Staten Island Ferry Photos Couples Session (and why it's one of NYC's best-kept secrets)

The Staten Island Ferry might be the single most underrated photo location in all of New York City. It's free, it runs 24 hours a day, it has unobstructed views of the Statue of Liberty and the Lower Manhattan skyline, and that unmistakable burnt-orange color makes for some of the most distinctive, cinematic frames you can get anywhere in the city. Staten Island Ferry photos have a look you simply cannot replicate anywhere else.

I recently spent a weekday morning with a couple who wanted something a little different: no crowds, no permits, no overshot Manhattan backdrop everyone has already seen. We met early at the terminal, rode the ferry toward Staten Island as the harbor opened up around us, and wandered the historic St. George civic center — including the grand columned courthouse right by where they'll be making things official later this year. It started as an engagement session ahead of their wedding celebration, and it turned into one of my favorite shoots in recent memory. Here's the session, and a genuinely useful guide to planning your own.

Why the Staten Island Ferry Is One of NYC's Best Photo Spots

There are a handful of things that make the ferry special for couples photography, and most people never think of it at all.

It's completely free. More on this below, because it's the number-one question people ask — but yes, riding the Staten Island Ferry costs nothing, which means a photo session here has zero location cost.

The views are unbeatable. On the ride between Manhattan and Staten Island, you pass within about 500–600 yards of the Statue of Liberty, with sweeping views of Ellis Island, Governors Island, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the New Jersey skyline, and the full Lower Manhattan skyline. These are the same views people pay $25–$40 for on sightseeing cruises.

That orange. The ferries are painted a deep municipal orange (originally so they'd be visible in fog and snow), and the interiors and railings create a warm, graphic, instantly recognizable backdrop that photographs beautifully — especially in soft morning light or at golden hour.

It's gloriously un-touristy as a photo concept. Everyone shoots in Central Park and DUMBO. Almost no one thinks to build a romantic session around the ferry and St. George. That means your photos look like nobody else's.

Is the Staten Island Ferry Free? (And Other Practical Questions)

This is the question I get most, so let's answer it clearly and get all the logistics out of the way.

Is the Staten Island Ferry free?

Yes — completely. The Staten Island Ferry has been fare-free since 1997. You don't need a ticket, a MetroCard, or an OMNY tap to board. Just walk on. (Be aware of scammers near the terminals occasionally trying to "sell tickets" — ignore them, there's nothing to buy.)

How often does it run?

The ferry operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. During weekday rush hours (roughly 6–9:30am and 3:30–8pm) boats leave every 15–20 minutes. Off-peak it's typically every 30 minutes, and overnight every 30–60 minutes.

How long is the ride?

About 25 minutes each direction. A full round trip without leaving the terminal is roughly 50–60 minutes.

Do you have to get off at Staten Island?

Yes — all passengers must disembark at the St. George Terminal when the boat arrives. To ride back, you simply re-enter and board the next departing boat. That's part of why I like to actually explore St. George rather than just turning around immediately.

When's the best time for photos?

Avoid weekday rush hours, when the boats are packed with commuters. We shot on a weekday morning from Manhattan to Staten Island specifically to have the decks nearly to ourselves. Golden hour — roughly an hour before sunset — gives the warmest, most dramatic light on the skyline and the Statue of Liberty, and has emptier boats from Staten Island to Manhattan.

Which side of the boat has the Statue of Liberty view?

Heading from Manhattan (Whitehall Terminal) to Staten Island, stand on the right side (starboard). Coming back from Staten Island to Manhattan, move to the left side (port). The Statue passes about 500–600 yards away, and the Lower Manhattan skyline lines up beautifully on the return.

Can you take photos on the Staten Island Ferry?

Yes, personal and couples photography with handheld gear is completely fine. It's a public space, so no permit is needed for a small, non-disruptive session. (Large commercial productions with crews and lighting would need to coordinate with NYC DOT.) One real safety note from the ferry itself: if you're shooting on the open outdoor decks, keep a strap on your camera or phone. The harbor is deep, and the wind is real, dropped gear is gone.

How do you get there?

The Manhattan side is Whitehall Terminal at 4 South Street, accessible by the 1 train to South Ferry, the R/W to Whitehall Street, and the 4/5 to Bowling Green. The Staten Island side is St. George Terminal at 1 Bay Street, connected to the Staten Island Railway and many bus routes. If you drive, there's metered parking at the St. George Terminal South lot (about $2/hour, max around $16 per 18 hours) and a larger garage at 54 Central Avenue nearby.

The Session: A Weekday Morning on the Ferry

We started early on a weekday, on purpose. Rush hour had thinned out, the light was soft and golden, and the decks were nearly empty — which meant we could actually use the space. The whole outdoor deck became ours: the orange railings, the wide-open harbor behind them, the wind moving everything just enough to feel alive.

The thing about photographing a couple on the ferry is that the setting plays a special part: there's the motion of the boat, the salt air, the skyline sliding by — it loosens everyone up. By the time we'd crossed the harbor, they'd completely forgotten about the camera and were just enjoying being out on the water together. That's exactly the documentary, storytelling approach I love: I'm not posing anyone against a backdrop, I'm following two people having a genuinely good morning, with the most iconic harbor in the world passing by around them.

We caught the Statue of Liberty passing on one side, the Lower Manhattan skyline on the other, and in between, all the in-between moments — the laughing, the looking-out-at-the-water together. The orange interior gave us a completely different mood: warm, graphic, almost cinematic, like a film still.

St. George: The Historic Courthouse & Civic Center

Here's where this particular session became extra meaningful. This couple is getting legally married right here in St. George — and the civic center around the terminal is genuinely beautiful, with grand neoclassical architecture most people never slow down to notice.

Staten Island Borough Hall and the Richmond County Courthouse sit side by side on Richmond Terrace, directly across from the ferry terminal. Both were designed by the celebrated architectural firm Carrère and Hastings (the same firm that designed the New York Public Library), and the 1919 Richmond County Courthouse in particular is a New York City Landmark — a dramatic Greek Revival portico with tall columns, wide stone steps, and a formal French garden between the two buildings. It photographs like somewhere far more European than a 25-minute ferry ride from Manhattan.

We walked the steps and columns, then wandered the waterfront esplanade with its open harbor views. The mix of grand civic architecture and open water in one small, walkable, entirely free area is part of what makes St. George such a rewarding — and completely overlooked — place to shoot.

A useful note if you're planning to actually get married here: the NYC City Clerk's Staten Island Marriage Bureau is located inside Borough Hall at 10 Richmond Terrace, 3rd Floor, Room 311, open Monday through Friday, 8:30am–4:00pm. Like all NYC marriage ceremonies, appointments must be booked in advance through Project Cupid — there are no walk-ins. The historic courthouse next door isn't where ceremonies happen, but it makes an extraordinary photo backdrop right next to where they do.

How to Plan Your Own Staten Island Ferry Photo Session

If you're inspired to do something like this, here's how to make it work.

Go on a weekday, outside rush hour. Mid-morning or the golden-hour-into-evening window are the sweet spots for light and space. Weekends are busier on deck.

Plan for the round trip and beyond. Build in time to ride over (25 minutes), explore St. George and the civic center, and ride back (another 25 minutes). I'd budget at least 2 hours total to do it without rushing.

Dress for movement and wind. Flowy fabrics look gorgeous in the harbor breeze. The orange interior pairs beautifully with soft neutrals, whites, and creams — let the orange be the statement.

Secure your gear. Camera straps on the outer decks, always. Hold onto hats and anything loose.

Combine the locations. The ferry plus the St. George courthouse and waterfront gives you three or four completely different backdrops — orange industrial interior, open harbor, grand neoclassical architecture, and waterfront esplanade — all free, all within a short walk, all in one session.

Think about what the location means to you. This couple chose the ferry and St. George because it's where they live and got married: the location carries their story. That's always the best reason to choose a spot.

All The Feels Approach

This is the kind of session I love most: a real place, a real couple, no stiff posing, and a location almost nobody else thinks to use. My work is documentary and storytelling-first — I'm watching for the genuine moments, the in-between glances, the way two people actually are with each other, and letting an extraordinary setting do the rest. The Staten Island Ferry gave us motion, light, iconic views, and that unrepeatable orange; St. George gave us grand architecture and meaning. Together they made something that looks like nobody else's engagement photos.

If you're drawn to something off the beaten path — somewhere free, cinematic, and entirely your own — I'd genuinely love to make these with you.

Frequently Asked Questions about Staten Island Ferry photos

Is the Staten Island Ferry free?

Yes. The Staten Island Ferry has been completely fare-free since 1997. No ticket, MetroCard, or OMNY tap needed — just walk on board. Ignore anyone near the terminal trying to sell "tickets."

Can you take photos on the Staten Island Ferry?

Yes. Personal and couples photography with handheld equipment is completely fine and needs no permit. Just keep camera straps on when shooting the open outdoor decks — the harbor is deep and the wind is strong.

What's the best time to take photos on the Staten Island Ferry?

Avoid weekday rush hours (6–9:30am and 3:30–8pm) from Staten Island to Manhattan, when the boats are packed (but works great from Manhattan to Staten Island). Golden hour, about an hour before sunset, gives the warmest light on the skyline and the Statue of Liberty but, conversely, if you want a more empty boat, Staten Island to Manhattan is emptier now.

Which side of the ferry has the best Statue of Liberty view?

Heading from Manhattan to Staten Island, stand on the right side (starboard). Returning from Staten Island to Manhattan, move to the left side (port). The Statue passes about 500–600 yards away.

How long does the Staten Island Ferry take?

About 25 minutes each way. All passengers must disembark at St. George before re-boarding for the return, but you can walk out and walk back on the boat that's about to leave.

Where do you get married on Staten Island?

The NYC City Clerk's Staten Island Marriage Bureau is inside Borough Hall at 10 Richmond Terrace, 3rd Floor, Room 311, open weekdays 8:30am–4:00pm. Appointments must be booked through Project Cupid in advance — there are no walk-ins. The Richmond County Courthouse next door makes a stunning photo backdrop.

Is St. George worth visiting for photos beyond the ferry?

Absolutely. The civic center has the landmark Richmond County Courthouse and Borough Hall (both by Carrère and Hastings), a formal French garden, and a waterfront esplanade — a lot of variety in one small, walkable, free area right by the terminal.

Ready to Create Something Different?

ARE YOU A COUPLE LOOKING FOR AN ENGAGEMENT SESSION SOMEWHERE UNEXPECTED AND ENTIRELY YOUR OWN?

If yes, the Staten Island Ferry and St. George might be exactly your kind of magic: free, cinematic, and genuinely unlike anyone else's photos.

Learn more about couples sessions here, explore the portfolio, or reach out to plan your session. ♥