New Orleans is not a city like any other. It is full of culture, color, and history that invite photographers worldwide for New Orleans photography spots.
Whether you are an amateur photographer who would want to come out and capture the beauty of the Crescent City or an experienced one who would want to capture more angles, the beauty of New Orleans photography spots at sunrise is an opportunity to take pictures that are memorable and beautiful. New Orleans is also one of the most photogenic cities, with the soft morning light passing through the unusual architecture of the city and fog rising on the Mississippi River.
In this blog article, we will discuss the top photography locations in New Orleans photography spots where you can get marvelous sunrise photographs and how you can maximize your photo sessions in the morning.
The 6 Best New Orleans Photography Spots
The state of Louisiana has one of the most beautiful locations in New Orleans to capture sunrise photographs, both in iconic New Orleans landmarks and in peaceful natural locations. You can get that golden sunshine on the Cathedral of St. Louis or the rural allure of the bayou of City Park, and there’s a subject to suit every photographer. Wake up early to see the most enchanted light of the city.
St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square.
The St. Louis Cathedral is not only one of the oldest and most well-known churches in the U.S., but the very square serves as an amazing panoramic shooting point. Get the blend of architecture and the early morning calmness, with just some early mourners, street entertainers, or joggers to disturb the peace. The French Quarter buildings around the area provide a great historic backdrop to your photographs, making your photographs have that classic New Orleans feel.
Tips for Sunrise Shots: New Orleans photography spots
- Come early to see the first light and not deal with crowds.
- Take a wide-angle lens to capture the splendor of the cathedral and the square.
- You can think of making a series of shots to record the changing light at the beginning of the day.
The Mississippi Riverfront
The Mississippi River is at the center of the New Orleans identity, and it provides some of the best photography spots new orleans. The sun coming up over the water forms a beautiful reflection of the cityscape and can turn your photos into something magical.
New Orleans photography spots along the riverfront are also shootable, including the Woldenberg Park and The Moon Walk, named after the renowned riverwalk of former mayor Ernest Morial, known as Dutch. The low light at sunrise also produces soft reflections on the water, which are ideal for taking atmospheric shots.
Tips for Sunrise Shots: New Orleans photography spots
- Long exposure shots should be done using a tripod, and in particular when you wish to take the smooth and glassy water.
- Attempt to shoot in black and white to highlight the contrast and the textures of the river and city skyline.
- A telephoto lens may be used to simply enlarge small objects such as boats or distant buildings.
Garden District
What is even more attractive about the Garden District is the fact that it was relatively quiet in the morning. It is a serene environment, and you get the chance to concentrate on your shot without the normal traffic congestion in the city.
Tips for Sunrise Shots: New Orleans photography spots
- Pay attention to making your shots framed with a mix of architectural details and nature.
- The light as it falls on the gates and balconies of ironwork makes your pictures richer.
- A lens with a larger aperture is excellent for taking soft focus effects on trees or flowers.
City Park and the Bayou
The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. The fog that develops in the bayou in the morning gives a surrealistic nature to your photographs and is ideal when you want to capture the pictures with the effect of moodiness.
To do something really special, go for a walk to the Pond or the Louis Armstrong Park, where you can have reflections of the trees and buildings in the water.
Tips for Sunrise Shots: New Orleans photography spots
- The ethereal morning light is ideal for making silhouette shots in front of the huge oak trees.
- Attempt to shoot through the trees to get the sunlight through the leaves.
- Record a drone shot of the park in order to reveal the extent of the park.
Frenchmen Street
Although Frenchmen Street is more famous for its nightlife and jazz music, the street has alarmingly silent and scenic views in New Orleans at sunrise. The French Quarter has lovely light contrasts in the early morning hours, and the silent energy of the neighborhood provides another view of New Orleans.
The initial light on the old bricks and ironwork illuminates the street in a gentle light and makes it the ideal place to capture the soul of the city. It is a good place to visit when one wants to capture New Orleans cultural photography.
Tips for Sunrise Shots: New Orleans photography spots
- Frenchmen’s narrow streets are subject to close, concentrated compositions.
- Get the contrast of the bright-colored buildings and the soft morning sky.
- When the people are outside and about, use a fast shutter speed to prevent motion blur because the neighborhood is beginning to get lively in the morning.
Audubon Park
The Audubon Zoo and Audubon Nature Institute are other sources of attraction, especially when you are interested in wildlife photography. Early morning travelers would have a glimpse of wildlife such as birds, all in the golden, colorful scenery of the dawn sky.
Tips for Sunrise Shots: New Orleans photography spots
- Get the light and shadow in the oak trees.
- The long park paths are best captured with a wide-angle lens.
- A telephoto lens would help to get a close-up shot in wildlife shots.
Conclusions: New Orleans Photography Spots
New Orleans is no doubt among the most favorable photography locations in the United States. Between the historic sites of New Orleans, such as the St. Louis Cathedral and the Mississippi Riverfront, and the peaceful allure of the Garden District and the City Park, there is no deficit of picturesque vistas in New Orleans that are waiting to be photographed at sunrise.
Book your photography tour now with Viator and begin to get the magic of New Orleans at sunrise! You will not have to go far to find your perfect shot, be it the colorful culture, beautiful architecture, or serene natural scenery of the place.
For more information, visit TheVougeClub and explore further.