When I first saw a photo taken of the Philbrook Museum gardens, I clicked on it with the purpose of finding out where this beautiful place was located, thinking it must be an elegant European destination that I could add to the list of places I dream of shooting at one day—but probably won’t get to visit. Little did I know, this Italian Renaissance villa and its 25 acres are right here in Tulsa, not even 30 minutes from my house! You’ll quickly see why the Philbrook gardens are your ultimate photoshoot location, from proposal photoshoots to senior portraits.
Philbrook’s History:
Like much of Tulsa, the villa was built for an oilman in the mid-1920s and was later donated for the purpose it holds today: to be an art museum. The gardens were designed in Italian, English, and French styles. In 2004, they underwent a big renovation, and it is now called “the most beautiful place in Oklahoma.” It certainly doesn’t feel like you’re in Tulsa from the minute you leave the car.
Gardens Features:
The mansion and patio provide a constant backdrop, greenery of all kinds, vibrant flowers, walking paths, a pond, the famous Tempietto, a pavilion, water fountains, elegant stone staircases, evergreens, and so much more!
Open vs. Closed
The time and day of the week your photoshoot is scheduled will determine whether the gardens are open to the public/museum-goers or closed for a more private photoshoot experience. I’ve found that for photoshoots during the museum’s open operating hours, guests in the gardens are generally respectful and aware that photos are being taken. The gardens being open doesn’t tend to interfere too much with the photoshoot process, although we may have to wait occasionally for a “friend” to exit the background of a shot.
After the museum’s operating hours, an exclusive experience is offered where only photographers and their clients have access to the gardens, as the museum is closed to the public. These after-hours photoshoots allow us to use the garden space more freely and make our time more efficient. Regardless, I will always try to frame your photos without these “friends” in the background!
Location Fees:
The fee to use the Philbrook gardens varies from $50 to $250, depending on the length of time at the location and the date and time your photoshoot is scheduled. I’m happy to provide specific information on the fees and schedule your photoshoot on a day/time that matches your budget.
Seasons:
Early April is when the tulips bloom at Philbrook, and it’s one of the most magical views! The prime growing season in the gardens is from late April to early November, but even in the dead middle of winter, the museum is still a great location for a photoshoot!
It’s not very hard to see why I’ve had clients drive 3+ hours for a photoshoot at Philbrook Museum. It is one of the most romantic and timeless places in Tulsa. As a photography member with Philbrook, you can catch me in the gardens at least once a week, if not four times per week, documenting proposals, senior photos, bridal portraits, and even a wedding day or two!
This serves as your ultimate photo guide to planning your photoshoot in the Philbrook Museum Gardens! I walk you through the seasons, different gardens around the villa, popular spots and icons, and show you what Philbrook looks like on a cloudy day or in full sun if you need to schedule your photoshoot earlier in the day. The following is a combination of photoshoots taken when the museum was open and closed, and I bet you can’t tell the difference. 😉
THE SEASONS:
A few views of the tulips that bloom in the Philbrook gardens in last few days of March through to the first week of April. You’ll see Amanda’s college senior and Lauryn’s high school senior portraits.
By May, the Philbrook gardens have come back to life and the grounds are rich with color for Reagan and Robert’s engagement photoshoot!
In the heat of the summer, the gardens have started to change, the triangle flower beds that once held tulips have summer vegetation. Here are Harper’s senior photos at Philbrook in August.
Kathryn and Austin’s September engagement photoshoot at the Philbrook Museum gardens was rich with color and a few pops of the fall season.
Once January has arrived, the evergreens are starting to turn auburn for the winter season. But the museum continues to offer countless spots and locations for winter photos like in Hannah and Ethan’s wedding day, husband and wife portraits.
The winter months give me a chance to select spots that feature the architecture of the gardens and the evergreen tress.
THE LOCATIONS:
The patio and staircase on the Philbrook villa. This one spot affords so many views, angles, and opportunities for photos!
The East Formal Gardens. This is where you get the most views of the formal gardens, the cobblestone pathways, and the Mansion in the background.
The arches around the East Formal Gardens. The arches might be one of my favorite design element throughout the Philbrook gardens and are most likely to be featured your photoshoot!
Informal Gardens and the Pond. The iconic view of Philbrook and one of the best spots to propose is in this area of the gardens! It’s also home to the pond and the famous Tempietto! This spot is the last to receive shade because of where the sun sets. It’s likely if this location is important to you with even, open shade, that we’ll need to plan your photoshoot time carefully. Otherwise, it’s just as beautiful will full sun!
South Formal Gardens. Depending how long we have for your photoshoot in the gardens, we may not come to the South Formal gardens, unless we have time or you specifically would like to take some photos in these locations. One one of the South Gardens you can see the end of the Philbrook villa and the Summer House on the other end.
PHILBROOK ON A CLOUDY DAY:
Philbrook on a cloudy day is just as pretty and timeless. There are more spots we can go and different views that I can capture because I’m not having to deal with the direction of the sun! Although I love the sun, a cloudy day can also be a gift. Here’s Hallie and Max’s late spring engagement photoshoot.
Kennadee’s summer senior photoshoot was also on a cloudy day in Tulsa but her gallery was no less gorgeous!
PHILBROOK IN FULL SUN:
The gardens are in full sun for the majority of the day, so if your photoshoot or proposal is earlier in the day, you’ll have more of the sun in your portraits. The final 1.5 to 1 hour of the day is when the gardens are in open shade and we get the soft light. If the lighting is important to you, let me know when we’re discussing dates and times of your photoshoot so I can take this into account.
Are you ready to book your photoshoot at Philbrook? Click here to go to my homepage and inquire now!
If you enjoy romantic-pastel wedding inspiration, you must look at Macey and Gideon’s Dream Point Ranch wedding blog post by clicking here.
Speaking of wedding related stuff- here’s 6 reasons you will want to book a bridal photoshoot!
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