Daniel C: North Park Senior Photos

We had the best time hanging out with Daniel at North Park a few weeks ago for his senior photos... AND this is the first session of mine in a while where it actually didn't rain for the entire time! For that, I was so thankful!

Daniel is a Pine Richland senior who loves Astronomy and cooking! He hopes to study culinary science post high school. He's an all around super kind and fun guy! Congratulations on your senior year, Daniel!

I also had the pleasure of taking Daniel’s brother’s senior photos last year - feel free to check them out here! It’s always such an honor to get to work with families multiple times!

Sam P: North Park Senior Photos

Sam is a North Allegheny senior who plays soccer, loves Burgatory (same 🙌) and is planning to study business post-high school. We had so much fun taking his photos around North Park!

Congratulations on your senior year, Sam!

Erin S: North Park Senior Photos

It’s been a while since I’ve had a session at North Park - but this nature-filled scenery was perfect for a nature-lover like Erin! One thing that really stuck out to me about this incredible senior is her desire to work in the nonprofit sector after graduation - I feel like that’s rare for a senior! On a trip out of the country with a friend’s family, she saw the stark contrast between the resort she was staying at, vs. how the locals were living, and it stirred her heart to do want to do something about it! Erin, I just know you’re going to do incredible things. You can do anything you set your mind and heart to! Congratulations on your senior year! 💛

Tired of Awkward Senior Photos?

I've heard a lot from seniors and soon-to-be high school seniors over the years about how painfully awkward senior sessions can be. And let me be the first to say raise my hand and agree  because MINE was!  But I truly believe that having your photo taken is mean to be a fun, encouraging experience from start to finish! Can senior photos be awkward, and boring? Absolutely. But you'll find that the mom and senior's experience below was the complete opposite! This review is to show you one thing: pictures can (and should be) be fun!

"Jenna,

I just want thank you from the bottom of my heart, for making this one of the best days ever for Meg. You made her feel so beautiful and confident during your session, she felt and looked like a movie star. I looked through these amazing photos, shedding tears of happiness and pride as to what a beautiful young woman Meg has become. I am also thankful that we picked you to share this day with all of us to capture her senior year and savor it forever. You are truly gifted and I will recommend you to everyone I know. Thank you so much. Love my Megpie - Lincoln High Class of 2018!!"

A huge thanks to this sweet mom for her incredibly kind and encouraging words. They mean so much!

Cailey K: North Park Senior Photos

Cailey is a hockey-playing senior from Pine Richland who is just the cutest! Even though it sprinkled throughout about half of Cailey's session, she was a trooper and didn't let the rain dampen her spirit! We had so much fun hanging out with her - congratulations on your last year of school, Cailey!

Pittsburgh Area Location Ideas for Senior Guys

When it comes to guy senior portraits, where is the best place to start looking for a location? Today I'm sharing 6 of my favorite Pittsburgh based locations for guy senior portraits, what I love about each, and sample galleries from each location! Without further ado, here are my top 6:

1. Hartwood Acres Mansion

Why: Hartwood Acres Mansion has TONS of locations within a very short walking distance. The mansion itself has endless possibilities for photo opps, and is surrounded by forest, making it a great spot to get the best of both worlds!

Best Time of Year: One of my favorite parts about shooting at Hartwood is that it looks good almost all year round! In the summer, you will get the benefit of the natural greenery surrounding the mansion, but when shooting in the wintertime only in front of the mansion, you can barely notice what time of year it is!

Sample Sessions from Hartwood:

• Jack H (Summer)

• Jacob C (Summer)

2. Historic Harmony

Why: I have a love for Historic Harmony because of its diversity - it has a HUGE variety of historic buildings with bright colored brick, doors, and windows, and even has a coffee shop (Wunderbar) right in town! There are also some options for more natural scenery that can easily be mixed in!

Best Time of Year: Historic Harmony is beautiful all year round! Of course, for more greenery, it’s best to schedule during the spring, summer, and fall months. It has a nearby field that is great year ‘round, too!

Sample Sessions from Historic Harmony:

• Ty T. (Fall)

• Sam M. (Summer)

3. The North Shore

Why: The North Shore is always a great spot for guy senior portraits! Within just a few blocks of PNC Park, the North Shore is chalked full of different types of architecture and textured backgrounds. Typically, for guy senior portraits, I like to recommend a mix of architecture and nature - architecture symbolizes strength and stability, which are the perfect qualities to showcase during senior portraits.

Best Time of Year: I love this location because it looks good year round! While in the spring, summer, and fall months I like to find little nooks and crannies of the North Shore with some greenery to incorporate, the North Shore looks just as great during the winter - because architecture looks good year round!

Sample Sessions from the North Shore:

• Quentin H (Summer)

4. McConnell’s Mill

Why: The more I shoot at McConnell’s Mill, the more I love it! There are so many different elements to work with – some within walking distance, and some within a short driving distance. In the central part of McConnell’s, there is the wood mill, river, waterfalls, rocks, and roads. Within a short driving distance, there is a field and “Cleland Rock,” which has become a personal favorite of mine for it’s West Virginia-like views!

Best Time of Year: I’ve taken photos at McConnell’s during every season and can honestly say that I love photographing clients there year ‘round! However, I do find it to be especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves are changing.

Sample Sessions from McConnell's Mill:

• Ryan W (Summer)

• Mason H (Early Winter)

5. Moraine State Park

Why: You guessed it – there’s a great amount of variety at Moraine, especially if you are looking for more “natural” elements in your photos! At the South Shore boat launch, there are docks, fields, bridges, and forest within a very short walking distance.

Best Time of Year: Moraine is beautiful in the spring summer, and fall months (but fall is my favorite time!)

Sample Sessions from Moraine State Park:

• Clay T. (Early Fall)

• Aurelie G. (Spring)

• Sarah F. (Fall)

6. The Strip District

Why: The Strip District has TONS of unique urban elements. It would have to be my top pick if you love urban style, mixed with Pittsburgh, mixed with lots of variety!

Best Time of Year: It looks great year round, even in the wintertime!

Sample Sessions from the Strip District:

• Rylan (Summer) *Note: the locations in the first photos with spray painted walls have been demolished. Sadly!

Pittsburgh Area Location Ideas for Girl Senior Portraits

If you’ve been following my blog for any extended length of time, you might’ve realized how much I LOVE incorporating the personalities of the people I photograph into my photos, including finding the perfect, unique location that represents who that person is. However, I realize that many times, it can be tough to find a completely unique location for every single person I photograph (that would be crazy!). Because of that, I wanted to share a couple of my favorite locations to photograph senior girls and what I love about each of them:

1. Hartwood Acres Mansion

Why: One of my favorite features about Hartwood is its diversity. It includes a variety of different elements within a short walking distance, including a garden, woods, gate, and a stone mansion with archways, doorways, and lots of character. There is a lot to work with in this location, and is a great spot to choose if you’re interested in having a mix of nature and classic architecture.

Best Time of Year: Year round! However, if you’re interested in using the garden, it’s best to schedule between the spring and fall.

Sample Sessions from Hartwood Acres:

• Shawna W. (Spring)

• Jessi S. (Summer)

• Jannelle G. (Fall)

2. The Strip District

Why: The Strip District has so many unique locations for photos! It truly captures that gritty, downtown Pittsburgh aesthetic. Brightly colored steps, painted brick walls, and one of the most gorgeous rooftop city views steal the show.

Best Time of Year: Really, all year round! Since the backgrounds are mostly comprised of architecture, this location holds up even through the colder months.

Sample Sessions from the Strip District:

• Trudy B. (Summer)

• Sophie W. (Fall)

3. Mellon Park

Why: Mellon has stone elements reminiscent of Hartwood, but on a much smaller scale. It has more of a focus on nature.

Best Time of Year: Spring, summer, and fall are my favorite seasons to take photos at Mellon Park.

Sample Sessions from Mellon Park:

• Anna E. (Summer)

4. Downtown Pittsburgh

Why: Downtown Pittsburgh has so many beautiful architectural elements that are perfect for "chic" seniors who love the city atmosphere! With tons of locations within just a short walking distance, downtown Pittsburgh has so much to offer!

Best Time of Year: One of my favorite parts about shooting in downtown Pittsburgh is that it looks good almost all year round! In the summer, you will get the benefit of the natural greenery in some of the small park areas (Mellon Green, Mellon Square), but when shooting in the wintertime, you can barely notice what season it is!

5. Historic Harmony

Why: Much like the other locations mentioned previously, I have a love for Historic Harmony because of its diversity (and because it’s a short distance from my house! ;) ). It has a variety of historic buildings with bright colored brick, doors, and windows, and even has a coffee shop (Wunderbar) right in town!

Best Time of Year: Historic Harmony is beautiful all year round! Of course, for more greenery, it’s best to schedule during the spring, summer, and fall months.

Sample Sessions from Historic Harmony:

• Rachel C. (Summer)

• Sam M. (Summer)

• Adri D. (Summer)

• Sydney T. (Fall)

• Morgan A. (Winter)

6. McConnell’s Mill

Why: The more I shoot at McConnell’s Mill, the more I love it! There are so many different elements to work with – some within walking distance, and some within a short driving distance. In the central part of McConnell’s, there is the wood mill, river, waterfalls, rocks, and roads. Within a short driving distance, there is a field and “Cleland Rock,” which has become a personal favorite of mine for it’s West Virginia-like views!

Best Time of Year: I’ve taken photos at McConnell’s during every season and can honestly say that I love photographing clients there year ‘round! However, I do find it to be especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves are changing.

Sample Sessions from McConnell's Mill:

• Lauren N. (Late Summer/Early Fall)

• Joey D. (Fall)

• Lyndsay & Justin (Winter)

7. Succop Nature Park

Why: You guessed it – there’s a great amount of variety at Succop, especially if you are looking for more a mix of natural elements, mixed with a bit of architecture in your photos! Within walking distance, you can find a pond, field, and willow tree, along with a beautiful mansion-esque building to provide lots of different opportunities for lots of variety!

Best Time of Year: Moraine is beautiful in the spring summer, and fall months (but summer is my favorite time!)

Sample Sessions from Succop Nature Park:

• Sarah S. (Late Summer)

• Sophie H. (Late Summer)

8. Oakland

Why: Oakland has SO MANY beautiful locations within walking distance! There is a lot of historic architecture, as well as some natural scenery nearby, making it a great mix of different elements!

Best Time of Year: Oakland is beautiful year round, and can be a “year round” photo spot because of its plethora or architecture. However, it is especially beautiful in Spring & Summer when the flowers and trees are blooming! But it’s a great option in the winter months when there isn’t as much nature, too.

Sample Sessions from Oakland:

• Mimi (Summer)

9. Moraine State Park

Why: Moraine State Park is one of my favorite parks around Pittsburgh! It has lots of beautiful locations, including docks, woods, trails, fields, and a lake. If you’re a nature lover, this is definitely a great spot to consider!

Best Time of Year: This location is best Spring, Summer, and Fall, but still looks beautiful with the water/snow in colder months!

Sample Sessions from Moraine State Park:

• Olivia (Fall)

Jack P: North Park Senior Photographer

Jack is a high school senior soccer player who's graduating this spring (in less than a month!) and is heading off to William & Mary in Virginia to study Math and Economics! Major props to Jack for having his senior photos taken earlier this week in 90 degree weather without barely breaking a sweat!

Congratulations on your last year of school, Jack!