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!

Favorite (Non-Cheesy) Simple Props for a Senior Session

One of the most common questions I get when it comes to senior photos is: “should I bring any props?”

Props can be a great way to add personality to your senior session and make your photos your own! Many of my seniors, when thinking about props, voice that they are afraid that their photos will appear “cheesy” if any are added in.

Truth be told – some props can be a little cheesy, but fear not! Within the world of cheesy props, there are some props that never seem to go out of style – regardless of what is currently trending! And a big part of what can make a prop look cheesy is how it is incorporated. I love using props to add personality to a client’s images in the least cliche way possible!

Today, I’d love to share a few of my favorite simple, non-cheesy (at least to me!) props, and how I love to incorporate them into my client’s images without being overly cheesy!

Instruments

If playing an instrument is a big part of your life, then it could be a fun addition to your senior photos! For the center images below, we went for a VERY subtle music themed shot by throwing some old sheets of music in the air!

Sports Equipment

Have a sport that you’ve played since middle school, or that you want to pursue professionally? Or maybe just a sport that you absolutely love? Consider incorporating one or two items from that sport into your session! You don’t necessarily have to pull out your entire uniform to add a touch of “sports” to your photos - even one football or a pair of ice skates can do the trick!

Hobbies

This might be one of my favorite categories, because the possibilities really are endless, and there are ample opportunities to get creative!

Love biking? Bring an old vintage bike with you to your session! Love Harry Potter? Bring you time turner necklace or Gryffindor scarf to add a hint to the best book series of all time 😉 Or if you want to go big, have your photos taken with the airplane you’re learning to fly on! There are soooo many possibilities when it comes to incorporating your hobbies - and it’s easy to either go with more “obvious” props (like a camera, if you love photography!) or with more subtle ones (like a backpack, if you love hiking/adventuring!).

Pets

If there’s any sure-fire way to feel comfortable in front of the camera, it’s definitely by having your furry friend present! Honestly, I wish I had gotten photos with my childhood dog for my own senior photos. It can be fun to have a few quick shots of you two interacting together!

If you are interested in bringing a fury friend to your senior session, be sure to check out this blog post (technically it’s an engagement blog post, but it is a great resource for any type of session where a dog is present!) for some of my best tips!

Accessories

Do accessories count as a prop? Absolutely! A hat, a scarf, beautiful coat, umbrella, or any particular accessory you’re currently feeling can be a great way to add a little visual interest to your images! (And don’t worry, we can do some with, and some without to get a good variety!)

Flowers

This has truly become a favorite of mine over the last couple of years! Flowers can add SO MUCH to your images, especially when you coordinate them with your outfits! They can be held, thrown, arranged on the ground, carried in a basket… and more! This is a great option for adding a softer, more feminine look to your photos.

To make this one more personal, bring your favorite type of flower to your session! Or maybe a flower that is your favorite color? You could do stemmed flowers, flowers with the heads cut off (great for those “laying in the grass” shots!), or even just petals for throwing/spreading on the ground!

A Special Outfit

This is another one of my favorites! If you have a prom or homecoming dress that you want professional photos in, or a special cultural outfit you only wear on special occasions, why not bring it with you to your senior session? It will definitely make your photos different from your friends’!

What do you think… are props for senior photos cheesy, or is there still a place for them where they can look natural?

Summer Graduation Party in Cranberry Township

Graduation parties can be a great time to hire a photographer! Not only will you have one less thing to worry about when it comes to the party itself (taking photos of all of your hard work!), but you can also get a few updated family portraits in the process!

For this grad party and particular, we were able to take a couple of family and individual portraits towards the start on the front porch! Then the remainder of the photo coverage was focused on details and candids. It was such a beautiful day!

If you are interested in graduation party coverage, feel free to reach out to me by clicking here! Or email me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com.

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Vendors: Medure’s Catering, Graeter’s Ice Cream Truck

Observations from Weddings in a Year of Covid

2020 was quite a year – a year that has hit the wedding industry quite hard! Many weddings were forced to either downsize, postpone, or completely cancel due to the ever-changing restrictions released throughout the year of 2020 here in Pennsylvania. Some weddings were even forced to downsize drastically or completely change venues with DAYS until their wedding day. Oof!

Personally, I had 21 weddings scheduled for 2020… and only 13 were actually able to happen. The rest either postponed to 2021, or cancelled entirely. For brides who are getting married this year who might be wondering what weddings look like now in the “Covid era,” I’d love to share what I’ve learned with you from the weddings I photographed over the last year!

1.     Outdoor spaces are king.

As you probably could surmise… outdoor spaces have become king as of late, even here in the great state of Pennsylvania, where the weather is totally unpredictable! Outdoor ceremonies and outdoor receptions have increased (at least for my own weddings!) this year, and it has been SO MUCH FUN! There’s something about outdoor weddings that feel more fluid and more open. On a beautiful day, there’s more space for guests to walk around and spread out.

2.     Pittsburgh cookie tables CAN still happen! (You know you were wondering about this one!!! ;) )

It’s true! The infamous Pittsburgh cookie table CAN still happen even in this day and age, when all might not be super comfortable sharing a giant table of cookies with 100 strangers/aquaintances… and I’ve seen it done successfully over the last year a few different ways!

• A mix of cookies in different boxes or bags on the cookie table, so guests can take a box back to their table.

• A plate of cookies per table (works well if households of people are seated together).

• I’ve also seen individually wrapped cookies – this one might take extra time and effort, but still works!

3.     Smaller, more intimate wedding days with fewer guests can be just as fun as big weddings.

Some of my favorite weddings 2020 were weddings with less than 25 guests! What’s great about these weddings is that everyone TRULY wants to be there, celebrating the couple – not that they don’t at a “normal” wedding, but there are always some people at larger weddings who might not know the bride or groom (or both!) well, and are mostly there for the food and the party. These smaller, more intimate weddings really foster a greater connection between the couple and their guests… plus, the bride & groom can really spend more time talking with each guest, instead of being stretched thin between a ton of people!

4. You might get more guests who RSVP with a “no.”

The majority of my couples have experienced an increase in guests RSVPing “no” to attend their wedding day, in opposed to past years of weddings. Another chunk of guests might only come for the ceremony, opposed to staying for both the ceremony and reception.

5.     Backyard weddings might just be the best.

I hope the “backyard wedding trend” is here to stay! I’ve seen low-key backyard weddings, and elaborate back yard weddings this year, and ALL of them have been unique and so personal to the couple. There’s something special about getting married in your parents’ backyard next to the pool you grew up swimming in, or in a relative’s front yard that you’ve always adored. It adds that personal, unforgettable touch.

6. “Live” wedding broadcasts/streams might be here to stay.

A live stream of your wedding is certainly a great option for elderly guests who might feel safer watching your ceremony from the comfort of their own home or space. And, honestly? I think this is a GREAT idea! Almost every single wedding I photographed this year had a live stream to either a private Zoom group, or a Facebook group. Live streams are typically so easy to set up nowadays, that this might be a no brainer addition to wedding days moving forward! If you have a phone or access to a phone, you can live stream your wedding day!

7.     Couples seem more… relaxed?

This was a surprising observation to me. I for sure thought that more couples would be stressed and anxious going into their wedding days… and while I’m sure there was stress and anxiety in the decision making phase (Should we postpone? How many people should we have? Who do we uninvited due to the state mandate?), couples ON their actual wedding days have been so much more relaxed! Most seem to be just thrilled to actually BE getting married and having any sort of wedding. Which leads me into my last point…

8.     There has been a renewed focus on what really matters.

This one is my favorite. For all of the couples who have gotten married in 2020 and 2021, most of them have just been excited to BE married. Is it a bummer to not have the wedding you’ve dreamed of/planned for over the last year and half? Absolutely. It is SUCH a bummer. And I would never want to downplay the disappointment that I know so many couples are experiencing this year. But, simultaneously, I am so excited to see couples focusing more on the pending marriage. That has been a true joy to see and experience!

If you’ve been to a wedding in 2020 or early 2021, what have you experienced? Are there any great ideas you’ve seen put into practice that couples might be able to benefit from moving into 2021?

Tyler & Tess: Pittsburgh Proposal Photos on the Schenley Bridge

Proposals are some of my favorite sessions EVER to photograph! I love the element of surprise and the sneakiness that goes into them - but more than anything, I love the pure, raw emotion of that always comes out in the joy of the moment!

Tyler had contacted me a few months prior, and detailed his plan for proposing to his girlfriend Tess! He planned a date day, recreating all of the things they had done on their first date around Oakland in Pittsburgh. And, because of Covid, he even had a backup plan for his original plan - smart guy!

But alas, with the uncertainty surrounding Covid, his first plan and his second plan fell through. Instead, he opted for a walk around CMU (plan C!) texted me to see if we were able to move the proposal time up (which we were able to by a half hour - yay for trying to always be early!!!) and his plan to propose to her on the Schenley Bridge came through perfectly!

Proposals in the city are always fun, because I can hide in plain sight! There are always plenty of photographers around the city photographing landscapes - so that was my “disguise!” ;)

After he popped the question, they put a lock on the lock bridge with their names and the date, and had a mini photo session! It was quite cold, so we kept it short… but we were able to get so much variety within such a short amount of time!

Congratulations on your engagement Tyler & Tess! It was such an honor to photograph this sweet moment for you two!!! ❤️

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PS - if you are reading this and are interested in having your own proposal photographed, feel free to fill out the “Contact” form in the upper navigation, or email me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com !

Winter Photoshoot Location Ideas Near Pittsburgh, PA

Some might call me crazy, but one of my favorite times of the year for photo sessions is Winter! The public areas are less crowded, and there is always a chance that we might catch some snow before or after a session!

If you’re in the Pittsburgh area and are looking for a great place to have a Winter photo session – fear not! I’ve compiled a few of my favorite places in the Pittsburgh area for photo sessions that I am so excited to share with you! Most of these locations will “work” for a session without snow, but all look SO much more magical with it! First up… 

1.     A Christmas Tree Farm

 

What could be more wintery than a Christmas tree farm?! A Christmas tree farm is a great choice of location because it thrives year ‘round, even (and especially) in the cold, which means that, instead of seeing dead, barren branches (like you might in a park studded with seasonal trees), you’ll have a green backdrop! Christmas tree farms also look gorgeous dusted in snow, so if you can swing your session right after a snow storm… it might be worth it!

My favorite Christmas tree farm for any type of photo session is Lake Forest Gardens in Fombell, PA (about 45 minutes north of downtown Pittsburgh). They do require advance notice for photo sessions, along with a $25 payment – but it’s so worth it for access to such a gorgeous backdrop!

2.     McConnell’s Mill

 

A favorite spot of mine North of Pittsburgh for winter shoots is McConnell’s Mill – but mostly only if there is snow on the ground.

McConnell’s Mill has some areas that can be utilized that look great with or without snow (the wood mill, covered bridge, rows of pine trees, large rocks, the river/creek area), but there are still lots of seasonal trees that lose their leaves each winter season.

Like with any location you’ll find on this list, if you are able to schedule your session after a snow storm… you could get some gorgeous and unique images with snow  and icicles!

3.     Mellon Park

 

Mellon Park is one of my favorite spots for winter sessions closer to the downtown area. Mellon Park boasts some beautiful architecture (black iron fences, grey stone archways, brick walls, a large decorative fountain, steps & benches) that look stunning any time of year. But, again, add in some snow and you’ll get a different, whimsical look!

4.     Hartwood Acres Mansion

 

Chances are, if you research “photo session locations in Pittsburgh” long enough, Hartwood Acres Mansion is bound to pop up as a favorite… and for good reason! The mansion itself provides so many different backdrops, from doorways, to stairs, to arches, to walls – there are so many great spots for photos there! This location is my all time favorite in the winter because it truly looks beautiful – with or without snow! There are also a couple of rows of pine trees in the back and front of the building that can be used when other seasonal trees have lost their leaves!

5.     North Shore

 

The city with its beautiful buildings and bright yellow bridges will always look photo ready… no matter the season! The North Shore is another favorite of mine in the winter. It boasts multiple bright yellow bridges (the Roberto Clemente and Andy Warhol are my favorites to use!), along with a great city view, all along the walkway. I once had a session there in the snow, and it looked even BETTER!

6. Historic Harmony

 

Another all-time favorite location of mine is Historic Harmony, just about 30 minutes north of Pittsburgh! Harmony is a small, historic, German town with lots of historic brightly colored buildings. Everywhere you turn, there’s another unique spot to use for photos! This location looks beautiful with or without snow, and is another great spot that you can use regardless of if there is snow on the ground or not! There are also some nature trails nearby that can be used that look gorgeous with a light dusting!

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Overall, any good winter location for a photo session will have at least one of the following three: some sort of architecture, evergreen trees, or snow! Finding backdrop elements that provide visual interest, even in the dead of winter, are oh so helpful for creating beautiful, wintery images!

What to Wear for Maternity Photos

Pregnancy – a milestone filled with joy and excitement, and a milestone often worthy of remembering with professional photos!

 When it comes to having maternity photos taken, choosing what to wear can feel like an overwhelming task – but really, when you break it down, it becomes quite simple! There are no hard and fast “rules” when it comes to choosing what to wear (don’t be afraid to mix in your own personal style!), but there are a few tips I’d love to share with those who might be wondering where to start! In this blog post, we’ll discuss three simple tips for figuring out what to wear for maternity photos:

First, find something that accentuates your bump!

Maxi Dresses: Maxi dresses are personally my favorite when it comes to maternity sessions! They are typically tighter up top, then become looser around the belly, and go all the way down to the ground. They are SO flattering (elongating the body), and make it easy to accentuate the bump! The flowy fabric can easily be held under the belly to create that classic “bump” look. Maxi’s are typically pretty comfortable for mom, too, and are still breathable in the summer months.

Form fitting dress or shirt: If you feel comfortable with it, consider a more form-fitting dress or shirt! With a maxi dress, you’ll have to hold underneath and around your belly to get the “bump” look, but a form fitting dress or shirt means that you won’t have to have your hand on your belly the whole time!

A looser garment… but belt it! If you like the look of a looser garment, consider adding a belt (or tied fabric) above the belly to give additional shape! This can easily be done with a loose top or a dress without a structured waist.

Second, make sure you choose something comfortable.

Don’t forget to keep your outfit comfortable! Opt for comfortable shoes and clothing fabrics that aren’t too hard to move around in. If you’d like to wear heels, consider bringing a pair of comfortable shoes to change in to for walking from location to location!

If you’re having maternity photos taken in the warmer/summer months, consider choosing a dress with a “lighter,” more breathable fabric.

Third, consider choosing a solid color, and/or something with a textured material.

This is a tip that applies mostly to mom! We want the bump to be the main focus of your images, and while patterns can be beautiful in photos, if they are too busy, they can distract (or minimize!) your bump! Solid colors will ensure that the viewer’s eye is drawn straight to your little bundle of joy without distraction. If you’d like to add visual interest to your overall images, though, consider having your husband/partner wear a patterned shirt that compliments your outfit.

Textures are a great way to add visual interest with a solid colored shirt or dress! Textures include things such as: lace, knit, or embroidery. They add interest without being too busy or overtaking the photo!

What about dad and/or other family members?

I recommend starting with mom’s outfit, then building upon everyone else’s from there. The goal is to choose outfits that “go” together, without being completely matchy-matchy.

Aim for each person to have a “dominant” color, then tie the outfits together visually by using other people’s dominant colors as accents. For example, if mom is wearing a blush colored maxi dress, nude flats, and gold earrings, dad could wear khaki pants, a light blue button down, a navy overcoat, and add in a blush pocket square, to visually tie the two of you together – even one small accessory (in this example, the pocket square) will tie you both together visually!

You could also make the visual connection by choosing a solid colored maxi dress for mom, then find a patterned shirt for dad with that same color in the pattern.

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Pittsburgh Senior Photographer: Senior Photo Highlights 2020

Another year, another highlight post for the seniors I’ve photographed in 2020! Some represented the Class of 2020, some the Class of 2021 - but all were an absolute pleasure to work with!

Honestly, I wasn’t sure how many senior sessions I would get to photograph this year with the ongoing pandemic - but, thankfully, it’s easy to photograph people outdoors with long lenses, even in the midst of so many changes and regulations! 😉To all of the parents and seniors who still trusted me to capture this season for you: THANK YOU! I really can’t say it (or type it!) enough. Thank you for letting me be a part of this year with you! And a huge congratulations again to the seniors and parents of seniors who made it through this crazy year!

If you are a Class of 2021 senior who has yet to schedule their photos, or a Class of 2022 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!

Extended Family Christmas Tree Farm Photos

It’s hard to believe that this was my very last photo session of 2020 - and truly, I couldn’t have asked for it to end on a better note, or with better people!

This extended family photo session was for a family who recently moved to the Pittsburgh area. Thankfully, these Washington State natives are pros when it comes to snow, so the extra snow we had for their session was warmly welcomed! Even if it was a bit chilly ;)

One thing I love most about photographing people in snow is the LIGHT! The snow is light, bright, and reflects the most beautiful, soft light. Winter might just be my favorite season for photos! And I am always SO THANKFUL for the people who are willing to go out in it for some killer (and unique!) photos!

Truly, I adore extended family photo sessions. They are such a special time to capture SO many different relationships and generations - mom, dad, kids, grandparents, and grandkids. I am so very thankful to have been the one to capture these images!

Enjoy a few (or more! ;) ) of my favorites below!

JHP Behind the Scenes 2020

Wow… what a year! 2020 will certainly be one for the books.

At the beginning of this year, all of us were unsure of many things. I, for one, was completely unsure of how wedding season (and portrait season!) would shake out. I had so many couples (for good reason!) postpone their wedding days in the spring and early summer, and I wondered if I would if I would have any clients at all. Would people be too nervous to go outside to have their photos taken? Would there be any sense of normalcy late summer/early fall when it came to events? Would I need to get another full time job?!

In all of the uncertainty, I was reminded of the incredible, unsuspecting ways that God provides. And provide he did! From random part-time jobs to an increase in senior sessions, God truly provided for every need - and gave me many, MANY opportunities to continue doing what I love, even in the midst of a pandemic.

This year, I got to photograph 13 AMAZING wedding days, and over 70 portrait sessions. I was able to start a little Etsy shop that I’ve been dreaming up over the past year (Beyond the Boardwalk), take on a few graphic design projects (which is what my degree is in!), and dove a little bit into the world of thrifting through Mercari and Poshmark (which I love!).

More than anything, this year, I learned the value of being truly grateful for every. single. thing. that God provides for me. We’re easily tempted to compare and wallow when we are not grateful, but when we see the continual goodness of God within every opportunity and praise him for it (something I am quite imperfect at), we live in a renewed perspective - and a much better one, at that!

To every couple, senior, mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, baby, and fetus who gave me the joy of photographing them during this strange year - thank you. Your support, your encouragement, and your love mean the world to me! I am so thankful for you!

For more Behind the Scenes content: 2017 / 2018 / 2019

Our only "normal" wedding this year (without any restrictions or masks) was back in February at the Atrium. Little did we know that every other wedding would be extremely different!

Seeing if we could make a living taking cell phone photos... I think DSLR's still win 😎

Helping the FOB with his boutonnière! Nick has pretty much perfected his "pinning" skills by now!

This was riiiiight before Covid hit!

Our first wedding in the Covid era!

My little editing helpers!

Our first 2020 backyard wedding. It was absolutely beautiful!

One of the coolest senior sessions I've had to date! We shot at the Butler Airport.

Nick with his favorite movie poster at a movie themed wedding this year!

When we got to ATTEND my cousin's wedding!

Anddddd later that night, I sprained my ankle on the dance floor and couldn't walk for two weeks. 🤦🏽‍♀️

My assistant leaf thrower! I was so thrilled to have Robin join me at so many of my senior sessions this year. She is fantastic! And has the coolest hair!

Getting to take photos at this private family farm was magical! And this was the year I fell in love with fanny packs. Not mad about it.

These two!!! 😍

Professional veil fluffer. I don’t think I’ve ever had the pleasure of photographing such beautiful, vibrant fall color before this wedding!

Sweet Jill! I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to work with this beauty this year! She is fantastic!

So many Nick photo bombs...

See?

Thankful when he’s able to come and carry all of the things :)

That's Jean (my mom!) helping us out at Christmas mini sessions!

Last wedding of the year selfie!