The Best Vintage Venue Rentals in NYC
New York is a city full to the brim with history, not to mention iconic sights like Central Park, the New York City skyline, and the Empire State Building. And with all this history comes an abundance of vintage clothing shops and vintage decor.
So, if you're looking for a unique vintage photoshoot location in the city, you pretty much have your pick, especially when you rely on Giggster to curate all the best spots currently available. Whether you need a backdrop for engagement photos, a fashion shoot, or self-portraits, there are plenty of options.
In NYC, it's easy to combine a vintage photoshoot at top locations and tour the city for additional interesting backdrops. From the Brooklyn Bridge to the New York Public Library to Grand Central Terminal, you'll come away with varied and interesting images.
Download the Giggtser app and book a fantastic space with all the vintage features you need, like exposed brick, ornate fireplaces, and bright-colored art. Your camera will definitely thank you.
Why Choose Giggster for Vintage Photoshoot Locations in New York City?
Natural light? Check. Colorful furniture? Check. Intricate woodwork? Check. The variety of spaces available in the Giggster app is unparalleled. Find the best location all over the five boroughs, from the cobblestone streets of Lower Manhattan to the vintage rides of Coney Island. We've got the perfect backdrop for vintage photos pretty much anywhere in the city.
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For an engagement photoshoot or a flexible wedding day backdrop, choose a space with both indoor and outdoor options. Get all the vintage vibes inside, coupled with views of the picturesque skyline, the East River, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and even chaotic Times Square.
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There's an enviable selection of homes for rent with Giggter in the Big Apple, including the famous Brooklyn brownstones, historic apartments near Central Park, and full-on mansions further out on Long Island.
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New York City has seen it all, and that's reflected in the many decor styles here. Vintage items tend to be celebrated finds, preserving these treasures for all. That means you'll find vintage accessories and furniture throughout the spaces, like flower-patterned velour couches, ornate mirrors, and timeless wallpaper.
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Book entire homes done in a 70s or 80s style to have the flexibility to capture pretty pictures in multiple rooms while still sticking to your overall vintage vision.
189 Amazing Vintage Photoshoot Locations in New York
Exceptional Variety & Quality: We hand-pick each of the 189 NYC options in the app to make sure they're accurately represented and hosts are responsive. The converted Tribeca lofts, vintage Parisian cafés, and brownstones of Brooklyn are sure to please any photographer.
Hassle-Free Booking: When it comes to booking the ideal vintage photoshoot spot, the only trouble you'll have is choosing just one. Once you filter the results and peruse the images, availability, and price, which starts at $30 USD/hour, it's super easy to confirm the booking and move on to planning other aspects of the shoot.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Picked a spot, and you have second thoughts? Maybe you've found something that fits the project even better? If so, just cancel the booking without a charge within 24 hours of receiving your booking confirmation. As long as the venue is rented for a photoshoot that's a minimum of 48 hours away, this change is totally free.
Platform Protections: With our optional extra coverage, you can extend the period for free cancellations or get protection against liability and damage. Then, on the day of the shoot at a location like Historic Brooklyn Townhouse & Garden, 2 Full Floors 3000sqft, it'll be much easier to focus on capturing incredible photos.
Things to Consider for Your Vintage Photoshoot in New York
Although it's hard to beat this world-famous city, it's always smart to do a quick analysis to ensure this is the spot to capture the absolute best photos for your wedding, engagement, brand launch, or website.
Advantages
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You never have to look far for history here. This applies to building interiors and exteriors as well as public spaces.
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When you need extra help for the shoot, New York is full of talent, including makeup artists, set designers, and stylists. Tap into this local creative community to take things to the next level.
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NYC has some of the best public transportation around. You don't need to drive here with the easy access to the subway, bus system, trains, and ferries. That is, unless you're transporting bulky equipment or props.
Disadvantages
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New York is a fast-paced city, but unfortunately, that doesn't translate when you're driving. So, if public transportation doesn't meet your needs, expect to spend a long time in traffic and compete for space with the famously erratic cab drivers.
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If you plan to combine your shoot rental with some city photography, beware that filming or photographing historic buildings and other public property could require a permit, which can be a lengthy process.
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Be prepared to deal with crowds. Tourists flock to the city year-round and this is a coveted location for many creative endeavors, so the demand is high for top talent and top locations. The safest bet is to book everything as early as possible.
Choosing the Right Type of Location for a Vintage Photoshoot in New York
In NYC, vintage comes in all shapes and sizes, so there are tons of different venues, 189 in fact, that will offer just the right atmosphere for a productive photoshoot:
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Restaurants – Vintage Features Galore. Whether you want the backdrop of a Paris-themed café from the 1950s or a bar in a historical building full of stained glass, dark wood, and brick accents, you'll find it in the Giggster app.
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Brownstones – Bohemian Chic. Picture a space taken right out of the 1950s, with a vintage TV, furniture, and accents like era-appropriate vases and books. Or, lean on the Bohemian vibes and choose a brownstone with the combo of Art-Deco furnishings, colorful art, and an original fireplace.
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Speakeasies – Prohibition-Era Charm. Go back in time and snap beautiful pics with an operating speakeasy as the setting. Dark interiors with thick curtains, gold touches, and, of course, a gleaming wood bar await.
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Warehouses – Customizable to Your Tastes. When the project calls for a larger, open space, a historic warehouse is ideal. Get exposed brick walls, whether whitewashed or original, columns, and floor-to-ceiling windows for the perfect amount of natural light.
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Office Space – Retro at its Best. Maybe you need a workplace backdrop set in the 70s or 80s. It's easy to find spots with vintage wood paneling, dated filing cabinets, and retro desks.
How to Plan a Vintage Photoshoot in New York
While it's possible to simply show up at the venue with your camera in hand and call it a day, your photoshoot is likely to be a little bit more cohesive and productive with a bit of planning.
Choose the Right Decade – You'll get a different vibe based on different time periods, so choose wisely. For example, 1920s glam is out in full force when the venue and decor have an Art Deco feel with feathers and pearls. For a 1950s photoshoot, look for diners, vintage cars, and big TVs. Funky photoshoots probably want a 1970s Bohemian feel, and for the 1980s, you can't go wrong with glass block walls, coordinating fabrics, and lots of primary colors.
Create a Shot List – With all that goes into organizing a vintage photoshoot, you don't want to forget anything. Draw up a shot list or storyboard to illustrate the concept and exactly which photos you can't leave without.
Hair and Makeup – Even if the subjects are coming to the shoot already made up, it's nice to plan for a few touch-ups along the way. Hire a makeup and hair artist for a few hours in the middle of the shoot to keep everyone looking picture-perfect.
Saving Money on a New York Vintage Photoshoot
New York is a lot of things, but cheap isn't one of them. Since you'll be paying a premium for models, assistants, and makeup artists, why not save in other areas?
Do you have a budget?
Starting with a realistic budget actually helps keep costs down, as long as you stick to it. It will temper the spending in categories where you've already spent the maximum and will force you to think outside the box.
Collaboration is ideal.
Depending on the type of project, can you collaborate instead of hiring? Come up with mutually beneficial scenarios where novice photographers can gain experience and portfolio content, makeup artists can get a mention, and any other way to offer advertising in exchange for services. That way, you can avoid paying anything or at least get a discounted rate.
Keep it short.
If you're able to limit your venue time and the period you need to hire experts, your costs will plummet. Renting a Giggster location for only an hour or two is no problem—just watch out for minimum rental periods.
Your Successful Vintage Photoshoot in New York with Giggster
New York City is one of the best spots in the US for everything vintage. Use the Giggster app to find the perfect vintage photoshoot location in the city, which might be a bar, lounge, loft, speakeasy, or home, and you'll be well on your way to amazing photos, whatever your project is.
