My Favorite Locations for Philadelphia Engagement Photos (That Don’t Require Permit Fees!)
5/16/26
The Philadelphia area is home to so many beautiful photoshoot locations. If you’re looking for some inspiration of places to take your engagement photos, look no further! After photographing the city and surrounding area for eleven years I have developed quite the list of locations. This list is of all of my favorites which do not require any permit fees.
City Vibes
Looking for that city vibe? Tall buildings, alleyways, cross walks, bridges.
Old City National Parks Locations: Merchant’s Exchange Building, Second National Bank, 18th Century Garden, etc.
Thanks to the EXPLORE ACT, passed in January 2025, required photo permits were lifted from the national parks locations in Philadelphia. Permits are now recommended for wedding photos, and only required for productions with a large amount of participants or using extensive equipment. For something more lowkey like engagement photos, it’s perfect! Especially if your session is happening on a weekday, it is rare you encounter too many others using the space. The best part, all of these parks are connected over the length of two blocks so it’s easy to spread out and hit multiple locations in one session. They’re classic, they’re beautiful, and they’re Philadelphia landmarks.
Old City Streets
While walking between the historic buildings and beyond, take a turn down Old City’s charming streets of rowhomes, cobblestone, businesses, and restaurants.
Elfreth’s Alley
Elfreth’s Alley is another Philadelphia landmark. A historic street with houses, cobblestone, and beautiful trees and greenery. While it isn’t too big, it’s a great starting point to get pretty photos and then explore Old City from there. Walking distance from Race Street Pier!
Race Street Pier
Race Street Pier provides for some beautiful views of the bridges and waterfront in Philadelphia.
Your Favorite Bar or Restaurant
Now I should note, taking photos in your favorite Philly bar or restaurant doesn’t always come permit free. Lots of bars in the city have photo fees, but lots don’t! Especially if you are doing a session during an off time for the bar, buy a few drinks, and tip well, a lot of bars will allow you in for a quick round of photos. I always recommend calling ahead to see their policies.
Your Neighborhood
Beautiful city streets stretch beyond Old City. In so many neighborhoods you can find bustling crosswalks, blooming trees, quaint homes, and coffee shops. Whether you’re grabbing La Colombe and walking your neighborhood in Fishtown or walking your dog through Spring Garden, there are so many great ways to capture the neighborhood in Philadelphia that means the most to you. These are some of my most favorite session locations, because it allows me to capture the city often in places I haven’t been and that are especially special to my clients.
Rittenhouse Square
Fountains, fences, and bustling Philadelphians making Rittenhouse Square a unique Philly staple that is perfect for photos. From picnics in the grass to serenades on the park benches. It’s also a great starting point to explore center city streets like the Christmas light adorned Addison Street.
Broad Street
One of the most iconic photos in all of Philadelphia is the Broad Street photo – taken on the median of Broad Street, with cars moving in the background and City Hall perfectly aligned. This is a great place to start your session as you can easily access City Hall, Love Park, Dilworth Park, and other locations right after.
Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park is a big park with a ton great photo options. You could go behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art with views of the Schuykill River, or meet in front of the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center where Cherry Blossoms bloom in the Spring. The Horticulture Center is a beautiful greenhouse and event space surrounded by gorgeous grounds. While you need a permit to shoot inside of the greenhouse, a permit is generally not required for sessions. As they are an event space, it’s important to check beforehand nothing is happening at the Horticulture Center the day you are planning on taking photos.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps
The Philadelphia Museum of Art steps are iconic in and of themselves, but they also give great views of the Philadelphia skyline. Follow the stairs to the top where there are benches, sculptures, and pillars; and then around to the back where there is waterworks, the azalea garden, and boathouse row.
