Pittsburgh Senior Photographer: Senior Photo Highlights 2021

I love taking the time to round up some of my favorite photos from a year of shooting - it’s easy to forget how many incredible seniors I had the privilege of photographing after such a long stretch! But in today’s blog post, that’s exactly what I want to do - remember, reminisce, and refocus towards a whole new year of seniors in 2022!

This year, I photographed more seniors than I ever have in the previous 9 years I’ve been in business. Which I am so incredibly thankful for - considering the fact that senior photos are one of my favorite types of sessions to photograph! Also, though I will continue to photograph weddings, I do hope to transition to filling more of my schedule with senior portraits within the next few years. So getting to photograph more seniors was so exciting!

I photographed my seniors in many different locations, including Historic Harmony, McConnell’s Mill, Hartwood Acres Mansion (which was sadly closed for the majority of 2021!), Zelienople (my home town!), Moraine State Park, the Strip District, Oakland, Mellon Park, Succop Nature Park, Camp Kon-O-Kwee, North Park, the North Shore, and even on someone’s own property. There are so many fantastic options for senior photos in and around Pittsburgh!

One of my surprising favorite locations of this year was the Strip District. Shooting in the city can pose some unique challenges (limited parking, extra traffic, lots of walking, random people on the street who want to chat!), but I have truly loved getting to know the Strip District area better from a photo-perspective, and love how many unique (and colorful!) backgrounds there are within a relatively short walking distance!

More than any specific location, my favorite part (by far) of photographing seniors is getting to know them during their session, and helping them feel comfortable in front of my camera. Every senior brings something unique and different to their shoot, and it’s fun to be able to encourage them in such a pivotal time in their lives!

To all of the seniors who gave me the honor of taking their senior portraits this year - THANK YOU. Truly, I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to be a part of such a sweet season of your life!

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If you are a Class of 2022 senior who has yet to schedule their photos, or a Class of 2023 senior who is looking to have their photos taken, feel free to reach out via the contact tab above, or directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com. I’d be more than happy to give you some additional information!

Gregory B: North Side Senior Photos

Oh Pittsburgh, with its ever changing forecast and unpredictability.

I had the pleasure of taking Greg's senior photos around the North Side & North Shore a few weeks ago, and while it unexpectedly rained for the majority of his session, we were still able to get some great shots to celebrate his senior year!

It's been such an honor to work with this great family throughout the years (Grant and George) - I had the pleasure of photographing Greg's two brothers before him! It's hard to believe that he is the last of the siblings!

Congratulations on your senior year, Greg!

Sophie W: Strip District & North Shore Senior Photos

We braved all of the elements last night during Sophie's session, but neither wind nor rain could keep us from taking her photos!

We started out in the Strip District with some colorful steps and grungy walls, then to the top of a parking garage with the prettiest city view, then headed over to the North Shore... and when the clouds finally parted there, we were greeted with a rainbow! A precious reminder of God's promise to the world - and a reminder to me that God is in control of the weather and all elements... and all of our days!

Sophie is a North Catholic senior who hopes to study business & marketing post-high school! She loves Mexican food and played softball for many, many years!

Congrats on your senior year, Sophie!

Cameron F: North Allegheny Senior Photos

Cameron is a North Allegheny football player who I photographed over on the North Shore in front of Heinz Stadium for his senior photos a few weeks ago!

In true Pittsburgh fashion, the forecast took a turn for the not-so-great as we were driving on our way to the session. We decided to go for it anyways! It drizzled for about 50% of the time session, but we were still able to make some great images to celebrate his senior year!

Congratulations on your senior year, Cameron! ☺️

Meg E: Mellon Park & North Shore Senior Photos

Oh what a beautiful evening we had for Meg’s senior photos! Meg is a sci-fi-80’s-lover who loves wearing black clothing! (Same! 🙌). She’s an ex-cheerleader who loves musical theatre, and is truly one of a kind, and beautiful inside & out!

Meg opted for two great locations for her senior photos - Mellon Park, and the North Shore bridges! Side note: did you know that you can add additional coverage onto any session booked with JHP by half hour increments? If you’re interested in using two locations that are too far to cover in the typical 90 minute time frame, this is a great option! And this is exactly what we did for Meg’s photos. Which I am SO glad we did - we were really able to get the best of both worlds with some nature/historic architectural focused scenery, then with the classic downtown Pittsburgh scenery!

Congratulations on your senior year, Meg! You are going to do great things!

Quentin H: North Shore Senior Photos

The day of Quentin’s senior session was one of the first sunny days we had had in a WHILE here in Pittsburgh, which made it the perfect day for his session!

I had the pleasure of photographing Quentin’s sister, Morgan (click here to see her photos!) in November of 2017, and let me tell you - that was a cold session! Temperatures dipped into the single digits (if I remember correctly!) and the only warm location at Hartwood Acres was the restroom! So… we ended up doing a few portraits in there against a white wall, just to give Morgan a break from the cold! Thankfully, Quentin’s session was just a bit warmer 😉 Sunny with a high of 75 isn’t too bad!

Quentin is going to be a senior at North Allegheny this fall! He wore his baseball jersey for the first part of the session, and the surrounding area of PNC park was the perfect location! Paired with a Pirates hat, glove, and baseball, we were able to tie in the sport he’s played since he was four. Congratulations on making it to your senior year, Quentin! You are going to do great things!

Bryce M: North Shore Senior Photos

Unlike last year’s incredibly rainy Pittsburgh spring, this year we have had some amazing weather in April! 🎉 Cue the angels!!! And the day of Bryce’s senior session, the weather was perfect. Sun shining, birds chirping, not too hot, not too cold. You can’t ask for much more here in the ‘burgh!

I’ve known Bryce’s family for a few years now (they are awesome!), but hadn’t had the opportunity to meet Bryce until our session - he was so much fun to work with! Bryce is graduating this spring, and is planning on going to the same college both of his parents went to to study accounting. Thank God for the accountants of the world - I don’t think I could ever do what they do, and am so thankful there are so many people that are that passionate about numbers!!

Bryce also brought his dog, Gracie, along, who makes an appearance for a couple of shots! Congratulations on your senior year, Bryce!

Pittsburgh Area Location Ideas for Senior Guys

When it comes to guy senior portraits, where is the best place to start looking for a location? Today I'm sharing 6 of my favorite Pittsburgh based locations for guy senior portraits, what I love about each, and sample galleries from each location! Without further ado, here are my top 6:

1. Hartwood Acres Mansion

Why: Hartwood Acres Mansion has TONS of locations within a very short walking distance. The mansion itself has endless possibilities for photo opps, and is surrounded by forest, making it a great spot to get the best of both worlds!

Best Time of Year: One of my favorite parts about shooting at Hartwood is that it looks good almost all year round! In the summer, you will get the benefit of the natural greenery surrounding the mansion, but when shooting in the wintertime only in front of the mansion, you can barely notice what time of year it is!

Sample Sessions from Hartwood:

• Jack H (Summer)

• Jacob C (Summer)

2. Historic Harmony

Why: I have a love for Historic Harmony because of its diversity - it has a HUGE variety of historic buildings with bright colored brick, doors, and windows, and even has a coffee shop (Wunderbar) right in town! There are also some options for more natural scenery that can easily be mixed in!

Best Time of Year: Historic Harmony is beautiful all year round! Of course, for more greenery, it’s best to schedule during the spring, summer, and fall months. It has a nearby field that is great year ‘round, too!

Sample Sessions from Historic Harmony:

• Ty T. (Fall)

• Sam M. (Summer)

3. The North Shore

Why: The North Shore is always a great spot for guy senior portraits! Within just a few blocks of PNC Park, the North Shore is chalked full of different types of architecture and textured backgrounds. Typically, for guy senior portraits, I like to recommend a mix of architecture and nature - architecture symbolizes strength and stability, which are the perfect qualities to showcase during senior portraits.

Best Time of Year: I love this location because it looks good year round! While in the spring, summer, and fall months I like to find little nooks and crannies of the North Shore with some greenery to incorporate, the North Shore looks just as great during the winter - because architecture looks good year round!

Sample Sessions from the North Shore:

• Quentin H (Summer)

4. McConnell’s Mill

Why: The more I shoot at McConnell’s Mill, the more I love it! There are so many different elements to work with – some within walking distance, and some within a short driving distance. In the central part of McConnell’s, there is the wood mill, river, waterfalls, rocks, and roads. Within a short driving distance, there is a field and “Cleland Rock,” which has become a personal favorite of mine for it’s West Virginia-like views!

Best Time of Year: I’ve taken photos at McConnell’s during every season and can honestly say that I love photographing clients there year ‘round! However, I do find it to be especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves are changing.

Sample Sessions from McConnell's Mill:

• Ryan W (Summer)

• Mason H (Early Winter)

5. Moraine State Park

Why: You guessed it – there’s a great amount of variety at Moraine, especially if you are looking for more “natural” elements in your photos! At the South Shore boat launch, there are docks, fields, bridges, and forest within a very short walking distance.

Best Time of Year: Moraine is beautiful in the spring summer, and fall months (but fall is my favorite time!)

Sample Sessions from Moraine State Park:

• Clay T. (Early Fall)

• Aurelie G. (Spring)

• Sarah F. (Fall)

6. The Strip District

Why: The Strip District has TONS of unique urban elements. It would have to be my top pick if you love urban style, mixed with Pittsburgh, mixed with lots of variety!

Best Time of Year: It looks great year round, even in the wintertime!

Sample Sessions from the Strip District:

• Rylan (Summer) *Note: the locations in the first photos with spray painted walls have been demolished. Sadly!