51 Locations for Photography in Pittsburgh

Whether you’re in search of the ideal backdrop for family portraits, milestone photography, engagement sessions, or even your dream wedding shots, Pittsburgh offers a plethora of stunning settings to capture those unforgettable moments. From picturesque parks to iconic landmarks, this list of 51 locations for photography in Pittsburgh is curated to provide you with a diverse array of options to suit every style and occasion. So grab your camera (or me, your photographer!) and let’s explore the beauty of Pittsburgh through the lens!

I’ll share with you some photos I’ve captured over the years at each of these locations with even more information regarding directions, parking, cost, or any helpful tips.

 

The 51 Best Locations for Family Portraits, Engagement Sessions, and Weddings in the Greater Pittsburgh Area are:

 

1. Mellon Square – Downtown Pittsburgh – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: Conveniently located above the Mellon Square Parking Garage – 529-540 Smithfield St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 

Mellon Square is a perfect Downtown Pittsburgh location that has a great mixture of both urban architecture and beautifully manicured landscaping. It’s a convenient spot for anyone getting married at Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh or the William Penn Hotel.

Take a look at Dan + Ross’s Hotel Monaco Wedding Gallery right here.

 

2. PPG Plaza – Downtown Pittsburgh

Location: This is the typical spot of the ice skating rink during the holiday season. Located at 1 Third Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

PPG Plaza is a great location to add into any Downtown Pittsburgh photography session. I personally use it as a quick-stop location and will pair it with any of the nearby downtown spots listed in this post. There are multiple parking garages in the nearby area as well as on-street parking.

 

3. Mellon Green – Downtown Pittsburgh – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: Not to be confused with Mellon Square, this downtown Pittsburgh photo location is located a few blocks away at 501 Grant St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Mellon Green is another one of Pittsburgh’s parklets that offers beautifully manicured landscaping and green spaces right in the heart of the city.

 

4. Point State Park – Downtown Pittsburgh

Location: Where the three iconic rivers of Pittsburgh meet rests Point State Park. Located here.

Point State Park is one of my most requested downtown Pittsburgh photo locations, mainly for the large Point State Park Fountain. Coming here during golden hour illuminates the fountain in the best way! And if you’re a Steelers fan, there’s a really wonderful view of Acrisure Stadium (ahem I will forever say Heinz Field). There are a few parking garages nearby, or you may find some on-street parking along Blvd of the Allies.

 

5. Commonwealth Place Park – Downtown Pittsburgh – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: Right next to the Wyndham Grand Hotel, Commonwealth Place Park is located here.

Commonwealth Place Park is the perfect spot for portraits, especially if you are getting married at The Wyndham Grand Hotel and don’t want to walk all the way over to Point State Park. Parking garages can be found on Blvd of the Allies and Penn Ave, but your best bet is finding something on-street along Commonwealth Pl.

Take a look at Kylie + Dan’s full wedding day here. 

 

6. David L Lawrence Convention Center – Downtown Pittsburgh

Location: 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

The David L Lawrence Convention Center has a really unique underpass directly underneath of the building. Lined with water features and cool lighting, this is a great weather-friendly option or rain back-up. The pathway leads out to the riverwalk with photo locations along the river as well. There is a large parking garage attached directly to this building.

 

7. The Pennsylvanian Rotunda – Downtown Pittsburgh – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: 1100 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

The Pennsylvanian Rotunda is a historic, architectural masterpiece. There’s not much more to it that that. It’s a great quick-stop location for an iconic photo.

 

8. Rooftop Parking Garage – Downtown Pittsburgh

Location: 6th & Penn Parking Garage

I know of a few different rooftop parking garages in downtown Pittsburgh, but my favorite has to be the one at 6th & Penn Ave. You do need to pay for a parking spot to enter, but it is absolutely worth it. This is usually my go-to parking garage during downtown Pittsburgh sessions anyways as it is close to a few different photo spots in the city.

 

9. North Shore Riverwalk – Downtown Pittsburgh – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: You can access the North Shore Riverwalk many different ways as it is easily accessible, however I prefer to park here, along Isabella Street on the North Side.

The North Shore Riverwalk is a gorgeous and scenic option for skyline views of the city. My favorite spot along the trail is right between the Roberto Clemente and Andy Warhol bridges. The view of the city with yellow bridges on either side makes for an iconic downtown Pittsburgh photo. I cannot stress this enough – AVOID THIS LOCATION AT ALL COSTS during a Pirates or Steelers game. Thank me later! Almost every time that I photograph on the riverwalk, I include “bridge photos” on the Andy Warhol bridge. More on that in the next location segment.

Check out Mikaela + Kyle’s North Shore Engagement Session right here. 

 

10. North Shore Yellow Bridges – Downtown Pittsburgh

Location: There are 3 bridges on this side of the city to choose from. I prefer the Andy Warhol bridge. I park here, along Isabella Street for convenient on-street parking.

I get asked A LOT for portraits on a Yellow Bridge. Here has been my safest recommendation – Weekday evenings or Sunday mornings when traffic is at a minimum are ideal. In order to get the shot, you do have to run out into the middle of the road. Patience is key to getting the right shot. Generally, I will wait for traffic to clear, prompt and prep my client on what pose I want them to do once we are out there, and then when the time is right, we run out, get in place, get a couple shots, and then run back to the sidewalk for safety. I really do not recommend this kind of shot for small kiddos. The alternative to being in the middle of the bridge, would be to shoot from the sidewalks on either side. I will use this option for busier/more-crowded shoot days.

 

11. Acrisure Stadium (ahem HEINZ FIELD) – Downtown Pittsburgh – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: Accessible from the Riverwalk, these stairs leading to Acrisure Stadium make the perfect backdrop for the sports fans.

This spot along the Northshore Riverwalk is the perfect way to tie in a love for football with Acrisure Stadium as your backdrop. It’s probably obvious, but triple check there are no games happening on your session day, or this spot will be flooded with sports fans and traffic.

 

12. Randyland – North Side – Pittsburgh

Location: 1501 Arch St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Randyland is a popular art installation and tourist attraction created by Randy Gilson, a North Side native. Randy welcomes creatives to use his space (open daily from 10am-9pm), but encourages a cash donation for paid photography. There is a small donation bin by the entrance and I always encourage my clients to leave a donation. This helps Randy with paint and supplies to maintain this colorful and unique location. Parking is on-street and usually pretty easy to find.

 

13. Mexican War Streets – North Side – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: This neighborhood is located along W North Ave on the North Side of Pittsburgh, in between Brighton Rd and Arch Street. Street parking can easily be found along W North Ave, or you can try to find street parking along any of the streets in the area.

This historic area features beautifully restored homes with authentic architecture. A few of the streets are still brick, adding to the preservation of this area. I will often pair this location with Randyland and Allegheny Commons Park, as they are all in walkable distance of one another.

 

14. Allegheny Commons Park & Lake Elizabeth – North Side – Pittsburgh

Location: Located here. Parking can be found along W North Ave, or along Arch St in front of the National Aviary. I usually tell clients to meet in front of the Aviary when using this location.

Lake Elizabeth, found inside of Allegheny Commons Park gives an urban-park vibe. I love being able to see a peak of the skyline above the trees. There are many huge trees in the area with pathways that make for many great photo locations. I’ve shot here all year round and can always find a great spot. There is even a small patch of evergreen trees next to the lake, giving you an option for greenery when everything else is dead during the winter months. Fall foliage is particularly nice here. Last near I photographed a wedding mid-November and there were still plenty of colorful trees around. I pair this spot with any of the North Shore or North Side locations to give variety to the session. From here, you can even walk over towards the Children’s Museum which has some unique pathways and sculptures making for great photo ops as well.

 

15. Duquesne University Campus – Uptown Pittsburgh – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: Duquesne University is located on the cusp where Downtown meet Uptown Pittsburgh. When photographing here, here is the parking garage that I not only use for parking, but as a central meeting point.

The Duquesne Campus is home to the infamous Chapel of the Holy Spirit as well as The Duquesne Power Center – two very popular wedding locations. Obviously, if you’re having your wedding here or photographing a wedding here, than it is a no-brainer to utilize the campus for portraits. If not, I still think this is a worth-mentioning location as there are many great locations for photos here.

 

16. Grandview Ave & Grandview Overlook – Mt. Washington – Pittsburgh

Location: The Grandview Overlook is located at the top of Mt. Washington on Grandview Ave. You can park along Grandview Ave, or there is a small, meter-paid parking lot on Shiloh Street here.

There are a couple overlook platforms located on this stretch of road that are all free and publicly accessible. During the busier tourist months, you can expect crowds of people on the platforms. I generally will just have some extra patience during this times, and wait for the crowds to thin to get people-less backgrounds. The sidewalk along Grandview Ave is also pretty scenic and I like photographing walking shots along the path. There is also a cute ice cream shop open on Shiloh Street. I had a couple order ice cream and we used their cool building as photo op.

 

17. Grandview Park/Emerald View Park – Mt. Washington – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: Tucked away from the tourist-y area, Emerald View Park (formally called Grandview Park) is located here. You have to park on-street along Bailey Ave to access this park.

This location is a hidden gem. There are un-obstructed views of the city, without tons of tourists. I lived near this park for many years, and loved using it as a secondary option. It is a smaller park, but also has a woodsy trail that zig-zags down and across the mountain.

 

18. Station Square & Smithfield Street Bridge – Downtown Pittsburgh

Location: Located here on Pittsburgh’s “South Shore”. I usually park in the Station Square West Parking Lot.

This part of the city has great views of downtown. I enjoy shooting on the Smithfield Street Bridge walkway as well. You can access the bridge by the steps right next to The Grand Concourse.

You can view the full gallery from Adalina + Steven’s Elopement at the Grand Concourse here. 

 

19. The Highline – South Side – Pittsburgh

Location: The entrance to the Highline is where East Carson St meets Terminal Way right here. Street parking along East Carson is best.

The Highline is a relatively new location. Revitalized in 2020, this spot features a unique view of downtown Pittsburgh. This stretch of the Highline is “upstairs” but is connected by an outdoor staircase and elevator which takes you to the ground floor, along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. The Highline has more outdoor green space here. Within walking distance along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail is the popular Color Park – an outdoor community space along the water that features a brightly-painted area which makes for a cool photo op.

 

20. Herrs Island/Washington’s Landing – Troy Hill – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: Herrs Island (also known as Washington’s Landing) is a small island in the Allegheny River located underneath the 31st Street Bridge, near Route 28 in the Troy Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. For GPS coordinates, I always use the Washington’s Landing Public Tennis Courts. There is a public parking lot located right here at this location.

Herrs Island is a relatively small island, making it a very walkable location for a photo session. From it’s North Park Lookout location to the Herrs Island Bridge, it is less than one mile to walk. The trail along the way is gorgeous with many different points of interest. It is not a very busy location, and would recommend this spot for any type of photo session. The fall foliage here is absolutely stunning, and I particularly love the scenic view of the city near the Herrs Island Bridge.

Check out Darian + Julia’s Herrs Island Engagement Session gallery right here.

 

21. Three Rivers Heritage Trail – Southside Works – Pittsburgh

Location: I really enjoy the segment of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail near Southside Works. There are multiple parking garages and on-street parking located right in the heart of Southside Works. You can access the Heritage Trail by walking towards the river near Hofbrauhaus. There is a segment of this trail that leads right now to the river, which has a concrete path & space. This spot is also walking distance to the Hot Metal Street Bridge, and I will often pair these two locations together.

Take a look at Darien + Julia’s Hyatt House Southside Wedding galley right here. 

 

22. Hot Metal Street Bridge – Southside Works – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: Here. You can walk up to the bridge from the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. Parking is similar to the last location – there are multiple parking garage and on-street parking available in Southside Works.

The Hotel Metal Bridge is one of the top Locations for Photography in Pittsburgh for many reasons.  One, is the view of the city. With the position of the sun at golden hour & sunset, it sets perfectly behind the city from this angle. It’s also a black-colored bridge, as opposed to all of the iconic yellow bridges in the city. Finally, I enjoy that the walking path is a little wider here since this is a connection point of the bike trail between the Three Rivers Heritage Trail and the Great Allegheny Passage. With that in mind, you can expect quite a bit of bicycle traffic.

 

23. Coop De Ville & The Cork Factory Parking Garage – Strip District – Pittsburgh

Location: Both are located in the same building – here. Coop De Ville is a fun Restaurant on the bottom floor, with The Cork Factory Parking Garage above.

If you want to photograph inside of Coop De Ville, it needs to be pre-arranged. There is no charge, but you cannot photograph inside while the restaurant is open (11:30am). The coffee shop portion of their restaurant is open at 7am, so anytime between the hours of 7am-11:30am would be acceptable. The inside is very unique and fun – featuring pinball machines, arcade style games, pool tables, and duck pin bowling. The parking garage above this place has a wonderful view of the Pittsburgh skyline.

Take a look at Seth + Sarah’s Union Hall Bar Marco Elopement right here. 

 

24. Strip District Terminal – Strip District – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: Located right along Smallman Street, the Strip District Terminal is a recently revitalized strip of retail stores and restaurants. There is a paid parking lot directly behind the building, or you can attempt on-street parking. Depending on the day of your session, it may be very difficult to park in this area. Weekend mornings/afternoons tend to be very popular.

Being that this spot is newly renovated, it boasts new architecture that makes for a very photogenic location for photography in Pittsburgh. In particular, I love the colorfully painted steps located in the front of the most central part of the building. The Terminal sign about the building also looks very nice in the background of photos. This is also a brief walk away from Coop De Ville, so you can absolutely pair these two locations together. The PA Market is cafe-style restaurant located just a block away that is photographer friendly. During one of my shoots, we pre-arranged lunch here and were permitted to photograph inside. The upstairs wine bar is very beautiful and made for a unique photo location.

 

25. Penn Ave Shops – Strip District – Pittsburgh

Location: Right along Penn Ave where the heart of the Strip lies.

I honestly have mixed feelings about this location for photography in Pittsburgh, but still wanted to include it. When I shot here last, it was on a Saturday – essentially the busiest time of the week to go here. My client wanted to capture the hustle and bustle of the Strip, but at times it did feel overcrowded since the sidewalks are rather narrow. I did like the vantage point of the city in the background and what we did capture, I enjoyed seeing an authentic representation of Pittsburgh. I would just recommend a weekday for this location.

 

26. Highland Park Reservoir – Highland Park – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: Near The Pittsburgh Zoo, Highland Park is a beautiful location surrounding the Highland Park Reservoir. I’m really fond of the Highland Park Entry Garden portion of the park. There is easily accessible street parking here.

The Highland Park Entry Garden features a well maintained garden with a large stone fountain in the middle. This location is not super well-known and feels like a hidden gem. If you’re looking for something less crowded, this location may be just the spot for you.

 

27. The Carnegie Museum of Natural History – Oakland – Pittsburgh

Location: Located here in Oakland. The Museum has it’s own paid parking lot.

The Carnegie Museum is a great indoor location choice. You are required to pay the admission cost to enter and use the space. Lighting and tripods are not permitted, and you must not obstruct any other guests. The Hall of Sculpture and Hall of Architecture are both incredible spots for photos.

 

28. University of Pittsburgh Campus – Oakland – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: The Cathedral of Learning is the most central spot at this location. You can find parking garages and street parking all over. Depending on what other locations I plan on using, I will park somewhere near the Heinz Memorial Chapel as that seems to be pretty central to most Oakland photo locations.

The entirety of the Pitt Campus is very well maintain. With historical buildings and architecture, the grounds are well manicured and the walkways are all visually pleasing. If you’ve never been here before, I recommend a scout before your session. Park and walk around the area. There are tons of areas that are perfect for photo sessions.

You can take a look at Maddie + Morgan’s Oakland Engagement Session right here. 

 

29. Schenley Lock Bridge – Oakland

Location: This bridge is located here, along Schenley Drive. It is right between Phipps Conservatory & The Frick Fine Arts Building. When using this location, I typically park in the spaces near the Frick Fine Arts Building and walk over.

The Schenley Bridge, in particular the “lock bridge” features tons of locks placed by people over the years. I think this spot is a cute quick-stop spot in between locations. I generally will pair this spot with The Frick Fine Arts Building as they are right next to one another.

 

30. Frick Fine Arts Building – Oakland – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: Located here – The Frick Fine Arts Building is right next to Schenley Plaza and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in Oakland. There is ample on-street parking right in this area.

The Frick Fine Arts Building is hands-down my favorite location in Oakland. The architecture on the outside of the building is timeless and stunning. I will take clients around the entire building for sessions as each side is photogenic in it’s own way. A good meeting spot for this location would be the Mary Schenley Memorial Fountain, which stands right in front of the building.

Take a look at this family’s Frick Fine Arts Building Family Session right here. 

 

31. Mellon Institute Columns – Oakland – Pittsburgh

Location: This spot is the front of the Mellon Institute on 5th Ave. You can usually grab a parking spot on-street directly in front of the building.

One of the most popular photography locations among all photographers is the Mellon Institute Columns. On rainy days during wedding season, this location becomes a top destination for wedding photographers. The front portion of this building is mostly covered, giving relief from the weather. However, space is limited and I’ve been here a few times when multiple photographers are using the space. I always just say to use a little respect and patience and try to work in harmony with those around you.

View Miranda + Kevin’s Oakland Engagement Session right here. 

 

32. Phipps Conservatory – Oakland – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: 1 Schenley Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15213  They have parking located directly in front of the building and it is free to patrons.

Phipps Conservatory is such a versatile location. You may photograph for free anywhere outside of the building – so in front of the building itself, or to the left of the building. You may also photograph inside. There are two ways to go about an indoor session at Phipps. One is to reserve the Broderie Room or Outdoor Garden which gives you full private access at an hourly rate. You can find more details about renting their space for a photo session here. The second way would be to pay for general admission. You can take photos inside, however you may not hold up other guests or block paths, use a tripod, or use any kind of lighting. I opted for the second way during a maternity session. We chose a weekday morning, when it was least likely to be busy and that worked out very well for us.

 

33. Schenley Park – Oakland – Pittsburgh

Location: Schenley Park Overlook & Bartlett Playground

There are two locations in particular that I like to use in Schenley Park. The first location is the Schenley Park Overlook. There is ample parking on-street here. Since this is the most elevated part of the park, you do see a peak of the Pittsburgh skyline. The sunset here is particularly nice. The other location in Schenley Park that I like to use is the area right by the Bartlett Playground. Park anywhere on the street near this playground to access two different spots here. The first is a series of woodsy trails – leading over the Tufa Bridge – a historic stone bridge in the woods. The second area is a tall-grassy area located directly across the street from Bartlett Playground along Bartlett Street. If you’re planning on using these two spots near golden hour, I highly recommend starting your session a little earlier in the evening. The woods near the Tufa Bridge sit down in a valley somewhat and it gets darker there way before golden hour.

Check out Nicole + Cory’s Schenley Park Engagement Session right here. 

 

34. Aspinwall Riverfront Park – Aspinwall – Locations for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: 285 River Ave, Aspinwall, PA 15215  There is ample free parking in the public parking lot.

The Aspinwall Riverfront Park is a wonderful location for greenery & being near water. The park has a short loop that is pretty flat and easily walkable.

Take a look at Lauren + Dale’s Riverfront Weddings wedding right here. 

 

35. Mellon Park – Shadyside – Pittsburgh

Location: 1047 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232 Mellon Park has it’s own metered-parking parking lot.

Mellon Park in Shadyside is one of the most popular photo locations in all of Pittsburgh. I think this may also be the #1 requested location by my clients as well. With it’s historic walled garden that features beautiful stone architecture and manicured gardens, this location looks great in photos all year round. It can be extremely busy on weekends, especially weekend evenings in the summer and fall. However, there are so many spots within the park that can be used for photos, that is is pretty easy to work around others while shooting there.

You can take a look at this couple’s full engagement session I photographed at Mellon Park here. 

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Take a look at this family’s full Mellon Park Family Session right here. 

 

36. Fall Run Park – Glenshaw – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location – 187 Fall Run Road, Glenshaw, PA 15116 – I like to park at the far end parking lot, right at the trail entrance. You can find that particular location here.

Fall Run Park is a relatively small park tucked away in Shaler Township which is about 15 minutes from Downtown Pittsburgh. This trail leads to a beautiful waterfall that makes for a wonderful photography location. Along the trail is a creek that also works beautifully for clients. If you’re searching for a location where you or your clients can wade a little in shallow water, this would be the perfect spot. The area in front of the waterfall is mostly rock, so take great caution when walking in this area – it can be quite slick.

Click here to view Katelyn’s Fall Run Park Maternity Session.

 

37. North Park – Allison Park

Location – 303 Pearce Mill Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101 – There are a few locations in North Park that I like to use. The first location, and the spot that I always meet my clients at is the North Park Boathouse. This location has a large parking lot with ample free parking.

Starting with the North Park Boathouse area, I love to photograph around the lake to the left or right of the Boathouse. Depending on time of day, the sun sets behind the tree line making for nice evening light. From there, I usually head over to the grassy field and grove of trees right next to the playground. There is also a small wooden bridge here that I enjoy using in photos. You can also adventure across the street, behind the Rose Barn – there is a huge, tall-grassy hillside that works well for those tall-grass photo requests. Next you can hop in your car and drive over to the Tennis Court area. Behind the Tennis Courts is a patch of overgrown tall grass as well. From there, I hop back in my car and drive over to Marshall Lake which is a small lake down the road from the boathouse. The GPS spot I chose for this is labeled Marshal Lake Falls (and currently listed as temporarily closed), but you can disregard that. There is technically a small water fall over there, but it has become overgrown with vegetation and you cannot really see it in photographs. However, in this area is a ginormous tree that shines in just the absolute perfect way during golden hour. This is hands down my favorite spot in the park, and it doesn’t ever seem to be over run with people. Most likely you will come across fishermen. The final location that I like in North Park is a grassy field located behind the main entrance area – here is GPS location, listed as the North Park Meadow on Google Maps. There is a very small area to park a car or two off the side of the road, and that is what I chose to do to photograph here.

Take a look at Emory + Adam’s North Park Engagement Session here.

 

38. Hartwood Acres (Hartwood Acres Mansion) – Hampton & Indiana Township – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: 200 Hartwood Acres, Pittsburgh, PA 15238 – There is a public parking lot right in front of the Mansion that I will use as my client meeting spot.

The Hartwood Acres Mansion is arguably my #2 requested location for photo sessions. Nestled away about 20-25 minutes from Downtown Pittsburgh this park features a historic mansion with beautifully, well-maintained grounds. There is also a large garden on-site that is home to all sorts of beautiful flowers. You cannot go wrong with this location – it has a little bit of everything to offer, from greenery, to open fields, to flower gardens, and beautiful architecture. Just be aware that this location is a very popular wedding venue – so during wedding season, expect all Friday-Sunday evenings off limits to private events. My rule of thumb is to usually avoid weekends there all together. I will typically only shoot here Mon-Thurs. Not pictured, but two other spots in Hartwood Acres that deserve honorable mentions are the Hartwood Acres Stables and The Meadow at Hartwood Acres.

Take a look at the full gallery from Victoria’s Maternity Session at Hartwood Acres here. 

 

39. Robin Hill Park – Coraopolis – Pittsburgh

Location: 949 Thorn Run Rd, Coraopolis, PA 15108 – There is a public parking lot right at the entrance of the property.

Robin Hill Park is located in Coraopolis – which is about 30 minutes northwest of Downtown Pittsburgh. This park is close to the Airport, so any wedding venues out that way – like the Doubletree or Marriott can use Robin Hill Park as a secondary location for portraits.

You can check out Colton’s First Birthday Session photographed at Robin Hill Park here. 

 

40. Buttermilk Falls – Beaver- Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: Route 18 & First Avenue & Homewood Borough, Beaver Falls, PA 15010 – There is a small public parking lot available at the lower entrance of the trail – here is the GPS location.

I will usually start at this lower lot, walk the trail to the falls, then go back to my car. If you keep driving up First Ave, you’ll come across a small church. There is a parking lot up here as well. This area is the top of the waterfall, but there is a really nice grassy meadow up here that I enjoyed shooting in as well.

See Ashley + Matthew’s Buttermilk Falls Engagement Session right here. 

 

41. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden – Collier Township – Pittsburgh

Location: 799 Pinkerton Run Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15071 – This location does have a large public parking lot.

There is a fee to use the Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens for formal shoots, however at the time of this blog post, the fee is only $100 for 2 hours of shooting. Definitely worth it, as this place is so gorgeous and there are many photo worthy spots to use. It does look like you need to coordinate and schedule a time directly with this location. Here is the link with all the details on their photo shoot policy.

Check out Kayla + Jason’s Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens Wedding right here. 

 

42. Simmons Farm – McMurray, PA

Location: 170 Simmons Rd, McMurray, PA 15317 – About 35 minutes south of Pittsburgh, this farm is a great location for those seeking flower fields.

Simmons Farm welcomes photographers, but in recent years, as limited photography sessions to their Pick-Ur-Own Flower fields only. You are able to shoot here Tuesdays & Thursdays 6-8pm when the flower fields are in-season, which begins mid-June. The cost to shoot here is $60 plus the cost of a Pick-Ur-Own flower bucket, which is currently $17. Arrangements must be made prior to arrival, so check out their website here for all the details.

 

43. Succop Nature Park – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: 185 Airport Rd, Butler, PA 16002 – About 40 minutes north of Pittsburgh

Succop Nature Park is a nature reserve with tons of green spaces. There are two ponds, a giant willow tree, and tons of lush greenery. This location is also a popular wedding venue, so I would limit scheduling sessions to weekdays.

Here is Maddie + Morgan’s full wedding gallery from their Succop Nature Park Wedding. 

 

44. Moraine State Park – Portersville, PA

Location: Located about 40 minutes north, Moraine is a large State Park in Portersville, PA. My go-to location here is the Bear Run Boat Ramp.

This area has a great view of Lake Arthur, and it also has the Butterfly Trail which is a short walking trail surrounds by tall grass. I always use this location for sessions because it offers both options in one area. With Moraine being so large, it is also easy to find this location on GPS.

You can check out Ashley + TJ’s Moraine State Park Engagement Session right here. 

 

45. McConnells Mill State Park – Portersville, PA

Location: About 15 minutes west of the Bear Run Boat Ramp in Moraine, McConnells Mill is a location that I will often group with Moraine.

There are two main parking lots here, there’s the Kildoo Parking Lot which is the closest to the Dam and Covered Bridge, and then there is also the Point Parking area, which is a little further away. Take a scout before to see which you would prefer, but I actually like the Point Parking area. It is a little bit more of a walk to the main area (about a quarter mile), but the road along the way is very beautiful – so I like photographing my couple on this path on the way to the main area. The main area and most iconic spot would be where the Dam and Covered Bridge are. I always grab photos here just to have them, but personally I like the views from the Kildoo trail better. This trail runs right next to the river and you can access it right by the covered bridge. On the trail there are many spots where you can get on the rocks close to the water, as well as just shooting along the hiking trail itself. I do recommend starting at this location a little earlier than golden hour since it does get darker here sooner. In the past, I would start my session here and then travel to Moraine for actual golden hour.

 

46. Boyce Park – Plum, PA – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: About 20 minutes east of Downtown Pittsburgh. Boyce Park is rather large, but my one go-to spot is Wildflower Hill.

Boyce Park is full of hiking trails, open fields, and tree groves, but my favorite part of the park is Wildflower Hill. Mid-summer to early-fall, this hillside of tall grass is in bloom with various wildflowers – most commonly Black-Eyed Susan. The area directly to the right of the hill is a more-level gravel road. I love the way the sun hits the trees in this area. The hillside itself is rather steep, but you don’t need to walk too far up it to capture the tall grass & wild flowers. However, if you walk about half-way up the hillside, there is a clearing/pathway that is level and also makes for a great photo spot.

You can view a full family session I photographed at Boyce Park right here. 

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See this family’s Fall Boyce Park Maternity Session here.

 

47. Deer Lakes Park – Tarentum, PA

Location: About 30 minutes northeast of Downtown Pittsburgh. My typical meeting spot with clients is this parking lot.

Deer Lakes Park is a spacious park featuring multiple small lakes and an expansive frisbee disc course. There are tons of tree groves and open fields here. I generally will meet my clients at the main entrance parking lot. From here we will walk the path along the two main lakes and grab some photos. Then we will get back in our cars and drive past the lakes to the frisbee disc course. This course is set throughout the park, so there are many clearings in this area that are perfect for photos.

You can view Jodi + Austin’s Deer Lakes Park Engagement Session right here. 

 

48. Renshaw Family Farms – Freeport PA – Location for Photography in Pittsburgh

Location: 318 Ford City Rd, Freeport, PA 16229 About 40 minutes northeast of Downtown Pittsburgh.

Renshaw Family Farms is my top pick for Sunflower sessions. Usually late July, Renshaw’s Sunflowers are in full bloom. For the $10/car entrance fee, you are welcome to photograph in their fields. They even have a hayride shuttle, so you do not have to walk up and down the hill to access the field. In the past, they have even set up little photo ops within their field – think cute chairs, hay bales, or photo frames. You can check out their website for more details.

You can take a look at this family’s Sunflower Mini Session at Renshaw Family Farms right here. 

 

49. Northmoreland Park – Apollo, PA

Location: About 40 minutes northeast of Downtown Pittsburgh. You can access the main public parking lot at this location.

Northmoreland Park is great spot for lake photos. There is one giant path around the lake that has a variety of views. In particular, I prefer the east side of the lake for golden hour. There is also an open field in this area with tall grass that looks stunning in photos. From this corner of the lake, you can also walk the trail path into the wooded area for a different change in environment.

 

50. Twin Lakes Park – Latrobe, PA

Location: 219 Twin Lakes Rd, Latrobe, PA 15650 – About 50 minutes southeast of Downtown Pittsburgh – I prefer Parking Lot D as my starting point.

Twin Lakes Park is well worth the drive if you’re looking for something different. The highlight of this location is the Evergreen pathway that runs parallel to Reservoir 2. When photographing a session here, I will usually walk this pathway all the way to the Boathouse (Reservoir 1) and then turn around and walk it back, all while shooting on the way. There is even a small waterfall where the reservoirs meet that I favor as a backdrop. This is also one of those parks that works well for winter sessions. With tons of evergreen trees, there is still a lot of green to work with.

Take a look at Morgan + Myles’ Twin Lakes Park Engagement Session right here. 

 

51. Bushy Run Battlefield/Bushy Run Park – Jeanette, PA

Location: 2071 Bushy Run Rd, Jeannette, PA 15644 – About 35 minutes southeast of Downtown Pittsburgh – I prefer this Parking Lot as my starting point.

Bushy Run Park is an absolute hidden gem. It was years and years of being a photographer, before I had a client request this location. Since then, it has become of the spots I always recommend. This location has beautiful open fields and green spaces. There is also a section of the park that has woodsy trails. Last time I was there, there was hardly anyone else around – so definitely a low-key and low-traffic area. There is also a section of tall grass that is the perfect spot for sunset – the sun just hits behind it in the most perfect way.

View the full gallery from Katelyn + Sarah’s Bushy Run Battlefield Engagement Session here. 

 

Now I know that there are still tons of great locations that have not been listen in this blog post. What is location you like to photograph at? Give me some recommendations to check out and add to this list! If you’re in search of a photographer for your family portraits, engagement, wedding, or milestone, check out my work here. Let’s connect and chat!