It’s engagement shoots like these that make me fall in LOVE with Philly all over again! Overtime I have accrued a list of uncommon locations to shoot in the Philadelphia area, but there are so many unique spots to have your e-session, that we couldn’t just stop at 5. So I asked a few more Photographers where their favorite spots were to shoot engagement sessions to show you 5 more additional unique locations! Without further ado let’s see what Philly locations made the list! Enjoy xoxo
1. Eastern State Penitentiary
Dana and Pete are such a sweet couple together, they compliment each other perfectly and have such huge and beautiful personalities. They were the ones who thought up doing their session at Eastern State and Ryan and I were all in. They are looking for a unique location that was the opposite of their Cairnwood Estate wedding, Eastern State was perfect. From the textures to the pain peeling off the walls, you felt like you were being watched the entire time. It made for such a fun session and totally a unique and perfect location! – Jillian McGrath (With Love and Embers)
Dana & Pete’s Engagement Session by WithLoveandEmbers
2. Laurel Hill Cemetery
Laurel Hill Cemetery is more than just a cemetery; it is a National Historic Landmark. This location is the resting place for some of Philadelphia’s finest. It’s rich in history, overlooks the Schuylkill, and is filled with beautiful sculptures. For this bride, it holds a little piece of her childhood. From a young age, Megan and her sister were brought here by their grandmother, an artist. She loved to look at all the beautiful sculptures, and found it very peaceful. They would bring the dogs, some snacks, and enjoy their day together walking around. She even painted a rather large painting of Megan as a child leaning up on a beautiful headstone with her beloved doll, Piggy Wiggy. It may seem a little strange to have an engagement session at a cemetery, but to this couple it just made sense. They wanted something unique, they wanted to go to a place that showed a different side of the city that they loved so much. Megan and Tony met at work, and from what we understand, Tony pursued her for quite some time. Megan could only resist his charms for so long before she caved. Two years later, they live together with their adorable pups, Dottie and Chelsea, and are planning a September wedding in Cape May, NJ. – Bryn Nealis + Danielle Soloff (BeeDeeBluePhotography)
Megan and Tony’s Engagement Photos by BeeDeeBluePhotography
3. Your Favorite Bar
One of my favorite ways to end a session with a couple is with a glass of wine or bourbon. A table by a window offers some great, dramatic light, and a glass of your favorite beverage gives us the opportunity for some cozy, not overly posed photos. My couples often choose places that are meaningful to them (first date spots, the dive bar around the corner from their apartment, their favorite college bar) that infuses the photos with a little extra nostalgia. As an added bonus, a bar or restaurant location is good for shooting all year round and on rainy days! – Melissa Kelly (MelissaKellyPhotography)
Andrew and Angela’s Engagement Session by Melissa Kelly Photography | Bar: Irish Pub
Alicia and Joe’s Engagement Session by Melissa Kelly Photography | Bar: Marathon on the Square
4. The Barnes Foundation
Brian and Katie are two of the most creative and artistic people that I know, so I wasn’t surprised when they chose The Barnes Foundation for their engagement shoot. The Barnes Foundation is a remarkable place. It’s sleek, simple, and compelling exterior made for an enjoyable setting, and we took advantage of all of the interesting surfaces, textures, walls and water features as we went. This location allowed Katie and Brian to be the focus of the photos, with the perfect stage to capture their true, profound, and head-over-heels love. I’m looking forward to using The Barnes Foundation again! – Laura Briggs (LauraBriggsPhoto)
For greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this City”In order to capture the dichotomy of (and our love for) rural vs. urban landscapes, Brian and I decided to hit the city and countryside for our engagement session. We crave both the stimulating vibe of a cityscape, and the restfulness of nature. You might catch up camping-out one weekend, and in the MoMA the next! Since Brian is an artist working in Philadelphia, it was an easy decision to choose the Barnes Foundation, an American educational art and horticultural institution. Our second location, Darlington Trail in Media, is close to where we both grew up. Working with Laura Briggs and Brittany Attard was too fun! This pair is both talented and fun to work with, I can’t wait to have them capture our big day! – Katherine Semple
Brian and Katie’s Engagement Photos by Laura Briggs Photography
5. The Italian Market
The Italian Market is perfect for couples that frequent its quaint little shops often. I love to incorporate environments where my couples feel comfortable and familiar. It also helps that there are vibrant colors, engaging murals that give history to the area, fun little alleyways to explore and, if you catch it at the right time, empty streets that leave the whole place to yourself. – Isabel March (IsabelMarchPhotography)
Michelle and Vince’s Engagement Photos by Isabel March Photography
Hey Love-Birds leave us a comment, and let us know what your favorite/unique location in Philadelphia is!