We live in a pretty city, made even more attractive by its diversity. Sure, you can find lush green spaces in Toronto, and you can catch sunsets that look like paintings. But you can also explore an abundance of urban energy: gritty graffiti, strange street performers, towering skyscrapers and time-worn monuments.
The city is an endless cavalcade of photo opportunities. And in this blog post, consider us your creative director. With ample experience touring the city’s neighbourhoods and luxury properties, we at Harvey Kalles have seen every corner of the Six. Below, find our picks for the best places to take pictures in Toronto.
Grab your best camera and let’s hit the town.
The Classic Out-of-Towner Photo: The “Toronto” Sign at Nathan Phillips Square
Few sights are more iconic than the “Toronto” sign at Nathan Phillips Square. Often, when Toronto makes national news or receives foreign coverage, you’ll find that sign front and centre in the article. The sign is set against an impressive urban backdrop featuring the curved edifices of Toronto City Hall, and foregrounded by a fountain that reflects the sign’s bright colours. You might need to jostle alongside the throngs of tourists for a photo, but it’s worth it.
The Daredevil: EdgeWalk-ing on the CN Tower
The views from atop the CN tower are fantastic, surveying a broad panorama of the city. (Incidentally, the only thing you can’t photograph from atop the tower is the iconic tower itself!). You can find a perfectly good photo opportunity on the observation deck, which boasts tall, unobstructed windows. But if you’re ready to lay your fears on the line for the perfect shot, you can’t beat the EdgeWalk: a harness-suspended, 116-storey-high walk along the top of the tower. You aren’t allowed personal photo devices (if your Nikon drops 1,168 feet, it could really hurt someone), but you get a couple of complimentary photos with the experience.
The Springtime Rite of Passage: Cherry Blossoms at High Park
Who says Toronto can’t turn on the charm? Every year, from late April to early May, the cherry blossom trees of High Park put on an immensely charming show – a dense, pink smattering of blossoms practically begging to be photographed. It’s one of the most popular spring photo spots in Toronto, so arrive early to beat the crowds.
The Album Cover: The Graffitied Alleyways of Beaconsfield Village
Yes, there’s the official “Graffiti Alley” near Queen Street West and Spadina, and it is a marvel to behold, but you’ll find yourself elbow-to-elbow with countless other amateur photographers. For a similar experience with virtually no other people to block your shot, consider the graffitied alleyways of Beaconsfield Village. Located north of Queen, between Dufferin and Dovercourt, this gorgeous area is home to a network of tastefully illustrated alleys, revealing the quieter side of the urban experience.
The Unpredictable Photo: Kensington Market
Everyone loves Kensington Market – not in spite of its unpredictability but because of it. On any given day, you’ll find crust punks spitting fire, fortune tellers cutting a tarot deck on the sidewalk, dogs eating the remains of a Jamaican patty from a bench, and about a thousand other strange sights. It’s what makes Kensington one of the most unique places to take pictures in Toronto. Your camera finger needs to be ready at all times in Kensington Market – you never know what’ll happen next.
The “Last Chance to Capture It” Shot: Ontario Place
Recently, the provincial government announced plans to redevelop and revitalize Ontario Place beginning in 2024. For the urban photographer, that means that time is ticking to capture it in its current beauty – the Ontario Place we all know and love. Snap gorgeous shots of Lake Ontario, artful pics of the Cinesphere, and captivating grabs of Trillium Park before it’s too late. Undoubtedly, what comes next for Ontario Place will be lovely, but it won’t be the slice of Toronto history we grew up with.
The ”I Can’t Believe This is Toronto” Snap: The Scarborough Bluffs
Away from the vibrant Toronto nightlife, nestled in the southern end of Scarborough, you’ll find “the Bluffs,” as Torontonians call it. Unlike anything else around them, the Bluffs are a series of white cliffs overlooking a turquoise section of Lake Ontario. On a hot day, you could trick yourself into thinking you’re at some Mediterranean coastal hotspot. A popular destination for pics, you’ll encounter several signs warning you to be careful taking pictures over the escarpment. Heed the warnings; you do not want those rocks to give out underneath you.
The Ideal Skyline Snaps: Toronto Island or Riverdale Park East
We can think of few more beautiful places to take pictures in Toronto than the Toronto Islands and Riverdale Park East. Both of these quintessential photo spots in Toronto offer a stunning skyline view, each from a different perspective. On Toronto Island, you get a north-facing view of the skyline, complete with all the skyscrapers dotting the lakeside. And on the massive sloped hill in Riverdale Park East (a wonderful neighbourhood for young families, by the way), you get a west-facing take on the city.
Naturally, art is subjective. Our favourite places to take pictures in Toronto might not be yours. Our advice is to do some adventuring of your own. Whether you’re a newcomer or a long-time resident, there’s always some new corner of the city to explore and capture. To own your piece of this picture-perfect city, connect with the skilled realtors at Harvey Kalles Real Estate. We’d be more than happy to find you a photogenic home.
