Family Portrait locations
Location
Location
Location!!
One question clients always ask is - Where should we have our portrait session? I know it can seem daunting to narrow down one spot but don't worry. On this page, you'll find a breakdown of a number of locations that all work wonderfully for portraits with families or kids. With each location (or area) I give a short description of the space and what I love about the area. You'll also find pros and cons to consider as well as images, of course.
The first question I have all of my clients consider is do you want your session in the city or in nature? And if you're having trouble deciding between those options, there are ways we can get a bit of both in your session.
North Park
Around the City
Pittsburgh is a vibrant city full of great spaces and locations for family portrait sessions all year round. Here are some of the many spots I've photographed at and what I love about each of them.
The Cultural District
Penn Ave
- Penn Ave
- Liberty Ave
- Fort Duquesne Blvd
- The bridges (Clemente, Warhol, & Rachel Carson)
This bustling downtown spot is perfect for the senior that loves being in the middle of everything! And with so many different places close by, you'll be able to get a wide variety of looks during your session.
Pros:
variety
Cons:
the potential of lots of people walking around
certain areas we might want to avoid during Pirates/Steelers games
Liberty and Strawberry Way
The North Shore
Three Rivers Heritage Trail
- Three Rivers Heritage Trail
- Allegheny Landing
- The Watersteps
- Northshore Riverfront Park
The Northshore is the perfect location if you're wanting to be downtown but still wanting some nature in your session. Between the trail and the grassy parks along the trail, there's plenty of nature while also being able to visit the bridges and get the city skyline in your session.
Pros:
a mix of nature and urban
Cons:
the potential of lots of people walking around
can't schedule during Pirate/Steeler home games
The Watersteps
The North Shore
The Strip District
33 St, Strip District
- 33rd Street
- The Tire Shop
- Smallman Str
- The Terminal
I love the Strip District! It's creative! It's industrial. And depending on the time of day, it smells delicious! The northern part is perfect for a grungy, more industrial look. Smallman Str is colorful and trendy and very cool.
Pros:
lots of interesting spots
colorful
Cons:
the potential of lots of people walking around
parking can be a challenge, especially on Saturdays
The Terminal Building
Point State Park
Point State park underpass
- The Fountain
- The Three Rivers Heritage Trail
Nothing says Pittsburgh better than Point State Park. The fountain is one of those iconic symbols of Pittsburgh. It's another great place for variety with the buildings and the bridges as well as the park setting.
Pros:
an iconic Pittsburgh spot
a great way to mix city with nature
Cons:
the potential of lots of people walking around
can't schedule during Pirate/Steeler home games
Point State Park
South Side & Color Park
Hot Metal Bridge & South Shore Riverside Park
- Hot Metal Bridge
- South Shore Riverfront Park
- Carson St
The South Side is a beautiful area with a number of different spaces that are pretty and creative for portraits. I've typically photographed seniors in these areas but all of these spots would work for family portraits as well.
Pros:
a more unique spot perfect for creatives
Cons:
the potential for people walking around
parking is challenging
Color Park, South Side
Oakland
Cathedral of Learning Lawn
- Mellon Columns
- Cathedral of Learning
- Craig St
- Phipps & Schenley Park
I love Oakland! Having lived there in college and after grad school, I feel like it's the place that I know so well and it's another great location for family portraits. The columns are perfect for formal styles. Craig St has color. And there's always Phipps and Schenley Park for some more bridges and nature. The possibilities are endless.
Pros:
so many great locations in such a small area
nature and city and bridges and architecture
Cons:
Saturdays at the columns are a challenge because it's a popular wedding spot
the green spaces around the Carnegie and Pitt can be quite packed with people
Schenley Bridge below Phipps
West End Overlook
If you're looking for the Pittsburgh skyline, this is the spot for senior pictures! Throughout the year, the West End Overlook has gorgeous views of the city. There is also enough of a park that you can plenty of images without the city view as well. It's also close enough to the Northshore that you can combine both locations to get even more variety in your portraits. This is another spot where I've only photographed seniors but would work beautifully for family portraits.
Pros:
the perfect Pittsburgh skyline
Cons:
sometimes the sky and clouds don't cooperate with the view and it ends up hazy
West End Overlook
Aspinwall Riverfront Park
Aspinwall Riverfront Park is a new location for me. As the name says, it's on the Allegheny River in Aspinwall. In addition to river views, it's a beautiful park full of greenery and wildflowers with large stone and steel train trestles crisscrossing the park.
Pros:
Nature and cool architectural elements really close to downtown
Cons:
some areas of the park are not available if there is a wedding or event scheduled
The Pavilion
Mellon Park
This is a cute little park nestled between Shadyside and Squirrel Hill. It's known for its walled gardens filled with flowers of all kinds but also has some beautiful open areas with huge old trees. This is another spot that is beautiful all year but it's completely magical in spring and summer when things are starting to bloom.
Pros:
beautiful gardens, stone and brick structures
Cons:
can be very crowded. I try to avoid scheduling on weekends here
Mellon Park
Herrs Island
Herr's Island (aka Washington's Landing) is this hidden gem of a spot just across the river from Lawrenceville. It has views of the river, fields of tall grasses and wildflowers, stone walls and stairs, and views of downtown from the Herr's Island Bridge!
Herrs Island Bridge
Pros:
beautiful space with a variety of options
Cons:
parking to access the bridge can be challenging sometimes
Best Time to Schedule:
late afternoon/sunset .
Herrs Island
In Nature
Western Pennsylvania is known for it's beautiful woods and fields. For the senior that prefers quieter spaces, I have a number of parks that work wonderfully for Senior Portraits.
North Park
North Park
North Park is so big! And the possibilities are endless! Woods, fields of flowers, water! All of it and usually within a quick 5-minute drive. North Park is the perfect spot for your nature-loving family!
Pros:
beautiful with lots of different options
Cons:
some areas can be busier than others
by the lake
Avalon Shelter
Hartwood Acres
Hartwood Acres
Hartwood Acres Mansion and Park is a favorite spot for many photographers around Pittsburgh. The gardens and green space are beautiful year-round. The mansion is also beautiful with its gray stone walls and weathered wooden doors.
Pros:
the flowers in the garden and around the mansion are absolutely lovely
Cons:
it can be very crowded at certain times of the year
Hartwood Acres Mansion
South Park
Maple Springs Gazebo
South Park is another big beautiful park in the south hills area of Pittsburgh. The gazebo is a popular and picturesque spot but my favorite is the tall grassy areas that become absolutely magical as the sun sets.
Pros:
beautiful space with a variety of options
the gazebo, rocks, tall grasses, and gardens
Cons:
traffic on 51 can be a headache
South Park
O'Hara Township Community Park
O'Hara Township Community Park
O'Hara Township Community Park is another sweet little park for portraits with the family or just the kids. Nestled near Fox Chapel, it has a gazebo, a pond with a fountain, a creek, and little bridges. The creek is a favorite spot for wading and throwing rocks.
Pros:
the creek!!
Cons:
definitely a small park and can be crowded during baseball games
the creek
Avonworth Community Park
Avonworth Community Park
I'll admit it. I'm partial to Avonworth Community Park because it's in the little community I call home. There's a lovely little bridge over a creek and plenty of trees. It's just the perfect little park!
Pros:
the creek!!
Cons:
definitely a small park and can be crowded with the community pool and baseball games nearby
Avonworth Community Park
Boyce Mayview Park
Boyce Mayview Park - the classroom
A new-to-me spot in the South Hills! Boyce Mayview Park is a great location near Upper Saint Clair with lots of variety. In my short time there, I was able to see fields and wooded clearings, a beautiful wooden barn, and trails. And according to google, there are waterfalls too! Just a beautiful location south of the city for portraits!
Pros:
fields, woods, trails, and more in the south
Cons:
still a newer location for me so I'm still learning my favorite spots
Boyce Mayview Park
other options
These spots highlighted on this page are just some of the places I've been with families. There are so many other potential places out there. I love when clients come to me with their own ideas for the style of their session and then I get to brainstorm places that will fit with their look.
Collection prices are from $400-$950
contact Jodi for more detailed information.
Small Town
There is something really fun and sweet about taking portraits in a small town and Sewickley is a beautiful small town. But what's great about a small town session is that it can be done in any small town.
Sewickley
Small Park
Parks don't have to be huge to be a beautiful spot for portraits. Just by changing camera angles, I can find different ways of seeing even a small park. Ohio Township Community Park is one of my favorite spots for portraits. It's especially good for a mini session where your time is a bit more limited.
Ohio Township Park
At Home
Your family portrait session doesn't have to be at a specific location. Sometimes the best location is at home! Your home doesn't have to be Pinterest-perfect for portraits. I can see portrait potential in all spaces. If home is where everyone is most comfortable (especially our four-legged friends) then consider having the session at your home.
Wexford
How to Choose
some tips to guide your location choice
city or country?
city or country?
choose what you love
I know I mentioned this up at the top - think about the space where you feel the most comfortable, where you like to be.
Are you outdoorsy? Do you love the idea of climbing on rocks or being around wildflowers?
Do you love Pittsburgh and all parts of downtown?
city or country?
think about what you don't like
Do you hate bugs? That's a big factor to consider in the city/country decision. There will be bugs. I will remind you frequently to check for ticks when your session is done.
Are you comfortable with people around you? Another question to consider in the city/country decision. Downtown, there are always people around. How many will depend on what events are happening but there are also people. Now that being said, people have always been wonderful to anyone I've been photographing. Shouting out compliments and encouragement. But if you're a bit shy, a session downtown might be a more challenging location.
city or country?
what are you thinking of wearing
Your clothing choices can actually help in deciding on a location for your session. More formal outfits fit with downtown or at the columns in Oakland. If you're keeping it casual and wanting to be active, a park or a creek are perfect spots.
So think about what clothing pieces you're planning on wearing (it doesn't have to be exact but can be general, like jeans and sweaters) and use that as you consider your location options.
city or country?
what time of year are you thinking of scheduling
This is another point to consider when you're deciding on a location. If you are set on having wildflowers, you want to plan for summer. If you want fall leaves, mid-October is the best time.
family inspiration
Sometimes we need a little bit of inspiration. Check Pinterest and Instagram for images you love. Check out magazines or even catalogs that are in your style. And you can check out some of my past sessions for ideas as well.
Collection prices are from $400-$950
contact Jodi for more detailed information.
North Park
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