A Guide to the Best Philadelphia Engagement Photo Locations
My couples are always asking me for suggestions regarding locations for their engagement session, so I compiled my list of the best Philadelphia engagement photo locations! Relax and enjoy my favorite locations in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. There’s certainly something here to fit any style!
Addison Street
Addison Street is a popular location for engagement sessions thanks to the trees draped with string lights along this quaint city street. It is one of the most beautiful streets in Philly and it’s perfect for proposals, engagement, and wedding photos! No permit required.
City Hall
Portraits on the median is one of the most iconic locations in Philadelphia for portraits. I like to use the median across from Union League on South Broad. No permit required.
Click here to see Kristen & Mike’s engagement session!
Elfreth’s Alley
Elfreth’s Alley is the nations oldest residential street and is also one of the most beautiful. I love photographing on this colorful and historic street. No permit required.
Click here to see Mary Kate and Patrick’s engagement session.
Lincoln Financial Field
One of the most unique locations for a Philadelphia engagement session and perfect for the couple who loves the Eagles. Click here to find out all the information for having a portrait session at Lincoln Financial Field.
Click here to see Jen and Jeremy’s session there!
Merchant Exchange Building
One of my favorite Philadelphia engagement photo locations is the Merchant Exchange Building. It is the oldest existing stock exchange building in the United States, but is now used as the headquarters of the Independence National Historical Park. I love using the building as a backdrop for portraits as well as the cobblestone streets. To fill out the permit to photograph there, click here.
To view Jenna and Ach’s Merchant Exchange Building engagement session, click here.
Race Street Pier
I love photographing at Race Street Pier as the park provides soaring views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and the river.
Click here to view Hayley and Luke’s Race Street Pier engagement session.
Rittenhouse Square
Rittenhouse Square is one of five original squares planned by city founder William Penn in the late 17th century, Rittenhouse Square is located in the heart of the city and provides beautiful greenery. No permit required.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
One of the most iconic Philadelphia engagement photo locations. I enjoy photographing my couples on the stairs, at the top of the stairs to capture beautiful views of the city as well as behind the stairs. Water Works is just behind the Art Museum and another beautiful spot for portraits. To fill out a permit to shoot at Water Works, click here.
Click here to view Kayla & Kenny’s Art Museum engagement session!
Temple University
Temple University is the perfect location for engagement photos for the couple who met on campus.
Click here to see Kristen & Mike’s engagement session!
Just outside of Philly:
Corinthian Yacht Club
The Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia is a yacht club located right outside of the city in Essington, PA. The Yacht Club provides beautiful river views with piers full of boats. Permission and a copy of your photographer’s insurance certificate is required.
Click here to view Kristi & Drew’s Corinthian Yacht Club engagement session.
Grange Estate
The Historic Grange Estate located in Havertown, PA is a beautiful location for an engagement session. The property has a mansion, carriage house, two spring houses, a barn, tenant house and charming ruins. There are also gardens and woodlands on site. Permission is required to photograph here.
Click here to view Christina & Chris’ Grange Estate engagement session!
Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens is one of my most favorite locations to photograph at and I have photographed many engagement and maternity sessions here! Some of my favorite areas to use as backdrops are the Conservatory, the Fountain Gardens, Chimes Tower and many other spots. Each season offers different blooms, so it never looks the same. Another huge bonus, they have Cherry blossoms in the spring! Now through September 30, 2024, photo shoots are only permitted in their outdoor Gardens only, no indoor photo shoots are allowed. October 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, photo shoots will not be permitted. On March 1, 2025, the new policy takes effect. Special occasion and contracted photography will take place in the outdoor Gardens after purchasing a photography permit (Pricing starts at $250 and increases based on the number of guests). Permits will be available for most days at specified times. Click here to view their new rules in full.
To view my most recent sessions at Longwood Gardens, click here.
Marsh Creek State Park
Marsh Creek State Park, located in Downingtown, PA is a beautiful location for an engagement session. I like photographing along the water at Marsh Creek Lake, on the dock and along the beach grass and I enjoy using the row boats and canoes as backdrops!
Click here to view Lauren & Joe’s Marsh Creek State Park engagement session.
Peace Valley
Peace Valley Park is a 1,500 acre park located near Doylestown, PA and is part of the Bucks County Park system. The park surrounds Lake Galena which is one of the reasons I love this park so much. Peace Valley has stunning foliage in the fall as well as many trails for a woodsy engagement session.
Ridley Creek Park
Ridley Creek is one of my favorite Philadelphia photo locations. I like to shoot in the area surrounding the Hunting Hill Mansion, it offers a fountain, pretty stairs, paths, trees and foliage and architecture. A permit is now required to photograph here.
Click here to see Gina & Nick’s Ridley Creek engagement session!
Tyler State Park
Located 33 miles from Center City Philadelphia, Tyler State Park consists of 1,711 acres in Bucks County. Park roads, trails, and facilities are carefully nestled within the original farm and woodland setting. Neshaminy Creek runs through the park, dividing the land into several interesting sections. The Creek and trails make for interesting backgrounds for engagement session photos! A permit is now required to photograph here.
