24 of the Best Locations for Photo Sessions in and around Pittsburgh

One of the most frequent questions I get from my clients is: what location would you recommend for my photos? While I always encourage my clients to choose a location they resonate with, I always love to give suggestions based on some of my favorite locations to shoot!

In this list, you’ll find 24 of my favorite locations for photo sessions in and around the Pittsburgh area! All of these locations are either in, around, or North of the city. While I’m sure there are many beautiful locations in the South Hills, the North Hills are my stomping grounds and the areas I frequent most!

If you have questions about any of these locations, please feel free to email me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com

1. MORAINE STATE PARK

Moraine State Park has so many beautiful features - forest, pathways, a lake, docks, and fields all make it a great spot with lots of variety for photo sessions!

Location: Butler County, in Portersville

 

2. MCCONNELL’S MILL STATE PARK

McConnell’s Mill features forest, large boulders, the mill itself, a covered bridge, pathways through the woods, and lovely areas down by the river that runs through it.

Location: Butler County

 

3. MELLON PARK

Mellon Park is a favorite location among photographers and pedestrians alike! It features beautiful historic architecture, archways, black iron gates, an ornate fountain, and brick walls. In the Spring & Summer, there are beautiful flowers that decorate the walkways! Specifically, the walled-garden area is very popular.

Be advised: this location is very busy with photographers in the evenings, and if there is a wedding happening in the walled-garden area, pedestrians and photographers will be asked to leave.

Location: Allegheny County, in Shadyside

 

4. HARTWOOD ACRES MANSION

Another favorite among photographers, Hartwood Acres Mansion is one of the most unique (and popular!) locations for photoshoots in the Pittsburgh area. The Hartwood Mansion is large and features historic stone architecture, stairways, archways, doors, pathways, and interesting nooks and crannies. There is also a large garden located on the property, which is beautiful in the Spring & Summer. In addition, there are also lots of foresty areas. You really do get so many backdrops to work with here!

On any given night at Hartwood, you’ll find a plethora of photo sessions taking place. On the weekends, they also host weddings. They do ask pedestrians and photographers to vacate the property during private events. I would recommend calling their office in advance to check for upcoming events while planning a photo session! (If you are a client of mine, note that I will call for you in advance! :) )

*Note that Hartwood Acres Mansion is closed through May of 2022 for construction & renovations.

Location: Allegheny County

 

5. NORTH PARK

A lovely spot for those looking for a photo session featuring nature! North Park has a beautiful lake, foresty areas, and an area with a large wood bridge that crosses to a small island.

Location: Allegheny County, in Allison Park

 

6. POINT STATE PARK

Located within walking distance of downtown Pittsburgh, Point State Park is the perfect mix of a little bit of nature and a little bit of city! You can see some of the yellow bridges from the park. But the best part might be the large Point State Park fountain, located at “the point.”

In the summer time, this spot is SUPER busy with tourists and pedestrians.

Location: Allegheny County

 

7. NORTH SHORE RIVERWALK

One of the most picturesque Pittsburgh locations for photos! The North Shore Riverwalk is right along the river near PNC Park. The Roberto Clemente Bridge (closed for two years beginning in February of 2022) and the Andy Warhol Bridge are both right on the Riverwalk. You can also use the streets around the Riverwalk for some cool shots. I recently found a brightly painted wall a few streets back from the Riverwalk, too!

This location is VERY busy on PNC Park game days. Generally, it gets a lot of traffic in the summer as well.

Location: Allegheny County

 

8. THE STRIP DISTRICT

This has become a new favorite of mine! If you want that grungy Pittsburgh look, this might be a good spot for you. There are LOTS of brick walls and brightly colored scenery in and around the Strip District. I usually like to begin at the Terminal, and go from there! There is also a parking garage nearby that has a beautiful view of the city right at sunset.

I would recommend planning a shoot here on a non-Saturday. The Strip gets tons of traffic on Saturdays!

Location: Allegheny County

 

9. HISTORIC HARMONY

Arguably one of the best spots for photos (in my opinion!). Historic Harmony is a small German town that’s gotten a facelift in recent years. There are beautifully painted brick walls, colorful doorways, a nearby bridge, and lots more located here!

But please note: you DO need a permit to be able to shoot at this location, and you can purchase one from the Harmony Museum. Even then, there are some buildings that you will be able to use, and others that you will not be able to use. Ask the Harmony Museum for information regarding what locations they allow photos to be taken at. And if there is another building that you’d like to take photos in front of, make sure you check with the owner before doing so.

If you are a client of mine, note that I will cover the permit fee to shoot at this location. I love shooting there so much, that it’s worth it for me to eat the cost!

Location: Butler County, north of Cranberry Township

 

10. ZELIENOPLE

If you’ve never heard of this town, you’re going to be pleasantly surprised at what you find here! Zelienople is a bustling small town with many restaurants and shops along its main street. It has lots of adorable spots for photos, and has a nice urban feel (without having to go all the way into downtown Pittsburgh! ;) ). It’s also very close to Historic Harmony (they are neighbor towns!). There is a nearby park (Zelienople Community Park) if you want to also get some nature-esque photos!

Location: Butler County, north of Cranberry Township

 

11. MELLON INSTITUTE

You might have seen this grand building with its beautiful columns in some Pittsburgh wedding photos. It’s a popular spot for couples to have wedding portraits taken, but it makes a great backdrop for any type of portrait session! It’s also a great location to use in case of rain. It gets great natural light, but is covered from inclement weather under the columns!

Location: Allegheny County, in Oakland

 

12. CATHEDRAL OF LEARNING & PITT CAMPUS

A lovely spot with a nice pop of color! The Cathedral of Learning is a large building on the University of Pittsburgh’s property that houses lots of classrooms. Post-covid, only University of Pitt students are allowed to enter the building, but the outside makes for an incredible backdrop with its historic architecture! The pop of color I mentioned earlier comes from the large red door on one side of the building. It’s iconic!

Location: Allegheny County, in Oakland

 

13. PHIPP’S CONSERVATORY

Note: there are differences here between the indoor and outdoor areas at Phipp’s. You cannot walk into Phipp’s, buy a ticket, and have a professional photo session. You do need to reserve one of their available rooms in advance (available in 45 minute increments). Anyone can, however, shoot outside of Phipp’s. They have an area off to one side with a cute little garden, small fountain, benches, and a beautiful building that can be used freely, and free of charge. Indoors, they have beautifully curated rooms that make perfect backdrops for photos, if you’re willing to spend a little extra money!

Location: Allegheny County, in Oakland

INSIDE:

 

OUTSIDE:

14. SCHENLEY LOCK BRIDGE

This bridge is located right next to Phipp’s Conservatory in Oakland! It features a variety of beautiful locks, left by lovers… and makes for an interesting and unique backdrop!

Location: Allegheny County, in Oakland

 

15. CLELAND ROCK

Technically, Cleland Rock is considered to be a part of McConnell’s Mill, but it’s about a 12 minute drive from the “main” McConnell’s Mill area. It features large fields (which are sometimes cut down, sometimes not… it just depends!), a lovely tree line, and a beautiful overlook. This spot is best later in the day, closer to sunset. And note that it does tend to look very different throughout the different seasons!

Location: Lawrence County, ~10 minutes from McConnell’s Mill

 

16. HIGHLAND PARK

Highland Park is located near the Pittsburgh Zoo. It has some nature areas, along with a little bit of architecture. They sometimes have flowers in their garden area, too! It’s a fairly busy place in summer months.

Location: Allegheny County

 

17. ALLEGHENY COMMONS PARK

Located on Pittsburgh’s North Side, this park features bridges, a small lake, a stone war monument, and even a view of the city! This is a great location to pair with the following location, the Mexican War Streets.

Location: Allegheny County, North Side (near the Aviary)

 

18. MEXICAN WAR STREETS

This is a super fun location to shoot! The Mexican War Streets feature lots of beautiful and colorful buildings. The streets themselves are even pretty for photos… you might just be dodging some traffic! I love to pair this location with Allegheny Commons Park.

 

Location: Allegheny County, North Side (near the YMCA)

19. LAKE FOREST GARENS

This location is super unique… it is a Christmas tree farm! It features rows of beautiful pine trees. However - you do need advance permission to shoot here, as it is private property, and there is a small fee associated with shooting there.

If you are a client of mine, note that I will cover the permit fee to shoot at this location. I love shooting there so much, that it’s worth it for me to eat the cost!

Location: Butler County in Fombell

 

20. CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY PARK

This is a very simple location that gets the job done! Cranberry Township Community Park doesn’t have a ton of different spots for photos, but it does make for a solid simple, natural backdrop. There’s also large log that can be used for posing!

Location: Butler County in Cranberry Township

 

21. ADAMS TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY PARK

This simple park has a few backdrops to work with, including an old white schoolhouse and small buildings. It can be a nice spot for those located out near the Mars area who may not want to travel far from home for photos!

Location: Butler County in Mars

 

22. THE FRICK PITTSBURGH

A lovely spot with lots of historic, stone architecture to work with! The Frick Pittsburgh is located right across the Street from Frick Park, which also has some beautiful backdrops for photos!

I would recommend calling the Frick in advance about any photo sessions that take place on their property. They host outdoor events from time to time and like to make sure that nothing will interfere with what they have planned!

Location: Allegheny County

 

23. SUCCOP NATURE PARK

Succop Nature Park has lots of features, including: a willow tree, pond, red and white barn, old lamp posts, and an old mansion type building! It’s a pretty unique spot.

I would always recommend calling prior to a shoot here. They do sometimes have events where they close down the property for private use!

Location: Butler County

 

24. SCHENLEY FOUNTAIN

Schenley fountain is in the heart of Oakland! It’s a small fountain right out front of the Frick Fine Arts building on Pitt’s campus.

Location: Oakland, University of Pittsburgh’s campus

 

Payton A: Seneca Valley High School Senior Photos at Mellon Park

As you might be able to tell from just the header image, we had THE most beautiful day for Payton’s senior photos at Mellon Park!

Payton is a sweet, bubbly senior who is graduating from Seneca Valley High School as a part of the Class of 2022! She is heading to the University of Tennessee in the fall (hence the orange baseball hat we incorporated into some of her photos!). She wanted lots of florals and some architecture in here photos, so Mellon Park was a lovely choice!

We started off our time together by hitting alllll of the pink blooming trees - which perfectly complimented her first dress (which I absolutely adored!) For her second outfit, she chose a white eyelet dress, which had the perfect amount of texture to add some visual interest to her photos.

Congratulations on your senior year, Payton! ❤️ Thank you for the honor of taking these images for you to celebrate!

As a note: for those looking to have beautiful spring blooms in their photos, the last few days of April and the first week of May is the ideal time to book (of course, this can vary slightly year to year depending on early Spring weather)!

Spring Mini Sessions 2022 Recap

We had a beautiful afternoon for our back-to-back mini sessions at Moraine State Park!

It was an absolute joy to be able to photograph three beautiful families - two of whom I photographed weddings for just a few years ago! And one of whom I used to work with!

Mini sessions are a great option for families who want a few updated images as their kids grow - but they are also great for a short engagement session, a quick headshot, or even a quick extended family photo! I try to offer them a few times throughout each calendar year. I hope to offer Christmas tree farm mini sessions this fall! (Check out my last set from 2022 here!)

Interested in knowing when mini sessions events are happening? Feel free to click here to sign up for my email newsletter so you can be in the know!

And for now - enjoy a few of my favorite images from our mini session day!

How to Prepare for Your Senior Photo Session

Preparing for senior photos isn’t hard, but it certainly can be if you wait until the last minute!

Today, I’m sharing things to think about months and weeks out from your session, as well as what to remember the day of your senior session!

One to Three Months Out:

• Schedule any hair, makeup, or nail appointments you might want!

• Start thinking about what you might want to wear - go through your closet in advance to see if you’ll need to purchase any additional garments

• Choose a location where your senior photos will take place

The Week of Your Session:

• Finalize and steam or iron all of your outfit choices (wrinkles be gone!) & props!

• Drink LOTS of water! This is good for your skin and will give it a nice glow!

• Make sure you are applying chapstick, especially if you are prone to chapped lips! (Chapped lips can’t be fixed in photoshop!)

• Make sure your nails are clean or, for the ladies, painted!

• Refrain from wearing sunglasses for the week leading up to your session so you aren’t squinting during your session!

The Day of Your Session:

• Give yourself plenty of time to get ready – more than you think!

• Don't forget to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before our scheduled start time. Your session will begin at the time we set in advance, not at the time you arrive.

• Eat a snack before you come – it’s not fun getting your photo taken while you’re hangry!

What to Bring:

• Any outfit changes you might have

• Any props you may want to include (an instrument, soccer ball, pet, etc.!)

• A change of comfortable shoes to walk in

• A hair brush or comb (or anything for on location touch ups!)

• A parent or friend (moral support is always a good thing – plus, if you’d like they can step in for a few photos at the end!)

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

One of my favorite ways to prepare my clients for their senior sessions is through my blog! Check out the popular blogs below to see if any of your senior Q’s can be answered, or reach out using the contact tab in the navigation above to start a conversation! ☺️

• Pittsburgh Area Location Ideas for Senior Girl Portraits

• Pittsburgh Area Location Ideas for Senior Guy Portraits

• 4 Tips for Preparing for Your Senior Photo Session

• When to Have Your Senior Photos Taken

• 4 Ways to add more “Umph” to Your Senior Photo Outfits!

• 4 Reasons to Have Your Senior Photos Taken Over the Summer

• Why Professional Prints are Worth the Investment

20 Small Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding Day

Weddings can be expensive, but they don’t have to be! Believe it or not, there are small ways you can cut costs while planning without sacrificing style or aesthetic on your wedding day.

As a wedding photographer of 10 years, I’ve seen many couples choose budget-friendly options without sacrificing the parts of the wedding day that are most important to them.

Believe it or not… I photograph a lot of budget-friendly wedding days. When I was first getting started in wedding photography, I heard a big name photographer in the wedding industry mention that a good photographer can make a budget-friendly wedding look like a savvy soiree… and really, it’s true! If you invest your budget in the right places and in the right vendors, you can still have a beautiful wedding day without spending more than you want to!

So, without further ado, today I’m sharing some of the top ways I’ve seen my couples save $$$ while planning their wedding days!

1.     Skip the matching PJ’s and robes.

These are definitely cute, but the cost for these can add up quickly!

2.     Skip the boutonnieres.

Or, have your husband-to-be be the only one to wear one. Boutonnieres are nice, but not necessary, especially for groomsmen.

3.     Go BIG for your bridal bouquet, but choose smaller bridesmaid bouquets.

Bridesmaid bouquets don’t have to be huge to add to your bridal party photos visually! Focus more on the bridal bouquet, which will be in more photos.

4.     Instead of programs for the ceremony, use a big sign at the ceremony entrance.

One less thing to have to print! You can even thrift a mirror or piece of glass and write the program on there yourself. Most people throw these out anyways!

5.     Instead of escort cards at the reception, use a large sign at the reception entrance to direct guests to their seats.

Escort cards are another small item that just get thrown away. Consider a large sign instead.

6.     Choose a venue that only allows a certain number of guests (that way, you have to stick to it!)

If you choose a venue that only allows a certain number of guests, you have to stick to that number. Which means less meals to pay for than a venue that allows basically an unlimited number of guests!

7.     Consider doing ALL of your wedding day festivities (getting ready, ceremony, photos, reception) at the same location.

This will MAJORLY cut transportation costs. Bonus points if guests from out of town can walk to your venue from their hotel, or if the hotel provides free transportation for guests to the venue! Also, investing in a limo/party bus for the bridal party to ride from place to place in can be a big expense.

8.     Consider getting married in the “off season.”

If you’re in a state that has super cold winters or super hot summers, consider getting married during that timeframe where people don’t really want to leave their houses. You might be able to get some discounts from your vendors for having an off-season wedding.

9.     Consider getting married on a week day.

You know what’s great for a wedding vendor? Getting to work during a week day! We work a lot of weekends, so when someone comes along and wants to get married on a random Tuesday, we are ALL FOR IT! For us, that means one more Saturday that we get to spend with our friends & family!

10.  Have your guests RSVP via a wedding website.

Guests RSVP-ing online means = one less envelope, card, and stamp to include in your invitation suite!

11.  Don’t wait until last minute for dress alterations.

Alterations can be expensive as is, but when you’re trying to get them done last minute? They can be even more expensive! Try to plan out your alterations in advance with enough time so your seamstress doesn’t have to charge a rush fee.

12.  Ask your florist what flowers are in season during your wedding, and go with those.

Did you know that it costs more money to get flowers that are out of season than those that are in season? Tell your florist your vision if you have one, and then try to make that vision happen with flowers that are in season.

13.  Borrow jewelry, hair pieces, shoes, and even your veil from a friend or family member.

Not only will this save you money, but it will make everything you’re wearing on your wedding day a bit more sentimental!

14.  Consider going for a smaller cake, and having friends & family contribute cookies and other small desserts for a big dessert spread for guests!

If you happen to be from Pittsburgh, you know that we go BIG with cookie tables - so getting a small cake for you and your spouse to cut, then serving cookies and cupcakes to guests, can be a great way to go!

15.  Skip the favors. Or, make it something simple (like taking home cookies from the cookie table!)

Favors can be hit or miss - if they’re not something people will actually use, they’ll usually just get left behind or thrown out anyways. Unless you live in Pittsburgh and make your favors boxes of cookies from your cookie table ;)

16. Choose your top three most important vendors to spend on, and go cheaper on the rest.

If you’re on a budget, you can’t spend big on everything - but you can certainly choose parts of the wedding day that are most important to you and spend on those! For me when I got married, we went bigger on the venue, photographer (surprise surprise! ;) ), and food. With everything else, we did the best we could, and did what we could!

17. When choosing packages from wedding vendors, start with a lower package, then upgrade later if necessary.

This is advice I actually give to my own couples that book with me! Sometimes, my couples aren’t sure if they need 8 hours or 10 hours of coverage, if they want an engagement session or not, or if they want an album or not. So I always tell them - go for the cheaper one, and upgrade later if you decide you need more coverage, want an engagement session, or want an album! That way, you’re spending less to begin with and can add on as-needed.

18. Have a lower-key rehearsal dinner.

This is another one that we used for our wedding day - we catered Chipotle for our rehearsal dinner and ate it at our church instead of eating out at a fancy restaurant or venue! The food was actually a huge hit with all of our families and bridal party!

19. Limit alcohol.

This one may not be for everyone… but it certainly does work! Limit the types of alcohol you serve on your wedding day to save a little bit of extra money.

20. Nix “wedding welcome” packages for guests.

I know, I know… but these are so fun and sweet! Wedding welcome packages often include small gifts and souvenirs from the town/city/area where the wedding is taking place.

These are always so cute, but are they completely necessary? Maybe for you, they’re a must have! But if you’re willing to part wit them, consider trying to go a more cost effective route. Consider writing your guests hand-written notes instead, paired with a small guide for things to do and places to see while they’re in town!

Is there anything else you would add to this list? Feel free to let me know in the comment section below!

Historic Harmony Triplet Senior Session

What a joy it was to photograph this sweet set of triplets - Paige, Ethan, & Jeremy! We had a beautiful day for their photos in Historic Harmony, and had a “mega” senior session to accommodate taking photos of all three of them separately, and some of them together!

I’ve learned that, when choosing a location for senior photos with multiple seniors (see my last triplet senior photo session from back in 2017 here!), it’s so important to have a solid variety of backdrops. While using different types of poses can make each senior’s photos look different, it really does help to have a wide variety of backdrops to choose from to differentiate each senior a little bit from the other!

I was SO excited when these three decided on Historic Harmony for their photos. It is such a versatile location with so much variety to offer!

Besides photographing these three - I loved getting to know them, too! A few fun facts: Paige is heading to school after graduation to become a pastry chef, so of course we had to use the bakery sign as a little nod toward her future career! Also, the blue floral dress she is wearing in some of these photos was her mom's when she was in college... So sweet!!

Ethan and Jeremy are headed to Slippery Rock post high school - they love ultimate frisbee and are both musically talented - one plays the violin and one plays drums!

In the post below, I’ve tried to break up their photos into groups - first Paige, then Ethan, then Jeremy! Then, of course, some photos of all three of them together ☺️

Congratulations on your senior year, Paige, Ethan, and Jeremy! ☺️ Thank you so much for the honor of taking these photos for you!

Sophia E: North Allegheny High School Senior Photos at Mellon Park

Sophia is a North Allegheny senior who is graduating this spring! She plans to attend Temple University, her snack of choice is kettle cooked jalapeno chips, and she was an absolute delight to photograph during an early April evening at Mellon Park!

Mellon Park has really started to bloom - not only with daffodils on the ground, but also with a beautiful pink tree! Of course, we had to take advantage of that tree during our time together… and I’m so glad that we did! Those are some of my favorite photos from Sophia’s entire session!

Congratulations on your senior year, Sophia!

If you're interested in learning more about a senior photo session, feel free to click here!

Madie D: Seneca Valley High School Senior Photos at Mellon Park

Meet Madie! She’s a part of the class of 2022 who is graduating this Spring, and she was a joy to photograph! (I had the honor of photographing her brother just last year for his senior photos in Historic Harmony - click here to see!)

Madie’s session took place at Mellon Park on a damp and cold morning in early April. She was a trooper through the cold and rainy weather! And she even brought her color guard flag for some photos… it was so much fun to see her twirl it around!

One of my favorite parts about April sessions are the FLOWERS! And even though we don’t always see many until mid to late April, there were some beautiful daffodils in bloom that really make Madie’s photos pop!

Congratulations on your senior year, Madie!!!

SUMMER PHOTOSHOOT OUTFIT IDEAS: THE DO'S AND DON'TS

When considering an outdoor photo session in the summer months, you may come across a bit of a conundrum - it’s likely to be hot & humid, and you want to make sure you look presentable for the one to two hours that you’ll be standing outside!

Enter the answer: this blog post! I’ve compiled a list of the most pertinent “do’s” and “don’ts” pertaining to outfit choice for photo sessions that take place in summer weather.

SAY YES TO…

• Light, breathable fabrics - the type of fabric you choose for your photo outfits is so important in the summer time! You want to make sure you choose fabrics that are breathable and light.

• Light colored clothing - light colors reflect light, so choosing light colored clothing will help you beat the heat and stay a little bit cooler throughout your session!

• Dresses - ladies, this one is for you! Dresses, short or long, are a great way to stay cool during your summer session. Extra airflow is always a good thing!

• Open toe shoes - I wouldn’t always recommend an open toe shoe for men for photos, but for ladies, they are certainly permissible!

• Patterned fabrics - patterned fabrics often hide sweat (and pit stains) better than solid colored fabrics.

• An outfit change - if your first outfit gets super sweaty mid-photo session, you can always change into a second outfit!

• An undershirt - especially for guys who plan on wearing a button down to their session, it might seem counter intuitive in the summer, but wear a white undershirt. This will help pit stains stay at bay for longer!

• Summer themed props & accessories - a cute sunhat? Some ice cream cones? A cold beverage? A picnic basket and blanket? Maybe even just a bouquet of fresh flowers? These can all be cute additions to a summer session!

CONSIDER PASSING ON…

• Dark colored fabrics - dark fabrics will drawn in the heat and make you warmer faster!

• Heavy fabrics - heavy fabrics, including denim, corduroy, and suede can feel heavy and are usually a bit too insulated for a comfortable summer photo session (if you want to wear jeans, you could always plan for them to be your second outfit for a sunset-timed photo session, when things are a little bit cooler!)

• Too many layers - summer is not a time to wear lots of layers. Keep anything you wear light and simple!

• Sunglasses leading up to your session - when you’re used to wearing sunglasses and then suddenly have to be outside in the bright light for an hour to an hour and a half, you will be very squinty. This is something very common that happens ALL the time. Put those sunglasses away for the week leading up to your session so your eyes are used to the brighter summer light!

A FEW MORE RESOURCES:

If you’re looking for some more help preparing for your summer photo session, check out the posts below!

• Spring & Summer Outfit Inspiration (Girl Edition)

• 8 Tips for Surviving a Photo Session in the Hot & Humid Weather

VIEW SOME OF MY FAVORITE OUTFITS FROM PAST SUMMER SESSIONS BELOW!

Answering FAQ's: How do you choose locations for photo shoots?

One question I get fairly frequently from clients as I’m taking their photos is: how do you choose locations for photo shoots?

Most clients who come to me either 1) have a location picked out in advance that they want to use for their session, or 2) tell me the style of backdrop they’re looking for, and I make suggestions for potential locations based on their specifications. Either way, once a client chooses a location (either on their own or with my direction), my job is to find spots at that location that I can use to achieve the style and look of images that clients see on my website.

It’s important to me that a client knows the style of work they are going to get when they choose to work with me. The vast majority of images on my website are vibrant/colorful and bright, so when a client chooses a location for their photo session and chooses me to be the photographer based on the work they’ve seen on my website, my job is to create work for them that is consistent with the work they’ve seen on my website - even at a location I’ve never shot at before.

So, how is this done? How can consistency be maintained across a multitude of different types of locations?

Before every session - either days in advance or an hour in advance - I location scout wherever I will be taking photos. Location scouting is essentially just checking out the light and location of where a session will be taking place to see what spots are suitable for creating bright & vibrant imagery, and what spots are not.

While I’m location scouting, I’m looking for a few specific things. First and foremost, position and quality of light.

1 - Position & Quality of Light

As a photographer who primarily uses natural light for outdoor photography, it’s important for me to know where the sun will be during the timeframe that the photo session will be taking place. My goal is to almost always have my subject facing away from the sun. Because of this, I have to make sure that any specific spots I choose to use during a session are working in cooperation with the available light and with the look I am trying to achieve.

I will choose different locations when photographing an evening photo session versus a morning one, because the sun switches spots in the sky throughout the day. On an overcast day, however, I am able to use MANY more backdrops because the light is much easier to work with - it falls softly across my subject no matter which direction I have them facing, which means we are able to use a wider variety of backdrops.

The light is the first determining factor when figuring out what locations can be used for a photo session.

2 - Natural Reflectors

Because my clients are often facing away from the sun, I want to make sure they have enough light bouncing back onto their faces (filling their features, as I like to say!) so that they look illuminated and bright. You might have experience this struggle before if you’ve ever tried to take a backlit photo of someone on a sunny day on your phone - their face might not be very well light, and it probably lacked contrast. One reason is because phones just don’t always have the capacity to expose a subject well when backlit, but another reason is because there might not be any light bouncing back into your subject’s face - it’s all coming from behind.

Here’s how I fix this problem: by utilizing “natural reflectors.” (And sometimes artificial ones, too!)

Let me explain - a “natural reflector” is any light that bounces off of the scenery around my subject (the ground, a wall, etc.) onto their faces. Whatever surface is below my subject reflects trace amounts of light onto their faces, especially on a very bright day (the brighter the sun = the more intense reflection of surface light). This means that placing my subject on a large patch of green grass in the middle of the afternoon can create a green color cast on their skin, making them look a bit sickly. Putting my subject next to a large, red brick wall on a bright day means that some of that red will reflect onto their face. However, putting that same subject on a white or cream colored cement or cobblestone means that they will have flattering light reflected onto their face - because a white or cream colored surface reflects “clean” light that doesn’t have a color tint.

I always look for natural reflectors when I am looking at locations, because they help my subjects look their best, and are easiest to work with. This is especially helpful when it comes to photo sessions with larger groups (families & bridal parties, especially) when I can’t use an artificial reflector to correct the color as easily. (If you’re wondering what an artificial reflector looks like, click here!). I will often use an artificial reflector to correct color casts from green grass and brick buildings when I really want to use a location that doesn’t have an optimal natural reflector!

3 - Variety of Backdrops

After first and foremost considering the light, then natural reflectors, I finally move on to considering specific backdrops at a location. For me, specifically, I tend to gravitate more towards lighter colored and colorful backdrops. This means looking for light colored architecture, bright flowers, white cobblestone pathways, trees with lighter green shrubbery, and the like. It’s easiest for me to achieve the “look” of bright, vibrant, and colorful when I choose backdrops that coincide with the style that I am to consistently achieve.

Some locations have more potential for getting an increased amount of different “looks” than others. If you choose a simple park for your senior session, most of your photos might look very similar - trees, grass, maybe a bench, maybe some flowers. But if you choose something more dynamic - say, a park that has some additional features to it, such as a dock, a field, a lake, etc. - you will get more variety in your overall gallery!

Some of my favorite spots to shoot are locations that combine nature with architecture - locations in Pittsburgh like Mellon Park & Hartwood Acres come to mind first, because they have so much more than just grass and trees to work with!

4 - Variety of “Posing Opportunities”

I always like to look for a variety of “posing options/opportunities” to maximize the poses I can direct my clients into when scouting a location. For example - is there somewhere they can sit? Something they can lean on? Something they can lay on? Squat in? Walk through? Peek out from behind? Or is there really only an option to stand in some grass for the majority of the session? That can get very repetitive and limits the amount of poses we’re able to accomplish.

Benches, stairways, railings, doorways, steps, chairs, fences, gates, trees, archways, bridges, and the like all help add not only variety of scenery, but variety of poses that can be achieved during a given session.

I hope you enjoyed this little peek into how I location scout for sessions! I love being able to come into each and every session prepared, knowing where my best light & natural reflectors will be, as well as what backdrops and posing opportunities we have to work with.

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