McConnell's Mill Summer Family Photos

This sweet family had the most gorgeous day for their mini session at McConnell’s Mill!

We’ve known Darren & Kim for a number of years, all the way back to before they were married! We’ve run in many of the same circles and have had the pleasure of seeing them get engaged, married, and grow from a family of two to three, then from a family of three to four.

I love the colors these four chose for their photos! They opted for lighter, summer-themed tones, which popped perfectly against the sun-lit forest background. I’m so excited about how these images turned out!

Kim & Darren, thank you so much for the honor of taking these photos for you. You two (and your two boys!) are a blessing to our lives! ❤️

Interested in booking a family session for yourself? Feel free to click here to get some more info, or email me directly at: jhidingerphotography@gmail.com.

McConnell's Mill Family Photos

If you’ve ever wondered what a family mini session looks like - this is it! I had the pleasure of photographing this family right before I took their oldest’s senior photos (on the same day). They added a family mini session on to their senior collection, and we were able to get some great photos of them all together within a 20 minute timeframe!

Senior photos are a great time to get some updated family photos, too! If you’re interested in a joint senior + family session, feel free to reach out to me directly via email at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com, or use the “Contact” tab in the navigation above!

Location Ideas for Photo Sessions Near Cranberry Township & Zelienople

Looking for a location for photos near the Cranberry Township/Zelienople area? Look no further than this blog post! Below, you’ll find a few of my favorite locations in this specific area north of Pittsburgh. All of these locations are within a 20 minute drive of Zelienople, PA. Enjoy!

1. Historic Harmony

 

This is a long time favorite photo location of mine! Historic Harmony is a little historic German town North of Cranberry Township, right near Zelienople. It has many different backdrops with bright colored buildings and doorways. There’s also a little park area nearby that can be used to get some more nature focused shots!

I would recommend checking in with the Harmony Museum if you plan on using this location for a photo session (unless you are scheduling a session with me - then I will happily check in with them for you! ;) ). They own a few of the buildings in town and require advance permission if you wish to shoot in front of them. They can give you the full scoop!

Check out some of my favorite sample images from Historic Harmony below!

2. Moraine State Park

 

Wide open lake views paired with fields and forest - this location has so much variety to offer for a photo session! Besides lakes, fields, and forests, this location also has several docks scattered throughout the park. The park itself has a “North Shore” and a “South Shore.” Personally, I prefer the “South Shore” for photo sessions, and all of my photo sessions have taken place throughout the park area on the South Shore.

3. McConnell’s Mill

 

Thick forest, an old mill, and large rocks along the river/creek area make this location a great spot with lots of variety! McConnell’s Mill also has a covered bridge that can be utilized for photos.

4. Cleland Rock

 

While Cleland Rock is technically a part of McConnell's Mill, it’s actually about a 12 minute drive from the “central” area of McConnell’s Mill. This location features fields (at different times throughout the year - thought sometimes they are barren!), as well as some tree lines and a large rock overlooking a beautiful Pennsylvania skyline. This is a simple location, but it always has gorgeous light!

5. Zelienople (in town)

 

Looking for a more urban look? Zelienople has so many beautiful spots to offer! Brick walls, historic buildings, and new storefronts make this location a great spot for a more urban look.

6. Lake Forest Gardens

 

This location is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a location for your Christmas cards! Lake Forest Gardens is location in Fombell, PA, right outside of Zelienople. It features rows of Christmas trees and a beautiful, mountain backdrop! You do need to call ahead for this location to get permission and pay a $25 fee for the use of their property. It is most definitely worth it, though!

7. North Boundary Park

 

North Boundary Park is located right in the heart of Cranberry Township! This park features lots of soccer fields, baseball fields, a pool, and a walking path circling around it all. Though it doesn’t have an ample amount of spots for photos, there are some willow trees that make for a great backdrop against some of the large rolling hills! There are also some fenced areas, as well as the pathway itself, that make for some cute backdrops!

8. Cranberry Township Community Park

 

This is another spot I don’t absolutely love, but it does have a few nice spots for photos! I’m going to let you in on a little secret: my favorite spot to take photos here is right across from the dog park! The trees get some beautiful light there, and there’s a large log and small pond/lake with a willow tree that can work for a shorter session! I wouldn’t say that it is full of spots for photos… but there are definitely a few spots to work with!

Pittsburgh Family Session Location Ideas

1. Moraine State Park

Moraine State Park is the perfect natural setting for family portraits! With lots of space and tons of beautiful natural scenery - including a forest, a field, a gravel road, docks, and the lake, there are lots of different locations to choose from! Moraine looks particularly beautiful during the spring, summer, and fall months.

Sample Session: Lauren, Cody & Jam (Summer)

 

2. McConnell's Mill

McConnell's Mill is one of my favorite locations because there is SO much variety and it looks good in every single season! From roads to rocks to forest to the creek, McConnell's Mill has so many beautiful backdrop to choose from!

Sample Session: Goodman Family (Winter)

 

3. Hartwood Acres

Hartwood Acres might be one of my all time favorites! With a beautiful mansion, gardens, and a courtyard (surrounded by lots of forest), Hartwood has so much to offer! And the best part? It looks gorgeous all year round! However, if you're looking for lush greenery and gardens, I recommend booking in the late spring, summer or fall.

Sample Sessions:

Garland Family (Spring)

Carlson Family (Spring)

 

4. Cleland Rock

Cleland Rock is technically a part of McConnell's Mill, but it's about a 10 to 15 minute drive from the main McConnell's Park hub (near the Mill). Cleland Rock has sweeping, West Virginia-like scenery and beautiful fields. This location looks gorgeous year round!

Sample Session: Amanda & Jeff (Winter)

 

5. Cranberry Township Community Park

This location is one of my secret favorites - right near the Cranberry Community Dog Park! While this spot ALSO looks beautiful year round, it's my favorite in the fall!

Sample Session: Eagon Family (Early Winter)

 

6. Mellon Park

Mellon Park is the perfect choice if you're looking for a blend of natural and architectural scenery! This little park is nestled near Oakland and has lots of beautiful light. With the architecture, it is a great year round choice, but looks especially beautiful in the summer months!

Sample Session: Tessa's First Birthday (Summer)