I was thrilled to photograph the High Line engagement portrait of Aimee and Colin this past week. In case you are not familiar with the High Line, it is a public park built on an historic freight rail line above the streets of Manhattan’s West Side. The park provides a lush, botanical escape from the city while still surrounding visitors on all side by concrete. It’s a surreal experiences and we took some stunning photos during Aimee and Colin’s portrait session.
The High Line is an extremely popular tourist destination, and my recommendation is to visit early on a weekday in order to skip the crowds. Aimee and Colin scheduled our session at 10:00 a.m. on a Wednesday, so we virtually had the place to ourselves.
If you would like to have your engagement photos taken on the High Line, here are some details you need to know:
The High Line is open on a seasonal schedule:
- Summer hours: June 1 through September 30, 7am – 11pm
- Fall hours: October 1 through November 30, 7am – 10pm
- Winter hours: December 1 through March 31, 7am – 7pm
Admission: free
No photo permit is needed, unless you need exclusive use of an area of the park or will be bringing in large equipment.
Restrooms are conveniently located at Gansevoort Street, 16th Street, and 30th Street.
One more crucial tip for your photo shoot:
Crowds are a huge factor. You will need to pack your patience if you plan to take photos on the High Line. The main problem is the lack of space for getting away from the masses. Since the High Line is only as wide as a railway track, you don’t have many exit options. Know this ahead of time and plan to have to wait between photos for people to move out of the way or to wait your turn to take photos on the perfect corner. The wait is worth it.
Read more about how to get the best photos on the High Line, including when to go and what to do in case of rain, with my article ‘High Line Family Portrait Tips.’
