Your photos are a reflection of you and your family. From the outfits you wear to the location you choose, each decision is made with care to portray what’s most important to you and your family. One of the most common questions I’m asked while planning sessions is “What are the best places in Pittsburgh for family photos?”, and it makes perfect sense. We want to find the absolute best spot to highlight your family and tell your story. We’re lucky because Pittsburgh is a beautiful city that offers a variety of scenery and all four seasons. The landscape and locations change seasonally, offering a vast range of looks year round.
I’ve worked with hundreds of families over the years and so today, I’m sharing my 10 favorite Pittsburgh family photo locations. Choosing your photo session location is about more than just picking a spot. Consider your family’s interests and what you love to do. I also recommend thinking about where you want to display the final images in your home. Look at the colors there and allow that to help inform your decision. You can read more about how we choose the perfect location HERE.
Here are my favorite 10 Best Family Photo Locations in Pittsburgh:
1. Mellon Park
I love Mellon Park because it’s one of the most versatile locations in Pittsburgh. Mellon Park is a charming little garden with iron gates, stone walls, and a gorgeous green lawn. It provides a lot of variety with just a bit of walking – and that’s always a good thing for family photos! Golden hour is especially gorgeous in this space and continues to offering stunning views year round.
2. Hartwood Acres Mansion | Hampton
If you love the historic architecture in Pittsburgh, Hartwood Acres Mansion is for you! With a stone mansion and classic grounds, this space looks beautiful year round. It offers gorgeous architecture, cobblestone walkways, plenty of greenery and so much variety making it a perfect spot for family photos. As a bonus: the gardens at the mansion are popular from May to October, as everything brightens and is in bloom.
3. Fern Hollow Nature Center | Sewickley, PA
For families that adore spending time outdoors, I always recommend Fern Hollow Nature Center in Sewickley. With open fields, trees, and grassy trails, it’s a beautiful spot to capture sunsets and active families. I love it all times of the year, but especially during the summer!
4. Washington’s Landing
Located in Pittsburgh’s Troy Hill neighborhood, Washington’s Landing provides a unique view of the city! Along the riverfront, Washington’s Landing has a beautiful curved stone staircase and walls that make a beautiful backdrop. Washington’s Landing is especially gorgeous in the fall!
5. Roberto Clemente Bridge + North Shore
If you and your family want to embrace your Pittsburgh with your photos and want beautiful views of the city, consider Pittsburgh’s North Shore. The North Shore includes a beautiful view of downtown Pittsburgh in the backdrop while surrounded by the iconic Pittsburgh bridges. The Roberto Clemente bridge is an especially popular spot for photos of all kinds.
6. Phipps Conservatory in Schenley Park | Oakland
Phipps Conservatory in Schenley Park is a beautiful option in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood. The lawns are beautiful and offer a stunning variety of locations for gorgeous family photos. With a mix of historic architecture and a well manicured lawn and garden, this works well to bring together scenery and style. The gorgeous glass conservatory building is the perfect backdrop for many iconic photos at this location.
7. Allegheny Commons Park | North Side
If your family wants a beautiful park setting not far from the city, consider Allegheny Commons Park. Located in the North side, the park is a great place for a variety of images. Just minutes from the city, you can enjoy the beauty of a tranquil lake, curved bridges, and some gorgeous greenery while including a few peeks of the city off in the distance. It’s a perfect combination for your final gallery!
8. Simmons Farm | McMurray, PA
Simmons Farm is absolutely beautiful – and if you LOVE flowers, then this is the option for you! From mid-summer to the fall, their wildflower fields are in full bloom and are seriously stunning. If you can keep your little ones up until the sun sets, a golden hour family session offers a priceless view you can’t get anywhere else in Pittsburgh.
9. In-Studio at East End Loft | Point Breeze
Located in the Point Breeze North neighborhood of Pittsburgh, just minutes from Shadyside, the new East End Loft studio is a perfect option for escaping the weather and focusing on your family in the comfort of a studio. The beautiful new space features variety with white wainscoting walls, a black shiplap wall and large industrial windows.
10. In-Home | Pittsburgh, PA
The last location I love in Pittsburgh is actually in your own home! There’s something incredibly sentimental and meaningful about capturing your family in the very space that you love and your babies are growing up. While these are most common for newborn sessions, I’m all about photographing any family that wants a lifestyle session in their own home. These sessions are usually relaxed for everyone involved!
Ready to schedule your family portraits? Let’s chat! I love working with my families to plan the perfect portraits to tell their story. We’ll work together to create images that you’ll treasure for years to come. I applaud your effort to find someone that will serve your family well and encourage you to invest the time in finding someone you can work with year after year. I hope that these location ideas have you excited about your next family portrait session!
Always Grateful,
Danielle Blewitt
Looking to make the most of your photography session? Visit these other helpful links:
Love Your Family Photo Session with These Simple Tips
Choosing the Perfect Outfits for Family Photos
How to Choose the Perfect Family Photographer
The Secret to Beautiful Lifestyle Family Photos
Life moves too fast. Although we can’t slow it down, we can record the moments that fill our hearts and tell our story through photos and films. I am a Pittsburgh family photographer and film maker that helps families record their stories and pause some of life’s greatest moments.
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