TOP CAPE MAY PHOTOGAPHY SPOTS

Great Photography and a Great Place to Stay

Cape May, located at the southern tip of New Jersey, is a Victorian resort town. It was the country’s first seaside resort and much of its original flavor still exists in the properties and other sites within the city. Settled by whalers and fishermen in colonial times, the town suffered a devastating fire in 1878 and was rebuilt during the Victorian period. As a result, Cape May is known for its concentration on Victorian-era architecture. It was declared a national historic landmark in 1976.

A canal dug from a natural shallow creek runs from Cape May’s harbor to Delaware Bay, making Cape May an island. Historically, it’s known as Cpe Island.

Cape May’s two primary industries are tourism and fishing. It is second to Atlantic City for tourism in New Jersey. Being at the confluence of De aware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean allows Cape May full access to many types of fishing opportunities.

Cape May is also home to the Coast Guard Training Station.

There are many things to photograph in Cape May, New Jersey. It is a central New Jersey b d photography location and belongs to the dark sky photography location. It has a ton of charm with its Victorian houses, and even in the dead of winter, you can photograph the local square and create dynamic images. Santa Claus will be hanging out in the town square if you go during Christmas. He is very photogenic. You can even get the ghost of Santa if you do some trick photography. You can also go ghost hunting while there and even take some whale photography on a boat tour.

PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTS

On the coast of New Jersey, Cape May offers a plethora of opportunities for photographers to capture stunning images. From the graceful flight of colorful birds to the vibrant hues of a sunrise or sunset over the ocean, there is beauty at every turn. The town also provides countless possibilities for photography, with its charming architecture and picturesque streets that seem frozen in time. And for those passionate about astrophotography, the clear night skies offer a breathtaking display of the Milky Way. No matter what type of photography you enjoy, Cape May will provide endless inspiration and stunning shots.

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CAPE MAY LIGHTHOUSE

The iconic Cape May lighthouse stood tall against the backdrop of the sky, its white and red standing out in stark contrast. We had the opportunity to photograph it both day and night, capturing its beauty in different lighting conditions. As we made our way there, We couldn’t help but wonder if any aliens were following us, as they often seem to do. Despite our hopes for a stunning sunset shoot, the evening skies were lackluster and uneventful. Undeterred the next day, we ventured up the winding staircase to the very top of the lighthouse, taking advantage of every angle and perspective to capture its essence. Inside, the warm light filtered through large windows, casting shadows and creating a peaceful atmosphere.

EMLEN PHYSICK ESTATE

At the day’s peak, we entered the Emlen Psychic Estate and were immediately greeted by shelves of ghost-hunting books. The walls were adorned with antique mirrors and portraits of long-deceased residents, each seemingly peering back at us curiously. Despite its reputation as a ghost-hunting mecca, we didn’t feel any eerie presence or supernatural activity during our visit. Perhaps the blinding sunbeams flooded through the windows, intensifying the sweltering heat. But even amid this bright and bustling town, an undeniable energy lingered in every corner, hinting at the possibility of otherworldly encounters.

You can take some good photos of the grounds outside and go ghost hunting. However, it’s recommended to do it after sunset. You can stop here to take pictures while you roam around the town and click on some beautiful Victorian-style houses.

YOU CANNOT TAKE PICTURES INSIDE THE ESTATE.

CENTER OF TOWN

In the center of Cape May, we captured the essence of this charming seaside town during two contrasting seasons. In the height of summer, vibrant flower baskets hung from lampposts, and families strolled along the promenade, soaking up the sun and sea breeze. The aroma of freshly baked saltwater taffy wafted through the streets as children eagerly awaited to sit on Santa’s lap during the Christmas season. In wintertime, the town center was transformed into a winter wonderland, with twinkling lights adorning every storefront and Santa himself appearing in the town center. Our cameras captured the magic of both seasons in this picturesque downtown area.

WHALE WATCHING PHOTOGRAPHY

As the boat docked at the port, Carol could be seen disembarking with her 150-500 mm lens in tow. Her face was flushed with excitement. She had spent several hours out at sea, capturing stunning photographs of majestic whales as they breached and played in the ocean’s depths. Despite the rough ride, she couldn’t contain her joy as recounted her whale-watching adventure in Cape May. The town was renowned for its whale-watching tours, and Carol had experienced it all firsthand, braving the rolling waves and unpredictable weather to capture nature’s beauty through her lens.

Since 1993, the 110-foot Cape May Whale Watcher has provided dolphin and whale-watching tours in Cape May, Wildwood, Stone Harbor, Atlantic City, and the rest of the New Jersey Shore. PHOTOGRAPH WALES—CRUISES Book your tour with them, like Carol did, and get some dynamic shots at sea.

SUNSET POINT

(Top sunset photo)

Located at the base of Cape May, Sunset Point is a popular spot among photographers. It offers a stunning view of the sunset. It’s just past the World War II lookout tower, which you can photograph. Parking’s a little rough in this location, so manifest the spot in the front row before you go.

SUNSET BEACH GIFT SHOPS, MINI GOLF AND GRILLE—Sunset Boulevard—Cape May Point, New Jersey. In one trip, you can grab something to eat and explore the gift shop.

MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPH

This location in New Jersey is known for its beautiful Milky Way photography, but we have not been successful due to bad weather. If you’re a Milky Way photographer and down this way, you must photograph the East Point Lighthouse, which is about 40 minutes or so from the Cape May area. You can’t come all this way without Photographing The East Point lighthouse, that’s for sure.

CAPE MAY BEACH MILKY WAY

The beach at the tip of Cape May is known to be the darkest spot, making it the perfect spot for Milky Way sightings. We have seen breathtaking images of the Ghost Railroad and Milky Way taken from this location but have yet to find the railroad ourselves. This year, we will prioritize exploring and discovering the elusive Ghost Railroad during the peak of Cape May’s Milky Way season.

CAPE MAY BUNKER MILKY WAY

The Cape May Bunker is a prime location for capturing stunning shots of the Milky Way through photography. Despite our attempts, the weather kept us from photographing this spot. However, we are determined to make it happen this year in 2024. It’s a really dark area, and it’s quite spooky.

SEE BELOW FOR HOW TO SHOOT THE MILKY WAY.

GHOST HUNTING PHOTOGRAPHY

Speaking of spooky. Cape May is famous for its ghost-hunting photography. As the sun sets over the horizon, the town takes on an eerie atmosphere, with whispers and shadows lurking around every corner. The historic buildings that line the streets are said to be haunted by the spirits of past residents; their presence is felt in every creaking floorboard and flickering light. Even the gentle ocean breeze carries a sense of unease as it passes through abandoned alleyways and forgotten graveyards. Locals and tourists flock to this haunted town, cameras ready to capture any paranormal activity. We will dedicate a whole article in our ghost-hunting section to this town.

PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR LIST

A sturdy tripod will be vital for getting Milky Way and Waterfall shots.
A wide-angle lens will help you fit the majestic mountains into your frame.
Bring a telephoto lens and monopod for wildlife photography to help stabilize your camera.
Pack plenty of extra batteries and memory cards, as you’ll likely take many photos.
Bring your macro lens to photograph the vast landscapes and intricate details of the surrounding nature.
Pack an array of filters, from UV to polarized, to take the glare off the water and neutral density filters for long exposure to milky water effects.
Bring a spare set of fully charged batteries and extra memory cards; you never know when a perfect shot will present itself, and the last thing you want is your camera battery.
SEE BELOW FOR THE FULL MILKY WAY GEAR LIST

WHAT ELSE TO BRING – A PACKING LIST

Organic bug repellent. (Non-organic is very toxic)
Organic Sun protection. (Non-organic sunscreen is a cancer cause.)
Durable hiking boots for any trail or terrain you may encounter.
Have a waterproof backpack or rain cover to protect your equipment.
Packaging a rain jacket and long pants.
A hat and sunglasses to shield yourself from the elements.
A thermos for Milky Way photography nights.
Navigation tools such as a map and compass. A smartphone with a GPS app works.
First-aid kit
Knife or multi-tool

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO SHOOT THE MILKY WAY?

This is a DARK SKY area that is good for the Milky Way.

Months: The Milky Way Core can be seen from March to October, disappearing below the horizon for the rest of the year. It appears in the early morning hours in March and becomes visible earlier each month. The best time to catch a glimpse of the core is during summer when it can be seen immediately after sunset, providing an ideal viewing opportunity for stargazers and photographers.

New Moon: Timing is crucial to see the Milky Way. This celestial event can only be seen on clear nights without a visible moon, limiting the window for viewing.

Light Pollution: The best way to experience the full wonder of the Milky Way is to escape from areas with heavy light pollution. However, it may be possible to see some faint traces of the galaxy from places with mild artificial lighting; the most spectacular views can be found in remote locations far from cities and civilizations. Check out our How to Section for more details, including using a light pollution map to guide you to dark sky locations.

HOW LONG TO PHOTOGRAPH THIS AREA?

This area can be explored and photographed in a few days. You should pair this with other great photography locations. We highly suggest the East Point Lighthouse, which is about a 40-minute or so drive away.

WHAT PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR SHOULD I BRING?

SEE OUR LIST BELOW

WHAT ESLE SHOULD I BRING?

Water and Snacks, a thermos for your coffee.
Bug repellent is especially useful if you go to the East Point Lighthouse.

Not much else. This is an easily accessible location with many flowers and great views from the top of the lighthouse.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

Cape May County, New Jersey, United States borough is at the bottom of New Jersey. You get there via the Garden State Parkway.

WHAT OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY IS NEARBY?

We highly suggest pairing this trip with the East Point Lighthouse. You can also see our New Jersey Milky Way Photography Locations here.

And other New Jersey Photography Locations here.

HOW BUSY DOES IT GET?

It gets packed in the summer, especially on the weekends and sometimes midweek. Make sure you book your room in advance. We couldn’t find a room one night, so we drove home.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Have fun, and watch out for aliens like we do!

PHOTOGRAPHY T-SHIRTS & MORE

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SURVIVAL FOOD

GEAR LIST FOR SHOOTING MILKY WAY

LIGHT POLLUTION MAP:

Light pollution map

CAMERA:

You will need a camera to manually control your ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.

LENS:

A fast, wide-angle lens of 1.4 – 2.8 is ideal. If you use a 3.5 or higher (slower lens), you must increase the ISO. The higher the ISO, the more grain or digital noise or grain will appear in your photos.

TRIOPD:

A good, sturdy tripod is essential for night photography. If it gets windy, you will need a sturdy one. Remember that when you buy one, it should be sturdy enough to withstand the wind but small enough to fit in your suitcase.

SKY MAP:

Sky Guide is available through the iTunes Store for $1.99. It has a 5 out of 5-star rating on both the current (3.2) version (1200+ ratings) and all previous versions (8600+ ratings).

FLASHLIGHT:

Our choice is Coast brand for flashlights. The ideal flashlight will have high lumens, and you can zoom in and out on the light emitting from the flashlight. Get the HP7, PX45, or the G50. Ideally, go with the HP7.

MOON PHAZE MAP:

The best time to go is during a new moon; you want to be in the darkest area possible. The week before the new moon, when the moon has not risen, is a perfect time to go, so be sure to check the moonrise chart to see when the moon will be up.

REMOTE SHUTTER RELEASE:

When painting with light and over a 30-second exposure, you must have a shutter release to use your bulb mode. When exposing your pictures in general, you can use the remote release or use your camera’s built-in two-second timer.

CAMERA SETTINGS FOR MILKY WAY

ISO:

Start with ISO 1600 – 3200. This is just a common starting point, and you will adjust from here.

Shutter Speed – Remember, the earth is rotating. If you leave the shutter open for too long, you will see star trails that will not make for a crisp image. We want crisp, non-star trail images. Here is the formula to avoid star trails—the 500 rule – Divide 500 by the focal length of your lens. So, if you have a 24mm lens on a full-frame camera, you will set your shutter speed to 20 sec. (500/24 = 20.83). If you are using a crop sensor camera, first do the math of the crop sensor to find the focal length. Cannon is 1.6, Nikon is 1.5. Convert to full-frame focal length, then use the formula. Nikon 18mm x 1.5= 27mm – 500/27 = 18.51 seconds.

APERTURE:

Depth of field isn’t critical on these shots, but letting the light into the camera is; therefore, you should shoot wide open if. If the depth of field is essential to you, try not to go too high. (wide open =the lowest aperture your camera will allow). You will have to increase the ISO some, giving you digital noise.

SHUTTER SPEED:

Now that the ISO and aperture are set in manual mode, roll your shutter speed until your meter reads (0) zero. Take a test shot and adjust from there. Remember, the earth is rotating. If you leave the shutter open for too long, you will see star trails that will not make for a crisp image. You can make star trails specifically, but that’s not what we are going for here since we started with Milky Way photography. We want crisp, non-star trail images when doing this.

Here is the formula to avoid star trails—the 500 rule – Divide 500 by the focal length of your lens. So, if you have a 24mm lens on a full-frame camera, you will set your shutter speed to 20 sec. (500/24 = 20.83). If you are using a crop sensor camera, first do the math of the crop sensor to find the focal length. Cannon is 1.6, Nikon is 1.5. Convert to full-frame focal length, then use the formula. Nikon 18mm x 1.5= 27mm – 500/27 = 18.51 seconds.

WHITE BALANCE:

In live view mode, you can change your white balance settings and see what it will look like. You can shoot in shade or cloud mode as a standard setting and adjust things later when editing.

LIVE VIEW:

To focus in the dark, use your camera’s live view, hit the zoom button, and focus on a bright star. You can also use the infinity setting on your lens but do several test shots to determine accuracy. It can be off a little on some lenses. You can also light it up with a flashlight, focus, then gently, without touching the focus ring, put the camera in manual focus so it will not search for the focus. You must do this each time you move your camera to take your next angel.

WHEN TO VIEW THE MILKY WAY:

The best images are usually of the dense part of the Milky Way. We can see this part of the milk way in the southern sky. During March, April, and May, the Milky Way rises above the horizon in the pre-dawn hours. In June, at about 10:00 p.m., you will see the Milky Way. From July until October, you can see the Milky Way as soon as it sunsets, and it becomes dark enough to see about an hour after sunset. In November, the Milky Way no longer comes above the horizon. You will have to wait until March if you want to stay away really late or get up early to see her again.

See our Milky Way Hot Spot Locator and our Night Photography Information.

THE SEA CREST INN

This hotel is the perfect romantic Cape May getaway for couples and a great location for photographers. The Sea Crest is owned and operated by a local couple and is located in a quiet part of Cape May, overlooking one of the largest beaches on the island. It is close to the shopping area, fine restaurants, and historic homes.

With features like oceanfront suites, fully equipped kitchens, the only outdoor whirlpool in Cape May, and extra-large balconies, why stay elsewhere? Close to restaurants, nightspots, fishing, tennis, golfing, swimming, horseback riding, biking, shopping, and steps away from the beach, you haven’t experienced the Jersey Shore until you’ve experienced Cape May at the Sea Crest Inn.

The Seacrest Inn

Rooms and Information

All Rooms & Suites Non-Smoking
Free Wireless Internet
Easy walk to restaurants and shops
100% Off-Street Parking

Book your stay today.

Address: 101 Beach Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204

Phone: (866) 733-1405

Panoramic views of ocean, beach, and pool
Tranquil adult atmosphere
Fully equipped kitchens
Large heated swimming pool

Poolside gazebo
Poolside whirlpool
Beautifully Landscaped Gardens
Elevator

Health Club Passes
Coin-operated laundry
Daily Maid Service

Learn from award-winning photographer Pamela Goodyer, a psychic medium: photography lessons, tours and workshops.

Individual one-on-one lessons in Photography or ghost-hunting

Hire Paranormal Pam to bring on the apparitions and lead your ghost hunt, or join her on a Ghost Hunting Photography Tour.

CHECK FOR DISCOUNTS – NIGHT AND WEEKEND INSTRUCTIONS

FOOD & DINING

Add Your Restaurant Here. Do you want us to send our photography and ghost-hunting friends to your restaurant after their ghost-hunting trip? Put your restaurant information here. We will include a picture of your establishment, the website link, the phone number, and the information on your restaurant to make it easy for them to find you. INVITE US TO VISIT YOU; we are in Cape May a few times a year.

HOTEL INFO

The Sea Crest Inn is the only place we stay. See above for complete details.

AREA

INFORMATION

Cape May Park and Area Information

Entrance Fees: There are no entrance fees to parks in Cape May, but you do have to pay to go on the beach during the season.

WEATHER

Area Weather

Click here to see what the weather is like in Cape May

Don’t forget that you can use a rain sleeve on your camera if it is raining. If it is bright and sunny, you want to use a low ISO such as 100.

If you are doing photography along with your ghost hunting on cloudy days, you can do running water or waterfall photography to avoid the glaring sun. You can also use an ND filter to get a long exposure for dramatic effects, even in the sunshine. If you ghost hunt indoors in abandoned places, be careful!

CAMPING

Add your campground here!

Do you want us to send our photography and ghost-hunting friends to your campground to stay during their ghost-hunting trip? Put your campground information here. We will put a picture of your establishment, the website link, the phone number, and the information on your campground to make it easy for our photographers and ghost hunters to find you. They are good at getting there in the dark.

Would you like to be featured in an article as a place to stay while doing photography or ghost hunting? If so, please send us an email. You will be surprised at how affordable our prices can be.