Best Locations for Outdoor Photos in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Northampton, Jim Thorpe, Alburtis and beyond!

As a long time Lehigh Valley children’s photographer who has captured thousands of families in my Coplay, PA photo studio and through on-location photos in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and surrounding areas, I have compiled an extensive list of my top spots for on location family photos, maternity photos, senior portraits, branding sessions and engagement photos in the Lehigh Valley. Let’s explore, shall we?!

In no particular order, because honestly I could never choose a favorite. They’re all beautiful in their own way. 

• Lehigh University Campus, 27 Memorial Dr W, Bethlehem, PA 18015: This school has it all. Character and old world charm. Beautiful yellow and stained wood ornate doors, arches, flowers, fountains, walkways, steps for sitting and posing, stone walls, wrought iron, unique statues, pretty fall color and nicely landscaped though out the year. Lehigh is my go to location for extended family photos as there are many opportunities to stagger families in various poses. I have also captured senior pictures and engagements here as well… just beautiful!

• Bethlehem Steel Stacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, PA 18015: The perfect location for senior photoshoots or an edgy and urban family vibe that just hits differently! Lots of rust, colored metal, garage doors, aluminum, rusty gears, small playground, steps, tall grass, alley ways, barn type doors, chain link fencing and of course- the steel stacks themselves!  This is also a great spot for unique engagement photos! 

• Jim Thorpe, 1 Susquehanna St, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229: “The Switzerland of Pennsylvania” Old town laid back life with a flair of color. There’s color everywhere. Streets of cobblestone. Brick. Colored walls. There is a teal door that is my favorite spot to shoot, pretty much…  ANYWHERE! There are lots of nooks and hidden gems and that’s what I love about it there. There’s stone walls, brick walks, concrete textures and lots of variety.  Chill, urban feel. There’s also an old  train station and train tracks. And the newest addition is the bridge over the Lehigh River. Rusty and symmetrical, two of my favorite things. Watch out for busy holiday weekends and festivals, especially in the fall. Schedule a train ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway for after or before your sesh and make the day of it. French onion soup at Marion Hose Bar for lunch or dinner for the win. This location is great for branding sessions, engagements, seniors and family! 

• Kreidersville Covered Bridge, 1-99 Covered Bridge Rd, Northampton, PA 18067: A timeless, classic location for family photos. Red covered bridge, stone walls, water that’s even possible to wade into depending on rain conditions prior to the shoot. Willow trees and a gazebo. Senior portraits are great here, too!

• Allentown Rose Gardens, 3000 Parkway Blvd, Allentown, PA 18104: An Allentown, PA photographer’s staple. Any given weekend in the summer you will see a smattering of photographers. June for roses. Flowers from spring to fall. Beautiful steps, flowering trees. Water. Bridges. I love families here! 

• Walnutport Canal, 309 Lehigh St, Walnutport, PA 18088: One of my favorite locations for fall photoshoots in the Lehigh Valley. The leaves on the trees cast a color on the canal like none other. This place has foot bridges, fences, ducks, trees, small docks, stone work, a lock tender’s house and more. Perfect location for high school seniors and family sessions. 

• Downtown Easton: Perfect Lehigh Valley location for engagement photos with it’s murals and colored walls. Lots of areas to walk to and all within close proximity. The Bank Street Creamery is the perfect stop for a special treat afterward or even a prop along the way!!! 

• Lock Ridge Furnace Museum, 525 Franklin St, Alburtis, PA 18011:  This used to be the place that had the most amazing display of bluebells in the early spring but over the years from photographers and mom-togs misusing the space, they don’t bloom like they used to. It offers building remains, stone walls and arches around every corner. Beautiful trees, big grass field, pathways, water, tall grass in summer, a faux train track and rail car. I love Lock Ridge for its distinct look and incredible variety I am able to offer to each photoshoot. Any and all sessions would look amazing here. 

• Burnside Plantation, 1461 Schoenersville Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18018: Rustic barns, well kept fences- white and split rail, water, willow trees, large grass field, wagon wheel, stone, brick and wood work on the buildings. Beautiful pathway, perfect for walking shots.  Great for a rustic country themed photos. This location is perfect for any outdoor on location shoot I offer. A permit fee of $50 is added to your session fee to reserve this location. 

• Wildlands Conservancy, 3701 Orchid Place | Emmaus, PA 18049: a hidden gem perfect for any shoot offering flowering trees and bushes, fences, greenery and even a nature trail to explore with the kids after the session

• Graver Arboretum of Muhlenberg College, 1581 Bushkill Center Rd, Bath, PA 18014: Beautiful purple Rhododendrons in the spring, an earthy place lush with greenery, ponds, flowers and wildlife.  

• Li’l-Le-Hi Trout Nursery, 2901 Fish Hatchery Rd, Allentown, PA 18103: an open field with flowering trees in the spring great for family sessions wanting spring blooms. Bonus: bribe the kids with feeding the trout afterwards.

• Lehigh Parkway, Lehigh Parkway E, Allentown, PA 18103: Bogert’s Covered Bridge is off white inside with chippy paint and full of character. There is stone work and dark red on the outsides. Plenty of pathways for walking and shooting on and I love that they are tree lined. There’s a little “cottage” that reminds me something out of Snow White, too! Tall grass, cool buildings and water for the background of your photos! Great for Allentown location for family photos or engagements!

• Downtown Historic Bethlehem: The streets of Bethlehem are a joy to see any time of the year, not just at Christmas time! Cobblestone walkways, old buildings, benches, wrought iron fences, steps to sit on and cool brick to lean on! The Colonial District is below the Hotel Bethlehem and full of character and old building ruins with brick and stone work everywhere. A small garden, cool bridges and water. A permit fee of $50 is required to shoot here and will be added to your session fee to reserve this location. Downtown Bethlehem is perfect for any type of photo session!

• Downtown Allentown: From colored walls, to brick and concrete, photos in Downtown Allentown aren’t what they used to be. Allentown is clean, it’s fresh and it’s happening. We walk all around the area of the PPL Center and find all the sweet spots. Great for branding sessions, seniors and families looking for a fun and edgy shoot. Our friend Julie (follow her on IG and FB) did a branding session here with me and we had a blast! 

• Wehr’s Dam Covered Bridge Park, 2465 Wehr Mill Rd, Allentown, PA 18104: If you’re looking for a unique spot in the Lehigh Valley for photos, Wehr’s Dam is it! A beautiful covered bridge with stone work surrounding it, water everywhere, fences, flowers and tall grass. Most recently they added a beautiful walking boardwalk that extends way behind the dam. It’s beautiful and will be a perfect place to let the kids run safely after their photos are finished! I have photographed family photos, senior pictures, maternity portraits and birthday photos at this awesome place.
• Polk Valley Park, 2068 Polk Valley Rd, Hellertown, PA 18055: This park is great for family photos in Center Valley, PA. Simple for sure. Tall grass field, simple wildflowers at times, beautiful fall foliage and there is an awesome playground for the kids to play on after photos!

And a little bonus location: My favorite beach for family photos-

• Dewey Beach, DE: If you are looking for family photos on the beach, this my family’s favorite vacation spot and I look forward to our yearly trip. I typically take on a very limited number of family beach sessions during my vacation week every year and I can ALWAYS be talked into an overnight trip to do a sunset and sunrise shot the next day! If this is something you would be interested in and our trips can align, I encourage to reach out early so we can chat. Beautiful sunrise and sunset beach photos can’t be beat!

So for now, that’s all I’ve got as my best locations for photo shoots in the Lehigh Valley, PA. Am I missing any? Drop a comment with any suggestions! You can also click here to explore more of my photos from each of these above locations.

Click here to get a photo shoot on the calendar for your and your loved ones!! Xo Lg