Are you looking for a “photo spot in Pittsburgh” for your engagement or wedding? This list isn’t all encompassing, but here’s a few ideas I love and put together for clients recently! I’ll give you a few pros/cons/tips for each location as well!

Today I am going to focus on Oakland and East areas of the city! Some of these can be done together in an hour as a little walkable route, while some need their own hour (like the museum)!

1. CMU Columns – Everyone knows this, a classic/staple for 30 years! The official name is “Mellon Institute.” And you know it’s a covered location – so in the rain, we might have to wait for a spot. The lighting is usually always good, it’s a bit protected from the wind, and across from Heinz Chapel and St. Paul’s – so easy-peasy. You can often get a parking spot right in front on the Fifth Ave side!

2. The “Old PAA” – It used to be a venue called Pittsburgh Athletic Association and is now home to part of the Oaklander Hotel!

3. Frick Fine Arts and Mary Schenley Fountain – For me, the light has to be just right here – it’s a bit more challenging mid-day. There’s also a very “Italian” looking courtyard inside, but we need to arrange permission to go inside ahead of time. There’s also a library inside as well that you need permission for! “Love Lock Bridge” is between Phipps and the Frick Fine Arts Building on the Pitt campus.

4. Cathedral of Learning – I prefer to just work with the outside of the building unless it’s very rainy, cold, or you have a close connection to Pitt – only because it is very dark inside and shadowy with canned lights and also – people are studying in there and I try not to be disruptive. The outside has a ton to offer and we can make the inside work if you want it badly enough!

5. The Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History – Right now, museum sessions are very popular. In the spring of 2026, I know the Carnegie is doing the Carnegie International, so there will be a motorcycle and a few other changes to the Hall of Architecture and Hall of Sculpture. The museum gets a LOT of photo requests and permissions are often changing – at the very least, we will all need to by admission and this is one location where you really need to dress to the nines for the best session results (think a gown, hair and makeup done). The museum hours are also more limited and it’s best to go on a weekday in the AM or afternoon! Of course, if this is your venue for your wedding, then we have a lot more freedom and time for creativity!




6. Carnegie Mellon University – Inside the Fine Arts building and several other places on the grounds – there are a lot of photo opportunities. Again, we will need to get permission and be respectful and flexibility is needed – best for weekday sessions.

7. Phipps and Schenley Park Visitors’ Center -Phipps is definitely a great spot for the winter engagement sessions. It DOES get crowded. We will need to get permission and buy tickets and keep it moving. Additionally, in the summer, it is HOT inside there – it’s not necessarily a place I recommend for summer portraits unless you have a connection to it. If you want to insure privacy, you can rent a private room there – but then you are limited to that room. We can also work outside Phipps for free – sometimes the outdoor garden is open to the public. Phipps also has more “business” hours so that may not align with golden hour. I also would not recommend Phipps during the winter holiday light shows due to crowds. Right outside Phipps is Schenley Park Visitors’ Center with a cobblestone road. “Love Lock Bridge” is between Phipps and the Frick Fine Arts Building on the Pitt campus.

8. Mellon Park Walled Garden in Shadyside –

Is this THE most popular place within city limits to take photos? Maybe! Do I still love it? YES. This is in Shadyside off of Shady Avenue – not the side with the tennis court bubbles near the playground, but this is the grounds of an old mansion, behind the old Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. It’s free – we DO have to check for events going on. There is good parking in a lot off of Shady Avenue (don’t park on the Beechwood side or you’ll have to walk up a pretty steep hill). And don’t get me started about the history of the mansion, I can go on and on – but the Mellons had a wedding reception for their daughter Sarah here in 1927 in a pavilion built on the grounds, so newlyweds have been celebrating here for 100 years and I love that.

9. Frick Art and Historical Center – Clayton – Point Breeze – So this little gem is 3 minutes from my studio (which is also an option!) Currently, there is no charge for the grounds, but as of 2026, we DO need to register and get wristbands to tour the grounds and they’re not pet-friendly, but Frick Park (Dallas Street/Homewood Cemetery Gatehouse entrance) is right across the street and we can work with pets there! There’s also a greenhouse on the grounds that’s like a little “mini-Phipps” if you like that look! Closing times vary, so we will need to plan golden hour sessions accordingly!

You’ll notice what’s not on the list here and it’s not because I don’t love them – but every once in awhile, I get asked about taking photos at or inside St. Paul’s and Heinz Chapel – my answer is absolutely if you’re having your wedding there! We can also respectfully use the areas outside of them when weddings and events are not taking place – so on a random weeknight, if you want to grab a photo by the Heinz Chapel fountain, YES! But on a Saturday in wedding season, it’s a no-go. So if you’re thinking about photos at these iconic places but not having your ceremony there, let’s plan for the engagement session!I hope this list of best photo locations in Oakland and the East of Pittsburgh helps you! Many more little guides to come on the rest of the city!