Race Street Pier Engagement Photos – Philadelphia, PA

Ashley & Peter’s Race Street Pier engagement photographs in Philadelphia went absolutely perfectly. We started the session in Old City, but Ashley wanted to surprise Peter by doing the rest of their session at Race Street Pier. They are such phenomenal people to be around, so fun and lighthearted.

Here’s the film from their session.

Old City: The Merchants’ Exchange and the First Bank

They wanted their photographs at a location that is classical with a deep history. We met up and started shooting at the First Bank of the United States, which is one of my favorite locations in the city. We then went to the beautiful Merchants’ Exchange Building.

Ashley and Peter in front of the Merchants' Exchange Building in Old City, Philadelphia.

Ashley’s blue floral dress against all that old stone was perfect.

Ashley and Peter smiling cheek to cheek in Old City Philadelphia.
Ashley and Peter walking hand in hand past the stone steps in Old City Philadelphia.
Ashley in a blue floral dress looking back as she walks with Peter in Old City Philadelphia.
Ashley and Peter holding hands in front of tall white doors in Old City Philadelphia.
Portrait of Ashley smiling during her Old City Philadelphia engagement session.
Ashley laughing and looking down in her blue floral dress in Old City Philadelphia.

It’s crazy; I always suggest getting a permit because they tried to fine me for shooting there on a Monday last year at 1:30 pm, while it was drizzling. Which is damn crazy! It is always better to be safe than sorry. But whatever we did, the park’s guards would not ask for our permit. I even was photographing Peter next to their ranger SUV and nothing! haha

Ashley smiling with her engagement ring on Peter's lapel in Old City Philadelphia.
Peter and Ashley embracing against the old stone in Old City Philadelphia.
Ashley looking back over her shoulder on an Old City Philadelphia sidewalk.
Close-up of Ashley looking down with her hand in her hair.

Then out onto the cobblestones and brick paths of Old City.

Peter tossing a handful into the air on a cobblestone street in Old City Philadelphia.
Peter and Ashley kissing on a cobblestone street in Old City Philadelphia.
Ashley and Peter walking arm in arm on a brick path in Old City Philadelphia.
Peter and Ashley close together in an iron gateway in Old City Philadelphia.

Peter’s turn.

Black and white portrait of Peter walking with his jacket over his shoulder in Old City Philadelphia.

The First Bank of the United States. I never get tired of those columns.

Ashley and Peter at the doors of the First Bank of the United States in Philadelphia.

Race Street Pier Engagement Photos time!

Race Street Pier is one of Philadelphia’s most beloved spots for engagement sessions. For more ideas on where to shoot in the area, explore the best Philadelphia wedding venues we work with regularly.

Peter loves the Race Street Pier, so Ashley and I planned to end our session, then secretly meet up again with Peter after they changed and check out the pier before they went to dinner. But I was secretly hiding there with my assistant and surprised Peter.

The Ben Franklin Bridge over the Delaware River from Race Street Pier in Philadelphia.
The Race St sign at Race Street Pier in Philadelphia.

Race Street Pier is a narrow elevated park tucked under the Ben Franklin Bridge, built on the old Race Street wharf and opened in 2011. What makes it special is the contrast: steel overhead, open river views, and a long narrow promenade that keeps couples walking close together. The yoga groups and joggers are always there, so every session has real city energy behind it. It is one of the most interesting free locations in Philadelphia for engagement photography.

The Ben Franklin Bridge tower from below at Race Street Pier.
Ashley and Peter at the railing under the Ben Franklin Bridge at Race Street Pier.
Ashley and Peter walking hand in hand under the trees on Race Street Pier.
Peter kissing Ashley under the trees and the Ben Franklin Bridge on Race Street Pier.
Ashley and Peter standing under the Ben Franklin Bridge tower at Race Street Pier.

They had the best weather, and besides the weather, a giant yoga crew doing downward dog as their backdrop for some of their photographs!

Peter lifting Ashley on the deck of Race Street Pier under the Ben Franklin Bridge.
Ashley and Peter sitting on the Race Street Pier steps while a yoga class works out behind them.

Then a few quiet minutes at the railing. And yes, I got the ring.

Close-up of Peter kissing Ashley on Race Street Pier.
Ashley laughing with Peter at the railing on Race Street Pier, her engagement ring showing.
Close-up of Ashley's engagement ring against her yellow dress.
Ashley laughing as she leans on the railing at Race Street Pier.

A few in black and white, because that bridge was made for it.

Black and white photograph of Ashley and Peter at the railing with the Ben Franklin Bridge behind them.
Black and white photograph of Peter kissing Ashley's forehead on Race Street Pier.
Black and white portrait of Peter laughing on Race Street Pier.

Ashley on the pier steps, while Peter enjoyed the show.

Ashley walking down the Race Street Pier steps while Peter sits and watches.
Ashley laughing with her hair flying on the Race Street Pier steps.

We finished with one last walk and the sky going pink over the river.

Ashley and Peter walking hand in hand under the trees on Race Street Pier.
Silhouette of Ashley and Peter kissing at dusk on Race Street Pier.

I can’t wait to shoot with Peter & Ashley on the big day in late spring at The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale, NJ. They have a gorgeous album from their engagement/GTKY session and a stunner of a wall art piece taken on black and white film and printed on a canvas stretcher frame.

I even made a studio sample of them from the Merchants’ Exchange Building so that they are always staring down at us while we work in the studio!

More engagement sessions to explore: Wildwood Engagement Session – Rebecca & Mat and Red Bank Engagement Session – New Jersey – Kate & Trevor. Planning a Philadelphia wedding? Start with the best Philadelphia wedding venues.

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Mount Laurel, NJ. Available across South Jersey, Philadelphia, the Shore, and the Main Line.

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