Charlie B: Canon McMillan High School Senior Photos at North Park

Charlie is a senior who is graduating with the class of 2022! His favorite season is winter, and he spends a lot of time in the cold on the ice hockey rink. His session took place at North Park... in the midst of some subtle snow fall! The perfect, subtle nod to his love for winter, even though there was no snow covering the ground.

I love how Charlie came prepared for his mid-20 degree senior session with lots of layers to keep him warm. This is the way to do it if you want to have your photos taken during the winter months!

It was also really helpful that he had pockets in his jacket - I tend to have guys put their hands in their pockets when I pose them during any time of year, but it’s especially a great way to go in the winter to keep hands a bit warmer! We also stashed some hand warmers in his jacket pockets - which of course, you would never know!

The colors Charlie chose for his session were also perfect against the winter backdrop. I always love to recommend bright colors against a stark winter landscape!

North Park is a great location for photos, but can be a bit tricky in the winter months when nature doesn’t have a lot to offer in terms of lush greenery or vivid fall leaves. Because of that, I opted to use the area around the Boathouse (which also happens to house a fantastic restaurant, OTB at North Park!), where we could use some of the architecture in the background. The lake also had a thin layer of ice on it, which made for a different type of backdrop! As I was location scouting before the session, I noticed some vivid field grass across from the Boathouse, which we used for a few images, too. Our last stop was a wooden bridge that reaches towards a small island - the bridge was another great spot that provided some visual interest in the dead of winter!

All in all, we had a great time braving the cold with Charlie and creating these images to celebrate his senior year of high school. Congratulations on your senior year, Charlie!

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When Should I Have My Senior Photos Taken?

There are lots of important pieces of information to consider when it comes to the question, “when should I have my senior photos taken?”

Truly, this is a very personal question, and it’s important to note that the “right” timeframe may vary from senior to senior for a multitude of reasons - reasons that I will get into below! My goal for this blog post is to share a few ideas of things to think about when considering a timeframe for senior photos to help you either eliminate certain seasons or times or to help you nail down a more specific timeframe.

Generally, there are a few things I always encourage my senior to consider when choosing when to have their senior photos taken. First and foremost:

1. Find out when your senior picture is due.

Do you go to a school that requires you submit your senior photo to your yearbook? If not, feel free to skip to point number two!

For those who this does apply to, this is one of, if not the most important question to think about when it comes to the timing of your senior photos! No one wants to have a blank gray box next to their name in the yearbook, especially their senior year.

Most seniors I photograph who submit their photo to their yearbook need to have them submitted between October 1 and December 31, but this can vary significantly from school to school. Most schools will send this information out at the end of junior year, over the summer between junior and senior year, or at the beginning of senior year - but I would encourage you to get that information no later than the Spring of your junior year, so you can begin planning!

Knowing when your senior photo is the first hurdle, but from there, you need to consider booking your photographer, and knowing how long the turn around time will be for your full gallery of photos. Every photographer has a different turn around time for a full gallery of photos - some in a few days, some in a few weeks, and some in a month. Make sure you ask for this information before you book your session date, so you know that you will have time to have your shoot, get your photos turned around, and choose your favorite shot for the yearbook!

2. consider what else the photos will be used for

(i.e., Graduation Party Announcements)

Do you plan on using your senior photos on grad announcements, or for graduation party invites that will need to go out at a certain time? Consider choosing a graduation party date, then working backwards from there.

How far in advance will guests need to RSVP? How long will it take for the invites to be designed, printed, addressed, stamped, then mailed out? From there, work backwards and choose a timeframe that will leave enough time for your shoot, for your photographer to edit and deliver your gallery, and for you to choose your final images!

3. consider what the weather will be like.

This one might sound obvious, but it’s worth stating here - if you struggle with heat and humidity, I would not recommend having your photos taken at the height of summer. If you are not a fan of the cold, I would not recommend having your photos taken early Spring or late Fall when the temperatures are lower.

If you know that your hair will frizz in 95°F weather, then maybe consider a session in the Spring or Fall, when it’s not blazing hot! If you have a certain outfit in mind - i.e., lots of layers - don’t show up to a summer session in a sweater, jeans, and boots! Likewise, if you want to wear a cute sundress and sandals, don’t schedule your session for a colder timeframe. Thinking ahead about personal preference, possible outfit choices, and/or hair & makeup situations can be helpful with further nailing down when the best time could be for your senior photos!

4. Consider schedules and activities.

Senior year is a very busy time, with extracurriculars, college visits, special recognition ceremonies, not to mention all of the fun things that come along with it being your senior year, like trips and skip days! For some seniors, it’s easier to plan to have their photos taken the summer before their senior year, when they don’t have as many activities to work around. For other seniors, having their senior photos taken is a great opportunity to miss a day (or half day!) of school to get to have a fun pretty much once-in-a-lifetime experience of having their photos professionally taken!

5. Consider how you will look.

This might sound like a strange one, but I know this has been true for many of the seniors I’ve photographed! Some seniors prefer to wait until their official senior year to have their photos taken… sometimes near the very end. Why? Because they want to remember that specific time - what they looked like and what their personal style was their “legit” senior year. This is one that matters to some, but not to others - some people change significantly from the beginning of their senior year to the end, and some don’t!

I hope you found this blog post helpful for narrowing down a timeframe to have your senior photos taken in! If you are in need of a senior photographer in the Pittsburgh area, I’d love to connect with you! Feel free to reach out via my Contact form (click here!), or email me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com. I hope to hear from you!

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Megan A: Winter Wonderland Seneca Valley Senior Photos

I have way too many favorites already from Megan's snowy senior session! And thankfully, we had THE most perfect day for her snowy photos on the most beautiful of snowy, February days - a high of 40 with snow still on the ground?! It couldn't have been more perfect!

I've had the honor of knowing Megan & her family for quite a few years - and Megan’s mom, Robin, actually helps me with senior sessions from time to time!

Megan is a Seneca Valley senior, graduating with the class of 2022. She intelligent, smart, witty, and determined. It was such an honor to take her senior photos!

And if you're wondering where these magical backdrops can be found, we actually used Megan's family's backyard for majority of these! I love when my seniors (or any clients for that matter!) choose locations that are meaningful to them. After some photos at her house, we headed over to McConnell’s Mill for a few more!

Congratulations on your senior year, Megan! It was such an honor to take these photos for you!

Best Places to Take Senior Pictures in Pittsburgh

Today, I’m breaking down the most popular locations my seniors choose for their Pittsburgh senior pictures! Over the last 9 years of taking senior portraits, I’ve found that there a few locations that stand above the rest in the Pittsburgh area when it comes to senior photos - locations that both me and my clients love!

Each of these spots listed below are popular in my opinion because for a few specific reasons. They each:

1. Have wide variety of backgrounds within a short walking distance (more backgrounds to work with = a higher amount of unique photos to choose from, and less walking means more shooting time, meaning more photos!)

2. Allow for lots of different types of posing - sitting, standing, leaning, etc. on those background elements (giving you a wider gallery of options to choose from!)

3. Have beautiful, natural light that’s easy to work with (not all light is created equal - some locations have better light than others!)

So without further ado, let me introduce you to my favorite locations for Pittsburgh senior photos! First up…

1. Hartwood Acres Mansion

Hartwood Acres Mansion is known primarily for its historic gray stone architecture… and it’s a HUGE space, which makes it easy to get lots of variety! In addition to the mansion itself, there is a large gated garden on property, as well as lots of foresty areas, and white cobblestone pathways. There are arches, doorways, balconies, a courtyard, storybook-esque glass windows, as well as many other attributes that help make this location a popular choice for seniors.

Hartwood Acres Mansion easily crosses off all three of these items, plus more! You do not need any special license or permit to take photos on Hartwood Acres’s property, either. It is open to the public! The only time they close the area around the mansion is for weddings or private events, so it’s always best to call their office ahead of time to check (they are very kind about people checking to see if there are any events!)

2. Mellon Park

Much like Hartwood Acres, Mellon Park has lots of variety in terms of architecture! It features large, gray stone architecture, balconies, black iron gates, staircases, a historic ornate fountain, and pathways lined with benches and florals in the spring & summer. It is a short drive from Oakland, nestled into Shadyside, close to Bakery Square.

Much like Hartwood, Mellon Park is open to the public, but they do shut down the park to the general public for the occasional wedding or community event. I believe Mellon Park has an online calendar for community events, but it is not always updated, and (in my experience), they aren’t very good with returning phone calls.

3. Historic Harmony

Historic Harmony is unique from Hartwood Acres and Mellon Park. While it features historic buildings, they have more “small town” feels (brick, bright colors, etc.) rather than historic stone architecture. Historic Harmony is, after all, a restored German town just North of Pittsburgh!

Historic Harmony is a small German town established in the 1800’s that has been updated with brightly colored walls and the most adorable shops and restaurants (if you have a chance to visit, my favorite spots are Wunderbar and Two Fraus Bakery!). There are an UNLIMITED number of locations for photos here! Buildings, fences, bridges, nature, a barn, a field - you name it, it’s probably here!

The one caveat with Historic Harmony is that you have to know where you are allowed to shoot, and where you are not allowed to shoot. Many of the buildings are owned privately and don’t take kindly to people shooting on their property, so it’s best to check with them beforehand if you have specific spots in mind that you want to use. You can also contact the Harmony Museum, who owns some of the buildings in town (including the barn) to retrieve a day pass photo permit (currently priced at $20 per shoot/day as of January 2022). This is a fee I take care of for my clients who want to shoot there because I love the location so much!

Thanks for reading, friend! I hope you found this blog post helpful in your search for the perfect spot for senior photos. If you are in need of a senior photographer in the Pittsburgh area, I’d love to connect with you! Feel free to reach out via my Contact form (click here!), or email me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com. I hope to hear from you!

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If you’re looking for photo location ideas within the Butler County area for senior pictures, you’ve come to the right place! You don’t have to drive far to find beautiful backdrops for your senior photos, whether you go to Seneca Valley High School, Mars High School, Portersville Christian Academy or Butler Area High School!

Below, you’ll find five of my favorite Buttler County photo spots. This post is specifically geared towards senior photos, so I’ll be sharing some of my favorite photos I’ve taken at each location, as well as any other pertinent information!

If you have any questions about any of these locations, feel free to reach out to me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com. And if you are in need of some senior photos at any one of these locations, I would love to work with you! I am a local resident of Butler County and know all of these locations so well!

1. MORAINE STATE PARK SENIOR PHOTOS

A beautiful, nature-centric location in Butler County for senior portraits is Moraine State Park! Moraine features a large lake, docks, forest, trails, fields, and even small beaches, all of which make for a scenic location for senior pictures.

Moraine State Park looks beautiful at all times of year, but especially so in the fall when all of the leaves are changing! This park is open to the public and doesn’t require any reservation to take photos there.

If you are interested in seeing more photos from Moraine State Park, check out the full photo sessions below!

Oliva’s Fall Moraine State Park Senior Photos

Collin’s Early Fall Moraine State Park Senior Photos

Rachel’s Early Fall Moraine State Park Senior Photos

2. SUCCOP NATURE PARK SENIOR PHOTOS

Succop Nature Park is situated right near the Butler Airport, and has lots of variety in terms of background for photos! There is a historic building with white brick and black and red accents on the property, as well as a small old greenhouse and newly updated white and red barn. There are brick accents, as well as a willow tree and pond!

Succop Nature Park is open to the public and doesn’t require reservations to take photos there. However, they do host weddings and events on their property, so if you hope to take photos there on a weekend, you might want to call the park office to see if there are any events planned. They will ask you to leave if they see you on the property!

If you are interested in seeing more photos from succop nature park, check out the full photo sessions below!

Sarah’s Summer Succop Nature Park Senior Photos

Alex’s Spring Succop Nature Park Senior Photos

Sophie’s Summer Succop Nature Park Senior Photos

3. HISTORIC HARMONY SENIOR PHOTOS

This location is a long time favorite of mine for senior photos in Butler County! It’s a great location for Seneca Valley seniors, since it’s located very close to the high school.

Historic Harmony is a small German town established in the 1800’s that has been updated with brightly colored walls and the most adorable shops and restaurants (if you have a chance to visit, my favorite spots are Wunderbar and Two Fraus Bakery!). There are an UNLIMITED number of locations for photos here! Buildings, fences, bridges, nature, a barn, a field - you name it, it’s probably here!

The one caveat with Historic Harmony is that you have to know where you are allowed to shoot, and where you are not allowed to shoot. Many of the buildings are owned privately and don’t take kindly to people shooting on their property, so it’s best to check with them beforehand if you have specific spots in mind that you want to use. You can also contact the Harmony Museum, who owns some of the buildings in town (including the barn) to retrieve a day pass photo permit (currently priced at $20 per shoot/day as of January 2022). This is a fee I take care of for my clients who want to shoot there because I love the location so much!

If you are interested in seeing more photos from HISTORIC HARMONY, check out the full photo sessions below!

Sydney’s Fall Historic Harmony Senior Photos

Rachel’s Summer Historic Harmony Senior Photos

Bryce’s Winter Historic Harmony Senior Photos

4. ZELIENOPLE SENIOR PHOTOS

A favorite location for getting an urban vibe without having to go into Pittsburgh! Zelienople is a small town located in Butler County that has exploded within the last couple of years! It’s just north of Cranberry Township and has LOTS of variety to offer for photo locations.

In addition to senior photos below, I’ve also included some maternity photos I’ve shot here so you’re able to see added location variety! Zelienople is situated right next to Historic Harmony (from above). You could easily use both locations in one senior photo session!

If you are interested in seeing more photos from zelienople, check out the full photo sessions below!

Daniel’s Later Winter Zelienople Senior Photos

5. ADAMS TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY PARK SENIOR PHOTOS

Located in Mars, Adams Township Park has a small variety of locations for senior portraits! It’s a great location for Mars High School seniors, as it’s only a few minute drive from the high school.

If you are interested in seeing more photos from adams township community park, check out the full photo sessions below!

Trent’s Summer Adams Township Community Park Senior Photos

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Pittsburgh Senior Photographer: Senior Photo Highlights 2021

I love taking the time to round up some of my favorite photos from a year of shooting - it’s easy to forget how many incredible seniors I had the privilege of photographing after such a long stretch! But in today’s blog post, that’s exactly what I want to do - remember, reminisce, and refocus towards a whole new year of seniors in 2022!

This year, I photographed more seniors than I ever have in the previous 9 years I’ve been in business. Which I am so incredibly thankful for - considering the fact that senior photos are one of my favorite types of sessions to photograph! Also, though I will continue to photograph weddings, I do hope to transition to filling more of my schedule with senior portraits within the next few years. So getting to photograph more seniors was so exciting!

I photographed my seniors in many different locations, including Historic Harmony, McConnell’s Mill, Hartwood Acres Mansion (which was sadly closed for the majority of 2021!), Zelienople (my home town!), Moraine State Park, the Strip District, Oakland, Mellon Park, Succop Nature Park, Camp Kon-O-Kwee, North Park, the North Shore, and even on someone’s own property. There are so many fantastic options for senior photos in and around Pittsburgh!

One of my surprising favorite locations of this year was the Strip District. Shooting in the city can pose some unique challenges (limited parking, extra traffic, lots of walking, random people on the street who want to chat!), but I have truly loved getting to know the Strip District area better from a photo-perspective, and love how many unique (and colorful!) backgrounds there are within a relatively short walking distance!

More than any specific location, my favorite part (by far) of photographing seniors is getting to know them during their session, and helping them feel comfortable in front of my camera. Every senior brings something unique and different to their shoot, and it’s fun to be able to encourage them in such a pivotal time in their lives!

To all of the seniors who gave me the honor of taking their senior portraits this year - THANK YOU. Truly, I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to be a part of such a sweet season of your life!

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If you are a Class of 2022 senior who has yet to schedule their photos, or a Class of 2023 senior who is looking to have their photos taken, feel free to reach out via the contact tab above, or directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com. I’d be more than happy to give you some additional information!

Gabrielle W: North Shore Senior Photos

The very last session of 2021 - cue the confetti!!

Gabrielle's senior session on the North Shore was filled with the most perfect light... and was so much fun to photograph! She loves video games, plays the clarinet, loves peppermint hot chocolate, and wanted a true Pittsburgh session with the yellow bridges and bright city background. There was no better spot than the North Shore!

Congrats on your senior year, Gabrielle!

Edward E: Pittsburgh North Side Senior Photos

Ed is a senior at North Catholic who I photographed a few weeks ago on the North Side! We visited the eclectic Mexican War Streets, as well as Allegheny Commons Park and were able to get so many different backdrops in a relatively short amount of time. And even though it unexpectedly rained for a large portion of his session, Ed didn't let it phase him at all!

Congratulations on your senior year, Ed!

Hudson N: North Park Senior Photos

Hudson chose a more suave and sophisticated look for his senior photos, complete with a top hat and cane! This was a fun first for me... and Hudson embodied the look perfectly!

We took his photos at North Park, beginning at the skate park area (where he spends lots of time!), moving onto the area around the Boathouse, then to the island! And, surprisingly for November in Pittsburgh… we had some great light to work with. That is always a bonus!

Congratulations on your senior year, Hudson!

Madison R: Moraine State Park Senior Photos

Madison is a senior at Slippery Rock who is a fan of reading, bugs, and is an artist - as well as a senior at Slippery Rock! She brought a book to incorporate into her senior photos as a nod towards her love for reading. Moraine State Park was absolutely gorgeous during the time of her session in October. It will forever be one of my favorite parks for fall photos!

Congratulations on your senior year, Madison!