Best Photography Spots in Westchester County, New York
If there is a problem in making recommendations for the best photography spots in Westchester County, New York, the reason is that there are so many! The county has its own Facebook page devoted to inviting filmmakers, professional and otherwise, to explore its possibilities. Instead of singling out environmental and outdoor scenic spots, the short list includes great spots for photographing people, places, and natural landscapes.
Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center
As it is aptly named, this is location serves both as a working crop farm and environmental education facility. Located in Yorktown Heights, NY, visitors can consider it to be an “eat and shoot” locale, where you can find a variety of people, places, and things to film. Whether you are seeking fantastic stills of the simple beauty of nature, or the video action of people enjoying themselves and shopping with “street vendors,” Hilltop Hanover Farm is an excellent choice.
For a move to the unusual yet unique world of the alpaca, Faraway Farm is an invitation for animal lovers and a place to photograph one of the rarer animals in the country. However, you will not get fleeced there, as whether it is summer time or winter, visitors are welcome by appointment. It is an educational and photographic opportunity located on the top of a hill in Yorktown Heights, where if you are looking to capture the word “peacefulness” in a single frame, the opportunities are limitless. For those who are trying to improve their skills in photographing animals, Leda Blumberg offers her considerable experience and success.
This is a recommendation to those who are expecting something more along the lines of a “conventional” recommendation. George Island’s Park is cast along the Hudson River, and has water and environmental beauty for virtually every level of photographic experience. You can take a boat to float on the Hudson River, film native wetlands, or navigate the wooded trails. If you choose, you can spend all day here and bring a picnic basket (or cooler) as there are more than a few places to sit down and relax. Oh, and if you prefer cold weather environments you can stop by in the winter to capture the eagles soaring along the Hudson. It’s also a perfect place for a Westchester County wedding photographer to take some beautiful romantic photos.
Westchester County is full of history, and here is a place that fully reflects the simplicity and independence of the early years of America. It is an absolutely beautiful spot for some bridal shoots. Accompanied by a one room schoolhouse, currently known as homeschooling, the exterior of the home may be more symbolic of the early culture than the interior. What is called a cottage today was a standard residence more than 200 years ago. Surrounded by an area of natural environment and a sparsely populated neighborhood, you may not spend much time here but you will be able to shoot one of the few well-preserved and kept pieces of architectural Americana.
Yes, this is a restaurant, and one of those that gets four dollar signs ($$$$) in restaurant reviews. So why choose this as a place to see through a viewfinder? Because it has a little of everything to try out your photographic skills and imagination. Inside elegance, outdoor, natural beauty, a variety of patrons (jacket required), and an angle with architecture in mind. Surrounded with natural farmland on the outside and serving food in a windowed, ensconced location inside, presents the best of Westchester County.
We hope you enjoyed this somewhat unusual list. But photography is about variety, looking for the one frame that sums up the complete environment and evokes feelings of “I want to go there.” Whether a view of the Hudson River or people congregating to shop and celebrate, this list has a bit of everything for photographers of all sizes and skills.
Thinking about having your wedding in Westchester County? Check out our guide to having a Spectacular Wedding in Westchester County, New York.