Empire State Plaza

Photography Guide | Empire State Plaza | Albany, NY

The Empire State Plaza is Albany’s most iconic location, offering stunning views and great photo spots. But some lesser-known areas and a few logistics tips can help make your shoot truly unique and successful!

The Empire State Plaza in downtown Albany, NY, is the central hub for Albany for both business and entertainment. The plaza was opened in the late 70s and bears a similar look to the original World Trade Center complex.

This area is one of the top spaces wedding photographers love to photograph in for both engagement and wedding sessions. However, there are a few spots in this complex that are underutilized and provide great backdrops for photography.

Although the Empire State Plaza is a well-known location, there are a few things about this location that should be kept in mind or known in advance in order to have the best photography experience for both the photographer and the client.

The Lighting

The lighting at the Empire State Plaza is one of the biggest draws to it. The plaza being a wide open space means there are little to no obstacles blocking the light. However, it is important to know which times of day are best to photograph here, since there isn’t always a lot of shade to utilize in the case of harsh midday shadows.

To take full advantage of what the complex has to offer, I recommend waiting until at least mid afternoon to take photos here. The most iconic spots, such as taking photos in the middle of the plaza around the reflective pools or in front of the Capitol, receive harsh direct light, and the light colored stone can create unflattering shadows and bright conditions that may be uncomfortable for the eyes while shooting.

By mid afternoon, the sun shifts toward the direction of the Capitol building. When photographing toward the main plaza with the New York State Museum in the distance, you will be shooting into the light, which creates beautiful backlighting. This applies to most areas of the plaza as long as you are photographing in the general direction of the museum.

If you want to shoot in the opposite direction, toward the New York State Capitol building, I highly recommend photographing around golden hour or slightly afterward. The softer light during this time allows you to capture the entire landscape without harsh contrast or overly textured lighting on your couple.

Things To Think About Before Your Shoot

Because of the popularity of this spot, there are a few things you should research beforehand to avoid running into difficulties during your photoshoot. First, the plaza hosts numerous events throughout the year, especially during major holidays and on clear days. It is also a well-known location for protests and other political gatherings.

During such events, there may be heightened security and crowd control protocols. When I photographed in this space last fall, there were numerous gated barriers around the plaza due to an upcoming fireworks event. Certain sections may be completely blocked off, and security personnel often roam the area to redirect visitors away from restricted zones. The outer perimeters of the plaza, toward State Street and the Capitol building, are usually accessible, but areas near the main buildings and reflective pools may be closed to visitors for the duration of the event.

Another key thing to consider before your shoot is parking. Depending on the time of day, it can be difficult to find nearby spots to access the plaza. Since the plaza is the central hub for office real estate in Albany, many of the surrounding parking spaces, especially along State Street and Madison Avenue, are naturally filled with workers. Because of this, I recommend parking in the V Lot beneath the plaza. If you take I-787 to the Empire State Plaza exit and follow signs for the visitor parking tunnel, you will find the lot. Take the elevators to the “Concourse” C level for access to the plaza. Parking costs $10 Monday through Friday and $5 on weekends.

Photos vs. Real Life

The plaza is beautiful from all angles; however, there are a few things that photographers, myself included, may crop out of the frame that you could encounter during your visit and that may affect some of your shots.

Around the pools in the center of the plaza, there are sometimes numerous skateboarders in the area. You may need to adjust your angles or move to the other side of the pools to avoid including them in your shot or having them close to your couple.

This was mentioned earlier, but it’s worth remembering that gates and barriers may block certain areas depending on when you visit. A favorite spot for photographers, which used to be around the New York State Museum, now seems to have barriers year-round. If you see photos of couples posing beneath the arches, this shot may no longer be possible.

In almost every photo I’ve seen of the complex, the reflective pools create a beautiful mirror image of the blue sky and buildings. However, during the winter and at certain times of the year for maintenance, the pools are drained and appear as dark, empty spaces. Please keep this in mind if you are prioritizing such shots so you can visit the complex before your scheduled shoot to check the conditions.

Favorite Spots & Tips

Onto the fun part. As I’ve mentioned numerous times, the most popular areas to photograph in Empire State Plaza are usually in the center, but my personal favorite spots are actually a bit off to the side. My style leans light and airy, with soft natural lighting and some additions of greenery. One of my favorite spots to photograph is the Police Officers Memorial Park. If you are facing the New York State Museum, it is off to your right and is also directly accessible from South Swan Street.

This area is rarely mentioned and is mostly visited by office workers during their lunch breaks. It is a very quiet space that features a beautiful backdrop of the matching buildings in the plaza while also showcasing some of the trees and greenery in the small memorial park. The park is located slightly below the main plaza complex, so it may be difficult to find at first, as it requires navigating down a few stairs to reach. Additionally, because of slippery conditions in the winter, the park is blocked off by barriers during the colder months.

Another reason I love photographing in this spot is because of the beautiful lighting. The area is naturally backlit during the mid afternoon, and with the sun bouncing off the neutral-toned buildings, it creates a lovely reflective fill light on the front of your subjects, flattering anyone being photographed.

Another one of my favorite spots to photograph in front of is the Legislative Building, which is located directly across from the park. This large brutalist-style building provides a striking editorial background for your couple, offering a unique contrast to the more well-known spots in the plaza. The area is well shaded, creating beautiful compositions, and the light stone of the building makes it especially great for photographers aiming for a light and airy look. This spot is accessible from South Swan Street and also connects with the main plaza.

Summary & Helpful Links for Planning Your Trip to Empire State Plaza

• Location: The Empire State Plaza is located at 100 S Mall Arterial, Albany, NY 12242, in downtown Albany.
• Best Time to Shoot: Mid afternoon is ideal for natural backlighting toward the plaza and the New York State Museum. If you want to shoot toward the Capitol building, golden hour or shortly afterward provides softer light and minimal harsh shadows.
• Cost / Parking: V Lot Parking costs $10 Monday through Friday and $5 on weekends. Street parking along State Street and surrounding areas is often limited due to office workers.
• Top Photo Spots: Police Officers Memorial Park offers a quiet setting with greenery and soft reflective light. The Legislative Building provides an editorial backdrop with shaded areas and light-colored stone that works well for a light and airy style.
• Things to Consider: Events at the plaza may block areas or increase security. Gates and barriers can limit access to certain spots. The pools may be drained in winter or during maintenance. Skateboarders are sometimes present around the central pools. Slippery conditions may close lower areas like the memorial park during winter.
• Weather Notes: Most areas are open with minimal cover. Harsh midday sun can create bright reflective conditions on light-colored stone. Softer light is ideal for a light and airy photography style, and cloudy conditions are best for even, flattering lighting.

Official Site | Empire State Plaza

Directions & Map | Empire State Plaza

Upcoming Events & Calendar | Empire State Plaza

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Thank you for reading!

-Raf