Skip to content

Downtown Toronto, Queen and Bay

Nathan Phillips Square

Curved white towers, three concrete arches over the pool, and a sign that lights up after dark. Downtown Toronto at its most graphic.

Ideal if

"You want bold civic architecture and the city's most recognizable sign, and you do not mind sharing an open public square with crowds, events and tourists."

Good for EngagementsCouplesPre-weddingIntimate WeddingsPortraits
Setting UrbanArchitecture

The Essentials

What to know before the shoot.

  1. 01

    Walking

    Low

    Flat open square. A ramp on the east side climbs to the podium green roof. Events can fence off sections.

  2. 02

    Permits

    This is a municipal square

    not a City park, so commercial shoots go through the Toronto Film Office, not Parks. A location permit applies; grid permits are not valid on municipal squares. Squares need extra lead time. The City publishes no casual photography rule, so confirm before a paid shoot.

    all Toronto photo permits in one table

  3. 03

    Parking

    Green P Carpark 36 runs underground beneath the square

    listed as 110 Queen Street West. Rates are posted per vehicle and switch to a flat rate on event days, so check current rates close to the date. Clearance is low, so tall vans and roof boxes may not fit.

  4. 04

    Travel

    Downtown

  5. 05

    Season

    Year-round

Photograph here

Want photos at Nathan Phillips Square?

Tell me your date. I shoot here often and know the corners and the light worth chasing.

Frequently Asked

Shooting at Nathan Phillips Square.

Do I need a permit to photograph at Nathan Phillips Square?

This is a municipal square, not a City park, so commercial shoots go through the Toronto Film Office, not Parks. A location permit applies; grid permits are not valid on municipal squares. Squares need extra lead time. The City publishes no casual photography rule, so confirm before a paid shoot.

Where do we park at Nathan Phillips Square?

Green P Carpark 36 runs underground beneath the square, listed as 110 Queen Street West. Rates are posted per vehicle and switch to a flat rate on event days, so check current rates close to the date. Clearance is low, so tall vans and roof boxes may not fit.

How much walking is involved at Nathan Phillips Square?

Walking is low. Flat open square. A ramp on the east side climbs to the podium green roof. Events can fence off sections.

When is the best time of year for photos at Nathan Phillips Square?

Nathan Phillips Square photographs well year-round.

How far is Nathan Phillips Square from downtown Toronto?

Nathan Phillips Square is in downtown Toronto.

Ready?

Let's shoot at Nathan Phillips Square.

Let's talk about your vision and map the perfect session.

Message me