Nicole and Dan’s South Philadelphia Engagement session was beyond fun! They are such an amazing and laid back couple that I knew we would have an incredible time together. We went back and forth with a few ideas before finalizing on a secret spot of mine in South Philadelphia.
We found a rustic set of old train tracks and tons of fun, cool, unique places that are very natural to photograph. While we were shooting on the train tracks and walking around we discovered an old Korg keyboard that was the ultimate photo prop for Dan. They were doing a fun cool band like poses with it and we even told people on Facebook that they were actual band photos to punk their friends. My second favorite prop we found was an old snap-on plastic wheel cover. Dan is very light-hearted and always down for some crazy fun so we rocked that just with him against a brick wall.
One of my favorite locations for their South Philadelphia Engagement session was under the I95 overpass. The light under the overpass was absolutely beautiful and soft. The lot nearby was vacant so we had no background obstructions for their photographs.
They also had one of the greatest photobombs in history. We passed an Asian family and they were pushing a stroller with their daughter in it. They did not speak a word of English but we politely asked for a photo with them and they were more than happy to ham it up for the camera. I also loved that their daughter was our first sleeping photobomber.
The United States ship at the shipyard in South Philadelphia was our last destination for their GTKY/engagements session. I photographed some of it in color but it looks surreal when photographed with my infrared camera. In their home, they have a beautiful Wall Art piece of this photograph to remember the day and also have a little piece of Philly for decor in their home. I can’t wait to photograph their wedding at Trump National Golf Course of Philadelphia in the spring.
South Philadelphia’s Hidden Character
South Philadelphia has a raw, layered quality that most engagement session locations don’t. The freight rail corridors near Washington Avenue are worn and textured in ways that no garden or park replicates. The I-95 overpass turns into a cathedral of diffused light in the late afternoon, concrete bouncing warm tones back onto everything below it. The SS United States at Pier 82 is pure atmosphere, a 990-foot ocean liner sitting quiet on the Delaware, especially compelling shot in infrared. For couples who want photographs that feel like theirs and not pulled from a venue catalog, South Philly delivers. It’s one of those spots where the grit is the point.
Yep we found a random car hub cap too..
Love this random photobomb!
Philadelphia Engagement and Wedding Photography
If you’re looking for a Philadelphia photographer who shoots in real locations rather than staged settings, the Philadelphia wedding venues guide covers a range of spaces worth knowing before you book. And if the Jersey Shore is part of your wedding plans, the Jersey Shore wedding venues guide is a solid starting point.