The best engagement session locations in the Philadelphia area… according to me! It seems so official to sit here and be so matter of fact but ya know what? I’ve been lucky to photograph wonderful couples at really beautiful locations over the years and I would absolutely love to share all the information to you! After all, you JUST got engaged and want all the details so you can be prepared!

Here, you’ll find a comprehensive guide for the top locations in the Philadelphia area, if they need a permit (more importantly, how to obtain one), and tips/tricks to be ready for the best engagement session experience! Okay, here we go…..

Philadelphia - the city

There is so much to share about the city itself. The hustle/bustle of the streets, the colorful murals, the historic landmarks - it truly is a magical city and because I don’t live real close, I get butterflies every time I get to drive in and photograph! Because the city has so many options, it’s important to narrow down 2-3 locations and have a game plan. Here are a few spots that I love in the city:

Second Bank of United States has a lot of charm for such a small part of Old City! The courtyard in the back is a great combination of structure and greenery any time of the year! For the building itself, you can only photograph in the back and the best part is.. its permit free! The address is 420 Chestnut Street Phila PA 19106

Addison Street is a quintessential old city location within the city that provides so much charm that will create an amazing backdrop for any session! I highly recommend heading to the 1700 block between Lombard and Pine. No permit is necessary but keep in mind that residents do live there so be mindful and respectful of their space!

Elfreth Alley is another great Old city option that transports you back to the colonial days - I highly recommend stopping by just for the sake of feeling like you time traveled!

Broad Street no other thing mentioned other than you NEED to get a photo in the middle of the street with city all as your backdrop!

Fairmount Park has amazing scenery for all of the nature lovers! I highly recommend heading over to the stone gazebo by the Mann Center!

Popular locations that require a permit and fee are:

The Art Museum (azalea gardens, waterworks), Rodin Museum, Merchant Exchange Building/18th Century Gardens

all range anywhere between $50-$150.

Longwood Gardens

Ahh, good ole Longwood Gardens! I absolutely LOVE holding engagement sessions there! The most favorite reason, for me, is that you can get so much variety in 1 spot - You have the indoor options and all that the gardens has to offer outdoor. But, given this information there are few key points needed to know before you hop on board:

• There isnt a permit required, however you will need to purchase a timed ticket in order to enter. They do allow photographs to take place but as any other public location, their priority is to make sure the guests still get a chance to enjoy the gardens without the interruption of a session going on. I personally hold a membership with Longwood gardens so any time I hold a session, you as the couple don’t have to pay for a ticket! Make sure to reach out to your photographer and ask before solidifying any plans

• The conservatory is an incredibly popular spot, especially in the colder months! I mean, how ideal is it to still get the luscious florals in the backdrop right in the midst of winter?!

• The best time to head to the gardens is at opening time, and just before closing (or golden hour). This is to prevent the amount of guests roaming and photobombing! I highly suggest heading to Longwood first thing in the morning during peak months and golden hour during off-season months.

Tickets are $25 per person; memberships run between $250-$350 annually; visit Longwood Gardens

The Shore

…or as most would call it in this area; the Jersey Shore! Talk about an ideal spot for a late spring/summer engagement session - think boardwalk, ice cream, sandy beaches, warm ocean waves, and golden light! My favorite shore points for photos are Ocean City NJ, Asbury Park, Longport, and Cape May! There is no fee to photograph at the beach however it is important to remember that for best lighting, you’ll want to schedule your session about an hour prior to sunset time in the summer! This will ensure really great golden light, and really soft light once the sun sets!

Bucks County PA

I’m a little biased to mention Bucks County for the simple fact that I am born and raised BUT my goodness there are way too many locations to choose from that will make your heart sing! It took a bit, but I’ll condense my top locations within Bucks County PA:

• Tyler Gardens; Newtown PA - Nestled right behind Bucks County Community College, Tyler Gardens makes you feel as if you’ve been transported to a english garden with the boxwood hedges, oversized magnolia tree, and gorgeous stonework. The fee to book your session is $100 for a 1-hour time slot and must be a timed slot. The best person to contact is Peter Chiovarou (peter.chiovarou@bucks.edu ). He is your go-to person to set up an available time and book the permit.

• Pearl S Buck House; Perkasie PA - A hidden gem! not only because it’s about 10 minutes from where I live but to walk the grounds of a living legend is pretty incredible (look up Pearl Buck and all of her accomplishments!) Her stone-built estate provides a wonderful backdrop for photos and not only do I love photographing family sessions, engagement sessions, AND weddings but there is absolutely NO fee/permit!

• Doylestown PA - the literal beating heart of Bucks County! So many wonderful nooks and tons of charm! You’ve got the Mercer Museum, Michener Museum, Fonthill Castle, Moravian Tileworks, Aldie Mansion.. the list goes on and on!

• New Hope/Lambertville NJ - I have to clump Lambertville within New Hope because, well, there cant be New Hope without Lambertville! Photographing along the bridge between two states is definitely a conversation starter!

Permit Fee’s are required for Fonthill Castle, Mercer/Michner Museum, and Moravian Tile works Doylestown Castles

Valley Forge Nat’l Park

Last but certainly not least - Valley Forge Nat’l Park! This is another great (and very popular) location for your engagement session! Packed with history and scenic views, its a sure-fire location to photograph in! I have photographed in multiple locations including: Knox Quarters, The Arch, and Maurice Steven House. There is a fee and permit required. I suggest filing it about 2 months before your scheduled session! Click HERE for a helpful link on how to file your permit

Something that is important to mention: You will read that the park does not require a permit to be filed. In order to maintain the amount of people in one location, they ask that you do cover a permit and file. I find this is the easiest way to get the most out of your engagement session. They do limit (or try to at least) the amount of permits filed for specific locations.

• Some photos were photographed for Andrea Krout Photography