Photoshoot locations in Singapore as recommended by a photographer
With my years of experience being a photographer, I’ve collated a list of 10 photoshoot locations in Singapore for outdoor shoot experiences. These are in no particular order, and I love them all for different reasons.
When shortlisting photoshoot locations in Singapore, I usually ask my clients these questions:
- Do you prefer nature or urban locations?
- Any photo references that you love and would want to recreate?
- What do you want to feel when looking back at your photos?
Whether you’re a local or a tourist, here is my list of photoshoot locations in Singapore for outdoor shoots:
1. Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is by far the most popular photoshoot location in Singapore amongst tourists. I love Gardens by the Bay for its variety of backgrounds – the view of the supertrees, Marina Bay Sands, the Flower & Cloud Domes, and even the Singapore Flyer!
I usually meet my clients by the main entrance of Gardens by the Bay, which is where the McDonald’s and Starbucks are located. The best timing to shoot would be 8-10am when the morning sun hits just right, and it’s not too hot nor crowded with tour groups.
My basic photoshoot package is good enough to tick off most of the entire Gardens of the Bay, even with an outfit change or two in between!
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
Recommended time: 8-10am for morning light and less crowds
2. Gallop Extensions
This new extension of the Botanic Gardens opened up in 2021 and has quickly become a really popular photoshoot location in Singapore amongst clients – local or international.
I love the Gallop Extension of Botanic Gardens for its lush greenery accompanied with the two refurbished black-and-white colonial houses. The houses also provide shelter if the heat gets too much or if rain is pouring down! Gallop Extension is one of my go-to photoshoot locations in Singapore for wet weather too.
Address: Opposite 1, Tyersall Ave (main drop-off point and public carpark)
or 5 Gallop Rd, Singapore 258960 (roadside drop-off and walk up slope and you’ll see the buildings!)
Recommended time: 8-10am for morning light straight into the buildings; 5-7pm for golden hour glow
3. Peranakan Houses
The colourful Peranakan Houses in Joo Chiat are probably one of the most Instagram-able photoshoot locations in Singapore aside from Gardens by the Bay! My personal faves are the pastel-coloured shophouses!
Some cons of shooting at the Peranakan Houses though: The shophouses are actually lived in by residents and so there are huge green bins outside every door. The buildings are also along a busy two-way street so it’s a waiting game if you’re trying to get a wider shot from across the road. But I’d say it’s still worth the trip to get that money shot with the colourful shophouses!
Address: 287 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427540
Recommended time: 8-10am and 4-6pm for best light; avoid the midday sun because there’s no shelter around!
4. East Coast Park
If you’re looking to be close to the beach, East Coast Park is a great photoshoot location in Singapore. Its coastline stretches over 15km so there’s plenty of options when choosing a specific spot across the entire park.
I love that you get a mix of nature elements like the greenery and also the ocean. My personal favourite is the breakwater area at East Coast Park – we get to be so close to the water but not get wet! Vibes are immaculate here.
I love the area near the Bougainvillea Garden (nearest to carpark F2) and the ‘forested area’ near the National Sailing Club (nearest to carpark G)!
Address: East Coast Park Service Rd (Areas nearest to Car Park F2 and G are my favourite spots)
Recommended time: Sunrise or sunset! Depending on the sun position during the time of year, you may get the sunrise or sunset glow shining right on the beach.
5. Upper Peirce Reservoir Park
This is a really popular location requested by most of my portrait clients because it seems so tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore.
I love that we get golden hour light at the Upper Peirce Reservoir Park, and there are many photo spots with a variety of backgrounds. The crowd favourite is the sloped field by the reservoir, which creates a really picturesque scene.
Address: Along Old Upper Thomson Road (Google Maps link)
Recommended time: Sunrise or sunset! Depending on the sun position during the time of year, you may get the sunrise or sunset glow shining right on the beach.
6. Seletar Aerospace Park
I recommend this place whenever clients want to get photos with their cars. It’s right by Seletar Airport where you can watch the sunset and see private planes take off. It’s also filled with the classic black-and-white bungalows that make for nice vintage feels.
The downside would be how secluded this park is. Most of my clients drive here or even rent a car to make the trip so it’s more convenient for them.
Address: 2 Park Ln, Singapore 798386
Recommended time: 5-7pm is preferred because this location gets great afternoon light and even a pretty sunset view during certain times of the year.
7. National Gallery + Asian Civilisation Museum
If you’re keen on a location that gives off New York City or some Parisian vibes, you’ll love the museum district in Singapore. The National Gallery, Arts House, and Asian Civilisation Museum are all in the area, and these buildings have architectural styles that’d remind you of Europe.
Address: (Google Maps links) National Gallery, Arts House, Asian Civilisation Museum
Recommended time: 5-7pm so it’s less hot in the evenings and lighting is softer! However if you’re trying to avoid crowds, go earlier in the mornings around 8am onwards. But only if you’re okay with the glaring sun because the morning sun shines down pretty harshly on the buildings.
8. Merlion Park
Other than Gardens by the Bay, Merlion Park would be my second preferred location to bring tourists when they book a photoshoot with me. The Merlion is an icon to Singapore, and the view is made much better with Marina Bay Sands at the back too.
If you walk a little further, you’d get the Esplanade and the entire Singapore city skyline within your sights too.
Address: 1 Fullerton Rd, Singapore 049213 (nearest drop off point would be One Fullerton)
Recommended time: Go as early as sunrise to avoid tourists in your shots, or I’d recommend 5-7pm so it’s less hot and the light gets softer towards sunset. It can get pretty crowded here because it’s a popular tourist attraction.
9. Jurong Lake Gardens
There’s something very ethereal about Jurong Lake Gardens, especially the Lone Tree and the tall grass that grow around it. This place also reminds me of the Teletubbies land because of the small grass fields. Click into the link below to see more photos!
The downside of this photoshoot location is probably that there isn’t any shade nearby. So on hot days, it’s really sweltering hot, and on rainy days, there’s no escape either. Pray for good weather before you visit!
Address: 50 Yuan Ching Rd, Singapore 618661 (South Carpark is closest to the shoot spot)
Recommended time: Sunrise or sunset! There’s no shade at all in this park so it’ll be best if you’re there during the hours when it’s least hot in humid Singapore.
10. Tiong Bahru heartlands
If you’d like a photoshoot in the heartlands of Singapore, you’d like the Tiong Bahru neighbourhood as a photoshoot location. There are plenty of small alleys, quaint cafés, bookstores, and also a market and hawker centre nearby which are very iconic to everyday Singapore life.
Address: 50 Moh Guan Terrace, Singapore 161050 (this is one of the old HDB blocks in the area)
Recommended time: 8-10am in the mornings or 4-6pm in the afternoon would be great when it’s less hot. Mornings would be preferred if you want to shoot at the market with less people.
And there are my favourite photoshoot locations in Singapore! Even though Singapore is a small island city, there are more than enough photoshoot locations here to fulfill your every need.
If you’re interested to explore these locations on a photoshoot with me, you can head to my pricing page to check out my packages. When you’re ready to book a shoot with me, fill up my booking form and I’ll be in touch shortly!
Meanwhile, follow me on Instagram or Tiktok to see where else I’m shooting at!