Armando V: Mars High School Senior Photos in the Strip District

Meet Armando! He is a senior at Mars High School this year graduating with the class of 2023! He hopes to study mechanical engineering post high school and chose one of my favorite city locations for his senior photos... The Strip District! We had so much fun channeling all the city vibes during his senior photos!

Reasons why I love the Strip District for photos: there are a lot of different urban backdrops within a short walking distance! Some are a bit more grungy, some are a bit more polished, but all of them have those city vibes for those looking for that in their photos!

AND there is an amazing view of the city at a nearby parking garage… probably my favorite view of the city for photos!

Congrats on your senior year Armando!

Gregory B: North Side Senior Photos

Oh Pittsburgh, with its ever changing forecast and unpredictability.

I had the pleasure of taking Greg's senior photos around the North Side & North Shore a few weeks ago, and while it unexpectedly rained for the majority of his session, we were still able to get some great shots to celebrate his senior year!

It's been such an honor to work with this great family throughout the years (Grant and George) - I had the pleasure of photographing Greg's two brothers before him! It's hard to believe that he is the last of the siblings!

Congratulations on your senior year, Greg!

Sophie W: Strip District & North Shore Senior Photos

We braved all of the elements last night during Sophie's session, but neither wind nor rain could keep us from taking her photos!

We started out in the Strip District with some colorful steps and grungy walls, then to the top of a parking garage with the prettiest city view, then headed over to the North Shore... and when the clouds finally parted there, we were greeted with a rainbow! A precious reminder of God's promise to the world - and a reminder to me that God is in control of the weather and all elements... and all of our days!

Sophie is a North Catholic senior who hopes to study business & marketing post-high school! She loves Mexican food and played softball for many, many years!

Congrats on your senior year, Sophie!

Trudy B: The Strip District Pittsburgh Senior Photos

For as much as I love nature and historical architecture, Trudy’s colorful, gritty Pittsburgh senior session was a breath of fresh air that my little artistic heart needed!

Trudy’s only request for her photos was that there was “no nature” - and while we might’ve had some potted plants and alley weeds in her photos, I think we were able to hit the mark with her choice of location! The great thing about the Strip District is that there are lots of interesting spots to work with within a short walking distance from the Terminal. Colorful steps, interesting brick alleyways, and then a short drive away… a gorgeous parking garage where you can see all of the Pittsburgh skyline!

And besides the location, Trudy was a total GEM to photograph! I had the pleasure of photographing her sister’s senior photos years ago (back in 2015, I think? Time flies!), and their family as well! What a blessing it is to be able to work with families throughout the years and to see how they grow and change!

Joey Forster: Pittsburgh Senior Photos

Sometimes the best spot for senior photos is in your own front yard!

Joey's family invited us onto their property to use their HUGE variety of picture perfect backdrops for his senior photos. There was an unbelievable amount of great spots to choose from, from old sheds to piles of logs to beautiful staircases... along with some amazing light! And, maybe even better, their family dog (Mimsy) was quite interested in what was happening and did her best to photo bomb a number of Joey’s photos (dogs always welcome - especially well behaved ones like this lady!). You’ll be sure to see her in a few of the photos below ☺️

Congratulations on your senior year, Joey!

Harrison S: Downtown Pittsburgh Senior Photos

Harrison is a soccer-playing, musically minded senior who is graduating with the class of 2021! For his session, we sought after a blended natural/city scenery vibe - the best of both worlds, really. And I think we were able to achieve that look in his final images!

We started off our time together at Mellon Green, then walked over to Mellon Square, then ended at the Terminal in the Strip District with some great light, some vibrant painted steps, and a great view of the city. Harrison brought his drum sticks for a subtle nod to his percussionist roots, which paired perfectly with his suit. We were even able to catch the first flickers of the string lights at the Terminal for a great last look!

Harrison, it was an honor to take your senior photos. Congratulations on your senior year!

Rylan M: Strip District Senior Photos

Rylan is a Seneca Valley senior whose favorite spot in Pittsburgh is the Strip, so naturally, it was the perfect spot for his senior photos! Congratulations on your last year of high school Rylan! ☺️

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!

Ana S: The Strip District Pittsburgh Senior Photos

Ana's senior session marks my coldest session EVER in my Pittsburgh senior photography career.

The morning of Ana's senior session, I woke up, immediately pulled out my phone, and looked at the temperature. One degree. That's right folks, one degree Fahrenheit! By the time we reached our location in the Strip District, the temperature had risen to a balmy 6 degrees. But man, were we ready! We started off Ana's session at 21st Street Coffee & Tea, then moved outdoors, taking periodic breaks to warm up. I have to be honest, I'm SUPER impressed with Ana. She never complained about the cold - not once - and still managed to look amazing in these photos! With all of the textures and backdrops available in the Strip, we were able to get some urban-city photos to commemorate Ana's love of the city, and specifically the Strip District, a part of Pittsburgh she's been visiting for all of her life! And of course, we ended the shoot at Pennsylvania Macaroni Co., a place I had never visited before Ana's session, but now love! Congratulations on your last year of school, Ana!