Locations & Information for Pictures in Pittsburgh
Hi! Pittsburgh is seriously the BEST city for pictures because we have so much history, variety, and beauty! Below will be different locations to look at, but first lets talk about some pointers to make the session go as well as possible :)
Outfits: Depending on your package we will do 1 or 2 outfits. I recommend to be yourself and dress as you like, and most couples end up going with something a little more "dressed up". If we do two outfits, both can be dressed up or one could be more dressed up and traditional and the other could be something fun or more casual. For changing, we normally do it halfway through the session and will either look for a nearby bar or restaurant and some couples even change in the car (I also have a new little tent as well).
Time of day: We normally try to shoot either 1.5 hours before sunset or 1.5 hours after sunrise for the softer light, but other times of the day work out great as well. If shooting for sunset or sunrise, if the sun sets at 7:30 PM, we will normally meet and start shooting around 6 PM. For sunrise sessions, we will start at sunrise and shoot for 1:30 hours.
Duration of Shoot: We try to keep the shoots to 1-2 hours. Its more up to you as the couple and how long you want to shoot and what locations you would like.
Props: Props are totally fine, just let me know if you want to bring anything and we'll make sure to incorporate it. Just a sidenote, we will do some walking so if we have props we will normally do it at the start when we are still near the cars so we can stow them back away when done. Some props are things like signs with wedding date, a bottle of champagne, picnic basket and snacks, ect.
Pets: Pets are more than welcome and an awesome addition. With pets we always recommend to have someone else come to the start of the session that can then either watch your pet or take them back home after we do a few pictures in the beginning with them. Just note that including pets does cut into time as it takes a little longer to get shots so just let me know if you want to include them and I'll factor that into planning.
Purses, bags, waterbottles, ect: As we like to capture lots of candids and movement in our photos, its better to not have bags and other stuff at the shoot that you would not want in every photo. As we walk to locations we will normally still be shooting and it can slow down the shoot and cut into time if we always have to look for safe places to hide purses or bags while we shoot. I can normally hold keys, some makeup, cell phones, ect in my bag or pockets.
Locations: Normally couples will choose one of the locations below. If you want to do two locations, we can do that as well but will need to be a little quicker and factor in travel time. And regarding locations not listed, we can do those as well, just let me know where you would like to shoot and we can make it happen! Other places we often go to are Moraine State Park, McConnells Mills, and Ohio Pyle. Below will be some of the best Wedding and Engagement Locations in Pittsburgh!
North Shore
The Rotunda at The Pennsylvanian/Pittsburgh Union Station
Note: There is a $150 shooting permit fee required for this location
1100 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Point State Park and The Point
Meeting Place: In front of The Wyndham Grand Hotel (600 Commonwealth Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15222)
Southside Works & Hot Metal Bridge
Meeting Place: In front of the Hofbrauhaus (2705 S Water St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203)
CMU Columns
Mellon Institute (CMU Columns): 4400 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Cathedral of Learning
Cathedral of Learning Meeting Place: University of Pittsburgh Sign on the corner of Fifth Avenue & South Bellefield Avenue (4398 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213)
Phipps Conservatory
Panther Hollow Overpass
Meeting Place: In front of the Schenley Park Visitors Center (101 Panther Hollow Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15213)
The Strip District Terminal
Meeting Place: 17th Street Passage Way - Red, Purple, & Pink Colorful Stairs (1698 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA)
33rd Street Bridge
Meeting Place: 3301 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Frick Park
Meeting Place: Frick Park Parking Lot, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
The National Aviary/Lake Elizabeth
Meeting Place: In front of The National Aviary (700 Arch St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212)
Mt. Washington
Meeting Place: Grandview Overlook across from St. Mary of the Mount (403 Grandview Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15211)
Downtown Pittsburgh & Mellon Square
Meeting Place: Entrance of Mellon Square (Closest to Oliver Street) Across from The Omni William Penn Hotel (530 William Penn Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15219)
Convention Center & City Side River Walk
Meeting Place: Entrance to the walkway under the David L. Lawrence Convention Center (1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222)
Mellon Park
Meeting Place: Parking Lot on the Corner of Shady Ave & Mellon Park Rd (1047 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232)
Hartwood Acres Mansion
200 Hartwood Acres, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Washington’s Landing Marina
Parking Locations:
Three Rivers Trail Parking - 1395 River Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15212
Washington Landing Tennis Court Parking: 200 Waterfront Dr, Pittsburgh PA 15222
(continue to the end of Waterfront Drive and park closest to the tennis courts)
West End Overlook
West End Overlook Park Meeting Place: Parking Lot (599 Fairview Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15220)
Grandview Park/Overlook - Mt. Washington
Meeting Place: Grandview Park Sign (499 Bailey Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15211)
Station Square & Duquesne Incline
Station Square Meeting Place: Fountain at Bessemer Court (230 W Station Square Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15219)
Duquesne Incline Meeting Place: Bottom of the Red Stairs leading up to the Incline (1197 W Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219)
Carnegie Mellon University
Meeting Place: Walking to the Sky Sculpture (4910 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213)
Parking Garage Nearby: East Campus Garage (5040 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213)
Duquesne University
Meeting Place: Duquesne Union (1243-1219, Locust St, Pittsburgh, PA 15282)
Parking Garage: Forbes Garage (1180 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219) Take elevator up to walkway (The Union is the opposite direction of The Power Center)
Walnut Street/Shadyside
Any Questions?
Send us a message below and we'll get back to you within 24 hours :)