Choosing a location for family photos in Philadelphia can be surprisingly difficult. There are beautiful parks, historic neighborhoods, gardens, waterfront views, and iconic city landmarks all over the area…but not every beautiful place is equally suited to a family photography session.

When choosing a location, I look for more than just a pretty backdrop. The best family photography locations give children room to move, offer a variety of backgrounds within one session, have beautiful light, and feel like somewhere you would actually want to spend an hour together. Luckily, Philadelphia happens to have plenty of those places!

From the historic streets of Old City to quiet gardens and riverfront estates, these are some of my favorite places to consider for family photos in Philadelphia.

A note about photography permits: Some Philadelphia parks, historic properties, and gardens have specific requirements for professional photography. Always confirm current rules and secure any required permit or photography permission before your session. The requirements can vary by property.

1. Old City Philadelphia

Best for: Historic architecture, cobblestone streets, classic Philadelphia charm, and a more editorial city feel.

Old City is one of my favorite choices for families who want their photographs to feel unmistakably Philadelphia.

The neighborhood is filled with historic brick buildings, beautiful doorways, cobblestone streets, iron details, and pockets of greenery. You can create a gallery that feels varied without spending the entire session traveling from one location to another.

For families with young children, that’s a major advantage.

A short walk can take you from an architectural portrait to a quieter side street and then into a garden setting. There is enough visual variety to keep the session interesting while still maintaining a cohesive look.

Old City also photographs beautifully in every season. Spring brings flowering trees and gardens, summer offers lush greenery, fall adds warm foliage and texture, and winter can create a more architectural, intimate feel.

If you’re interested in photographing around Independence National Historical Park, including landmarks such as the Merchants’ Exchange Building, it’s important to check the current National Park Service photography requirements before your session. Under current NPS rules, many small, low-impact photography activities involving eight or fewer people and hand-carried equipment do not require a permit, but permits can still be required depending on the circumstances.

Visit Independence National Historical Park’s photography and permit information

Best for families who love: historic architecture, classic styling, cobblestone streets, and photographs with a strong sense of place.

Read next: Fall Family Photos in Old City, Philadelphia

2. Morris Arboretum & Gardens

Best for: Formal gardens, mature trees, romantic landscapes, and a more refined garden setting.

For families who love gardens, Morris Arboretum & Gardens is one of the most beautiful options in Philadelphia.

The 92-acre garden in Chestnut Hill offers an enormous amount of visual variety: formal gardens, mature trees, woodland areas, pathways, architectural details, and seasonal plantings.

It also has the advantage of feeling intentionally designed. If you love the look of classic gardens and want your family photographs to have a more polished, romantic quality, this is a particularly strong fit.

The garden’s changing landscape also makes it worth considering for different seasons. Spring brings flowering trees and gardens, summer is lush and green, and fall brings beautiful foliage and warm seasonal texture.

There is an important distinction here: Morris Arboretum does allow professional family photography, but a photo shoot pass and fee are required. The Arboretum specifically lists family portrait photography among the activities requiring a photo shoot pass, with rates currently starting at $275 per hour.

Visit Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Morris Arboretum photography guidelines and photo shoot passes

That makes it a location I would recommend when the setting itself is an important part of the vision for your session.

Best for families who love: gardens, classic architecture, beautiful landscaping, and a refined, romantic aesthetic.

3. Philadelphia Museum of Art

Best for: Iconic Philadelphia architecture, the Parkway, city views, and a classic editorial feel.

Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the most recognizable backdrops in the city, and the area around the museum offers much more than the famous steps.

For family photography, I particularly like the surrounding terraces, Parkway views, stone architecture, and open spaces. The setting gives photographs an unmistakable Philadelphia feel while still leaving room for movement and interaction.

Sunrise is my preferred time for family sessions here. The area can become very busy later in the morning, particularly around the steps and museum entrance. Starting early gives families a quieter experience and allows us to make use of the architecture and surrounding grounds before the crowds build.

The early hour also works beautifully for young children. Rather than navigating a busy tourist area, families can have more space to walk, explore, and settle into the session.

Professional photography involving the museum itself is subject to the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s photography and filming guidelines. The museum directs photographers seeking permission for a shoot to submit a request detailing the scope of the project and intended use.

The surrounding Parkway and exterior areas may also be subject to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation permitting requirements, so I recommend confirming the exact location and current rules before your session.

Visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia Museum of Art photography and filming guidelines

Best for families who love: iconic Philadelphia landmarks, classic architecture, early mornings, and a more editorial city feel.

Read next: 5 Reasons to Take Family Photos at the Philly Art Museum

4. Bartram’s Garden

Best for: Gardens, wildflowers, historic character, meadows, and river views.

Bartram’s Garden feels like a little escape from the city without actually leaving Philadelphia.

Located along the Tidal Schuylkill River in Southwest Philadelphia, the nearly 50-acre landscape combines historic gardens, natural areas, meadows, and riverfront scenery.

For family photography, that variety is particularly useful. One session can include lush garden portraits, wide open landscapes, historic details, and softer natural photographs without needing to drive between locations.

I also love the fact that Bartram’s Garden doesn’t feel overly manicured. The setting has a little more movement and natural texture than a formal garden, which can make family photographs feel relaxed and organic.

It’s a particularly good choice for families who want photographs that feel connected to nature but still have a strong sense of Philadelphia.

Bartram’s Garden has a dedicated process for photography and videography projects, including a specific inquiry form for commercial and institutional photography. Their site also specifically addresses photo/video permission for family photos and other projects.

Visit Bartram’s Garden
Bartram’s Garden photo/video permission information

Best for families who love: gardens, natural textures, historic landscapes, and photographs that feel a little less expected.

Read next: Bartram’s Garden Maternity Photos

5. Fairmount Park

Best for: Trees, open space, fall foliage, natural landscapes, and a classic outdoor family session.

Fairmount Park is enormous, which is both its appeal and the reason I recommend choosing a specific area rather than simply saying, “Let’s meet at Fairmount Park.”

The park offers wooded paths, open fields, mature trees, river views, historic landmarks, and some of Philadelphia’s most beautiful seasonal scenery. It’s particularly beautiful in the fall, when the trees become part of the backdrop rather than simply framing the photographs.

It’s also a good choice for families with toddlers and young children who need a little room to move.

Instead of expecting everyone to stand still for an hour, we can walk, explore, play, and stop for portraits along the way. That tends to result in a gallery with a natural rhythm—some beautifully composed portraits mixed with the little moments that happen in between.

Fairmount Park is managed by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. The City currently states that media projects involving still photography on Parks & Recreation property require a media permit.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation photography and media permits

Best for families who love: nature, seasonal color, walking, and a more relaxed outdoor feel.

Read next: Fairmount Park Family Photos

6. Race Street Pier

Best for: The Benjamin Franklin Bridge, waterfront views, open space, and a more modern Philadelphia backdrop.

If historic Philadelphia isn’t quite your style, Race Street Pier offers something completely different.

Located along the Delaware River in Old City, the pier gives you wide-open views of the water and Benjamin Franklin Bridge. The combination of sky, river, architecture, and open space creates photographs that feel distinctly urban without putting you in the middle of a busy street.

The open layout is also useful for families with young children. There is room to walk and move between portraits rather than trying to keep everyone in one small area.

The look here is especially beautiful around softer morning or evening light, when the river and bridge become part of the composition.

Race Street Pier is part of Philadelphia’s park system, so professional photography should be planned in accordance with the City’s current Parks & Recreation permit requirements.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation photography and media permits

Best for families who love: waterfront scenery, architecture, open space, and a more contemporary city feel.

7. Glen Foerd

Best for: Historic architecture, gardens, riverfront scenery, and an estate-inspired setting.

Glen Foerd is one of Philadelphia’s hidden gems for family photography.

The historic estate sits along the Delaware River in Northeast Philadelphia, with gardens, mature trees, historic buildings, and waterfront views. It has a completely different feeling from the Center City locations while still offering a strong Philadelphia sense of place.

For families drawn to old houses, gardens, and classic architecture, it’s an especially beautiful setting.

Glen Foerd explicitly permits photography and filming on its grounds for personal and professional uses, subject to its photography policy. For groups of five or fewer (including the photographer) taking photographs around the exterior while the grounds are open to the public, no photography application is required. Larger groups and photography inside the mansion require an application and rental fee.

For a typical family of four plus photographer, the exterior grounds can therefore be a particularly appealing option.

Visit Glen Foerd
Glen Foerd photography and rental information

Best for families who love: historic estates, gardens, river views, and a classic, romantic setting.

8. Boathouse Row & the Schuylkill River

Best for: Iconic Philadelphia scenery, riverfront portraits, and a combination of nature and architecture.

Boathouse Row is one of those places that immediately tells you where a photograph was taken.

The historic boathouses sit along the Schuylkill River with the wooded landscape of Fairmount Park surrounding them. Depending on the exact area and time of day, you can incorporate the river, trees, architecture, and even glimpses of the Philadelphia skyline.

It’s a particularly good choice if you want photographs that feel both natural and unmistakably connected to the city.

For family sessions, I prefer using the broader riverfront area rather than treating the boathouses as a single backdrop. Walking between a few nearby spots creates a more varied gallery and gives young children an opportunity to move throughout the session.

Because this area is within the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation system, professional photography should be planned around the City’s current media permit requirements.

Explore Boathouse Row through Fairmount Park Conservancy

Best for families who love: iconic Philadelphia landmarks, the river, mature trees, and classic city scenery.

How to Choose the Right Philadelphia Family Photography Location

The “best” location for family photos isn’t necessarily the most famous one.

It’s the location that fits your family, your wardrobe, and the kind of photographs you want to live with.

If you love historic architecture and classic clothing, Old City or Glen Foerd might be a natural fit.

If you want trees, movement, and a more relaxed outdoor session, Fairmount Park could be a better choice.

If gardens and natural textures are your thing, Bartram’s Garden or Morris Arboretum may be exactly what you’re looking for.

And if you want your photographs to feel distinctly Philadelphia, Race Street Pier or Boathouse Row can give your gallery a strong sense of place.

I also consider the ages and personalities of the children when helping families choose a location. A beautiful setting is only useful if everyone can actually enjoy being there.

What Makes a Good Family Photography Location?

When I help a family choose a location, I look for a few specific things:

Variety. Can we create several different looks without spending the entire session in the car?

Good light. Are there areas of open shade, interesting backlighting, or soft natural light at the time we’re shooting?

Room to move. Can children explore and interact without the session becoming a constant exercise in keeping them still?

A sense of place. Does the location add something meaningful to the photographs?

Your family’s style. Does the setting work with the clothing you’ve chosen and the overall feeling you want from your images?

The goal isn’t to find the most photogenic location in Philadelphia. It’s to find the right backdrop for your family.

When Is the Best Time of Year for Family Photos in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia is fortunate to have four distinct seasons, and each one creates a different look for family photography.

Spring brings flowering trees, fresh greenery, and gardens coming back to life.

Summer offers lush greenery and longer days, particularly beautiful for garden and waterfront sessions.

Fall is ideal for families who love warm foliage, textured landscapes, and classic autumn colors.

Winter creates a quieter, more architectural look, especially in Old City and other historic neighborhoods.

If you already have a particular location in mind, I can also help you choose the season and time of day that will photograph it best.

Planning Your Philadelphia Family Photos

The location is only one piece of creating a family gallery you’ll actually want to keep.

I help families plan the details before the session, including location selection, wardrobe coordination, and the overall flow of the experience. During the session, the goal isn’t to manufacture perfect behavior or keep everyone smiling for an hour. It’s to create space for real connection while still making those beautiful, intentional portraits you’ll want framed in your home.

Whether you’re drawn to the historic streets of Old City, the gardens at Morris Arboretum, the riverfront at Glen Foerd, or somewhere completely different, we’ll choose a setting that feels right for your family.

Ready to plan your Philadelphia family session?

Explore my Philadelphia family photographer experience to learn more about sessions, wardrobe guidance, and the process of creating photographs that become part of your family’s story.

Frequently Asked Questions About Philadelphia Family Photo Locations

What are the best places for family photos in Philadelphia?

Some of the most beautiful options include Old City, Fairmount Park, Bartram’s Garden, Morris Arboretum & Gardens, Race Street Pier, Glen Foerd, and the Schuylkill River area around Boathouse Row. The right location depends on your family’s style, the ages of your children, and the look you want for your photographs.

Where can I take outdoor family photos in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has many options for outdoor family photography, including historic neighborhoods, parks, gardens, and waterfront locations. Old City offers architecture and city streets, while Fairmount Park and Bartram’s Garden provide more natural settings.

What is the best Philadelphia location for fall family photos?

For families who love autumn foliage, Fairmount Park is an excellent option because of its mature trees and expansive natural landscapes. Old City can be beautiful for a more architectural fall session, while Morris Arboretum offers gardens and seasonal foliage in a more formal setting.

Do I need a permit for professional family photography in Philadelphia?

It depends on the location. Some Philadelphia Parks & Recreation properties have professional photography permit requirements, while historic properties and gardens may have their own photography policies. For example, Morris Arboretum requires a photo shoot pass and fee, Bartram’s Garden has a photography permission process, and Race Street Pier requires a permit. Always confirm the current requirements before your session.

Is Old City Philadelphia good for family photos with toddlers?

Yes. Old City can work particularly well with young children because a session can incorporate several nearby settings rather than requiring everyone to remain in one place. Historic architecture, quieter streets, and garden spaces provide opportunities for both guided portraits and movement.

What should we wear for family photos in Philadelphia?

Choose clothing that coordinates rather than matches. Classic textures such as knits, corduroy, wool, denim, and linen can work beautifully with Philadelphia’s historic architecture and natural landscapes. I help families coordinate their wardrobes so everything feels cohesive while still looking like them.

How long does a family photography session take?

Most family sessions take approximately an hour, although the ideal length depends on the location, number and ages of children, and the type of session we’re planning. Locations with more space or multiple settings may require additional time.

Can you help us choose a location for our family photos?

Yes. Location planning is part of the process. Rather than sending every family a generic list of Philadelphia parks, I consider the season, time of day, children’s ages, wardrobe, and the overall feeling you want from your photographs before recommending a location.