Valley Forge Park is a dreamy setting for Philadelphia area engagement. I’ve d one multiple shoots there, two of them being my brothers and their beautiful fiancés.  So, it’s a sentimental place for me that holds a lot of U.S. history and offers gorgeous backdrops for photos.

About Valley Forge Park

Valley Forge is National Historical Park about 22 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Valley Forge was the site of a Continental Army encampment in 1777. It’s vast 3,500 acres features meadows, woodlands, and Revolutionary War monuments, honoring individuals who came through adversity in extraordinary times.

Walking through Valley Forge Park is taking a trip through history. Original encampment buildings still stand throughout the park. It’s an amazing experience to walk through and imagine what life was like back then for those soldiers. George Washington even had a headquarters there!

On top of the rich cultural history of the park, it sits on an absolutely stunning stretch of land that people regularly use for biking, walking, and running. And the sunsets are spectacular, thanks to the wide-open sky and scenic meadows.

Ben & Liv’s Valley Forge Park Engagement 

Olivia was born and raised in the UK, while Ben grew up in the Malvern area of Pennsylvania. Liv hadn’t yet seen where Ben grew up, so this engagement session was a perfect time to share Ben’s roots and memorialize the moment (and the beginning of a new chapter) with a sunset session.

Ben & Liv’s Story

Ben and Olivia are TRULY peas in a pod. They are both actors who travel the country doing shows and musicals in several month stints. It’s a busy life with lots of moving pieces, which is what made their love story so serendipitous!

Ben and Liv met performing together in Kinky Boots on the NCL cruise line in 2021. The cast and crew stay on the boat throughout the cruise, so it gave Ben and Olivia lots of time to spend together. It was pretty much love at first site, and by the time the cruise ended, they knew they were in it for the long haul. Ben was the lead in that show (his biggest gig yet) and met his future wife at the same time. Talk about serendipity!

Valley Forge Park Moments 

I loved capturing Valley Forge Park’s lush meadows and historic architecture in Ben & Liv’s shoot. The golden hues of early fall were a perfect complement to Liv’s green floral dress, and their genuine, loving vibe resulted in gorgeous photos. That sunset over the meadow cannot be beat!

Ben and Liv are always singing, joking, and making each other laugh, so photographing them was much fun. Their deep love for each other shined through the camera lens and complemented the scenic setting. It was a pleasure to be part of their engagement shoot!

From Ben

“Alli was a total joy to work with. She has an excellent way of directing couples, without at all being intrusive or forcing a moment. Liv and I were completely at ease from start to finish. The photos truly reflected the emotions of the moment, and we are forever grateful she managed to capture that. We really couldn’t be happier with the work she’s done and the photos we’ll treasure for a lifetime.” 

Philadelphia Area Engagements

If you’re looking for some Philly area wedding and engagement area inspiration, please reach out! I grew up in the Philadelphia area and have taken photos for all different kinds of weddings and engagements, so I’ve got lots of ideas. Let’s chat!