (P2) at 4:30pm on 22 September, Iconic NY (P1) at 9:30am on 23 September, and Central Park at 9:30am and Iconic NY (P1) at 12:30pm on 26 September.

How the Tours Work

The homepage promotes "Small & Private groups" and "One on One instruction," with "dedicated one-on-one guidance" for participants on anything "from smartphones to high-end mirrorless cameras." Private tours let guests pick a custom time, location and subject, and the guides help build an itinerary. The groups page says participants get "hands on instruction from a working professional photographer on how to compose the perfect shot" and advice on their equipment, "whether it's a DSLR or iPhone."

For companies, the Groups / Tour Operators / DMC's page offers workshops that "double as a walking tour of the city" and says the company can take groups as small as 1 or as large as 100, and that "Rates are based on group size." Its form asks what the group wants to learn or photograph and which dates. The site also publishes a photo tips podcast and blog, a camera meter checker, a photo cheat sheet, and New York sunrise and sunset times, and for first-time visitors it adds a Top 10 things to do list, a subway guide and one-day itinerary ideas. The homepage suggests starting a New York holiday with a safari so the lessons pay off for the rest of the trip, and closes the motto page with a line of its own: "Give a man a camera and he'll take a picture. Teach him to create an image and he'll have memories for a lifetime."

Booking and Contact

Group safaris are booked through the calendar and registration pages; private and group requests go through the form. Contact is by phone on 718-268-9634, toll free on 888-799-6078, from the UK on (+44) 02031 292739, by WhatsApp on +1(646) 991-1544, or by email. The site's safari and group pages do not publish prices, nor cancellation windows, refunds or deposits; the menu links to a separate FAQ.

Gaps and Who It Suits

The site does not state the maximum size of a "small" group, minimum ages, or accessibility for travelers with limited mobility, and some tours named on the homepage, such as Times Square, are not in the main menu.

New York City Photo Safari suits visitors who want to come home with better pictures of New York and learn to use their own camera or phone, from first-timers to experienced amateurs, and companies or tour operators looking for a group activity in Manhattan. Travelers who mainly want history and sightseeing should note that the site itself says the tours are more photography class than walking tour.