About Philadelphia, PA
One of the oldest regions in the United States, Philadelphia was the gathering spot for the Founding Fathers during the American Revolution. They met in 1776 to add their signatures to the Declaration of Independence. William Penn established this urban center in 1682 as the capital city of the Pennsylvania Colony.
Philadelphia is the birthplace of many of America's firsts, including the first library, hospital, medical school, and zoo. The city houses more than 67 National Historic Landmarks, giving locals and visitors many attractions.
If you're looking for the perfect Philadelphia photo shoot location, The City of Brotherly Love will not disappoint. Whether you seek a historic building in Center City, a function room in a boutique hotel, a stand-alone building with exposed brick walls, or even your unique spot with natural light in Rittenhouse Square, Philly has ideal shoot locations.
Photo Shoot Options in Philadelphia, PA
Once you've found the ideal location for photo or film shoots in Philadelphia, it's time to pull all the pieces together for your first session. Philly has many top supply vendors, furniture rental companies, security services, and designers that can help you get your photo shoot location ready for the cameras to roll in no time.
Coffee Service
No Philadelphia meet-ups and photo shoots are complete without a steady supply of Java. Philly has many premiere coffee shops, cafes, and mobile coffee catering services that ensure you've got all the cups of joe you need to keep your next photo or video shoot humming along on schedule.
Audio-Visual Equipment Rentals
If you've forgotten a vital lens, your camera is not operating correctly, or you need the latest equipment for your shoot, the right audio-visual rental company can assist. From specialized lenses for portrait photography, cameras, and tripods to backdrops, flashes, computers, and film production software, many Philadelphia rental companies have what professional photographers look for when working on their next project.
Décor
Décor helps to set the right tone for your photo sessions. It's a great idea to purchase or rent a wide selection of props and items of décor for added variety and interest in the images taken at photo studios. Whether you pop by one of the city's leading prop stores, lease a few pieces from a local furniture rental store, or hire a designer or specialty items that help your photo shoot locations come alive, you'll have no trouble finding everything you need in Philly.
Photo Shoot Companies in Philadelphia, PA
Choosing your ideal photo shoot space, among many photo studios for rent in Philadelphia, is quite a rush. Before you can open for business, there's still work to do. That's where a partnership with the right Philly professionals can make a big difference for you.
Waterfront Gourmet Café and Catering
A chain of top-tier cafes located throughout the city, Waterfront Gourmet Café and Catering is well-renowned for its unique take on cuisine, which includes delicious deli sandwiches, salads, paninis, and specialty coffee blends. First opened to the public in 2014, Waterfront Gourmet Café and Catering provides their best cuisine, coffee, and espresso-based drinks to events, celebrations, and film and photo studios throughout The City of Brotherly Love. No event is too big or too small for Waterfront Gourmet Café and Catering.
The Theme Factory
The Theme Factory is a rental company specializing in props, equipment, costumes, makeup, and décor items for special events, film and photo shoots, celebrations, and trade show displays. Its facility, which is more than 60,000 square feet, houses a large selection of unique props and rental items, with something sure to suit your every need.
AV Philadelphia
AV Philadelphia is a top-notch audio-visual equipment rental company serving Greater Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. With a team of highly qualified professionals providing consultations, installations, and on-site technical support, AV Philadelphia can help you find the precise equipment you need and ensure it functions appropriately for an event that proceeds seamlessly.
Pros and Cons of Photo Shoots in Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia offers much to see and do, making it one of the most frequently visited tourist destinations in the United States. Still, a city as large as Philly offers advantages and disadvantages when booking photo studios.
Advantages
Small town feel
Philadelphia is a large metropolitan center with many amenities to its credit, including numerous photo studios ideal for everything from family portraits to music video shoots. Still, despite this city's size, it maintains the quaint charm of a small-town feeling, perfect for those looking for intimate photo shoot locations.
Excellent location
Philadelphia is an urban center that is well-positioned for travel to other large cities in the United States and Canada. The positioning makes it an excellent base for video shoot projects that require multiple locations.
Low cost of living expenses
Philadelphia is a large, highly affordable city compared to other cities such as Boston or New York. This affordability extends to photo shoot locations for rent in Philadelphia, PA, making it a budget-friendly option for productions of all sizes.
Disadvantages
Air pollution
Philadelphia is a very crowded city that experiences heavy daily traffic. With so many vehicles on congested highways in areas like North Philadelphia, the air quality in Philly suffers greatly, leading to pollution problems that might affect outdoor shoots that require natural light.
High crime rate
Unfortunately, the City of Brotherly Love has a high incidence of crime within its limits, including in some of the more popular photo shoot locations in Philadelphia.
Limited parking options
Even in residential neighborhoods, parking is difficult to come by and is quite expensive. Prioritizing shoot locations with ample parking and easy building access is crucial, especially if you have bulky equipment to load/offload.
Famous Locations in Philadelphia, PA
Liberty Bell Pavilion
The Liberty Bell is a testament to the freedom the United States offers everyone who calls the country home. The first ringing of the bell was at the signing of the Constitution, but the bell's crack appeared in 1846 on George Washington's birthday celebration. Not far from here, the Eastern State Penitentiary adds to the city's rich historical narrative, once housing some of America's most notorious criminals.
Independence National Historical Park
One of the most famous square miles in US history, Independence National Historical Park is a destination hotspot in the heart of Center City. This property features essential landmarks such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and many of the city's oldest cobblestone streets, which feature many exciting attractions, shopping, and eateries.
Reading Terminal Market
Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1995, the Reading Terminal Market is well worth visiting in Philadelphia. Open to the public since 1893, when the property was home to the Reading Railroad Company, this open-air market offers shop space to more than 80 local merchants, farmers, and artisans. A short walk from Philadelphia City Hall, this bustling market invites visitors to explore culinary delights and handcrafted goods under its impressive high ceilings.
