Are you looking for the best Instagram spots in NuLu? The East Market District (NuLu) mixes colorful murals, historic architecture, cozy coffee shops, and curated gallery interiors that make for an easy Instagram crawl. Below are the top spots to snap gallery-ready photos and why they are a great go-to spot for pictures. If you’re looking for a full day of fun in NuLu, check out our blog on 24 Hours in NuLu.
Taking Pictures for the Best Instagram Spots in NuLu
NuLu is full of picture-ready corners, from colorful murals and gallery interiors to cozy coffee shops and moody evening bars. Start your photo crawl by getting camera-ready at TRIM NuLu, book a blowout or quick style so your hair looks flawless on every shot. Then step out of the salon and explore East Market Street, East Main Street, and everything inbetween. Snap portraits at Please & Thank You or Quills, mural shots along the corridor, editorial frames in local galleries, and moody evening images at Evergreen Liquors or La Bodeguita. With a fresh style and a one-mile loop of varied backdrops, you will leave with a feed full of standout photos.
1. Please & Thank You — 800 E. Market Street
Why it’s Instagram pic approved: Please & Thank You at 800 E. Market Street is a perfect Instagram spot because it combines bakery charm with lots of natural light and textured backdrops that make every photo feel warm and authentic. The shop’s counters, display cases, and cozy seating create layers and depth for both closeups and full-body shots. That warm, tactile backdrop helps hair and outfits pop without competing with the subject.
Timing and light: Aim for mid-morning when the sun is bright but not harsh. Soft window light will give skin a flattering glow and bring out hair shine. If you shoot with backlighting, have the subject hold the coffee cup so steam becomes a moody detail. For portraits use portrait mode or a 50mm equivalent focal length on your phone to keep the subject crisp and gently blur the background. While you’re there, grab a cookie! Please and Thank You have won many awards for their cookies over the years and is one more reason that Please & Thank You is one of the best Instagram spots in NuLu!
2. Quills Coffee — Firehouse at 802 E. Main
Why it’s Instagram pic approved: Quills Coffee’s Firehouse location offers dramatic architectural character, including high ceilings, wide doors, and exposed details that create strong leading lines and natural framing for portraits and flat-lays. The scale of the space gives you room to compose both full-body and close-up shots without distracting clutter, and the big doors and windows deliver beautiful directional light that photographers love.
Timing and light: Aim for mid-morning to early afternoon when the light streaming through the large doors is soft but abundant. If you shoot near opening or just after, you often get cleaner backgrounds and more flattering side light. For moody evening shots, use the door as a frame and rely on ambient interior light to create contrast.
3. NuLu Murals — East Market corridor
Why it’s Instagram pic approved: NuLu’s murals bring bold color, texture, and instant personality to photos. A strong mural becomes a graphic backdrop that adds energy to portraits and makes outfit choices pop. Pick a mural with contrast that complements your look so the subject stands out and the image reads clearly at a glance.
Timing and light: Golden hour softens colors and flatters skin for portrait work, while late morning gives punchy, saturated colors if the wall sits in full sun. Watch for harsh midday shadows; if light is strong, position your subject in partial shade or use the mural as a backlight for a glow around the hair.
Notable NuLu Murals and Where to Find them
- “NuLu Wildflower” — 701 E. Market St.
A colorful flower mural on the Red Tree / Red Top area that is easy to spot on the 700 block of East Market.
- “The Unified Race” — 826 E. Market St.
A horse-themed, prism-background mural by Kacy Jackson located in the NuLu Marketplace area (around the 800 block). It is one of the newer, very photo-friendly pieces.
- Revelry Boutique mural / “One Clover and a Bee” area — near 742 E. Market St.
Revelry and neighboring storefronts often feature rotating street art and shop murals; look for the bee/boxing-glove style mural near Revelry on the 700 block. - Murals clustered along the East Market corridor (700–900 E. Market St)
Many of NuLu’s murals, pasted paper projects, and public artworks sit along this compact stretch. You will find multiple large walls and newer additions as you walk east from 700 toward 900 E. Market. - Scattered partner works and pop-ups
NuLu also hosts rotating pop-up murals and installations during First Friday and festival events. Artists associated with the local scene include Kacy Jackson, Liz Richter, The Art Cartel and others whose works appear on market-facing walls and alleys.
4. Revelry Boutique + Gallery — 742 E. Market Street
Why it’s Instagram pic approved: Revelry’s curated interiors and rotating displays make for intimate, editorial-style shots. The boutique’s styling elements add layers to photos. The curated interiors and rotating displays create an editorial, magazine-worthy backdrop for photos. The shop mixes textured fabrics, layered displays, and artful props that add depth and interest to both full-body and closeup shots. Because the layout is intentionally styled, every corner looks composed on purpose, which makes it easy to get a polished image with minimal staging.
Timing and light
Visit mid-morning on a weekday for cleaner backgrounds and soft natural light. If you shoot during First Friday, expect more energy and pop-ups, but also more people in the frame. Use window light where possible and avoid harsh midday sun that can blow out highlights on reflective surfaces.
5. Paul Paletti Gallery — 713 E. Market Street
Why it’s Instagram pic approved: Paul Paletti Gallery’s clean, museum-like interiors and thoughtfully lit photographic displays create a minimal, high-end backdrop that instantly elevates portraits to an editorial level. The neutral walls and large-scale works let your subject stand out while adding visual interest without clutter.
Timing and light
Aim for late morning to early afternoon when gallery light is steady and diffuse. Many galleries use directional track lighting that creates dramatic highlights and shadow play; use those contrasts for moodier, editorial portraits. Avoid flash unless you have permission, since it can wash out artwork and disturb other visitors.
6. TRIM NuLu Mirror Selfies — 600 E. Main Street, Suite 103
Why it’s Instagram Pic Approved:
Mirror selfies at TRIM NuLu are high-conversion, authentic content that shows real before and after transformations. They capture the stylist’s work, highlight texture and shine, and give prospective clients a quick, believable glimpse of what to expect. New hair makes TRIM NuLu one of the best Instagram spots in NuLu.
Timing and Light:
Schedule your mirror shots at the end of the service when styling is finished and product is set. Aim for natural or soft salon lighting rather than harsh direct light to avoid blown highlights. If your stylist uses finishing spray, wait a minute so the product settles and hair reads naturally on camera. Make sure to book your appointment in advance!
7. Evergreen Liquors — 720 E. Market Street
Why it’s Instagram Pic Approved:
Evergreen Liquors’ bourbon bar offers moody, intimate lighting and rich tonal backdrops that make evening photos feel cinematic. Rows of bottles, warm wood, and glass reflections create layered compositions that read beautifully on camera and help hair and outfits pop in low light. Grab a bourbon at one of the best Instagram spots in NuLu!
Timing and Light:
Evening is prime time. Aim for the early evening when the bar lights are warm but not fully dimmed. If the space gets crowded, shoot sooner rather than later or ask the bartender for a quiet corner. Use the bar’s ambient glow and avoid harsh flash. If you must add light, use your phone’s screen as a subtle fill or a small LED panel set low and warm.
8. La Bodeguita de Mima — 725 E. Market Street
Why it’s Instagram Pic Approved:
La Bodeguita de Mima offers colorful, warm interiors and plated dishes that make for vibrant lifestyle photos. The restaurant’s rich textures, artful plating, and atmospheric lighting create natural compositions that pair beautifully with hair detail shots and candid table moments.
Timing and Light:
Early evening is ideal for dinner photos when the interior lighting is warm and flattering. Lunch can work too if you want brighter, more natural light. If you plan food closeups, shoot quickly after dishes arrive so colors and steam read fresh on camera.
Conclusion
Wrap up your NuLu day by enjoying the neighborhood’s mix of coffee, art, shops, and great food, and don’t forget your fresh look from TRIM NuLu. Book your mid-day appointment now to be camera-ready for murals, galleries, and evening photos: https://trimnulu.co/book. Share your favorite shots and tag the businesses and artists you visit so the community gets the credit. Thank you for supporting local shops and helping keep NuLu vibrant and photo ready. Did you find one of our best Instagram spots in NuLu? Let us know by tagging us on Insta! @trimnulu