Location Guide for St. Louis Photoshoots
I’ve created a collective guide of St. Louis locations for photography sessions. This guide is intended to help you choose a location that fits your vision for your photoshoot and for you to get an idea of what my past clients have done in these locations or similar. I have organized the locations into categories based on general locations that people typically ask me about: Urban/industrial, Nature, Simple, Colorful. Have a location in mind that you don’t see here? Leave a comment at the bottom of the post or shoot me an email and I will be sure to add it to the list!
Downtown Rooftops
If you’re wanting a more urban/city feel in your photographs, downtown rooftops are always a classic. There are tons of rooftop parking garages to choose from and I keep a list of them that I provide. There are options with the Arch in the background if you want to identify that you’re in St. Louis, or you can go with something with more of a general city feeling. The great thing about these rooftops are the nearly 360 views to change things up!
Grand Center & Midtown
If you’re still wanting city views with a bit more character or are wanting to capture the arts scene, Grand Center and Midtown have a variety of options. There are tons of performance venues, art museums, and beautiful architecture to serve as backdrop for your portraits, along with city views too.
More photos coming soon of simpler backgrounds in this area!
Kiener Plaza
Kiener Plaza right in the heart of downtown St. Louis is another versatile place to have your portrait session. You can even start at this location and shoot at a second location at one of the above spots for additional options. Facing east, you can capture a great view of the Arch behind the courthouse or face west and have endless options of a mixture of metallic-toned and historical brick buildings in the background of your shots.
Arch Grounds
There are lots of options with this location. If you’re wanting a more simple background, utilizing the sky and the metallic texture of the arch itself is the way to go. We can also use the steps leading to the river, the bridge with the city skyline in the background, the full Arch in the background, and the more historical architecture of the landing near the Eads Bridge and waterfront.
Contemporary Art Museum
Located in Grand Center, the surrounding areas of CAM is minimal and provides lovely lines to capture. The atmosphere here is more neutral colors, so you can choose to either go with a similar color palette or contrast by wearing bright colors. More on outfit ideas here though.
The Art Museum
What I love about the St. Louis Art Museum is not just the fact that it’s one of many free museums in the city, but the exterior provides gorgeous tones and textures to the backdrops of photos. Use the front steps of the museum, the side walls for deeper/darker tones, the beautiful windows of the special exhibit building, or utilize Art Hill and the Grand Basin.
The Muny
The Muny is a popular spot for photography sessions, so it is key to snag this location at more unpopular times and seasons. If you choose this location, we will keep in mind the season (summertime is when Muny shows are in full swing), time of day, and whether it’s a weekday or weekend. Lots of photographers use this spot and you can find a lot of engagement and wedding photos to be happening here. This spot serves gorgeous symmetry and architecture to highlight your portraits and add interesting elements to the background of your shots.
The Jewel Box
Another Forest Park favorite is the Jewel Box. The structure of the building itself provides beautiful framing for portraits. Depending on the time of year, whether we’re in a pandemic, or if there are weddings planned, you can also capture photos inside the Jewel Box for a more conservatory-like feel. If interested, I can find whether or not we are able to capture photos inside for your session.
Art Hill & Grand Basin in Forest Park
Mentioned above, Art Hill and the Grand Basin area really are just so versatile and require no driving to get such variety in your photos! The Art Museum, the St. Louis/King Louis statue, Art Hill, and Grand Basin are all right there and provide so many options for your photo needs. Picnic on the hill, frolic by the fountain, feel regal in front of the art museum, the options are endless!
Central West End
Capture the feel of city-living in St. Louis by exploring the heart of the CWE. Cool architecture and a mixture of old and new buildings, and the light at golden hour is *chef’s kiss*! Book a longer session and we can include a part of Forest Park, which is right down the road.
Lafayette Square
This charming, historical south city neighborhood provides all sorts of cute spots for a portrait session. The Lafayette Square Park has tons of paths, trees (especially gorgeous in the fall), and flowers to utilize in photos. Walk around the Square for the iconic Painted Ladies houses that this area is known for.
Tower Grove Park
Tower Grove Park is a popular St. Louis location for photography sessions. There’s a variety of spots within this large park including the pond area, the Piper Palm house, bridges, pavilions, or simply the beautiful tall trees.
Tower Grove Park is one of many beautiful parks in and around St. Louis. Ask me about other park options, as there are tons of parks, each with its own character and charm, and different with every season!
If you’re up for a bit of a drive…
Klondike Park
Who knew there was white sand in Missouri?! This park is perfect for those wanting photos that don’t feel like you’re in Missouri. Bluffs, white sand, water, and gorgeous scenery. Located in Augusta.
Lost Hill Lake
Want a cute camping feel for your photos? Lost Hill Lake is where you need to go! They have glamping (glamorous camping) sites that are simply the cutest, a lake that you can swim in/paddle board/kayak, and more, and a vast variety of cool spots for photos. Hike up to ‘Thinking Rock’ for a beautiful view! Located in St. Clair.
Hawn State Park
Near St. Genevieve, Hawn State Park has beautiful limestone boulders, tall trees, and some waterfalls! Depending on how far you’re willing to hike, you can get a wide variety of locations that don’t feel like you’re in the midwest. Make a day of it and bring a picnic, your hiking boots, or stop into St. Gen for a meal and some antique shopping.
Not interested in an on-location session?
Studio Sessions
If you aren’t sure about a location or would like to book a session without worrying about the elements of an outdoor shoot, I also offer studio sessions!
Capture the environment of your favorite studio (hello branding session for fitness professionals and dance, yoga, pilates instructors!) or book a rental in any ‘ole studio and I’ll bring the backdrop and lighting equipment for a clean and minimal look.
Pictured above: book a studio rental at COCA for this clean, natural studio space. (Don’t worry, I include booking services with my sessions so you don’t have to worry about that part!)
Pictured above: various solid colored backdrops if you prefer a solid, clean backdrop!
Other Great Locations Around St. Louis
The locations above are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the spectacular locations St. Louis has to offer! Expect updates with this coming Spring 2021 season with new locations, photos, and ideas for your photography session.
Other location ideas:
Downtown Clayton: more city/urban feel, simpler backgrounds of walls and buildings
Missouri Botanical Gardens: nature, flowers, green, along with various types of architecture (does have admission fee)
The Mural Mile: downtown wall of murals for colorful background
Creve Coeur Lake: best time is sunrise for a calming and simple location (be aware, CC Lake is typically pretty crowded)
Laumeier Sculpture Park: has a lot of simpler sculptures that provide a great background for photos (along with many types of sculptures, structures, and nature too!)
Faust Park in Chesterfield: nature, trees, flowers, along with greenhouse structures and big, solid-colored wall
Still need help deciding?
I offer personalized location scouting with each of my sessions. I go to any locations that I think fit your vision (after filling out a location questionnaire to see your needs and ideas) and will send you ideas or more specific or ‘off the beaten path’ spots!