40 Best Locations for Photo Sessions in Pittsburgh for Photographers

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?”

These locations are also great for an engagement session, senior session, 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 Map links to all of the locations as well as photos of most of them. 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
Here 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 are growing 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 Schenly 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!

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!

Check out my blog post from a family session there, and here’s another one!

2. Phipps Conservatory | Oakland

Google Maps
Phipps is another gem located in Oakland just up the hill from Schenley Plaza! On the walk up you will cross Schenley Bridge that’s well known for all the padlocks attached to it!

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.

Check out this blog post that shares many more details about this location!

Check out my family photoshoot from there and this one! Please note the ponds/fountains do not always have water in them in the off-season.

3. Schenley Park Visitor Center and Cafe | Oakland

Google Maps
Just across the street from Phipps is a brick building, the Schenley Visitor 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!

4. Flagstaff Hill – Oakland

Google Maps
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 | Schenley Park Oakland

Google Maps
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

Google Maps
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

Google Maps
Frick is a large park in Pittsburgh but this area of the perk is located in Point Breeze. Here you’ll find trails leading into the woods of Frick Park and the Reynolds Street Gatehouse which a beautiful stone archway that is a popular spot for photo sessions. 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.

8. Frick Environmental Center

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 though 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

Google Maps
This 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).

Here is a post from one of my sessions there and this one.

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 that 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. West End Overlook Park

Google Maps
Just a short distance from Mt. Washington, it’s another great place to get a view of Pittsburgh! Here’s a blog post from a family session there!

13. 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!

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.

14. Mellon Park and Walled Garden | Shadyside

This 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!

Here is a more detailed blog post about Mellon Park and the Walled Gardens.

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 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.

15. Mt. Washington

An iconic location to see a gorgeous view of the city from the overlooks! There are a few platforms to see the views, here is the Grandview Overlook.

16. Allegheny Commons Park | North

Google Maps
Located next to the National Aviary, you’ll find this beautiful park where you can find Lake Elizabeth with a bridge as well as blossoming trees in the Spring! Perfect for a photo session!

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 Shore

Google Maps
Please call ahead to make reservations for a photo session, there is a photographer’s session fee. Here’s one blog post and another. Parking can be a little difficult but just drive around Randyland and the Mexican War Streets until you find a spot on the street.

18. The Pittsburgh Zoo | Highland Park

Google Maps
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

Google Maps
This park has a large fountain with maintained flower gardens in the summer and early fall as well as a stone arch bridge with a path under it.

20. Aspinwall Riverfront Park

Google Maps
This 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.

21. Riverview Park | North Side

Google Maps
This is a large park with a winding road throughout. Here is a Mother and daughter session I photographed there.

23. Hartwood Acres Mansion | North

Google Maps

This is a hot spot for photographers but for a good reason, the mansion is beautiful and there is a beautiful fenced-in flower garden next to it. Take caution as it will have lots of photo sessions going on most weekends. You are also not permitted around the mansion if there is a wedding or event taking place. You may want to call ahead to make sure.

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 and a recent session in the flower garden next to the mansion!

There is another section of Hartwood Acres Park called the 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!

23. Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve | North

Google Maps
I love shooting here! There is this wood 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 | Wexford

Google Maps
This 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.

(Please note, you are not supposed to shoot in/around the Latodami Nature Center. they are known to ask people to leave)

25. Falls Run Park | Glenshaw

Google Maps
This 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.

26. O’Hara Township Community Park | Fox Chapel

Google Maps
This park has a pond, playground and a creek. Here is a fun family session from there.

27. Washington’s Landing / Herr’s Island

Google Maps

There is a lot to explore in this area! 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 a set of stone steps that are great for photos.

At the other end of the island, you may want to drive over and park in this parking lot. From there, you cross the street and 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

Google Maps

29. Boyce Mayview Park |South Hills

Google Maps
Head over to the nature area for photos. In addition to natural elements like fields and trees, there is a wooden educational building to make for more backdrop ideas. In the summer you will find a field with tall grasses and some wildflowers!

And in the fall there’s gorgeous yellow goldenrod!

Here is a summer family session and a maternity/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 wood bridge near the pond and gazebo. Here is a session by the gazebo and pond.

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

Google Maps
This cute little park is just past Sewickley by the Giant Eagle. It has a bridge, trees, a creek and a bench or two. Parking is limited so you may want to park at Giant Eagle. Check out this blog post from a family session there.

32. Fern Hollow Nature Park | Sewickley

Google Maps
This beautiful park has tall grasses with mowed paths, goldenrod, trees with gorgeous fall foliage, fields, all the things a photographer could want. Check out this session from there, and this family session. Please be courteous if there is an event taking place.

33. Sewickley

Downtown Sewickley is a cute little town that could be perfect for a photo session! In addition to Fen Hollow Nature Center (listed above), be sure to check out the Mary Roberts Rinehart Nature Park!

34. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden | North Fayette

Google Maps
This 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

Google Maps
This 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. 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

Google Maps
This little community park has a nice pond, tall trees and a path around the pond and into the park.

37. Robin Hill Park – Coraopolis

Google Maps
This 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.

38. Monroeville Park (West)

Google Maps
This 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

Google Maps
This park is large with a lot of wooded areas, pavilions and playgrounds. You can also check out the nearby Angora Gardens.

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 11 of the best locations for a photo session in Beaver County.

Washington County

–Peters Lake Park | Canonsburg
Google Maps
Large lake with trails into the woods and a boat dock.

-Mingo Creek Park
Google Maps to the Covered Bridge
This large park has two iconic covered bridges and a shallow creek and wooded areas throughout the park. A hotspot for photo sessions. Please note cell service can be spotty in this park.

Westmoreland County

-Townsend Park | Murrysville
Google Maps
This small park has some trees, a gazebo and a pond.
Check out this fall foliage session!

-BY Park | Trafford
Google Maps
This small park has woods and a pond with a willow tree.

Butler County

-Succop Nature Park | Butler
Google Maps
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
Google Maps
This park has a few small areas that are good for photos, including this spot by a historic cabin.

-Moraine State Park
Google Maps for parking by the North Shore beach area where there is also a nice tall grassy hill for sunset photos. This is a large park with wooded areas and a large lake. You can also find boat docks by the beach and marina areas.

-McConnells Mill
This park is known for the red covered Harris bridge, old mill, and the Slippery Rock Creek and large rock features. Please take caution by 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.

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.

I hope that my fellow Pittsburgh photographers found this list of locations for photo sessions in the greater Pittsburgh area helpful and useful!

Here are some other blog posts that you might find helpful!

Let’s connect on Instagram!

~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 ten 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!