Capture History Through Your Lens: Photography Tour at Eastern State Penitentiary

with Armond Scavo

If you’re looking for a photography experience that blends history, texture, and dramatic lighting, the Photography Tour of Eastern State Penitentiary by Armond Scavo Photography offers something truly unique. This isn’t just a tour, it’s an opportunity to explore one of Philadelphia’s most iconic landmarks through a creative lens.

A Prison Designed for Reflection and Now Inspiration

Originally built with a revolutionary purpose, Eastern State Penitentiary was intended not simply to punish, but to guide inmates toward spiritual reflection and personal change. Its groundbreaking hub-and-spoke design features an octagonal center with corridors extending outward into seven cell blocks, each lined with large individual cells.

These cells were ahead of their time, equipped with:

Hot water heating
Running water
Private toilets
Individual exercise yards

Today, those same spaces tell a very different story, one of decay, history, and haunting beauty.

A Photographer’s Dream Setting

The penitentiary’s long corridors, crumbling plaster, peeling paint, and weathered textures create a visually rich environment unlike any other. Natural light pours in from overhead skylights, casting dramatic shadows and highlighting the building’s raw character.

Whether you prefer:

Moody black-and-white compositions
Rich, textured color shots
Wide architectural perspectives
Tight, detail-driven close-ups

…this location delivers endless creative possibilities.

Video - Eastern State Penitentiary Tour

From the Tour

Student taking Photograph of Cell

Walk in the Footsteps of Legends

As you explore, you’ll be photographing a space once visited by historical figures like Charles Dickens and Alexis de Tocqueville. The prison also housed notorious inmates such as Al Capone and Willie Sutton, adding even more depth and intrigue to your shots.

Guided by a Professional Eye

With Armond Scavo Photography, you’re not just wandering, you’re learning. Armond provides insight

into:

Composition techniques for architectural spaces
Using natural light effectively
Capturing mood and storytelling in your images
Choosing between color and black & white for impact

This makes the tour ideal for both beginners and experienced photographers looking to refine their craft.

Tour Details
📍 Meeting Location: In front of Eastern State Penitentiary
📍 Address: 2027 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA
📸 Focus: Architecture, texture, lighting, and historical storytelling
Why You Should Book

This tour is perfect if you want to:

Build a standout photography portfolio
Explore a historic Philadelphia landmark in depth
Learn from a professional photographer
Capture images you simply can’t get anywhere else

Eastern State Penitentiary isn’t just a location, it’s an atmosphere. And through this guided photography tour, you’ll have the chance to capture its haunting beauty in a way that’s entirely your own.

Photography Tours of Philadelphia

See Philadelphia Through Your Camera’s Eye

Whether you are visiting Philadelphia or live here, during this two and a half hour photography tour you will participate in an authentic city adventure and have an exceptional opportunity to experience and photograph the City of Brotherly Love with an insider’s point of view.

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Testimonials

I met with Armond one rainy fall morning near Rittenhouse Square. While some might have seen the idea of conducting an outdoor photography class on a cold wet day as an obstacle, I knew that my time with Armond would be well spent.

I’ve known Armond and his work since the 80’s, when I lived in Philadelphia and he and my parents were a part of the same circle of artists. Armond Scavo has been part of Philadelphia’s art world for many years, and a resident for his entire life. Combine these elements and you get a photographer who is passionate about his craft and about sharing the charms of his city.

John Doe

Codetic

Thanks again for all you taught me. For the first time in my life I feel like I’m making strides from being a “guy with a camera” to being an “amateur photographer” I highly recommend Armond to anyone interested in taking more than common snapshots and plan to do it again myself.

Doug W

Simply a great opportunity to get a Hands on photography lesson from a Philly local and expert artist. Armond is a great teacher and my husband and I left with lasting memories and great pics. A fabulous way to be a tourist in your own city or to explore Philly if you’re visiting while learning more about photography. No camera? No problem! I just used my Samsung camera and it was great to learn how to capture better composition. Try it out. Great time!

Jenna R

About Armond Scavo

I am a Philadelphia Photographer and was born in the Italian section of South Philadelphia in June of 1946. My family lived on the same block as, or around the corner from my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends. Some neighbors on Tree street, the street where I grew up, were as close as family. For a child, the block was like a small Italian village.

Capture History Through Your Lens: Photography Tour at Eastern State Penitentiary with Armond Scavo