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DUMBO Photo Spots for Couples: From a Photographer's POV

  • Aug 27
  • 9 min read

If you're looking for a photo location in Brooklyn where you can get a lot of variety without spending your entire session in the same place, these DUMBO photo spots are hard to beat. Within a short walk, you can photograph the Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, waterfront, cobblestone street, historic brick building, and the Manhattan skyline. You can even work in a carousel ride or an ice cream stop if you want your session to become more of a date.


I've been a romantic photographer in New York City since 2008, and DUMBO is one of those neighborhoods where, if you know the area, it makes a big difference. The neighborhood is compact, so you don't need to spend your session jumping from one location to another. Instead, we can walk, stop when we want, and build a gallery that portrays all the wonderful locations of DUMBO.


That's one of my favorite things about photographing here. We can start with an iconic DUMBO picture spot, wander toward the water, stop for a few portraits, and end with something totally different. You get a lot of variety without the session taking us to multiple locations.


The Best DUMBO Photo Spots


There are quite a few incredible DUMBO photo spots, but these are my personal go-tos when I'm planning an engagement session, proposal, couples session, or any other New York photography services.


Washington Street


Let's start with arguably the most iconic one.


Washington Street is the classic DUMBO picture spot, and it's one of the images that has become synonymous with the neighborhood itself. From the right point on the street, the Manhattan Bridge frames the view beautifully, with the Empire State Building sitting underneath it in the distance.



It is iconic for a reason, so I absolutely want it in your gallery if it's a photo you love. That said, I wouldn't recommend spending half your session standing in the middle of Washington Street. It's a busy area, and the fun of DUMBO is that there is so much more to explore just a few minutes away.



One important note (from August 2026): there is currently scaffolding affecting part of the view around the Washington Street photo area, so I would check the current conditions before you go.



Pebble Beach


Pebble beach is right along the water, so you get the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan skyline, and East River all in the background. The rocky shoreline also gives you a unique foreground compared to the paved streets and sidewalks you'll find around the city.



The best time of day to shoot is around sunset when the sun is setting over the skyline.


It's also a great place to start a longer session if you're planning to propose. You can begin with a walk along the waterfront, have the proposal happen somewhere along the water, and then continue through your DUMBO photo locations.



The Waterfront Walk and Empire Stores


One of the best things about photographing in DUMBO is that you don't have to stop at one "official" photo location. The walk between Pebble Beach, Empire Stores, Jane's Carousel, and Empire Fulton Ferry is full of little moments worth photographing.



There are benches, waterfront views, historic brick, open spaces, and plenty of opportunities for candid photos while we're simply walking together.


Empire Stores is particularly useful when you want to add some architecture to your gallery. The historic warehouse complex dates back to the 19th century and has been repurposed with shops, dining, offices, and a public rooftop garden. The rooftop is free to visit, but keep in mind, you may have to wait for space occasionally, especially when it's busy.



That gives us a nice change from the skyline photos without actually having to go anywhere else.



Jane's Carousel


Yes, even if you're an adult, you can ride the carousel.


Jane's Carousel is a restored 1922 carousel in a beautiful pavilion right along the waterfront. It's a really fun feature to add to your DUMBO photo location and adds a unique element. The best part? It's inexpensive: tickets are only $4.



You can also use the carousel as your background without actually riding it. In the evening, when the lights are on, it creates a really magical vibe.


If you want to check current hours before your session, I recommend looking at Jane's Carousel's website because the schedule changes seasonally.



Empire Fulton Ferry Park


If I had to pick one favorite DUMBO photo location, Empire Fulton Ferry Park would be very high on my list.

It's easy to confuse Empire Fulton Ferry with Brooklyn Bridge Park because it's part of the Brooklyn Bridge Park landscape, but the Empire Fulton Ferry area is its own distinct location. It's tucked between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, with a waterfront boardwalk, open lawn, Jane's Carousel, and some of the best views of the city from this part of Brooklyn.



This is where I really like to slow down. You can get the Brooklyn Bridge behind you, walk along the water, sit on the lawn, or turn toward the Manhattan skyline for a completely different view.


The waterfront here is especially photogenic around sunset and after dark, when the bridges and skyline begin to light up.


It's also a great place for couples who want to incorporate a little more of the DUMBO Brooklyn Bridge photo experience without spending the entire session on the bridge itself.



Main Street Park


Main Street Park is another easy stop when we're exploring DUMBO. The lawn sits directly beneath the Manhattan Bridge and gives you views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Jane's Carousel, and the East River.


It's a great way to get another perspective on the bridges without repeating the same photo we've already taken on Washington Street.


That's the beauty of DUMBO: you can change the background dramatically simply by walking a few minutes.


Plymouth Street


For something completely different, I highly recommend Plymouth Street.



The cobblestones and Brooklyn Bridge views here make this a great change of scenery after spending time near the waterfront. It is an active street, so we have to be mindful of cars and other people, but I love stopping here briefly during our DUMBO photo session.



The River Café


The River Café is another sweet little stop along the waterfront. The restaurant is a well-known Brooklyn wedding venue, and its exterior has a pretty string-light setup that works beautifully for a quick portrait.


There's also a photogenic crosswalk nearby that can give you a fun walking shot before we continue toward the water.


I wouldn't build an entire session around this place, but it's a nice stop when we're already walking through the neighborhood.



Fulton Ferry Landing


Fulton Ferry Landing is worth mentioning separately from Empire Fulton Ferry because, yes, the names can get confusing!


This is the ferry landing at the edge of DUMBO, where you can catch the NYC Ferry. It's also a scenic spot for photos, with views toward the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan, and the waterfront. The Brooklyn Bridge Park map lists Fulton Ferry Landing as a ferry stop with nearby food and drink options as well.



I've also had couples ask to incorporate the ferry into their session, which I think is such a fun idea. We can use the landing for photos, hop on the ferry together, or even use it as an easy way to continue your evening after we're finished.


Just keep in mind that ferry areas can get busy, especially during the warmer months.


The Brooklyn Bridge



You can't really talk about DUMBO photography without talking about the Brooklyn Bridge itself.


The bridge is one of New York's most recognizable landmarks, and walking across it gives you a completely different experience from photographing it from the waterfront. From below, you get those massive stone arches and suspension cables. Once you're walking across, you get iconic views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, the East River, and the surrounding skyline.



The catch? It is busy.


If you're hoping for a quiet, intimate walk across the bridge, especially in the middle of the day, this probably isn't going to be that. The pedestrian walkway is a major tourist destination, so there will be plenty of people around.


That's why I usually recommend giving yourselves two hours if the Brooklyn Bridge is an important part of your session. It takes time to walk onto the bridge, stop for photos, navigate around other pedestrians, and still have enough time to enjoy the rest of DUMBO.


If the bridge is more of a "we'd love a few photos there" than the main event, we can absolutely build it into the rest of your route.



Make Your DUMBO Photos Unique


There are so many ways to add your personality into your photos but here are a few to give you some ideas for your photography services in New York.


If you're an ice cream person, let's stop for ice cream. Van Leeuwen is nearby or the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory is another great choice. Brooklyn Bridge Park also has several food and drink spots throughout the area.


You could ride Jane's Carousel, grab a coffee, stop for a drink, walk toward the Brooklyn Bridge, or simply spend a few minutes sitting together by the water.



Sample DUMBO Photo Session Schedule


For a one-hour session, I don't want you to feel rushed trying to get pictures in every location. The overall area of DUMBO is relatively small and we can walk from location to location within minutes. One route I recommend is:


Washington Street (capture the classic Manhattan Bridge photo) → Plymouth Street (for the cobblestones) → Pebble Beach (for the waterfront) → waterfront walk → Jane's Carousel → Empire Fulton Ferry→ and then a goodbye in front of The River Café, a crosswalk moment, or at an ice cream stop.


If we're finishing around sunset, this route gives us the chance to end with some of the prettiest waterfront light in DUMBO. We can finish with a walk, an ice cream, or a little goodbye moment by the water.


And if you're thinking, wait, this sounds like an actual date, that's exactly the point.


For proposals, I generally prefer starting closer to the waterfront and giving ourselves two hours. That gives us room for the proposal itself, the immediate reaction afterward, and plenty of time to explore the neighbourhood together without rushing.


If you want to include the Brooklyn Bridge, I also recommend two hours. The bridge itself takes time, and I don't want you spending your entire session watching the clock.



When Is the Best Time for DUMBO Photos?


There isn't one perfect season for a DUMBO photo session. It really depends on the aesthetic you want in your New York City couples photography.


Spring features softer greens and a light air to the waterfront, while the longer days make it easier to plan an evening session.


Summer is great if you want to turn the session into a full date (think waterfront walks, Jane's Carousel, and an ice cream stop afterward) but summer weekends can also be much busier.


Fall offers warmer color tones in contrast to the greenery around the waterfront and can be a really nice time for couples who want some seasonal color mixed in with the architecture and skyline views.


Winter is a truly magical experience in DUMBO, especially when the neighborhood is calmer and the historic brick, bridges, and skyline stand out against the subdued winter colors.



Bonus Location: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge


If you're looking for somewhere to grab a drink after your session, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is my go-to secret location.


The hotel has Harriet's Lounge and Harriet's Rooftop, both with skyline views, and the hotel features spaces for private events and photoshoots.


I've also photographed a rooftop proposal there, so it can be a fun option if you're looking for something beyond the typical DUMBO photo locations.


Let’s Plan Your DUMBO Photo Session


If you're planning engagement photos in DUMBO, a proposal, anniversary session, or just want to document this stage of your relationship, I'd love to help you plan the best route that gives you plenty of variety. Contact me today to plan your DUMBO photo session.


Frequently Asked Questions About DUMBO Photo Spots

What is the most famous DUMBO photo spot?

Washington Street is the most recognizable DUMBO picture spot, thanks to the Manhattan Bridge framing the street with the Empire State Building visible in the distance.

There are several options, including Empire Fulton Ferry, Pebble Beach, Fulton Ferry Landing, and other areas of Brooklyn Bridge Park. My personal favorite for waterfront Brooklyn Bridge photos is Empire Fulton Ferry.

For the famous Manhattan Bridge photo, use the Washington Street and Water Street area in DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY 11201. It's better to think of this as an intersection/photo area rather than a single business-style address.

For a focused one-hour session, we can cover several of my favorite DUMBO photo spots. If you want to include the Brooklyn Bridge itself, or you're planning a proposal and want plenty of time afterward, I prefer a two-hour session.

Absolutely. I love when couples make their session feel like a date. An ice cream stop, carousel ride, coffee, or drink can all become part of the experience.


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