Philadelphia is an incredibly diverse city. It’s full of art, culture, and more nature than most people realize. Needless to say, I love taking engagement photos in Philadelphia. In this blog post, I share the best locations for engagement sessions. Whether you want a natural or urban feel, you’ll find the perfect spot for you.
- The Best Locations for Engagement Photos in Philadelphia
- Parks and Nature
- City Vibes
- Indoor Locations
- Book Your Engagement Photos in Philadelphia
The Best Locations for Engagement Photos in Philadelphia
Discover the perfect setting for your engagement photos in Philadelphia.
Parks and Nature
Wissahickon Valley Park
Wissahickon Valley Park is a 2,000-acre park run by the Friends of the Wissahickon. Philadelphians love hiking, fishing, and even horseback riding here. It has a great mix of accessible and rugged trails.
If you’re the type of people who love to spend Saturdays on the trail or lounging creekside, Wissahickon Valley Park is a fun option for your engagement photos in Philadelphia.
You can access the park year-round, and it’s beautiful in every season. Your photographer will need to obtain a permit for your session, since the park is part of the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation system.
You can see more Wissahickon Valley Park engagement photos in this blog post.
Pennypack Park
Pennypack Park is part of a network of parks and preserves that line the Pennypack Creek. You’ll find people splashing in swimming holes in the summer and soaking up the foliage in the fall. I like that there’s a paved path with benches along the way for anyone who may need to rest periodically.
There are open spaces and picnic areas, too. You can pack a romantic picnic for your engagement session and enjoy a yummy bite as well as each other’s company.
You can access Pennypack Park all year. There are many dirt trails that get muddy in wet weather, though. Make sure you plan accordingly.
Awbury Arboretum
Awbury Arboretum is a beautiful green space in Germantown. It has a historic home, children’s playground, and urban farm in addition to the pond and meadows. There are some flowers, but the focus is much more on the woody plants.
This arboretum could be a great spot for your engagement photos in Philadelphia if you’re looking for a relatively flat natural area to explore. The whole area is pretty walkable and gives good variety for photos.
Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park is huge – more than twice the size of Central Park. It’s got so many gardens and fun little spots to discover. The Horticulture Center and Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center are both beautiful, too.
There’s something to enjoy any time of year in Fairmount Park. It’s especially lush in the summer. If you want to catch the cherry blossoms, you probably want to aim to take your engagement photos in Philadelphia in late March or early April.
Bartram’s Garden
Bartram’s Garden is a unique mix of gardens and wild meadows. It’s a favorite spot for birders and nature lovers in the city. I love that you get a lot of variety – historic buildings, open meadows, gorgeous gardens, and a great view of the skyline on the banks of the Schuylkill River.
This is an ideal location for a laidback engagement session without tons of people around. There are so many spaces to explore. Just make sure you give your photographer a heads up on your choice of locations so they have time to get a permit.
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is in New Hope about 45 minutes north of the city. It’s well worth the drive, though, especially in the spring. This unique preserve has over a hundred acres of woods and meadows with wildflowers that are hard to find anywhere else. The Virginia bluebells alone are worth the drive. You can check out what’s in season here.
Because the preserve has protected species and pretty trails through the woods, it offers lots of great photo opportunities. You can stop in New Hope for dinner after your session and make a date of it.
City Vibes
Looking for more city vibes in your engagement photos in Philadelphia? Try one of these locations.
Penn’s Landing
Penn’s Landing is a cool space for engagement photos that mix whimsy, historic charm, and very Philly views. The city has done a lot to beautify the area on the edge of Old City and Society Hill. I love the little gardens and old ships.
Check out more Penn’s Landing engagement photos in this blog post!
Old City
Old City gives you the ultimate historic Philadelphia experience. The brick Federal-style buildings sit alongside elegant Georgian and Neoclassical landmarks. A few favorite spots for Old City engagement photos include
- The Merchants’ Exchange Building
- Second National Bank
- Elfreth’s Alley
There are other ways that you can get creative with Old City engagement photos. Stop into a café or ice cream shop. Have some fun with each other and enjoy the neighborhood during your session.
Rittenhouse Square
Rittenhouse is one of the most European-feeling neighborhoods in the city. That’s one reason Rittenhouse Square is a classic location for engagement photos in Philadelphia. There are so many spots in the square itself to take photos amid the statues, landscaping, and fountains.
If you’re thinking about a summertime engagement session, I recommend scheduling it early in the morning or about an hour before sunset. The park is quieter, and you escape the worst of the heat.
I especially like the way film preserves sessions at Rittenhouse Square. You can see more film engagement photos from this Rittenhouse Square session in this blog post.
Philadelphia Art Museum and Fairmount Waterworks
The Philadelphia Art Museum is one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. It’s a beautiful backdrop for casual or more elevated photos. No need to do a Rocky pose unless that’s your thing.
One nice thing about this location is that Fairmount Waterworks is right across the street. You can get amazing views with the museum in the background then turn right around and get waterside photos in the beautiful pavilion.
City Hall and Dilworth Park
City Hall is another great spot for engagement photos in Philadelphia. Everyone has seen a photo of a happy couple kissing in the middle of Broad Street with William Penn towering behind them. If you want to avoid anything too predictable, you can explore Dilworth Park. Get the amazing City Hall architecture and some more candid images.
Because City Hall is right in the middle of Center City, it’s easy to use it as a starting location for a session. You can take pictures there then explore the neighborhood with your photographer.
Indoor Locations
Free Library of Philadelphia
The Free Library of Philadelphia is a giant Beaux Arts building right on the Ben Franklin Parkway. It’s a creative location for book lovers and anyone wanting to celebrate the public resources that make Philly amazing. You can wander the stacks with your love, peruse books together, and pose for some portraits on the sweeping staircases.
You don’t need a permit for engagement photos here, but your photographer does have to get permission from the Free Library ahead of time. Make sure you give them time to get in touch with the staff.
Your Neighborhood Store
Philly is a city of neighborhoods. Maybe you’re lucky enough to live in your favorite part of town. Why not take your engagement photos there? You can take fun photos in your go-to corner store or grocery store. It’s a great way to preserve the backdrop to your love story.
Book Your Engagement Photos in Philadelphia
Hi, I’m Theo. I’m a Philadelphia photographer celebrating and affirming marginalized love. With timeless film and digital photos, I archive your memories for future generations. Let’s start with your engagement photos in Philadelphia! Inquire with me here.
