5 Must-Take Photo Ops For Your First Year at NYU

This should come as no surprise. Although we may not have a “real” campus, one of the perks of being an NYU kid is the ability to boast about having Washington Square Park as our “unofficial quad.” Assuming you go to class on a regular basis, you will pass through this park more than 1,000 times. Therefore, it’s only fitting that you snap one (or three) shots here. There are a variety of ways to approach the picture. Here are 2 examples, one from my first year and one from my junior year:

Don’t care to study away? No problem. Take a quick trip to the alcove across from Weinstein. Step into Europe within a matter of minutes. This photo is basically a rite of passage as an NYU student. Dress as you like, but I recommend a little Business Casual ensemble. But no matter what you wear, the backdrop will be sure to elevate the look.

If you live in Founders or Third North, you probably pass this place almost every day on the way to and from school. Hint: it’s that place by Astor Place with the intense red signs at night. New York is known for its city lights, but going to Times Square is both inconvenient and frankly, unpleasant. This is a much better alternative. Tip: dress a little edgier.

Okay so this is a very touristy picture, but, we all know it’s necessary. The main challenge here is finding a moment where there aren’t hoards of people in the street. Getting the optimal lighting can also be difficult if you want the bridge perfectly in the background. To try and avoid this, go later in the day when the sun isn’t so bright. Looking back at my own photo, I realized it definitely could’ve been better executed, but hey I learned my lesson. 

Fairy lights are key. If you’re a first year, there’s a 75 percent chance you have these in your room. Good news, these are perfect for adding some mood lighting to a photo. My first year I was clearly going through a no-smiling phase but feel free to make yours more warm and cozy. You don’t even have to be in the photo if that’s not for you. If you’re lucky and have a room on a high floor, try a cityscape at sunset.