Here is a list of the best outdoor locations for a family photo shoot in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas!
“Where’s the perfect location for a photo session around Pittsburgh?”
I often get asked that question, so here is a huge list of family photo shoot locations that are also great for engagement photo sessions, senior photo sessions, wedding photos, etc.
After photographing hundreds of families in the greater Pittsburgh area for the last fifteen years, I’ve shot at dozens of places, and I’m always happy to share locations with other photographers.
This is not even close to being a complete list, and there are actually way more than 40 listed here! I’ve included Google Maps links, photos of most of them, as well as the best places to park. I also added blog links to the places that I have a blog post for, so click on the links to see more images!
You can also use “street view” in Google Maps to get a peek at each location. Please feel free to send me a message to ask me about any specific details about any of these locations. I’m happy to help!
If you’re interested in a Family photo session with me, here are the details.
I’d love to plan a session with you and help you pick the perfect location for your family!
Mary Beth Miller Photography was chosen as one of the best Pittsburgh Family Photographers and best Pittsburgh Newborn Photographers!
Pittsburgh | Allegheny County
1. Oakland
There are several great locations in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh that are close to each other, so I’ll be grouping them together.
•Schenley Plaza
•Dippy the Diplodocus
•Carnegie Museum of Natural History
•Carnegie Music Hall
•Mary Schenley Memorial Fountain
•Frick Fine Arts Library
•Cathedral of Learning
•Stephen Foster Memorial building
•Historic log cabin
•Mellon Institute
•Phipps Conservatory
•Schenley Bridge
•Schenley Visitor Welcome Center
•Flagstaff Hill
•Westinghouse Memorial
•Schenley Park Overlook
In Schenley Plaza, you can hang out on the grassy lawn and ride the whimsical carousel with the animals (please check here for when they are open). There are also a lot of benches, and usually flowers grow near them in the summer!
You can then head across the street and visit Dippy the Diplodocus by the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. From there, if you walk down Forbes Ave., just past Dippy, there are some great spots for photos in front of Carnegie Music Hall and the Carnegie History and Art Museums. (There’s a fountain in front of the art museum!)
After you visit Dippy, walk down Schenley Drive Extension and get some photos on the steps of the Carnegie Library, then cross the street to see the Mary Schenley Memorial Fountain located next to Frick Fine Arts Library.
While in Oakland, there are many spots around the University of Pittsburgh’s (Pitt) Campus! My favorites are around the Cathedral of Learning and the Stephen Foster Memorial building, located just next door. This building has beautiful red doors that make a great spot for photos. And just next to that is a historic log cabin. In the spring, there are beautiful blossoming trees and flowers all around this area!
Check out my blog post from a family session there, and here’s another one!
Also in Oakland, just up around the corner, you’ll find the Mellon Institute, which is well-known for its columns! These stone columns and steps are a popular spot for wedding photographers and a great location for a rainy day!
You can also consider taking photos inside the Carnegie Art and Natural History museums, but you will want to call ahead for details. You and your clients will have to pay admission; you cannot use a flash in most areas, and you cannot use a tripod, other off-camera lighting, or reflectors, or carry a camera bag.
2. Phipps Conservatory – Oakland
Just up the hill from Schenley Plaza is Phipps Conservatory, another gem located in Oakland!
You’re allowed to photograph outside of Phipps, but not inside the gated outdoor garden areas. You must ask permission and pay a fee to photograph inside the gated gardens and inside the conservatory. Be sure to check the gardens by Botany Hall!
Check out this blog post that shares many more details about this location!
Just next to Phipps is the Schenley Bridge, which is well-known for all of the padlocks attached to it! Another great spot for photos!
Check out my family photoshoot from there and this one! Please note that the ponds/fountains do not always have water in them in the off-season.
3. Schenley Park Visitor Center and Cafe – Oakland
Just across the street from Phipps is a brick building, the Schenley Visitor Welcome Center. They have beautiful flowers here in the summer! Just behind the building is a nice cobblestone path with a black metal railing that leads to a stone archway below. You can use the street parking all along Schenley Drive, just remember to pay the meters (except on Sundays!)
Check out this detailed blog post that tells much more about photo sessions at this location!
From the cobblestone path, you will see a set of stairs. If you head down there, it will take you to the Panther Hollow Trail leading to the Tuffa Bridge, which is a unique arched cobblestone bridge!
4. Flagstaff Hill – Oakland
Across the street from the main entrance to Phipps is Flagstaff Hill. There you will find stone walls and stairs, and a lot of lovely trees that are covered in colorful foliage in the fall. They recently did some great renovations to this area.
5. Westinghouse Memorial – Oakland
And before you leave Oakland, take a short walk down Schenley Drive to the Westinghouse Memorial. There you will find a nice little pond/fountain and a walking path behind it. There’s gorgeous fall foliage here in the fall.
6. Schenley Park – Oakland/Squirrel Hill
Just a few minutes from Phipps, you’ll find Schenley Park. It’s a large park with playgrounds and paths into the woods where you can find beautiful stone bridges, and if you head up on the hill, you can catch a view of the city from the Park Overlook.
Be sure to also check out Panther Hollow!
7. Frick Park – Point Breeze
Frick is a large park in Pittsburgh, but this area of the park is located in Point Breeze. Here you’ll find the Reynolds Street Gatehouse, which is a beautiful stone archway that is a popular spot for photo sessions. Just through the archway, there is a path leading to the Homewood Trail that leads into the woods of Frick Park.
Here is a Maternity session, and another maternity/family session.
If you walk towards the Bowling Green area, you’ll see the curved stone wall with stone steps behind it.
And located just across the street from the Reynolds Street Gatehouse, is the Frick Museum and Gardens! They have a beautiful set of stone stairs outside, as well as other spots you can use for photos! You can also take photos inside the Frick Greenhouse! Please contact them for permission, hours, and details to take photos there.
8. Frick Environmental Center – Point Breeze
Frick Environmental Center is beautiful with so many options for photos, and it’s just gorgeous around golden hour! You can find a stone entry building with long stone walls, iron gates, and lots of flowers in the summer! Walk through the entrance and to the rear of the park to see a beautiful fountain. In the fall, the foliage on the trees by Beechwood Blvd. is perfect!
9. Downtown Pittsburgh
There are so many options for photo session locations within the downtown area in the City of Pittsburgh that it will require its own blog post! There’s Market Square, Mellon Square, parking garage rooftops, The Cultural District, Three Sister Bridges, and so much more! (blog link coming soon!)
10. Point State Park – Downtown Pittsburgh
Pont State Park is one of my favorite parks near downtown! It has a gorgeous grassy lawn, walkways, views of the stadiums, infamous yellow bridges, the cityscape, and trees full of gorgeous blossoms in the Spring. The park is nestled between downtown and two of the city’s rivers. At the end of the park is the iconic fountain at The Point, right next to the confluence of Pittsburgh’s three rivers (take caution with small children).
If you walk over to this part of The Heritage Trail, you can get the Yellow Sister Bridges in the Background! And from most spots in Point State Park, you can also get the cityscape in the background!
Convenient Parking can be found here and here at Gateway Center Garage. You may also find metered street parking in the area.
Here is a post from one of my sessions there.
11. Three Rivers Heritage Trail – North Shore
The Three Rivers Heritage Trail is a riverfront walkway that goes right by the stadiums with a view of the city across the river! You’ll pass under the Clemente, the Warhol, and the Carson Street bridges. Be sure to check out Allegheny Landing, which recently underwent renovations!
You can find street parking on or near Isabella Street or find a nearby parking lot. During Pirate games, they sometimes close the Clemente Bridge to cars and open it for pedestrians to walk on the road! This is a great opportunity to get photos on the bridge! And there’s a hidden mural here in the alley behind The Andy Warhol Museum!
And you definitely want to check this area out in the Spring! Thanks to The Pittsburgh Redbud Project, they planted thousands of Redbud trees along the riverfront that grow gorgeous pink blossoms in the Spring!
Check out the photos in this blog post from a family session there! Please be cautious as there may be many bikes on this path, and it can be very busy on warm weekends.
12. Grandview Ave. Overlooks – Mt. Washington
An iconic location to see a gorgeous view of the city from the overlooks! Next to the top of the Duquesne Incline, you can find the Points of View Overlook, as well as the Grandview Overlooks further up along Grandview Avenue on Mt. Washington.
13. West End Overlook Park – Mt. Washington
In addition to the Grandview Overlooks, there’s West End Overlook Park, which is another great place to get a view of Pittsburgh! Here’s a blog post from a family session there! In the summer, there is a great covered walkway leading into the park, covered in green vines.
14. South Side
Take some time to explore the South Side to scout great spots for photo sessions! Start at one end down by the Three Rivers Heritage Park and check out the Hot Metal Bridge! Walk over to the South Shore Riverfront Park to get close to the river and see the boats on the docks, and continue onto the Three Rivers Heritage trail to find the Color Park, a unique and fun spot for photos! Be sure to find the brightly painted building nearby! And just next to the Color Park, check out this fun, colorful warehouse on Bingham Street, next to The Highline. All of these are great spots for photos!
Head down Carson Street with all the shops, bars, and restaurants to find something that catches your eye. Then you can head down to Station Square for a view of the city and go a little further down to ride the Duquesne Incline up to Mt. Washington.
15. Mellon Park – Shadyside
Mellon Park and The Walled Garden is a gorgeous park with a variety of architectural features and beautiful gardens! During the summer, there is also a working fountain and gorgeous flowers. In the spring, you can find cherry blossoms, a magnolia tree, and a daffodil meadow!
Please note that this is a hot spot for photo sessions! Expect to see quite a few other photographers there with their clients, especially on weekend evenings before sunset.
Here is a more detailed blog post about Mellon Park and the Walled Gardens.
Here are a few blog posts from there: This one, this one, and another one, and a beautiful Mother-Daughter Session and a mother-son session!
There is free parking here on Beechwood Blvd. and a paid parking right next to the walled garden.
16. Allegheny Commons Park – North Side
Located next to the National Aviary, you’ll find the beautiful Allegheny Commons Park, (also known as West Park), where you can find Lake Elizabeth with pedestrian bridges, as well as blossoming trees in the Spring! Perfect for a photo session! The park surrounds the neighborhood of Allegheny Center. Dating to 1867, it is the oldest park in the city of Pittsburgh.
You can also walk across North Ave. and explore The Mexican War Streets Neighborhood. “A historic district is densely filled with restored row houses, community gardens, and tree-lined streets and alleyways.” This area also makes a great location for photos.
17. RandyLand – North Side
RandyLand is such a whimsical location! Please call ahead to make reservations for a photo session; there is a photographer’s session fee. Parking can be a little difficult, but just drive around Randyland and the Mexican War Streets until you find a spot on the street.
You can see a blog post here and another one here!
18. The Pittsburgh Zoo – Highland Park
The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium is another unique location for a photo session! Please be sure to ask permission first and purchase a ticket for entry. Here’s one of my sessions from the zoo!
19. Highland Park
Highland Park has a large fountain with maintained flower gardens in the summer and early fall.
There is also a newly renovated stone arch pedestrian tunnel and bridge!
20. Allegheny RiverTrail Park (ARP) – Aspinwall
Allegheny RiverTrail Park (ARP) – formerly known as Aspinwall Riverfront Park, sits right along the river and features a winding path through a well-maintained green space, which has recently been expanded. There is also an open but covered building area, which is great if it rains, and a very whimsical slide on the small playground. You can also find blossoming cherry trees here in late March to early April.
21. Riverview Park – North Side
Riverview Park is a large park with a winding road throughout. These photos were taken by the visitor center, which is close to a great set of stone steps. Be sure to head up the road just a bit to see The Allegheny Observatory just behind the steps, you can’t miss it!
23. Hartwood Acres Mansion and Wildflower Meadow – North Hills
Hartwood Acres Park is a hot spot for photographers, but for a good reason: the mansion is beautiful, and there is a beautiful fenced-in flower garden right next to it as well as a wildflower field at a different area of the park (see below).
Take caution, as this location will most likely have plenty of photo sessions taking place, especially on most weekends. Please note that you are not permitted around the mansion if there is a wedding or event taking place. You will want to call the event department ahead of time to be sure. 412-350-2528
Here is a more detailed blog post about Hartwood Acres Mansion.
Here’s a family session, another one, and a maternity session in the winter, and a recent session in the flower garden next to the mansion!
There is another section of Hartwood Acres Park called The Meadows at Hartwood Acres. In the Summer and Fall, there is a field full of white and yellow wildflowers! And in the late fall, the field is full of tall dry grasses. All of these things are highly sought after for a photo session in the Pittsburgh area! This is the best place to park and meet clients, then it is about a 5-minute walk to the field.
23. Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve – North Hills
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve is a beautiful park with a wooden deck overlook, a pond, a small boardwalk, trails, fields, an old barn, etc! During the late Spring/early Summer, you may be lucky to find wildflowers just below the barn! And in the fall, the foliage is just perfect! My favorite is the green Oakleaf Hydrangea, which makes for a perfect backdrop on the wooden deck!
Check out this post, and this one and another one in the fall, oh, and one more!
24. North Park – North Hills / Wexford
North Park is huge and has a lake and a boathouse. You will find pretty pink blossoming cherry trees by the boathouse and the lake in the spring, thanks to The Pittsburgh Sakura Project! There are so many spots to choose from! I suggest taking a drive through the park to find a perfect spot for your session!
This area is located by the Eagles Nest Pavilion. This is gorgeous around sunset, and there is a nice boardwalk as well as a field with tall grasses.
North Park also has a naturalized flower field by this Eagles next area, as well as flowers in the demonstration gardens in front of the Veterans Memorial, at the corner of Wildwood and Ingomar Roads.
(Please note, you are not supposed to shoot in/around the Latodami Nature Center. They are known to ask people to leave)
25. Fall Run Park – Glenshaw
Fall Run Park has a nice trail with bridges that cross over and next to a creek leading to a tall waterfall. Caution, it can be muddy here, especially in the Spring. And take note that the trail gets darker faster due to it sitting low in a valley.
These first set of photos is from close to the end of the trailhead. You can either hike all the way up (3/4 mile hike uphill and up steps) or access it from the upper parking lot.
This second set of photos is up the path from the main/lower parking lot area. From this main lot, the waterfall is located just under a half mile from the parking lot. Please note that in the summer and when we are lacking rain, the falls may just be a trickle. After rain, the paths and area can be quite muddy.
26. O’Hara Township Community Park – Fox Chapel
O’Hara Twp Park has a pond, a playground, and a creek.
Here is a fun family session from there.
27. Washington’s Landing / Herr’s Island
There is a lot to explore at Washington’s Landing located across from the Troy Hill area of Pittsburgh. There are two ends of the island that you can visit. They are within walking distance, and there is a path leading from one end to the next, but you might want to drive to the other side! The Google Maps link above will take you to the tennis court and park area. Here you can find the stone steps at the Lookout Point that are great for photos.
At the other end of the island, you may want to drive over and park in this parking lot. (please take great caution when crossing the road!) Once you cross the street, walk the ramp up onto the Herr’s Island Bridge. You can see the city from here and take pictures on the old bridge.
28. Seldom Seen Greenway – Beechview
29. Boyce Mayview Park – South Hills -Bridgeville
Once you arrive at Boyce Mayvie Park, head over to the nature area for photos. In addition to natural elements like fields and trees, there is a wooden educational building to provide more backdrop ideas. In the summer, you will find a field with tall grasses and some wildflowers!
I always have clients meet me in this parking area!
And in the fall, there’s gorgeous yellow goldenrod! Here is a summer family session from there.
30. South Park – South Hills
This is a huge park with many locations to choose from! There is this great spot with a pond and the Maple Springs Gazebo that is popular for portraits and wedding photos. There is also a wooden bridge near the pond and gazebo.
You can also ask permission and pay a donation to shoot at the Oliver Miller Homestead! I suggest taking a drive through the park to find your perfect location.
Next to this area is the newly restored South Park Cascades, which also makes a great spot for photos.
31. Morrow Pontefract Park – Sewickley
Morrow Pontefract Park is such a cute little park located near Sewickley by the Giant Eagle. It has a bridge, trees, a creek, and a bench or two. The street parking area is limited, so you may want to park by the Giant Eagle Plaza. Check out this blog post from a family session there.
32. Fern Hollow Nature Park – Sewickley
Fern Hollow Park is a beautiful park that has tall grasses with mowed paths, goldenrod, trees with gorgeous fall foliage, and fields, all the things a photographer could want. Check out this session from there, and this family session.
Please be aware that they have a policy: if there’s an event taking place, you cannot be there. Be courteous and follow the rules. They are booked for events for most weekends in the fall.
Check their schedule and call ahead. 412.741.6136
33. Sewickley
Downtown Sewickley is a cute little town that could be perfect for a photo session! Check out all the little shops on Beaver Street!
In addition to Fen Hollow Nature Center (listed above), be sure to check out the
•Mary Roberts Rinehart Nature Park
•Riverfront Park
•War Memorial Park
•Way Park (aka Triangle Park) in neighboring Edgworth
•Sewickley Heights Borough Park
34. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden – North Fayette
The Botanic Gardens is a large and beautifully maintained park; however, there is an entrance fee, and you must pay a photography session fee to shoot here. See the details on their website. Here is a Maternity session and a fun family session that I did there. The dogwoods and the bridges were my favorites!
35. Settlers Cabin Park – Robinson
Settlers Cabin Park is mostly pavilions and a couple of playgrounds; however, there are a few spots in this park that are great for photos, especially with the fall foliage. These images were taken at the back of thepark near the older playground.
People often ask about the waterfall at Settlers Cabin Park. Just know that there’s a not-so-easy downhill hike and it is a very small waterfall and can be disappointing, especially in the summer.
36. Moon Park – Moon Township
Moon Twp Park is a little community park that has a nice pond, tall trees, and a path around the pond and into the park.
37. Robin Hill Park – Coraopolis
Robin Hill Park has a beautiful brick building with decorative arches on the side, a gazebo, and a small garden. Definitely worth checking out! You will need to call ahead to make sure there is not a wedding or other event taking place. In the summer they have a small wildflower field near the parking lot!
38. Monroeville Park West – Monroeville
Monroeville Park is mostly known for the recreation fields; however, there is a gazebo area with maintained flower gardens, a dry rock river, and a small wooded area just across the street in the middle of the park.
39. Boyce Park – Plum
There are plenty of spots in this large park, but the most popular would be the field of wildflowers in the summer and fall! There are other features, including an old log cabin and a skatepark. I suggest driving through the park prior to a session to find a good spot!
40. White Oak Park – White Oak
White Oak Park is large with a lot of wooded areas, pavilions, and playgrounds. You can also check out the nearby Angora Gardens.
41. Round Hill Park and Farms – Elizabeth
Round Hill Park is a 1,000-plus acre beautiful park with lots of big trees, a working farm with barns and animals, walking trails, a duck pond, plus a seasonal spray park.
42. Soergel Orchards (Soergels Farms) – Wexford
Soergal Orchards often have flower fields in the summer and the orchard in Spring and Summer. Please contact them about photo sessions. You will have to pay a fee and they have limited hours and days for photo sessions.
43. Triple B Farms – Monongahela
Triple B Farms also may have flower fields in the summer. Please contact them about photo sessions.
Although this post is for locations for photo sessions in Pittsburgh, I am including some places in the surrounding counties.
Beaver County
Here is a separate post for the best locations for a photo session in Beaver County.
Washington County
– Peters Lake Park | Canonsburg
Peters Lake Park has a large lake with trails into the woods and a boat dock.
–Simmons Farm – McMurry
Simmons Farms often has flower fields in the summer. Please contact them about photo sessions. You will have to pay a fee and they have limited hours and days for photo sessions.
-Mingo Creek Park
Mingo Creek Park is a large park is known for it’s covered Bridge and a shallow creek and wooded areas throughout the park. A hotspot for photo sessions. Please note that cell service can be spotty in this park.
Westmoreland County
-Townsend Park | Murrysville
Townsend Park is a small park that has some trees, a gazebo and a pond.
Check out this fall foliage session!
-BY Park | Trafford
B-Y Park is a small park that has woods and a pond with a willow tree, swings and benches.
Butler County
-Succop Nature Park | Butler
Succop Park has a pond and lots of trees. Please call ahead to get permission, as you are not permitted there if there is a wedding or other event. Goose poop has been a problem around the pond. There is also an old barn on the property.
-Blueberry Hill Park – Cranberry Township
Blueberry Hill Park has a few small areas that are good for photos, including this spot by a historic cabin.
-Moraine State Park
Moraine Park is a large park with wooded areas and a large lake. The best place for sunset photos is here on the grassy hill behind Picnic Pavilion #4. In the summer you may find flowers in the field. The best place to park is here by the North Shore beach area, and walk up the bike path. You can also find boat docks by the beach and marina areas.
-McConnells Mill
This park is known for the red covered bridge, old mill, Slippery Rock Creek dam, and large rock features. Please take caution around all rock ledges and stay back from the water when it is running high, as many people have fallen in and drowned or needed to be rescued. Please do not take children close to the edge of the creek.
To access the location in the photo below, you will want to enter the Kildoo trail by the covered bridge. There are only a few parking spaces by the bridge and Mill, so you most likely will have to walk down from the upper Kildoo parking lot area. There is a path and steps down from the parking lot, but it may be closed, so you will have to walk down the road.
You can also park in this parking lot and walk down the road to the mill and bridge. It is a very scenic rock with giant blulders along the road which are also great for photos.
Take note that this area sits low in a valley and the sunsets earlier here than up on the hill, plan your session to begin a few hours before sunset.
There is also Hell’s Hollow waterfall, which is a one-mile easy hike from the parking area. FYI, cell service is very spotty throughout the park.
Another location in McConnell’s Mill, is the Cleland Rock scenic Vista overlok.
I hope that my fellow Pittsburgh photographers found this list of locations for photo sessions in the greater Pittsburgh area helpful and useful! And if you are in need of a Pittsburgh photographer, I may be the perfect photographer for your family!
Here are some other blog posts that you might find helpful!
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~All images by Mary Beth Miller Photography ~
Mary Beth Miller Photography specializes in lifestyle and documentary family, newborn and Fresh 48 photography in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and many of the surrounding areas. Mary Beth has over 15 years of experience photographing families, newborns and babies in the South Hills, South Park, Bethel Park, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, Greentree, Point Breeze and Highland Park. Her style is very relaxed and natural and your family session will feel like a stress free Sunday afternoon with your family!
