10 Best Locations for Family Pictures in Cincinnati, OH

January 23, 2020

Trying to find the best photo shoot location for your family photos?

You've come to the right place! 

As a professional photographer, there are many things that I look for when recommending the best locations for your photo session. Not only do you want a pretty background behind your family, but also the most ideal light so that you look your best in your photos! 

Here are my recommendations for the top 10 best family photo session locations in Cincinnati, OH.

These are locations that I have photographed at numerous times. I know them well. That means, you will have an easy and stress-free photo session and beautiful portraits you will cherish forever!

1. French Park

French Park is my absolute top favorite location for a family photo session in Cincinnati, OH. This suburban park offers many options for backgrounds. From the historic, red-brick French House to the wide open field of wildflowers to the evergreen pine trees, you will fall in love with your family portraits. 

2. Pioneer Park

Pioneer Park is a close second favorite of mine. This quaint park packs a punch with a variety of natural backgrounds, like the creek, the pond, the wide open field, the tall wispy grasses, and the path through the woods. A favorite client location for Spring and Fall photos.

3. Glenwood Gardens

There is something about Glenwood Gardens that is unique. The entrance to the park is covered in lush, green ivy that is so pretty for Spring and Summer photos. The overlook over the meadow is also pretty year round, especially when the Fall colors start to pop through. The stone gazebo and lots of natural stone elements are also really pretty in the background. 

4. Ault Park

Ault Park is a favorite park of just about every photographer and client. The big staircase that leads to the Pavilion with beautiful columns. The exquisite gardens with trees, flowers, and bushes are so pretty in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. You cannot go wrong with Ault Park.

5. Devou Park

I began photographing a lot more at Devou Park in 2019 because I had a lot of clients from Northern Kentucky and Florence, KY. I fell in love with this park. Drees Pavilion provides a wide range of backgrounds, from the ivy green covered staircase to the overlook of the downtown Cincinnati skyline, to the gazebo, you can get a wide variety of backgrounds during a family photo session.

6. Smale Park

When a client asks for something a little different than a park family photo session, but still outdoors, you recommend a photo session in downtown Cincinnati. Smale Park and the Cincinnati Riverfront offer both a park feel with the trees and the flowers and a more urban family photo session with the Roebling bridge in the background. 

7. Sharon Woods

Sharon Woods is a park that is usually recommended in the Fall time. This lush forest sings with beautiful Fall colors, which is why it is so popular for Fall family photo sessions. From wide open meadows to creeks and stone bridges, there are many options at Sharon Woods.

8. Mt. Airy Arboretum

Mt. Airy Arboretum is packed with so many different areas within a short walk. From flowers bushes and trees, to Spring time blooming azaleas and lilacs, to forest lined paths, this park will not disappoint.    

9. Your Home

I have done countless photo sessions in the comfort and the familiarity of my clients' homes. There is nothing more unique than taking your family portraits at your own home. Whether inside your home sitting on the couch or the bed or outside in the back yard, my years of experience will select the best locations on your property for photos you will treasure forever.

10. My Studio

Last, but not least, my studio is always available for a private photo session. While I try to photograph outdoors as much as possible, the studio is a great climate controlled option for the hot summer months and the cold winter months.