About Newark
Newark was settled by Puritans in 1666, making it one of the oldest cities in the country. Parts of the city still date back to the colonial era, and it’s a mix of busy urban areas and suburban neighborhoods. The city is located on Newark Bay, where the Passaic River flows into the bay, making it an important port city on the East Coast.
Other industries include air and rail hubs, universities, and business headquarters for industry giants like Prudential and Audible. It’s part of the New York City metropolitan area, and the easy access is a definite advantage. The cultural attractions and quiet neighborhoods make it an attractive place to live for residents as well.
Photo Shoot Options in Newark
Photo shoot venue options in Newark are popular for many reasons – the old architecture, academic spaces, natural beauty in the parks, and the mix of the vibrant city and quaint homes. Each offers a unique backdrop for any photo shoot, and enough venues to capture all your shots in one city.
- Catering
Newark is famous for hoagies (also known as grinders), hot dogs, and saltwater taffy. Although these may not rank high on your catering list, there are many companies offering everything from a basic catering menu to a five-star meal. The city is known for its American cuisine, but catering companies offer foods from around the world.
- Furniture Rentals
Every good photo shoot venue needs furniture, lighting, and decorative items. The benefit of being major shipping, air, and rail city is that supplies are easy to find, as are the companies offering to rent them. Newark rental companies can help with anything from a big city vibe to a small-town feel, just ask.
- Transportation
It goes without saying that transportation options to and within Newark are plentiful. If you are trying to complete your photo shoot at multiple venues, the public and private transportation options make moving around within the city easier, especially with equipment.
Photo Shoot Companies in Newark
Newark has a mix of long-standing companies and newer arrivals, all with something unique to offer. Photo shoot venue companies in Newark serve all the industries in the city. The 1990s was an era of revitalization for the city and these companies can compete with the best in the country.
- Kings Family Restaurant and Catering
Kings Family Restaurant is a favorite for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also offer catering, making it easy to get their hoagies, fried chicken, burgers, fish, or other foods at any venue or location. Kings Family Restaurant offers the best Halal food in Newark and only uses the finest ingredients.
- Glam Party Rentals
Furniture and décor should transform a photo shoot from average to glamorous. Glam Party Rentals specializes in exactly that – providing sophisticated furniture that distinguishes large and small events. Their team will help you redefine fashion and style at your photo shoot.
- First Choice Limousine and Car Service
First Choice Limousine and Car Service pride themselves on getting their customers where they want to go without any added stress. They have offices in Newark, Princeton, and Monroe and offer private cars, airport transfers, buses, and events.
Pros and Cons of Photo Shoots in Newark
There are pros and cons of photo shoot venues in Newark, from the convenience of the location to the congestion of the city streets. Weigh your options before selecting a venue in the city.
Advantages
- Convenient
It’s hard to find a more conveniently located city on the East Coast than Newark. The port, rail, and air hubs, along with an extensive interstate highway system make Newark travel easy. Select the option that works best for you and book it.
- Smaller population
There are fewer people crowding the streets of Newark than you’ll find in other East Coast cities, including New York City. This makes it easier to move around in the city, secure a venue, or clear the street for a shoot.
- Culture
Newark is the largest city in the state, and it also has the most arts, culture, and entertainment. Let’s face it, at the end of the day after finishing a photo shoot, you still have time to enjoy yourself before the next day’s shoot. Newark offers plenty of options.
Disadvantages
- Traffic
Driving in the New York City Metropolitan area doesn’t rank high on anyone’s list of fun things to do. Newark has fewer people, yes, but the roads were developed in the late 1600s and 1700s. It’s hard to have forward-thinking infrastructure when cars weren’t even a thing.
- Polluted air
The air quality in New Jersey is continuously some of the worst in the nation. While Newark doesn’t make the top ten of New Jersey cities with the worst air quality, the smog is still pretty bad. The air, rail, and shipping companies, as well as other industries, all contribute to the air quality issues.
- High crime
Newark also continuously ranks high on the list of cities with the worst crime rates in the country. There are preventative steps you can take to stay safe, but the high crime rate should be considered before booking a photo shoot venue.
Famous Locations in Newark
- Military, Lincoln, and Washington Parks
Newark offers a lot of public parks and green spaces within the city. Three of these – Military, Lincoln, and Washington Parks – all date back to the colonial era and are conveniently located downtown. Military Park is six acres, Washington Park is a full city square, and Lincoln Park is at the heart of the 23-acre neighborhood.
- Branch Brook Park
Most people think they need to visit Washington DC to see the cherry blossom trees. But Newark is actually home to the largest display of cherry blossom trees in the United States with over 5,000 trees total. Peak viewing occurs in early April every year at Branch Brook Park.
- Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart
The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart creates a stunning image nestled behind the blooming cherry blossom trees. Then again, it’s pretty impressive in any season and is one of the largest cathedrals in the country – rounding out the top five. The Cathedral welcomes visitors of any denomination on weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM.
