The absorption and emission spectroscopic properties of planar (2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethylporphyrinato)platinum(II) (PtOEP) and nonplanar (2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinato)platinum(II) (PtOETPP) complexes have been studied at room temperature. Liquid solutions and doped films, in polystyrene (PS) and epoxy (EPO) polymers, have been investigated. In dilute liquid solution, the photophysical properties of the nonplanar complex are substantially perturbed compared to the planar analogue. Strong ligating solvents further affect the photophysical behavior of both Pt(II) complexes via axial ligation to the central metal ion. At high concentrations, ground state aggregation and excimer formation is observed for PtOEP films in PS and EPO hosts. Incorporation of the nonplanar PtOETPP complex in PS results in enhanced coplanarity of the meso-phenyl groups, leading to a more extended conjugation between the meso-substituents and the pi-conjugated system of the macrocycle. A more planar conformer for the nonplanar PtOETPP is present in the EPO host.