Times Square Hustles; a Photo Essay
As a New York City based professional photographer, I have spent a great deal of time in Times Square with clients shooting portraits, capturing street photography, and even photographing billboards and exteriors of commercial spaces. Along the way, I have learned a lot about one of the world’s busiest destinations and what makes the area tick. This photo guide will give you a better understanding of what it is like to be in Times Square, focused on the hustles and scams.
Times Square is an amazing space for people watching and street photography. Drawing the largest crowds are dancers and gymnasts that wow with their acrobatics and our first topic.
The performances are set out in four acts. Act 1 - Set the Stage. Here a group of 6-10 performers lay out an area with cones and let passers by know a show is about to begin. With music playing and an mc on a mic, they let the crowd know, once formed to come up to the cone line. Act 2- This either consists of almost no acrobatics or a great deal of bounding and dancing with each performer taking a turn. This lasts about 5 minutes and is all you need to see.
Act 3- This is consistent across the board. The performers enthusiastically elicit volunteers from the crowd of onlookers and line them up. There is a method to their madness as they look for well dressed and well to do (mainly males) middle aged audience members. The line is made and joke upon joke until they jump or flip over one of them who is usually bent over. Act 4- Every member of the group asks for tips at this point and here is where I don’t feel great about the grift. They use the stage to embarrass the volunteers when they don’t give or when they only give $5 instead of $20. After days and months and years of doing this, I know these hustlers are able to pick those who will likely feel bad for not giving in front of all the onlookers.
The chess hustle is very simple. The man with the board on the left sets up his board and clock and charges any takers to a 3 minute, $5 game. That’s it. No gambling, no frills. You win you pay. You lose, you pay. Another version of this is the chess hustler will offer lessons.
Watch out for the pedicab hustle. The honest ones will charge you between $6 and $8 a minute. The dishonest ones don’t display their pricing and may charge much more. Even at $8 a minute, I did the match and determined this was one of the most expensive experiences in all of New York.
As a portrait photographer, I am always impressed with the speed and craft of street portrait artists. In 2024 New York City you can expect to pay about $30 to have a portrait done. You’ll get a discount per person (for example 2 for $50 in the same portrait). This hustle, in my opinion is a pretty good value and you can support licensed artists so if it is your thing,
Since I mentioned licensed vendors, know there are a multitude of illegal set ups. These vendors were shut down by the police only to reopen about 40 feet away within 2 minutes. The risk is that you are buying items of poor quality and in the case of brand names you can count on them being knock offs.
So many people so many ways to spend your money. Who doesn’t need a balloon stick! Below you have a statue performer, unofficial doorman helping at Starbucks, the video service, and the Disney characters asking for money to get photos with them.
When it comes to photographers. They are literally everywhere. Many work for donations and there are many levels to their professionalism. As a portrait photographer, I pay close attention to how they operate and often peak at their results. Those who use flash well are completely dialed in and get amazing captures. Be sure to ask about price up front and I would recommend watching a photographer work before approaching him or her!
The comedy club hustle is a prevalent one. Be sure to ask about drink minimums and what is being offered but expect for your ticket to not be worth much and for the drinks to be extremely expensive.
Vendors in Times Square don’t display their pricing for a reason. They will charge 2-3 as much as market value whenever they are able. Asking ahead of time and agreeing on a price is key or better yet, eat somewhere else.
In the midst of Times Square's vibrant energy and endless hustle, it's important to navigate with awareness and discernment. Professional photographer Abrahm Shearer has provided a captivating glimpse into the diverse array of experiences that define this iconic New York City destination. From the lively performances of street artists to the subtle nuances of vendor hustles, each photo tells a story of resilience, creativity, and the dynamic spirit of Times Square. As you navigate these bustling streets, may you tread with caution, curiosity, and a keen eye for the extraordinary amidst the ordinary. If you are looking for a location professional photographer and guide in Times Square book here and for prints of New York City Skylines check out Abrahm’s fine art.
