There’s nothing quite like Autumn in New York. 🍁🏙️💭❤️💐
…But it’s not only the leaves that change. Something in the air brings out the true colors in everyone.
♡
Even being surrounded by murky brown pond water, Bow Bridge in Central Park still captivates me, among many. During high season, this scenic spot is usually packed with tourists and resident New Yorkers alike, who stop to capture its iconic beauty via casual smartphone or professional photography.
The last time I’d visited Bow Bridge was in November 2021, when I traveled with Mimi and Momo for our very first time, and I took them to New York City of all places. Two years ago, when I first walked the Bow Bridge with Mimi and Momo, it was a weekday afternoon. The park was packed, and there was barely any room on the Bow Bridge.
Fortunately, two years later since, I caught a completely empty Bow Bridge, and we had the whole spot to ourselves! This time around, it was also a weekday but in the morning; that said, it wasn’t even that early in the morning, almost 8am, and Bow Bridge was still quite empty. When we had finished our photoshoot around 9am, however, that’s when large influxes of tourists starting walking by, and the bridge was quickly packed by then.
Finding a time when the Bow Bridge is completely empty, I feel like I discovered a NYC secret. I initially had thought that I would have to be at Bow Bridge before 8am for it to be empty, but to my surprise, at 8am, Bow Bridge was still very calm and quiet. It definitely felt surreal and a bit magical to have Bow Bridge to ourselves (that is: Mimi, Momo, me, and my photographer Mama) because in my mind, the bridge is always packed with people. In a way, it felt like I was in a 90s romcom movie: Autumn in New York, starring Mimi and Momo!
On another note: despite it being later in the morning, the time I visited Bow Bridge, it was still quite grey out. There was not a trace of sunshine, and I don’t think anyone could tell that these photos were taken during the morning. If anything, they look like they could’ve been taken at dusk. In fact, the other Central Park photoshoot I’d taken on this NYC trip in Literary Walk was in the evening after sunset, and the lighting in these two different photo sessions were similar; I relief heavily on flash photography.
Visiting New York City or anywhere on the Northeast Coast of the US in the fall, post-Daylight’s Savings, is always a struggle for outdoors photographers and content creators because we need natural light! That said, I think I made it work, and I’m thankful to have taken some amazing captures this trip, despite the challenges with the 4:30pm sunset. I’m certainly thankful that my stay at a luxury hotel was hosted. I’ve been to NYC several times and have stayed in some nice places before, but I’d never stayed in this nice.
When is the best time to visit Bow Bridge in Central Park?
Come at the right time, and you may find the bridge empty and have it completely to yourself!
Jump to Outfit Details & My Photoshoot Equipment Essentials
Central Park Bow Bridge is a wondrous, historic, and iconic sight to see. If you are lucky to make it in time, you may catch it completely empty and have the whole bridge to yourself!
Two years ago when I visited Bow Bridge, it was packed! You can see in the background of the photo where I’m wearing brown the crowds on the bridge.
Outfit Details
- Off Shoulder Sweater Top – Reformation (sold out but similar here by same brand)
- Wool cable knit skirt – Ralph Lauren via Rent the Runway
- Chained Wool Blend Skipper Cap – Vince Camuto via Saks Off 5th
- Red Leather Stiletto Booties – AQUA Bloomingdales (sold out but similar here)
- All Outfit Details here
Equipment
There’s nothing quite like Autumn in New York, but it’s not only the leaves that change. Something in the air brings out the true colors in everyone.
…There Mimi goes!
🍁🏙️💭❤️💐
If you made it to the end of this blog post, thank you, and if you’re reading this in time for Thanksgiving 2023, then Happy Thanksgiving.
I am thankful for you. ♡
As promised, here is some BTS:
I was not going to walk 1+ miles around Central Park, New York, in those red stiletto booties! Hence, I wore slippers to the park and did a shoe change. These are a stark contrast to the aesthetic photos I first shared, right? How’s that for Instagram versus Reality? Truly, being a content creator is a whole production! And I’m the Crew, the Creative, and the Cast!
@vivianrtang ❤️ The glitz and glamour of being a dog mom in NYC! #instagramvsreallife #instagramvsreality #nycglamour #comedy #jokes #nycreality #realityofnewyork #realityofnyc #instagramvsrealitychallenge #exposingmyinstagrampics #nycvlog #nycblogger #nycinfluencer #nycinfluencersnark #pomeranian #dogmomlife #nycdogs #nycdoglife ♬ original sound – Taylor-Ann Geslain
xx, vt
