Location Guide
Thank you for booking a session! I am so excited for the opportunity to photograph you and your loved ones and capture this beautiful time in your life.
Start dreaming about how you want to feel in your session. I can guide you to help match the location to the style and feeling you'd like for your photos. While the majority of my sessions take place outdoors, it is possible to do an indoor photoshoot, especially during colder and rainier months of the year. Have a pretty backyard or want to do your photos in your home? This is also an option and sometimes preferred by families with younger children.
There are so many amazing locations in southeastern Pennsylvania. I have highlighted a few of my favorite places that I use throughout the year, though this list is not exhaustive. Most of these places are available to you at no extra cost, however a few will have travel or permit fees, but are so spectacular that I included them. If you would like to use a location with a fee, please reach out at least two weeks before your session, as many permits take at least two weeks to process.
If you already have a particular location in mind, I am happy to reach out to learn of any requirements for photography and handle any permit applications. Please keep in mind that I charge a travel fee for sessions further than 15 miles from Phoenixville, PA and that some locations may require a permit and/or have fees. If you are looking for a setting that is not covered on this list, please let me know as I would be happy to help you find some additional options.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
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Items with fees are denoted with asterisk.
Year-Round Locations
Seasonal Locations
Valley Forge National Historical Park
— King of Prussia, PA
Hands down my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE place to photograph in the area. We're truly lucky to live so close to such a beautiful and historic park. There are so many options for backgrounds all right in the same area - fields, trees, barns, log cabins, historic stone houses. The wildflowers and plants change throughout the seasons, making it beautiful year round. I honestly think there is something for almost everyone in this location. There are several different places in the park where we could meet that will give you a variety of backgrounds.
While they no longer require a permit for smaller groups, you may need a permit if your group is 8 or more.
Permit required for groups of 8+
Grande Parade & Varnum's Quarters
This is the best spot for wide open views and natural backgrounds. It is gorgeous year round, especially at sunset! At different points there may be blooming flowers. It also has easy access to Varnum's Quarters, if you want images in front of a beautiful stone house (amazing for early morning sessions). There are also paths through the fields and another that leads to log cabins if you want to adventure a bit during your session.
Knox's Quarters
While this area is a little busier than other parts of the park, it has so many charming spots for photographs! There are old farm buildings, a historic stone house, lots of beautiful trees and even some natural areas to explore. I love using this spot in early spring when the magnolia is in bloom.
Washington's Headquarters
There are so many areas with spectacular views for photographs around Washington's Headquarters. In early may there are beautiful dogwood trees and in the autumn there are yellow flowers and golden grasses. And if you like wooded areas, there is a quiet path that is always fun to explore.
Brightside Farm — Malvern, PA
This former farm is now a park with both paved and mowed paths that cut through fields dotted with wildflowers. The form farm area and barns are off limits, but still make for a pretty background from afar. This spot is best during sunset.
Downtown Phoenixville — Phoenixville, PA
There are so many fun photo opportunities in downtown Phoenixville — The Foundry and surrounding area, the nearby Schuylkill River Trail bridge, in front of the Colonial Theatre and other storefronts on Bridge street, and everything in between. Depending on the ages of children and amount of time available, you may only want to choose one spot for your photos or try for a little bit of everything. This location is best at sunset, but there are some options for early morning. If you want take photos around Bridge Street, I recommend adjusting your session date to a Monday evening, when the area is more quiet.
Marsh Creek State Park — Downingtown, PA
If you are looking for a location with lake views, this spot is for you. There are lots of places for kids to explore and different backgrounds for both morning or afternoon sessions. The park can get very busy during the summer months, especially on weekends. I recommend scheduling during the week if using this location between June and September.
Cedar Hollow Preserve — Malvern, PA
This small nature preserve in Malvern is tucked away and super quiet! It is a good alternative to Valley Forge, which can get very busy with other photographers throughout the fall season. There are young sycamores that look beautiful in the early spring, as well as the autumn. It is a great spot if you want a bit of privacy and room to explore.
French Creek Trail — Phoenixville, PA
This charming trail is perfect for playful, adventurous sessions—especially for those who enjoy splashing in the creek and embracing the outdoors. The short walk to the water offers kids plenty of space to run, explore, and let loose. An old stone mill and a covered bridge nearby add variety and character to your session backdrop. Ideal for fun-loving families and couples, this location is especially magical on warm summer days.
The Mill at Anselma — Chester Springs, PA
This historic site not only features an 18th century mill, but several historic buildings. The property has trails that wander through that can be used for more natural backgrounds. There is a little bit of everything!
$50 Location Fee
Ott's Exotic Plants — Schwenksville, PA
Ott’s Exotic Plants is truly one of the most unique and memorable spots in the area. Walking through its lush greenhouses feels like being transported to the tropics. Open year-round, it’s a perfect location for sessions on cooler days, cloudy mornings, or rainy afternoons—or anytime you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary. Alongside their incredible collection of tropical plants, you'll also find seasonal nursery flowers that add beautiful pops of color to your images.
$25 Per Person Location Fee
At Your Home — In Your Backyard or Indoors
Arguably, the easiest location is your home. Some of my families with smaller children opt for this option, as it simplifies the process and allows for their children to be in a place they are familiar and comfortable in.
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Gardner's Landscape Nursery — Chester Springs, PA
A greenhouse is the perfect spot to have your photo session on a cold winter day or rainy afternoon. Gardner's greenhouse is large with lots of plants to add the right amount of color to your images.
Rose Tree Park — Media, PA
A hidden gem for spring blossoms! Rows and rows of pink and white flowering trees create the prettiest background at sunset. Bloom date will vary by year, but I usually recommend early-mid April for sessions at this park.
$50 Location Fee
Everhart Park — West Chester, PA
If you're looking for spring flowers, this is such a wonderful spot! This community park has a path lined with cherry blossoms, blooming dogwood trees, and beds full of daffodills and other spring bulbs. Bloom date will vary by year, but I usually recommend mid April-early May for sessions at this park. We can also arrange your date around the cherry blossoms predicted peak bloom time for any given year.
$50 Location Fee
A Peony Garden — Navron, PA
If you love peonies, you'll be obsessed with this location, which boasts peonies of all varieties and color in bloom. Located minutes from Honey Brook, this peony farm is open Monday-Saturday. The peonies usually only bloom for two weeks during the second half of May.
$25 Location Fee
$95 Location Fee
Wildflower Lookout — Ronks, PA
Just one of many beautiful spots out towards Lancaster, PA. This mountaintop wildflower field is magical at sunset and a flower lovers dream! Spots book up quickly, so you'll need to give me plenty of notice if interested.
$160 Location Fee
Warwick Furnace Farm — Glenmoore, PA
One of the most magical spots in Chester County, Warwick Furnace Farm's lavender fields are available for photo session during select weeknights from late June to early July. The location fee is definitely worth it if you want a spectacular view and setting for your photo session.
$25 Location Fee
$125 Location Fee
Maple Acres Farm — Plymouth Meeting, PA
This local farm features a giant pick-your-own zinnia field that is such a pretty spot for photographs. The brightly colored flowers are in bloom from mid-June through early November every year.
$65 Location Fee
Yeager's Farm — Phoenixville, PA
What is a more perfect setting for photos for your holiday card than a tree farm? This local farm is open for photography sessions in early November before tree sales begin.
$150 Location Fee
