Katie V: Moraine State Park Senior Photos

Meet Katie!

She's a senior at Eden Christian Academy who is graduating in the Spring of 2024! She loves art, fashion, music, and nature, and hopes to possibly study fashion post high school.

Katie chose Moraine State Park for her session, which is GORGEOUS in the fall... it's one of my favorite spots to take photos in the fall! And Katie came prepared with three beautiful fall inspired outfits, all of which complimented the backdrops we used perfectly!

Congratulations on your senior year, Katie!

5 Location Ideas in Butler County, Pennsylvania for Senior Photos

If you’re looking for photo location ideas within the Butler County area for senior pictures, you’ve come to the right place! You don’t have to drive far to find beautiful backdrops for your senior photos, whether you go to Seneca Valley High School, Mars High School, Portersville Christian Academy or Butler Area High School!

Below, you’ll find five of my favorite Buttler County photo spots. This post is specifically geared towards senior photos, so I’ll be sharing some of my favorite photos I’ve taken at each location, as well as any other pertinent information!

If you have any questions about any of these locations, feel free to reach out to me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com. And if you are in need of some senior photos at any one of these locations, I would love to work with you! I am a local resident of Butler County and know all of these locations so well!

1. MORAINE STATE PARK SENIOR PHOTOS

A beautiful, nature-centric location in Butler County for senior portraits is Moraine State Park! Moraine features a large lake, docks, forest, trails, fields, and even small beaches, all of which make for a scenic location for senior pictures.

Moraine State Park looks beautiful at all times of year, but especially so in the fall when all of the leaves are changing! This park is open to the public and doesn’t require any reservation to take photos there.

If you are interested in seeing more photos from Moraine State Park, check out the full photo sessions below!

Oliva’s Fall Moraine State Park Senior Photos

Collin’s Early Fall Moraine State Park Senior Photos

Rachel’s Early Fall Moraine State Park Senior Photos

2. SUCCOP NATURE PARK SENIOR PHOTOS

Succop Nature Park is situated right near the Butler Airport, and has lots of variety in terms of background for photos! There is a historic building with white brick and black and red accents on the property, as well as a small old greenhouse and newly updated white and red barn. There are brick accents, as well as a willow tree and pond!

Succop Nature Park is open to the public and doesn’t require reservations to take photos there. However, they do host weddings and events on their property, so if you hope to take photos there on a weekend, you might want to call the park office to see if there are any events planned. They will ask you to leave if they see you on the property!

If you are interested in seeing more photos from succop nature park, check out the full photo sessions below!

Sarah’s Summer Succop Nature Park Senior Photos

Alex’s Spring Succop Nature Park Senior Photos

Sophie’s Summer Succop Nature Park Senior Photos

3. HISTORIC HARMONY SENIOR PHOTOS

This location is a long time favorite of mine for senior photos in Butler County! It’s a great location for Seneca Valley seniors, since it’s located very close to the high school.

Historic Harmony is a small German town established in the 1800’s that has been updated with brightly colored walls and the most adorable shops and restaurants (if you have a chance to visit, my favorite spots are Wunderbar and Two Fraus Bakery!). There are an UNLIMITED number of locations for photos here! Buildings, fences, bridges, nature, a barn, a field - you name it, it’s probably here!

The one caveat with Historic Harmony is that you have to know where you are allowed to shoot, and where you are not allowed to shoot. Many of the buildings are owned privately and don’t take kindly to people shooting on their property, so it’s best to check with them beforehand if you have specific spots in mind that you want to use. You can also contact the Harmony Museum, who owns some of the buildings in town (including the barn) to retrieve a day pass photo permit (currently priced at $20 per shoot/day as of January 2022). This is a fee I take care of for my clients who want to shoot there because I love the location so much!

If you are interested in seeing more photos from HISTORIC HARMONY, check out the full photo sessions below!

Sydney’s Fall Historic Harmony Senior Photos

Rachel’s Summer Historic Harmony Senior Photos

Bryce’s Winter Historic Harmony Senior Photos

4. ZELIENOPLE SENIOR PHOTOS

A favorite location for getting an urban vibe without having to go into Pittsburgh! Zelienople is a small town located in Butler County that has exploded within the last couple of years! It’s just north of Cranberry Township and has LOTS of variety to offer for photo locations.

In addition to senior photos below, I’ve also included some maternity photos I’ve shot here so you’re able to see added location variety! Zelienople is situated right next to Historic Harmony (from above). You could easily use both locations in one senior photo session!

If you are interested in seeing more photos from zelienople, check out the full photo sessions below!

Daniel’s Later Winter Zelienople Senior Photos

5. ADAMS TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY PARK SENIOR PHOTOS

Located in Mars, Adams Township Park has a small variety of locations for senior portraits! It’s a great location for Mars High School seniors, as it’s only a few minute drive from the high school.

If you are interested in seeing more photos from adams township community park, check out the full photo sessions below!

Trent’s Summer Adams Township Community Park Senior Photos

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What's More Important Than Choosing the Right College

I had a plan for my life, and photography and working for myself wasn't a part of it for a LONG time. When I graduated high school, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I wanted to go to school for graphic design and web design. I had this grand plan that I had made for myself: I'd graduate, get a job at a magazine or marketing agency and work in the corporate world. Nothing sounded better to me - getting to use my degree and my chosen career path to help businesses build better ways of connecting with their target customer?! Totally right up my alley!

Right after I started college, I began photographing people - portraits, weddings, families - and fell in love. I found myself answering business emails during class, editing during lectures, and putting literally ALL of my free time into hustling hard towards something I wasn't even going to college for.

By the time I graduated college, my business had gone from a side hobby to an (almost) full-time time commitment that was bringing in a decent chunk of change. Even after I graduated college, I still couldn't believe people were actually paying me to take their photo. It felt too surreal to actually get paid to do something I loved so much! But to be honest - I had never thought that photography was something I could actually do full time. I kind of thought that photography would remain a side hobby, or a way to make a little extra money alongside my "career" as a graphic & web designer. But goodness... was I wrong!!

After graduating college, I landed a part time job as a graphic, web, & digital designer for a small start up company right outside of Pittsburgh. Why part time, you might be wondering? Because I was literally putting SO many hours into my business that, at this point, it was basically like having a full time job. In some ways, I felt caught between two passions. On one hand, I LOVED graphic and web design. I had fallen in love with it during my college years and could fully see myself working as a graphic artist. But on the other hand - I loved photography so stinking much, and I finally recognized that this business had grown to a place where it could potentially turn into a way to support my husband and I.

I worked at the start up company for almost two years before I realized that there was no way in heck I could manage both anymore. I was working SO MANY hours every single week with barely any time for friends, family, or even my husband. Sad to move on, but excited to see what photography could turn into, I put in my two weeks at the agency and started making the transition to working for myself full time. And you know what's amazing? That's not something that I would've ever been able to do in my own strength, and it wasn't even something I had envisioned for myself. God's hand was all over those decisions, leading and guiding every single step of the way. And if I hadn't been following his leading, I probably would've missed out on all of the gifts and benefits that have come with working for myself. Sure, like anything, being self employed has its challenges, but when God is at the forefront driving the ship, I am free to live in the knowledge and peace that it's HIM who is leading me every step of the way.

“Your career might change, but a kind, generous, loving heart will stick with you wherever you go”

So now, to the high school senior, trying to decide what to do: make the best choice you can when you're trying to figure out what to do with your life. Be responsible. Find where your passion intersects with where you can make money, and go there. But know that that decision can change - anything can change! I thought I had a good plan, but God had a better one, and I'm sure He will keep leading me in different directions that I never ever could have planned for myself.

As a friend once said, "choosing which college you'll attend is not the most important decision you'll ever make in your life." And, really, you know what's way MORE important? Choosing to love people. Being kind. Serving others. Making the conscious decision to do THOSE things every single day are some of the MOST important decisions you will ever make. Your career might change, but a kind, generous, loving heart will stick with you wherever you go. People matter so much more than work. They matter more than any career or job you might pursue. And as you start pursuing those things - remember to make time for people.

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!