There are many unique backdrops in the Philadelphia area that are conducive to a photo shoot for any number of occasions – birthdays, weddings, proposals, the list goes on. However, in this case, its’s the engagement of a lovely couple, Rachel and Dominic, and what better setting than a Philadelphia Engagement in the Navel Square/  An engagement in the Naval Square neighborhood is an interesting choice for this couple, but reflects their personal taste for how they wish to memorialize this special day.

A Philadelphia Engagement in Naval Square provides an interesting choice by these two lovely individuals. Naval Square is a gated community within the Graduate Hospital neighborhood of Philadelphia that served as the first United States Naval Academy from 1834 to 1845, when the Naval Academy formed in Annapolis. It continued as a retirement home for sailors and marines and was called the Naval Home until 1976, when the facility was relocated to Mississippi.^[1]

According to the Office of Housing and Community Development, the neighborhood became official, as the three independent parties, the city of Philadelphia (Office of Housing and Community Development), the OHNP (Office of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation), and Toll Brothers worked to bring the historic location to prominence.^[2] The Philadelphia Inquirer said that the neighborhood, considered a condo development, succeeded in bucking “the trend with what buyers cited as a combination of location, security, and newness.” Prices for houses ranged from $300,000 to $900,000, with 618 units built.^[3]

A unique notable feature of Naval Square is that the neighborhood has a “suburban feel” inside the city, unlike other neighborhoods in the city.^[4] According to the source, one resident chose the neighborhood because he wanted a home “near bars, but not in them.”^[3]

The New York Times states that Naval Square is part of a trend of the city’s gentrification, driven by new tax abatement policies.^[5] The boundaries of the neighborhood are set by the surrounding brick wall on Grays Ferry Avenue to the east, Bainbridge Street to the north, Schuylkill Avenue to the west, and Christian Street to the south. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will be building three new 26-story towers next door to this community in the Schuylkill neighborhood, just outside the gated community, by 2017.

The location of Naval Square was the home of the Philadelphia Naval Asylum, a precursor to the United States Naval Academy, was completed in 1833 and became the “first retirement home for sailors and marines.” By 1838, the midshipmen who were approaching promotion examinations were assigned to the school for eight months of study.

When the Naval Home was relocated to Gulfport, Mississippi, the facility was closed. The historic section of the neighborhood was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971.^[1]

In 2004, Toll Brothers began the first phase of development, with 345 condominiums. In 2009, the firm sold 220 condos and 74 townhomes.^[4]

While you may not be familiar with this unique neighborhood, experienced and talented photographers such as John Ryan, owner of J&J Studios Philadelphia, is extremely versed in all the hidden treasures the city of Philadelphia has to offer.  Through the following photos you will see some of the fun as well as interesting backdrops John worked closely with the couple to determine which scenes would best capture their personalities as well as the mood of their special event.

As Rachel and Dominic stroll through the neighborhood, you can see the casual and peaceful environment the residents of this community enjoy in their daily lives. It’s homey setting provides a certain solace to residents while still providing a close proximity to all the wonderful activities the city of Philadelphia has to offer.

You can sense the free spirit nature of these two individuals as they embark on the road towards spending their lives together as husband and wife.  The are embarking on a journey that will bring them closer to each other and exemplify the commitment they are making to each other.

It is evident that the essence of their love is presence as they walk through the Naval Square and share some special moments with each other in order to capture the feelings that come through and will are being memorialized in the wonderful photos that John Ryan and his team are capturing.

Are you interested in capturing your special moment on film? Then you should consider contacting John Ryan at J&J Studios Philadelphia and seeing what magic he and his team can do to make your special event something to remember!