Location Guide

While I’m certainly open to new location requests, I’ve developed a list of favorites within the Pittsburgh area. Let me know if one of these strikes your fancy!

Mellon Park

Mellon Park is a lovely, small park located in the Shadyside area, just 5 minutes from Bakery Square. It’s loved for its architectural backdrops, scenic gates, and seasonal garden.

Seasonality: This park is unusually lovely during all seasons due to its architectural backdrops. Colorful flowers and trees add additional interest Spring through Fall.

Walkability: This park is small and walkable. You won’t need to drive between locations.

Crowds: Because this park is small and popular among photographers, it can be somewhat crowded around sunset June-November.

Dogs: Dogs are allowed.

Other Notes: This is a great spot for people who don’t want to walk in the grass (potentially getting their shoes wet from dew or snow)

Parking: There is a paid parking lot off of Shady Avenue or street parking off of Beechwood Blvd. (Do not park in the lot next to the playground. This is too far from the meeting point.)

Meeting Point: Walled Garden, next to the fountain. If you prefer, call when you arrive, and I can meet you where you parked.

A family smiles as they pose in front of the big stone architectural backdrop at Mellon Park in Pittsburgh. The mom and dad stand next to each other with their young sons at their legs
A young girl holds her hand out to touch a pink flower at the park for photos
A family of 5 laughs together, surrounded by dry fall leaves that have fallen
A family stands beside the fountain at Mellon Park in Pittsburgh. A young boy laughs while sitting on his daddy's shoulders
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A Pittsburgh family smiles sweetly as they snuggle together for a photo.
Husband kisses his pregnant wife amidst beautiful pink flowers and the setting sun
A young girl in a floral dress smiles at her daddy (who is not see in the photo)

Allegheny Commons Park

Allegheny Commons North Park is a more urban park, located next to the Aviary. This park is also very close to the Mexican War Streets, where some families and couples like to venture for some street photography.

Seasonality: This park is best spring through fall. The ponds may lack water in the off-season.

Walkability: We will stay in a rather small portion of this park, so it’s quite walkable. If you’re feeling adventurous, we can take a short walk through the Mexican War Streets as well.

Crowds: This park is pretty empty in the early mornings and more populated on nice evenings. I wouldn’t describe it as crowded, but we will likely see people.

Dogs: Dogs are allowed.

Other Notes: There are geese in the area, and the grass has a lot of goose poop at certain times of the year (like summer). Although it’s not entirely necessary to walk in the grass, I think you’ll enjoy those photos. So consider this when picking footwear. (Or tell me you want to stay on the paved walkways.)

Parking: Park on W North Ave near the playground or the YMCA.

Meeting Point: I will meet you on the sidewalk next near the entrance to the park on W North Ave. Just give me a call if you don’t see me!

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A family sits on the footbridge at Allegheny Common Park in Pittsburgh. The 2 kids laugh as the parents tickle them.
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2 young girls sit on the steps of a house. 1 plays with flowers.
Family looks at each other and laughs as they stand in a cute street, surrounded by parked cars
Parents swing their kids between their arms as they walk. There is a pond in the background and the Pittsburgh skyline can also be seen.

North Park

North Park is a very large park with a variety of backdrops (including water as well as tall grasses). I have a few favorite spots within the park, but if you have a favorite location you’d like to take photos at, please let me know!

Seasonality: North Park is best spring through fall. There are lots of colorful trees come fall.

Walkability: Because this park is so large, we typically drive a couple minutes to get from 1 spot to another. If you’d prefer to stay in 1 spot for all of your photos or if you do not want to walk up any hills, please let me know!

Crowds: North park is a popular spot, so we’re likely to pass people, depending on the spots within the park that we go. One of my spots is rather secluded, however.

Dogs: Dogs are allowed.

Other Notes: Mornings tend to be dewy! You are likely to get your shoes/feet a little wet during morning sessions. Consider this when picking footwear.

Parking: There are designated off-street parking areas throughout the park.

Meeting Point: I will text you a pinned starting point dependent on the season of your photo shoot as well as the time of day.

Parents hold their toddler's hands. The son shines behind her
A dad holds up his toddler daughter while a mom holds up her baby daughter. There is a shimmering lake behind them at North Park in Pittsburgh
A family of 3 (soon to be 5...pregnant with TWINS), smiles on the wooden bridge at Marshall Island at North Park
Parents swing their daughter between their arms. They are surrounded by tall grasses.
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A newly engaged Pittsburgh couple celebrate their soon to be nuptials in a snow covered forest
A mom holds her 1 year old while sitting in tall grasses

Phipps Conservatory

Phipps Conservatory offers lovely greenhouse backdrops for families wanting something a little different. There is a large fee to take photos inside the conservatory and gardens, but the exterior is open to the public. There is also a small floral walkway (sometimes lined with lilac in late spring and early summer) that we may have access to.

Seasonality: Phipps can serve as a great backdrop year-round.

Walkability: The space is very walkable. We can stay in 1 spot or venture over to take a few pictures near the entrance to Schenley Park.

Crowds: Phipps is a popular wedding venue and tourist attraction. There aren’t likely to be many people in the areas we’ll take photos, but you may see crowds nearby or experience more difficulty parking on the weekends.

Parking: There is paid street parking right outside of Phipps.

Meeting Point: Main stairway entrance into the conservatory.

Parents lift their 2 daughters high in the air. The girls laugh.
A family sits on a blanket and smiles. There are tall purple flowers behind them.
A beautiful pregnant woman in a peach colored dress walks among purple flowers outside of Phipps Conservatory
A couple holds hands and looks into each other's eyes. They stand in front of a Pittsburgh greenhouse
Family crouches down along the walkway of a greenhouse
A mother and son walk away, surrounded by lilac

Fern Hollow

Fern Hollow is a gorgeous sunset location when trees and flowers are blooming! There are plenty of open spaces for kids to run around as well as lovely trees and sometimes flowers.

Seasonality: This park is best late spring through fall.

Walkability: This park is pretty walkable. There is no need to drive between locations. We can stay near the parking area or venture out just a bit.

Crowds: We might run into another photographer or 2, but I haven’t had issues with crowds.

Dogs: To my knowledge, dogs are allowed.

Other Notes: I’d recommend this park for sunset sessions, even those starting a bit earlier than is ideal. Please note that if the grass is wet, your shoes will get wet. Consider this when picking footwear.

Parking: There is a parking area near a building when you pull in.

Meeting Point: We will meet in the parking lot.

A family of 3 and their furry pup stand in front of fall foliage at the park
Parents and their 2 kids walk, hand in hand at Fern Hollow Park near Pittsburgh
Parents tickle their toddler boys. The boys laugh.
A mother and daughter walk away, toward a beautiful sky and trees

Sewickley Borough Heights Park

Sewickley Borough Heights Park is a lovely spot with plenty of shade. This makes it a great spot for families who need to book a session further from sunrise or sunset due to sleep schedules of little ones!

Seasonality: This park is best summer through fall.

Walkability: This park is pretty walkable. There is no need to drive between locations.

Crowds: I haven’t found this park to be overly crowded, but we will likely see some other people hiking or taking photos.

Dogs: Dogs are allowed.

Other Notes: Mornings tend to be dewy! You are likely to get your shoes/feet a little wet during morning sessions. Consider this when picking footwear.

Parking: Once you turn into the park, you will drive down a path that dead-ends at a parking lot.

Meeting Point: We will meet in the parking lot.

A young girl sits on a crate in a pink dress outside
Parents play with their daughters in a meadow

Hartwood Acres

Hartwood Acres is a much loved photography spot for its beautiful garden and historic mansion. Just beyond the mansion, there are also wooded trails. On select weeks in the summer, there is sometimes a field of yellow flowers (but that is not predictable or long lasting).

Seasonality: Hartwood Acres is lovely year round. When it’s warm, the garden is usually full of colorful flowers. In the off-season, the mansion still serves as a lovely backdrop.

Walkability: The mansion grounds are quite walkable, but if you’re up for an adventure, we can take one of the trails into the more wooded area that leads to the stables and field.

Crowds: Evening/sunset is a popular time for both photographers and events. If you’d like to avoid crowds, I’d recommend a morning session or a session near the trails and stable (rather than the mansion and garden).

Dogs: I am unsure if dogs are allowed in the garden and around the mansion. Dogs are allowed along the trails.

Other Notes: Hartwood Acres does host events, so morning sessions or weekday evening sessions are your best bet for avoiding a wedding party that may limit access to the mansion.

Parking: I will typically have you park in the lot next to the Hartwood Acres Mansion.

Meeting Point: I typically meet clients in the parking lot next to the mansion.

Brother and sister look at each other with mischievous smiles as they stand by some beautiful purple flowers in the Hartwood Acres Garden
A young girl with a bow in her hair smiles and looks off to the side. A historic mansion is behind her
Kids play a game with their parents in a field outside of the Hartwood Acres Mansion
Fall leaves and a sunset behind them, a family of 4 walk hand in hand at Hartwood Acres.
Family of 3 sitting in a garden
A family stands in front of beautiful orange fall leaves. They smile at the camera as they stand next to each other.

Aspinwall Riverfront Park

Aspinwall Riverfront Park is a great option for those wanting a Pittsburgh feel to their photos! Sunset is beautiful on the water, with bridges in the background. There’s also a grassy area with a very industrial feel.

Seasonality: This area is best spring through fall but offers a few backdrops that could be nice for a winter session.

Walkability: The park has a pretty small footprint, so it’s quite walkable. Note that the dock does not have a railing, so you’ll need to keep a close eye on any young children.

Crowds: We may run into other photographers, bridal parties, or even just people coming to watch the sunset. Crowds are most common on weekends.

Dogs: Dogs are allowed, to my knowledge.

Other Notes: Aspinwall Riverfront Park does host events, so weekday evening sessions are your best bet for avoiding a wedding party that may limit access to the dock. Additionally, I’d recommend sunset sessions rather than sunrise sessions at this location. Since there’s no shade on the dock, coming right before sunset is a great option (but note that the sun sets quite late in the summer months).

Parking: There’s plenty of parking right on site. I’d recommending parking on the far side, away from the playground, if your kids will get distracted and want to play.

Meeting Point: We’ll meet in the parking lot or near the large white brick building.

A mom walks holding her daughter's hand and her other daughter on her hip. There is a Pittsburgh river and bridge behind them.
Parents stand by their 5 kids - all spread across brick window openings at Aspinwall Riverfront Park
A toddler looks up at his pregnant mom's belly and smiles.
sun streams down on a family playing on a grassy hill
A dad lifts his toddler son into the air. There is a large bridge infrastructure behind them.
Parents try to catch their son, as he runs from them and laughs
A family laughs and hugs each other
A family sits along a dock of a Pittsburgh river. You see the backs of the family members as well as the beautiful bridge in front of them.

Altmyer Park

Altmyer Park is a good park for families North of the city. I only recommend it for sunset sessions in Summer and Fall. I also only recommend it for families with kids who can handle walking past a playground.

Seasonality: Lovely in summer and fall. (Not a good option if there aren’t leaves on the trees.)

Walkability: This is a small park that will require about a 3 minute walk to get to the photo taking destination. *We will have to walk by a playground to get to the photo taking spot. This may not be ideal for all families and ages.*

Crowds: The playground generally has kids playing on it, but the photo taking area is usually empty.

Dogs: Dogs are allowed, to my knowledge.

Other Notes: We will be staying in a rather small section of the park. It’s lovely but not overly diverse. That’s perfect for some families and not ideal for others. If you’d like more diverse backdrops, check out one of the other park options.

Parking: Park in the lot behind the event barn and next to the playgournd.

Meeting Point: We will meet in the playground.

A family walks through a grassy field with the sun setting behind them.
A family walks, hand in hand. They are surrounded by tall grasses.
A family of 5 sits. Their 3 young boys sit in the middle.

Interested in a studio session? I typically rent East End Loft studios, which incur a $130-$150 fee. Let me know if you’d like to learn more or see photos!