Why Choose an Outdoor Senior Portrait Location in Pittsburgh?
As the end of high school approaches, seniors are faced with a difficult decision: where do I get my senior portraits taken? While Pittsburgh offers some stunning architecture and man-made backdrops to capture senior photography against, it’s also filled to the brim with natural, outdoor portrait opportunities. As someone who has never owned a studio, I have always been partial to capturing seniors in these outdoor locations, surrounded by gorgeous landscapes. It’s the perfect session for the outdoorsy senior, or someone who just appreciates beautiful, natural scenery for their senior portraits.
As a senior photographer who specializes in photographing seniors in spectacular natural locations, I love that Pittsburgh has so much to offer. From state and local parks to hidden gems, I’ve rounded up some of the best outdoor senior portrait locations near Pittsburgh PA, and I want to share them with you!
Some of my favorite spots for outdoor senior pictures
1. McConnell’s Mill State Park: My Favorite Senior Portrait Location Near Pittsburgh
If I could pick only one location to photograph my senior sessions, this would be it. I have captured countless sessions at McConnell’s Mill State Park, and even though it is about an hour’s drive from the city, I think it is more than worth it. A session here usually starts up by the playground, where there is plenty of opportunity to take pictures on park benches, swings, and in the fields surrounding it.
From there, we’ll walk down the path that leads to the mill, capturing portraits among the towering rock formations. As we approach the Mill, we’ll take portraits by the waterfall and covered bridge. Around sunset (my favorite time of day to shoot!) the sun just barely crests the trees, making for gorgeous lighting.
This location bonus points in the fall, with its many trees surrounding seniors in beautiful red and yellow foliage. A short drive up the road takes you to Cleland Rock, an exceptional scenic overlook where I personally proposed to my fiancée. If that isn’t evidence enough of how gorgeous it can be, I’m not sure what is! Without a doubt, it’s one of the best outdoor senior portrait locations near Pittsburgh, PA.
- What my seniors love: The towering rock formations, the covered bridge, and the spectacular fall foliage
- What to keep in mind: To capture everything I described, this session can take a while. Depending on the time of year, we can discuss the best order and timing to ensure gorgeous lighting in every location! It’s also a good idea to bring a second pair of shoes to this location, especially if you plan on wearing heels or boots.
Check out more info on this park!
2. Moraine State Park
Another park worth traveling to, Moraine State Park is another senior portrait location near Pittsburgh with unparalleled beauty. Sitting on over sixteen thousand acres of natural forest, this state park also features the massive Lake Arthur which serves as a beautiful backdrop for sunset portraits. We’ll take a walk along one of the countless trails that pass throughout the park, which serve as an idyllic backdrop. This is another location that is gorgeous in fall, but the lake itself and surrounding trees make it a perfect spot for year-round senior portraits in the snow and summer too. This makes it my pick for the best outdoor senior portrait location near Pittsburgh in the winter.
- What my seniors love: the lake, and the sunset portraits we can capture next to it
- What to keep in mind: It’s a great idea to bring an extra pair of shoes to this location, especially if you plan on wearing heels or light colors. The fall rain can make the ground a little soft!
Check out more info on this park!
3. Frick Park
Frick Park is the perfect location for seniors who can’t decide between an industrial feel or pure nature. Nested on over six hundred acres in Pittsburgh’s East End, this park features numerous trails with footbridges and large, open fields. For the senior looking for more of a gated garden look, Frick Park also contains beautiful stone archways and footpaths. There are also iron gates and towering pillars to take portraits nearby. This is my top pick for seniors who want an enchanting outdoor location, but who aren’t too keen on getting their shoes dirty. As the largest historic park in Pittsburgh, there is so much to offer in a small walk from one archway to the next.
- What my seniors love: It’s the perfect blend of open fields and stone architecture, and it isn’t a far drive for most Pittsburgh residents
- What to keep in mind: I like to get to this location a little earlier than my typical hour before sunset, just because there is so much to see
4. Hartwood Acres Park
This is one of the most recognizable portrait locations in Pittsburgh. Hartwood Acres Park is probably best known for the towering Hartwood Acres Mansion; a Tudor mansion dating back to 1929. I have captured countless engagement sessions at this location, but seniors love it too. Its 16th-century architecture and surrounding greenery make it the perfect senior portrait location for seniors who want the right blend of English industrial and serene nature. We’ll take a walk through the expansive gardens and the wooded trails that surround the mansion. Then, we’ll spend some time in the stone archways by old-fashioned glass panes. Seniors love the twisting trees and stone pathways that lead up to the mansion, which make for some incredible environmental portraits.
- What my seniors love: The blend of stone architecture and the mansion (of course!)
- What to keep in mind: Because this is also a wedding venue, Hartwood Acres has limited availability on weekends. I’ll take care of calling ahead on your chosen day to make sure everything runs smoothly!
5. I.S. and Gertrude Sahli Nature Park
Keep this one a secret! This little gem of a park is one of my favorite intimate locations for senior photography and engagement sessions alike. There’s a moss-covered lake, a flower garden, and a red garden house to sit in the sunshine by. We’ll take pictures on the wooden bridge, in front of the moss-covered lake, and under the towering pine trees. Depending on the time of year, seniors enjoy wildflowers, ferns, and grassy fields. This is also one of my go-to spots for seniors who want spring flowers, in their portraits.
- What my seniors love: the unique, quaint, and serene portraits taken here, as well as the spring flowers and mossy lake
- What to keep in mind: This may be a drive for some of my Pittsburgh seniors, and if you’re looking for more variety, McConnell’s Mill might be a better investment in driving time. However, this is a fantastic location to get a ton of variety in a short walk!
Why I Love Outdoor Senior Portrait Locations in Pittsburgh
In all, the surrounding Pittsburgh area has some of the most incredible outdoor senior portrait locations of any city. These locations have a little something for every senior. Outdoor senior portraits have a beautiful, naturalistic quality about them that other locations just can’t match. Capturing seniors is my personal specialty, and I look forward to sharing it with you! Schedule a session and get your senior photos captured in the best outdoor senior portrait locations near Pittsburgh today!
Let’s have a conversation about senior portrait photography! View my work: https://Michaelfrickephotography.com
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