Outdoor Location Ideas
Choosing a location for your session is one of the first (and fun!) steps in the photography process. A beautiful backdrop and lovely light not only creates timeless, luminous images, but makes picture-taking a calming and refreshing experience; everyone delights in spending time with loved ones out in the fresh air and encountering the area’s finest parks, gardens and cityscapes. The following list will help give you some ideas for your preferred location/scenery in the Greater Cincinnati area:
AULT PARK (Cincinnati): Gardens, paths/walkways, tree groves, lush greenery in spring/summer, fall foliage in autumn
www.aultparkac.org
EDEN PARK (Cincinnati): Small pond, bridge, stone steps, flowering spring trees; Next to Krohn Conservatory is a lovely grove with walkways, lush trees; across from Krohn Conservatory there are steps that lead up to a hilltop park, it is very pretty especially at golden hour…the sun sparkles through the trees as it sets
www.cincinnatiparks.com/central/eden-park/
WASHINGTON PARK (Cincinnati): Large green space, cityscape, historic and picturesque Cincinnati Music Hall, large building mural
www.washingtonpark.org
SPRING GROVE CEMETERY (Cincinnati): Historic (150+ years old), over 700-acre cemetery full of beautiful trees/groves, ponds, gothic architecture and especially lovely in spring/fall
www.springgrove.org
LAKE ISABELLA (Loveland): Quiet wooded park situated on local lake, pretty in summer and fall, nice play area and green space
www.greatparks.org/parks/lake-isabella
NISBET PARK (Loveland): Lovely park snuggled in between the sparkling Little Miami river and gorgeous Little Miami bike trail, and the cute and quaint downtown Loveland, especially pretty when full of fall color; nice area along river bank for pictures as well
www.lovelandoh.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Nisbet-Park-Amphitheater-2
BIG TREE PLANTATION (Morrow): Refreshing backdrop of greens/ rows of Christmas trees and expansive winter skies; a bon-fire, hot cocoa, gift shop, and vintage holiday music floating over the air… an ultimate holiday tradition and beautiful fall/wintry scene *November-December, simple setting for a standard session and if you want a more detailed documentary-style session, see details for Memory Keeper sessions Note: $30 additional fee to shoot here per plantation policy; client to pay this fee)
www.bigtreeplantation.com
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LEBANON (Lebanon): Beautiful old brick buildings, small shops and city streets, decorative doors, old-fashioned ice cream parlor, coffee shop and pretty twinkling white lights near Christmas-time (nice place to visit if you wanted to hang around post-session)
www.mainstreetlebanon.org
HARMON PARK (Lebanon): Quiet community park with green space and wooded areas, pretty in summer and fall and within close proximity to historic downtown
www.lebanonoh.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Harmon-Park-5
CINCINNATI NATURE CENTER (Rowe Woods in Milford & Long Branch Farm in Goshen): award-winning trails, in two locations, wind through the region’s natural habitats of Eastern deciduous forest, fields, streams and ponds. Rowe Woods, located in Milford, Ohio, spans more than 1,000 acres (including 65 acres of old growth forest) and offers 16 miles of hiking trails. Long Branch Farm & Trails, located in Goshen, Ohio, contains nearly 800 acres of forest and farmland with four miles of hiking trails accessible to members only. ” – CNC website NOTE: Be my guest! Depending on number of individuals in your session, entry cost will be little to none, as I currently have a membership that includes a certain number of guest passes!
SHARON WOODS (Sharonville): “a mixture of forests and fields with towering oak, hickory and beech trees and an 11-acre lake” (per Metro Parks website) This location is absolutely lovely in the fall, and there is a rustic/wood bridge along a trail over the river on a trail through the woods (Gorge Trail)
www.greatparks.org/parks/sharon-woods
GEORGE ROGERS CLARK PARK (Covington, KY) A charming park alongside the Ohio River (Riverside Drive area) and snuggled in between beautiful old homes in a historic neighborhood; think old iron gates, brick, cobblestone, lovely aged trees and pretty architecture
www.covingtonky.gov/visitors/parks/george-rogers-clark-park
ARLINGTON MEMORIAL GARDENS (Mount Healthy) Quiet, large old trees, pond, small bridge, pretty in summer/fall
www.amgardens.org
GLENWOOD GARDENS (Glendale/Cincinnati): “Beautifully landscaped with paved and nature trails, formal gardens, prairies, forests and wetlands, Glenwood Gardens is a great escape from the daily grind.” (www.greatparks.org)
www.greatparks.org/parks/glenwood-gardens
WINTON WOODS (Springfield Twp): 2,555-acre park with over 2 miles of walking trails, a lake/harbor, expansive fields and forests, another lovely fall destination
www.greatparks.org/winton-woods
STROUP-COOK LOG CABIN (Goshen): Situated next to Goshen High School, an old log cabin, barns, field and woods maintained by the Goshen Twp Historical Society. A quiet country setting full of character! Trails are also on the property.
RENTSCHLER FOREST (Hamilton) This park has over 400 acres that include acres of woodland, hiking paths, and about a half-mile frontage along the Great Miami River. This is a gorgeous outdoor location, and has several entrances/areas to meet at.
www.yourmetroparks.net/parks/rentschler-forest-metropark
JOHN T. NIEMAN NURSERY (Hamilton/Ross): Another beautiful Christmas tree farm in the quiet country, “after picking out the perfect tree, come into the Christmas Barn to get warm next to our wood burning stove and enjoy a complimentary cup of hot chocolate and a cookie.” (per website) *November-December, simple setting for a standard session and if you want a more detailed documentary-style session, see details for Memory Keeper sessions
www.johnniemannursery.com
JOYCE PARK (Hamilton) 313 acres of fields, woods, and a bike path (Great Miami Recreation Trail). Quiet location, large park.
www.hamiltonparks.net/joyce-park
HERITAGE PARK (Colerain Twp)” Heritage Park is flat, has one mile of river frontage, and is home to an abundance of wildlife species.” (Colerain Twp) Nice wooded and open areas, riverfront and fall colors!
CHRISHOLM HISTORIC FARMSTEAD (Trenton) “Chrisholm MetroPark is nestled along the north shore of the Great Miami Riverway in Madison Township. The 135-acre park celebrates elements of the county’s agricultural heritage, as well as, the natural areas along the river that facilitate healthy habitats for wildlife.” (Butler County Metroparks) Nice barn!
PLEASE NOTE: Some locations require permits/passes/parking for visits, please be aware of this ahead of time and have payment ready at entry; clients are responsible for their visit fees, photographer will cover photographer’s entry fees. This list is just the beginning of many, many lovely locations sprinkled throughout Great Cincinnati…I am always open to new suggestions, and even a shoot in your home/backyard! 🙂
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