Pittsburgh Photography Locations

September 25, 2013 11:24 AM

My wife started her own photography business about a half-hour east of Pittsburgh; so far the jobs she's had have all been located east of Pittsburgh, and usually even further east than we live. She has been approached by a friend-of-a-friend to do outdoor family portraits and is looking for a location sort of in the middle for both parties. We are located in the Monroeville area, and the client is in the South Hills/Beechview area. The client is looking for a location that won't be super crowded (thus, comfortable enough to be photographed at), has a lake or pond, and hopefully without anything unsightly in the background/on the horizon. Any suggestions? (Bonus: If there is anything unique about the location - ie: an interesting bridge or unique architecture, has a great location for sunset, has some sort of overlook, etc.)
posted by GuppieXX to Science & Nature (5 answers total)

Schenley Park is beautiful.

Another option would be the Frick House in Point Breeze.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 11:31 AM on September 25, 2013

I was just in Pittsburgh this past weekend on vacation. How about that large park near The National Aviary? You've got ponds, green spaces, skyline views, trees, and if the timing is right, trains.
posted by COD at 11:38 AM on September 25, 2013

Panther Hollow Lake in Schenley Park is nice, especially in the fall. The main vista faces west, so lights up at sunset. Or there are a number of smaller stone bridges scattered throughout, plus one that has a small seasonal waterfall behind it (slightly off the trail, so you'd want to be cautious). Both locations are a short walk but do involve a few flights of steps, okay for kids but not so much for anyone with mobility issues.
Grandview Park up on Mt Washington has the nice city backdrop without being as crowded as the Grandview Ave overlooks, of course, but otherwise not very exciting.
posted by notquitemaryann at 12:07 PM on September 25, 2013

I was thinking Schenley or Frick as well, with the added bonus that they are both near 376. Both have unique and interesting characteristics.

See also: Highland Park.

Unlikely that the client has a macabre streak, but the Allegheny Cemetery has a nice pond.
posted by amicamentis at 1:25 PM on September 25, 2013 [1 favorite]

There's an observation platform high up in Beechwood Nature Preserve. It overlooks forest, not water, but that will soon make a colorful backdrop.
posted by IAmBroom at 3:02 PM on September 25, 2013