16 Amazing Locations for Your Philadelphia Engagement Photos

You’ve got the partner and the ring. Now it’s time for the pictures! Your engagement is an exciting moment that you get to share with the world, but when it comes to finding the perfect location for your session, it can be a little overwhelming. That’s where I come in! I’m a wedding photographer who has traveled around the world a few times, taking photos of people’s most important milestones. I’m here to help couples find the ideal spot for their Philadelphia engagement photos. Whether you want something surrounded by the grandeur of nature or would prefer something with a stylish city vibe, I’ve put together a guide to help. This fantastic resource will help you choose the perfect place for your engagement photos. 

Ideal Locations for Philadelphia Engagement Photos

Old City

Old City is one of the most important areas of American History. Home to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and numerous other significant landmarks, the district remains vibrant. The beautiful buildings serve as gorgeous backdrops for your engagement pics. Anytime I visit this area for photo sessions, I have a few places I have to visit. The Merchants’ Exchange was built in the Greek Revival style in the 1830s and is full of grandeur. The rounded front and the thick columns of the stone building are breathtaking and always make for a gorgeous backdrop.

Just a few buildings away is the First Bank, a significant building constructed similarly. It provides a towering background that will give your photos that distinctly Philadelphian feel. Aside from these grand buildings, Old City is also filled with classic cobblestone streets, brick walls and colorful buildings that provide an elegant, classic charm to your photos.

Cairnwood Estate

Cairnwood Estate is one of my favorite places when it comes to romantic settings and dramatic backdrops. John and Gertrude Pitcairn built this estate as a place where they could grow their family and be amongst their community. The massive estate feels like it came straight out of a Regency-era novel. High arches and intricate detailing make it a remarkable space to take engagement photos.

You can take photos on the grand staircase, walk around the balcony on the second floor, and check out the library downstairs. The gardens surrounding the mansion also make for a lovely backdrop, and the estate has several surrounding buildings that are a short walk away. The Bryn Athyn Cathedral towers over you with massive spires and white-washed stone. The architecture combined with the surrounding garden will give you breathtaking engagement photos that people may not even believe are in Philadelphia.

New Hope, PA

Small towns are some of the best locations for Philadelphia engagement photos. Walking around these areas makes you feel like you just stepped off a bus straight into the heart of Stars Hollow. New Hope, Pennsylvania is about an hour outside Philadelphia. You have to believe me when I say it’s worth the drive. The town was settled over 200 years ago and contained buildings from every subsequent time period. The canal runs through the center of the city and is accessible by the world’s most scenic bridge. 

As you walk around the streets, you’ll get to see quaint bookshops and gorgeous gardens. In the fall, the cobblestone has orange-colored leaves that fall from the shedding trees. You can walk along the shops and get photos taken along the way. And since you’re already here, you should treat yourself and book a room at one of the many adorable bed and breakfasts. Why not turn your quick session into a relaxing weekend?

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a stunning limestone building designed in the Greek Revival style. The property is waterfront and features beautiful views of the Schuylkill River. The rich textures and familiar sites are lovely backdrops for your photoshoot, whether you’re holding hands walking up the Rocky steps or sneaking a kiss outside of the grand entrance. The towering columns and exquisite landscaping are the ideal surroundings for an elegant engagement shoot.

Inside, the museum is modern and edgy. The large, open spaces and contemporary architecture is simply stunning. The exhibits are carefully curated and arranged in variously decorated spaces, giving you an incredible selection of backgrounds. Whether you want intimate pictures in warm and secluded spaces or prefer stunning images in a room with a Rococo flair, you’ll have plenty of options. My favorite thing about this institution is the unbelievable collection of essential works. Your photos will feel both glamorous and reverent, paying tribute to the great works of the past while celebrating your own life’s masterpiece.

City Hall

Maybe I’m biased, but I don’t think any other city halls compare to the one in Philadelphia. Our City Hall is the largest municipal building in all of America and offers a backdrop unlike any other. Nestled amidst the modern Philadelphia skyline, this space feels timeless. It becomes magical when the light streams between the skyscrapers and casts its warm light onto the City Hall’s limestone. 

The building was planned in 1871 and took over thirty years to complete. As you walk through this unbelievable space, the time that went into construction is evident. The building features over 14 acres of floor space and is jam-packed with ornate details that elevate your engagement photos. This gigantic building features artistic sculptures designed by Alexander Milne Calder on the outside.

In contrast, the inside features high arches that will give your pictures the perfect amount of drama. You’ll find open stairways with detailed railings, balconies, and beautiful light fixtures within the building. Everything about this impressive building makes this setting ideal for your engagement photos.

Water Views for Philadelphia Engagement Photos

Race St Pier

Race Street Pier is a breathtaking space providing gorgeous views of the Delaware River. Bring a blanket and snacks and set up a picnic in front of the Philadelphian skyline. The pale blue Benjamin Franklin Bridge and its brick accents are a lovely background for a romantic shoot. 

The pier extends near the water, and you’ll be right by the edge during high tide. You’ll feel like you’re floating throughout your session! One of the best things about the space is how it combines texture. Diagonal wood contrasts against vertical brickwork and draws the eye towards the subject. It’s a beautiful spot for a wide range of photos.

Waterworks and Boat House Row

If you love the idea of waterfront pictures, Philadelphia’s Waterworks is your spot. During the summer, this spot becomes radiant. When you arrive, you’ll feel like you’re in Europe. With massive Grecian columns and premium views of the Schuylkill River, you’ll have no shortage of photo ops. Waterworks features a stairway with intricate iron railing accents leading you to the water. 

Nearby, Boat House Row features colorful buildings reminiscent of something out of the Netherlands. I love this unique space any time of year, but during the fall, there’s something incredibly magical about it. The golden hour casting its light upon the rust-colored leaves and brightly colored buildings is extraordinary.

Park Locations for Philadelphia Engagement Photos

Valley Forge National Park

Valley Forge is one of the most significant spots in American history. This site is the birthplace of the American Army. This national park is an excellent spot for a photoshoot because it provides breathtaking views of nature and odes to history and intricate architecture. You can wander around on the verge of the woods and get photos taken in front of the warm beams of the golden hour. 

The limestone National Memorial Arch contrasts the blue skies, giving you a wonderful space for romantic portraits. This land rests on 3,500 acres, giving you plenty of places for dreamy pictures.

Ridley Creek State Park

Ridley Creek State Park is another place that provides you with premium views of nature for your Philadelphia engagement photos. The park is home to Parque Ridley Creek, a mansion from 1917 built around a colonial-era farmhouse. You’ll find lush gardens, working three-tier fountains, remarkable architecture, and grand staircases at the estate. This area tends to be a favorite when it comes to engagement photos.

The towering trees near the edge of the estate are beautiful any time of year. Once they lose their leaves in the fall, the unique structure gives them a dramatic flair. During fall, the fields in front of the woods feel magical. When hit by the warm sunset, the space lights up in a hazy orange. The area contains some great hiking trails for nature lovers and will give your photos a personalized feel. There’s not a single spot in this park where you won’t fall in love all over again.

Rittenhouse

William Penn planned Rittenhouse Square Park toward the end of the 17th century. This greenspace is a little haven in the middle of the city. Tall trees, luxurious high-rises, and well-kept gardens surround it. The square is one of the biggest cultural centers of the city, providing several fine arts institutes, artistic masterpieces, and regular social events. The diagonal streets give a unique focal point. At the same time, the park’s large reflecting pool provides one of many serene backdrops in the area. 

The square also has historical brick and limestone buildings surrounding it. While the area is gorgeous in any season, it comes alive in the spring. Perennials bring bursts of color while the new growth on the trees lightens the area and compliment the pale buildings. If you’re looking for a scenic spot for outdoor Philadelphia engagement photos, you will adore Rittenhouse Square.

Gardens for Philadelphia Engagement Photos

Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens is one of the most incredible public gardens worldwide. This jaw-dropping space has both indoor and outdoor spaces for your Philadelphia engagement photos. With over 200 acres of thriving plants, you’ll have no shortage of gorgeous backdrops to choose from. The interiors are dramatic yet airy. Large windows let sunlight stream in, giving your photos plenty of natural light. The Conservatory District features the Acacia Passage. In this space, cinnamon wattle vines from the ceiling to the ground, giving the light a hazy feeling while filling the air with a subtly spicy scent. 

The Historic Main Conservatory has open walkways and plant-covered pillars. And the Green Wall represents how it sounds. Photos in front of these ferns always looks so gorgeous. Outside, you can find a Topiary Garden marked with long, well-kept hedges. The Main Fountain Garden features stonework, balconies, and fountains that shoot water high into the air. Nearby, the Idea Garden is quaint and quiet, giving you lots of lush space along the paths. Longwood contains walls of orchids, natural floral arches, and budding rose gardens. No matter where you look, you’ll find yet another spot for a frame-worthy photo.

Tyler Gardens

Tyler Gardens is a stunning outdoor space for Philadelphia engagement photos. This location was created to feel like a fairytale. This area features a four-tier formal garden where you can walk around and get the most beautiful photos. The gardens are often used as a wedding venue because the space is that exquisite. Grand stairs lead you from one tier to the next, where a stone structure with a fountain in the center greets you. 

Two additional staircases take you to the balcony, where you can peer out at the breathtaking views of manicured hedges and bronze sculptures. The stonework around the estate and the grand arches within the formal space provides lots of lovely backdrops. Here, you’re instantly transported to Europe and may forget that you’re in Philadelphia.

Morris Arboretum

Morris Arboretum is an extension of the University of Pennsylvania, nestled on 92 acres. The carefully maintained gardens provide a perfect spot for a romantic engagement session. Throughout the spring, you’ll love the Rock Wall Garden. As the weather warms, the perennials along the six-foot-high start to bloom, filling the cold rocks with vibrant colors. 

The Alice & J. Liddon Pennock Flower Walk is another stunning place in warmer months. The garden’s namesake, Liddon, longed to see more color around the arboretum, so his legacy has constructed the walk. The Long Fountain is one of the best spots for romantic photos during the summer. This garden features a fountain that shoots water into a long pool.

As the weather cools, the English Park transforms into a space filled with the radiant colors of fall. A balcony near the trees looks out across rolling lawns, giving you a bird’s eye view of the entire property. Wherever you decide to take your photos, you’ll know you’re in for magnificent views.

Unique Locations for Philadelphia Engagement Photos

Your Favorite Restaurant or Bar

Visiting a familiar atmosphere will put you at ease and give your photographs a more personalized feel. That is why I love taking pictures inside your favorite bar or restaurant. Going to a place you frequently visit will let you relax and feel more comfortable while still giving you that editorial vibe. If you love this idea but don’t have any spots in mine, let me share some of my personal favorites. 

• The Dandelion – this spot feels almost like a home. With pale blue walls, warm fireplaces, and delicious food, this is a remarkable space to find a booth for some intimate photos.
  
• Harper’s Garden – this place is great because it offers a cozy outdoor patio, stunning inside features, and artisan drinks. The style is eclectic yet lovely and surrounded by green plants to accent the background. 
  
• Via Locusta – this restaurant features modern Italian food in a stylish atmosphere. The inside is bright, with comfortable seating, intricate tilework, and a full bar. The outdoor patio offers bistro lighting, raised garden beds, and covered seating on an aqua terrace.

Renting An Airbnb

Airbnb’s are spaces that are typically cohesively decorated and staged to feel like a home away from home. For this reason, they make creative spaces for your engagement pictures. By choosing an Airbnb, you can select the best decor for your photo sessions. From boho chic spaces to mid-century modern mansions, you can find a house with your dream decor and take intimate photos in these gorgeous spaces. 

My favorite thing about booking an Airbnb? You don’t have to worry about doing a last-minute deep clean of your house to make it picture-perfect. Pro tip: find a house in a great area so you can make a weekend of it! Pack a bag, enjoy your session, and spend the rest of the other days getting a tour of this fantastic city, grabbing some excellent food and delicious drinks. 

Your Favorite Coffee Shop

Are you looking for a way to rep your baristas? Doing a photoshoot in your favorite coffee shop is a great way to capture a slice of your everyday life. Coffee shops are stylish, cozy places perfect for grabbing a cup of expertly brewed coffee before relaxing and chatting with your favorite person. Here are a few of my favorite options if you’re trying to find a gorgeous Philly coffee shop.

• Function Coffee Labs – This artisan cafe is just off S 10th Street and offers experimental brews and delicious pastries. The exterior is bright, while the inside is airy and modern. They also do wedding catering if your engagement session inspires you to put a ring on it.
  
• Menagerie Coffee – This coffee shop is in Old City. It features a playful aqua-hued front for the backdrop of your pictures. The inside of the building is a historic brick with natural furniture. And the coffee is some of the best in the city. 
  
• ReAnimator Coffee – While this shop has multiple spots throughout the city, the Kensington location is great for photos and oat milk lattes. This airy space has unique features such as high ceilings, open stairways, and roasters that will all serve as a terrific backdrop. 
  
• Three Graces Coffee Co. – This modern coffee shop has serene colors and beautiful light fixtures. Order a quality cappuccino from their hot pink espresso maker, then find a corner to enjoy your drink and take glamorous photos.

Philadelphia Engagement Photos

There are many worthy options when it comes to Philadelphia engagement photos. Whether you want a bit of history, a touch of nature, a little drama, or a combination of all of those, there’s the perfect spot for you on this list. 

Once you have your spot, you’ll need a photographer. I’m an award-winning, Philadelphia-based photographer who loves taking editorial photos. See more of my engagement photos here or contact me here to find out more.