6 Locations to Visit in Delaware for Destination Photography

As Philadelphia photographers, Delaware is only a short drive away from the city, so it is a frequent location for many production projects.

Delaware is the first state admitted to the union of The United States. It is one of the smallest states with a total of 2,489 square miles that comprises of three counties: Kent, New Castle, and Sussex. While the state capital is Dover, the largest city is Wilmington.

An average of 25 million people travel to the state to enjoy the perks of Summer tourism in Delaware. The welcoming beach destinations, beautiful parks, and bustling cities are hot spots for tourists. Delaware offers some of the best outdoor adventures, historical experiences, and restaurants for a great value.

There are many scenic locations in Delaware to capture dramatic destination photography. Whether a traveler is visiting from the Philadelphia area or overseas, they should bring their camera to these photogenic spots.

Discover the top outdoor photo locations in Delaware!

Hotel Du Pont is a short drive from Philadelphia. This landmark is one of the most elegant venue for weddings, corporate events, and overnight stays. In the heart of Wilmington, this historical icon is a top destination for luxury hotel experiences.

This historical wedding venue is a marvel of the American guilded age. As a result, it is an elegant setting for commercial lifestyle photographers to capture. The architecture and interior design of Hotel Du Pont is luxurious. It is sure to entice visitors into Delaware.

Upon entering the five-star hotel, the ornate ceiling draws your eye. The dual sweeping staircases, hand-carved wood doorways, and of course, the grand ballroom are some of Hotel Du Pont’s most striking details.

The grand ballroom at Hotel Du Pont features hand-made designs of famous historical women, such as Cleopatra, Pocahontas, and others. Brides connect with this empowering design detail, which makes the couple feel like royalty on their wedding day.

Hotel Du Pont is one of the best photo locations in Delaware. Guests can indulge in Timeless Afternoon Tea or enjoy a sit-down dinner at Le Cavalier—a modern French brasserie. The historical hotel in Wilmington is a fantastic venue for destination photography and offers a lavish hospitality experience for guests.

If you’re thinking about bringing professional photo or video equipment to the Hotel Du Pont, then acquire a permit or direct permission.

Visit the Delaware Botanical Gardens at Pepper Creek for stunning outdoor photography of flowers, landscapes, and animals. This world-class garden is open to the public on Thursday to Sunday from 9AM to 4PM in southern Delaware.

First, stroll through the Meadow Garden, which is a 2-acre meadow designed by Piet Oudolf. This area features hundreds of butterflies and bees pollinating the colorful flowers. Switch to a macro lens to snap dramatic destination photography at Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek.

Get lost with your camera in the Woodland Gardens. Spanning 12 acres, this zone includes tall trees, bushes, driftwood, and pathways for walkers. Destination photographers can appreciate the natural beauty and magical feel of traversing this area.

While the Delaware Botanic Gardens encourages photography and video for personal use, they have strict policies regarding media distribution.

The Riverfront in Wilmington is a hotspot for Summer tourism in Delaware. It is haven for active lifestyles such as jogging, kayaking or fishing. This popular outdoor photo location sits along the Christina River and overlooks the city of Wilmington.

Visitors can explore the Jack A. Markell Trail, which begins at the Wilmington train station and takes tourists to Hoots Hollow. The view of the breathtaking Wilmington skyline and Christian River make this area a hotspot for dramatic destination photography.

At Riverfront Wilmington, there is a close attention to detail. The wide sidewalks increase its walkability score. Gardens along the beach make it pleasant for a picnic or lounge with friends. The streetlights have W’s on them to represent Wilmington.

In terms of destination photos, this scenic area will attract visitors to Delaware. Commercial lifestyle photographers can showcase the best views of Wilmington. It is comparable to photographing the Philadelphia skyscrapers from Belmont Plateau.

Stop at Riverfront Wilmington to capture the most gorgeous outdoor location photos in Delaware.

In the southern region of The Blue Hen State is Rehoboth Beach: one of the most famous beaches in Delaware. This family-friendly beach has a mile-long boardwalk with arcades, souvenir stores, and restaurants.

Rehoboth Beach is known as the Nation’s Summer Capital because it is one of the top beaches in the United States.

Arrive early at Rehoboth Beach to capture photography of a golden sunrise. Keep in mind that many tourists, locals, and hobbyist photographers flock to this beach for this moment. If a commercial lifestyle photographer can find the right spot, then the sunrise will silhouette the other beachgoers.

The sunrise and sunset are the most practical times to capture Delaware beach photos. Around these times, the light is perfect. During other hours of the day, the sun is usually shining too bright. Harsh sunlight is an obstacle for destination photographers. Wait for the sun to create a golden hour before planning outdoor location photos.

While a sunrise is a powerful moment for dramatic destination photographer, consider the other attractions at Rehoboth Beach.

Penny Lane Mall is a whimsical alleyway containing eclectic shops with a classic street clock at its center.

The new Dolles Salt Water Taffy sign is an icon of Rehoboth Beach. At the center of Rehoboth Avenue is the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, a large pavilion with live performances and other gatherings.

Keep traveling south and arrive at Dewey Beach. This tourist attraction is famous for bonfires on the beach. Dewey Beach is a shore town with homes that are within walking distance of the sand dunes.

Dewey Beach is another fantastic location to capture Delaware beach photos. As a less crowded beach than Rehoboth, locals have space to play with animals or play sports like frisbee.

Dewey Beach offers incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean for capturing dramatic destination photography in Delaware.

The surrounding area has iconic restaurants like The Starboard, Dewey Beer Company, and Woody’s. On the drive to Dewey Beach, visitors can make pit stops at Big Chill Beach Club near the Delaware Seashore State Park. Many motorhome travelers park at the nearby campground and explore Coin Beach with metal detectors.

However, this section of Delaware requires a permit for destination photographers, since it is a state park. Proceed with caution if you’re flying drones for aerial photography or bringing larger equipment to snap the perfect picture.

One of the top parks in America is Cape Henlopen State Park. This greenspace is home to wildlife, beaches, hiking trails, historic structures, and fishing piers.

In Lewes, Delaware, the park attracts many tourists every year to explore the region.

Take a moment to appreciate the stunning gardens by the “Welcome to Lewes Delaware” sign, which appears on a red lighthouse. This grand entrance is beautiful in the Summer seasons. Red, purple, and yellow flowers decorate the intersection of Theo C. Freeman Memorial Highway. Safely pull over to the side of this road to snap some colorful pictures.

As with every state park in Delaware, a commercial lifestyle photographer needs to acquire a permit before arriving. State park areas are strict with production crews because they want to keep a level of control.

Follow this form to apply for a professional photography permit at the Delaware state parks.

Cape Henlopen State Park offers breathtaking sunset views in Delaware. Park at The Point and walk to the West end of the beach around dusk to capture the moment. The sun will set behind the Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse, and it is an outstanding sight to end the day.

More dramatic destination photography awaits you at Herring Point. This is the southern-most point of Cape Henlopen. It borders the Fort Miles Battery, which is a historical landmark from World War 2. This abandoned pill box overlooks the Atlantic, and from this spot, photographers can capture amazing views of the shoreline.

Travel the beach to discover more historical American land marks in Delaware. Two Artillery Fire Observation Towers sit along the beach coast. These incredible defensive structures from the Second World War look magnificent and raise questions for curious tourists.

Destination photography is useful for attracting a target audience to visit or move to a certain area. Dramatic photos of breathtaking locations can inspire the imagination. It entices viewers to tap into their travel bug, and see these destinations for themselves.

As a commercial lifestyle photographer, we recognize how destination photography can influence decision making. This destination project was for a real estate development company in Delaware. Their goal is to showcase the state as a desirable destination to move your family or purchase a second home.

Stunning photos of surrounding locations educates and inspires the target audience to think differently about Delaware as a place to call home.

Delaware is close to Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C. This project raises awareness about how Delaware offers more than its reputation.

During this destination photography project, honesty was paramount. We realize that Delaware differs from other tourist destinations like Hawaii, Washington, or Florida. It is important to capture an authentic interpretation of Delaware. We want to enhance its beauty but also avoid manipulating it and impersonating another state.

Consider hiring Phil Kramer, a photography and cinematography production studio in Philly, for destination and travel production. Contact us to discuss more details about your destination photo and video project.