H + O wanted to venture through Fishtown in their wedding attire. They had their favorite breakfast at Sulimay’s (where they’d said their private vows after marrying months before), laughed in a parking lot, and kissed on the Berks platform while the El rattled through.
Table of Contents
Philadelphia Wedding Photos in a Vintage Diner
Creative Wedding Portrait Locations
Cinematic Subway Wedding Photos
Connecting in Front of the Camera
Book Your Own Philadelphia Wedding Photos
Philadelphia Wedding Photos in a Vintage Diner
If you’ve spent any time in Fishtown, you know Sulimay’s Restaurant (and not just because of the JD Vance mural). It’s the kind of diner that feels like it’s been there forever, with quirky framed memorabilia and booths worn soft. The rainbow stools and nostalgic vibe felt like a picturesque setting for their cinematic wedding photos.
H + O ordered their usual in full wedding attire and the regulars didn’t bat an eye, which felt on-brand for Philly.
If you’re planning a Fishtown elopement or an intimate Philadelphia wedding and you want meaningful portraits, it can help to start somewhere you already feel at home.
Creative Wedding Portrait Locations
Right across from Sulimay’s was a shuttered Dunkin’ with the storefront boarded and scaffolding overhead.
The light that morning was sharp and high, casting long geometric shadows across the asphalt. The bold teal of the building made for a perfect backdrop.
There’s something energizing about photographing marriers in spaces that aren’t stereotypically beautiful. In a corner parking lot, orange bollards caught the light in a way that sent me straight back to seeing Christo’s Gates in Central Park in 2005—that saffron fabric against bare February trees. I’ve been thinking about how a single color, years later, can land you right back inside a moment. I hope these images do that for them someday.
Cinematic Subway Wedding Photos
The Berks station on SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line comes with its own unique beauty. That particular shade of tired teal catching the light the right way had my whole heart. I forgive it for smelling like train station.
H + O wanted wedding portraits at the subway station because it felt like an authentic version of Philadelphia. I photographed them on the platform and the interior stairwells. The train came through at just the right moment, blurred and in motion while they kissed.
For any marriers in Philadelphia who want portraits that feel grounded in the city, the El is underrated as a portrait location. Plus, it’s always a go-to if it rains and you’d like coverage from the elements.
Connecting in Front of the Camera
Whenever I stepped back to take solo portraits of H + O, they would drift until their hands found each other lingering at the edge of the frame.
There are so many ways to witness what love looks like. I’ve been doing this work for over sixteen years, and I still find it genuinely charming when people stand in front of my camera and connect in their own unique ways.
Book Your Own Philadelphia Wedding Photos
If you’re looking for a Philadelphia wedding photographer, I’d love to be considered for your photos. I really enjoy getting to know people and helping them get comfortable in front of the lens. In H + O’s case, they wanted to share their favorite breakfast before casually walking around Fishtown together.
For folks who are seeking a queer-friendly photographer, I aim to make my work as affirming and accommodating as possible. As a queer photographer myself, I feel at home working alongside LGBTQIA+ clients and allies.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to find out more information.
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