7 Indoor Pennsylvania Engagement Photo Locations

One question we get asked a lot by couples who are planning their engagement sessions with us is - do you know of any good indoor places we can have photos taken? Most of the time, this question comes from concerns over unpredictable weather. While we can definitely work with some rain or snow (we're really game for anything ourselves!), indoor options are sometimes a little easier for couples to feel confident in since they know there won't be any of that unpredictability. 

In this post, you'll find our top 7 Pennsylvania engagement photo locations that are indoor. A few things we look for when searching for great indoor spots are things like the atmosphere of the place (does it look good inside?), availability of natural light, and flexibility of the space (can we get a diversity of backdrops and hold longer shoots there?). The spots we've curated in this list fit the bill!

While checking out this list, please just keep in mind that most indoor locations are also privately owned - so there are often permit requirements. We've noted some of these here, but they are always subject to change as private locations can change rules on a moments notice - so before we shoot at any of these places, we also check to confirm availability and their specific requirements. 

Otts Exotic plants and greenhouse

Address: 61 Gravel Pike, Schwenksville, PA 19473
Permit required: Yes - $50 fee

Stepping into Ott's Exotic Plants is like stepping into a tropical paradise. This is one of our favorite greenhouses and plant stores to visit. The actual place is quite expansive, with a lot of different locations all houses within the greenhouse itself. Over the past year or two, this place has become a bit of a destination for photographers and their couples, you can see a ton of inspiration if you browse around online or on Instagram. More recently, they've started to charge a permit fee ($50 for engagement shoots), which is fair given it's a private business and they are trying to limit the number of photo sessions happening at the same time - just something to be aware of. A small warning - photo sessions here sometimes end in the purchase of a plant to take home because it can be hard to resist :)

Easton Wine Project

Address: 1247 Simon Blvd Suite N103, Easton, PA 18042
Permit: Yes (no fee, just need to confirm arrival timing) 

Easton Wine Project is a cute wine drinkers paradise right here in our hometown of Easton, PA. It's tucked away in the Simon Silk Mill - basically a renovated shopping district that attracts a lot of local artisans, EWP being one of them. Outside of the food and drinks that we love, they also happen to have a really beautiful restaurant with some great options for engagement photos. This place would of course go well with a couple of wine lovers, and we always suggest grabbing a couple glasses to enjoy while we capture candids of you two having a great time together. 

Fox and Finch Rentals

Address: 502 S Clewell St, Fountain Hill, PA 18015
Permit: No (there is an hourly rental fee to use this space and it needs to be booked in advance though)

Fox and Finch Rentals in Bethlehem, PA is a rentable studio space for photographers. With rental of the studio, you also have access to a selection of vintage backdrops and decor. Access to the furniture really makes this space special because we can customize your engagement photos. The decor tends to be a mix of vintage, boho, and elegant. 

Linderman Library at Lehigh University

Address: Linderman Library, 30 Library Dr, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Permit: Yes (no fee, just need to confirm arrival timing) 

If you're a fan of books, the Linderman Library might be a great choice for your engagement photos! This library is one the Lehigh University campus, and is actually considered one of the best libraries in the USA not only for it's book selection, but because the aesthetic of the place is so distinct. 

One thing to note: the library is generally easiest to access for engagement shoots when the university is in it's off season. We need to make special arrangements with the university to shoot here. 

Longwood Gardens Conservatory

Address: 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348
Permit: No (just pay admission)

Longwood Gardens is widely considered one of the most beautiful gardens in the United States. We personally love the place and have been there countless times for engagement shoots and fun! While the grounds are really expansive, the indoor conservatory is especially beautiful and in bloom all year round, too. There are so many spots in there that a whole engagement session could happen just inside if need be. 

*2020-2021 Update* - Unfortunately, due to pandemic related restrictions, the conservatory is off limits for photo sessions. Longwood has changed the flow of this area to make it 1 way in, 1 way out AND is also doing renovations on a large portion of the place as they are expanding it for the 2022 season. 

Conclusion

In our experience, great indoor locations for engagement photos can actually be tough to come by. Most things that are indoors are, for better and for worse, owned by private companies and people, which means we have to be mindful of the specific rules and requirements for each location and work around their availability. With that said, we're constantly on the look out for new places that would work well for engagement pics - so stay tuned as we plan to update this post in the future. We hope these indoor engagement photo locations give you a great starting point and help you find the perfect spot for your pics. 

Suraya

Address: 1528 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Permit: No (no fee, just need to confirm arrival timing) 

Suraya is a super stylish Lebanese restaurant in the Fishtown neighborhood in Philadelphia. It's a particularly cool spot for engagement photos if you're wanting something really different as they have this sun room that's absolutely stunning. 

Even if you're not in the area, it's worth mentioning that restaurants in general will often allow engagement photos on their premises, so if there is somewhere special to you - it may be worth getting in touch and seeing if this would be allowed. It's a special way to make engagement photos uniquely yours, too!

In Home Session

Address: Your Place :)
Permit: No (well, we'd hope not!)

The one (sometimes underrated) location for engagement photos is right at your home. We've shot a ton of in home sessions, and every place is different and unique. For our couples, this can also make the photos extra special since everything in the background is really important to them and looking back on engagement pics and seeing your place will make them all the more memorable.