First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on your engagement! If you plan to take your engagement photos in Philadelphia, you’re in for a treat! Philly is absolutely bursting with breathtaking spots to capture your love story! Some of these locations are really near each other so you could visit a couple of them during your engagement session!

So, grab your partner, and let’s explore some picture-perfect places for your Philadelphia engagement photos!

Best Spots for Your Philadelphia Engagement Photos

• Belmont Plateau
• Race St Pier & Cherry St Pier
• Merchants Exchange Building
• 18th Century Gardens
• Bartram’s Gardens
• Fairmount Water Works & the Art Museum Area
• Old City
• Spruce St Harbor Park
• Pick a Personal Spot
• Photos While Doing Fun Activities

Belmont Plateau

Belmont Plateau is PERFECT if you love a mix of nature and city! Imagine capturing your love against a backdrop of the stunning skyline. This location offers easy parking and a wide-open field, and makes a wonderful spot for both sunrise and sunset shoots! Whether you’re a dressy couple or lean towards casual, this spot can accommodate both styles!

Race St Pier & Cherry St Pier

If you adore urban scenery and want an iconic Philly element in your photos, Race St Pier or Cherry St Pier is the place to be! With the beautiful waterfront and the magnificent Ben Franklin Bridge in view, your photos will truly scream ‘Philadelphia’! Though parking can be challenging, the unique and casual urban feel is totally worth it!

It’s also close to the Old City, so we could absolutely go and check that out (maybe even with an outfit change?!) to add variety to your engagement photos!

Merchants Exchange Building

The Merchant’s Exchange Building is a gorgeous choice for a touch of history, romance, and elegance! Its architecture is a stunning representation of history that will add timeless chic to your photos. Parking can be a bit tricky, but the vibes and backdrops are SO worth the effort!

18th Century Gardens

Consider visiting the 18th Century Gardens for your engagement photos! From manicured hedges to blooming flowers, this place will offer romantic and a touch of historical vibes to your session.

It’s near the Merchants Exchange Building, so we could hit both spots for different vibes (and again, do an outfit change to fit each location? It would be SO cool!) 

Bartram’s Gardens

Bartram’s Gardens is a hidden gem in Philly! With easy parking, a range of cool plants, flowers, and stonework, you’ll feel like you’re in a fairytale! The tall grasses, gardens, and stone buildings provide diverse and dynamic backdrops for your photos. This spot is perfect for casual and fun engagement photos in Philadelphia!

Fairmount Water Works & the Art Museum Area

Craving a classic and timeless feel to your engagement shoot? Then the Water Works and Art Museum Area is the perfect place for you! With spectacular views of the Museum and Water Works, this location gives you options to choose from a city vibe and nature vibe (or do a mix of both) for your photos! 

This area has great light for sunrise and sunset sessions, and the parking is usually easy too!

Old City

There’s so much room for unique and creative engagement photos at the Old City. With the historic buildings, cute storefronts, and cobblestone streets, it offers a classy and slightly adventurous vibe. If you opt for sunrise, the main street areas will not be super busy, so you could really let loose in your photos if you wanted to! 😉

Spruce St Harbor Park

If you’re looking to add fun, coastal vibes to your engagement photos in Philadelphia, a walking distance from the Old City, you’ll find Spruce St Harbor Park– Located right on the water, this spot is both vibrant and relaxed, with food trucks and hammocks adding to the fun and casual atmosphere. Let’s capture your love in this lively and unique setting!

Pick a Personal Spot for Your Engagement Photos in Philadelphia

Remember, your engagement photos should reflect YOU! So you don’t have to go to any of the spots above unless you want to. Instead, you could think about spots that are meaningful to you both! 

Maybe there’s a bar where you had your first date, a coffee shop you love to go to together, or a park where you first said, “I love you.” Choosing a location that holds special meaning for you both can add a deeper level of emotion and more personality to your photos.

Take Your Philadelphia Engagement Photos While Doing Fun Couples Activities

Why not shake things up and plan an activity-based photo shoot in the city? Rent a tandem bike, go on a picnic, or take a stroll in your favorite part of the city. This allows for candid moments to be captured, adding a sense of spontaneity and realness to your photos!

Katarina Celine Photography | Philadelphia Engagement + Wedding Photographer

From timeless classics to unique and personal spots, Philadelphia is brimming with places to create unforgettable engagement photos. Remember, the most important thing is that the location feels RIGHT for you and your partner!
And if you are ready to create magic together, let’s do it! I’m a local Philadelphia engagement photographer and would love to help you plan the most perfect-for-you engagement shoot! You can inquire with me here! I can’t wait to hear from you!!