Our clients often ask us to recommend an indoor, or outdoor location for their engagement session, or wedding day portrait session. Here we’ve put together a list of locations we’ve photographed at and recommend.
Outdoor locations in North East Ohio:
Wade Oval Park located at 11150 East Blvd, by the Art Museum is one of the most popular locations for a very good reason. There are great views of the Art Museum, beautifully manicured gardens with tall willow trees and lots of architectural features. The fountain is a popular location for weddings and engagement sessions. No permit needed.
Peter B Lewis Building by Frank Gehry is located at 11119 Bellflower Rd., close to the Cleveland Art Museum and is fairly popular for both wedding and engagement sessions, especially among Case Western Reserve Alumni. No permit needed.
Historic Little Italy is a few minutes away from Case Western Reserve Campus and a great location for a quick stop. It can get very busy here on the weekends with lots of passersby. No permit needed.
Cultural Gardens are a collection of public gardens located in Rockefeller Park along Martin Luther King Drive. In total there are 31 distinct gardens here with the most popular being Italian Staircase & Gardens, Greek Gardens, and Hungarian Gardens. Very beautiful oasis near downtown Cleveland and especially gorgeous in the fall. There are lots of variety of trees here, so the color change is spectacular with some architectural features. No permit needed to take photos. However, if you are panning your wedding ceremony here please go to http://www.clevelandculturalgardens.org/contact-us/ , to inquire and request a permit.
Cleveland Botanical Gardens located at 11030 East Blvd., near the Cleveland Art Museum makes a beautiful backdrop for wedding and engagement photos. However, hey are very strict about timing here and it can get kind of crowed on the weekends. Go to policies and guidelines for more info: http://www.cbgarden.org/userfiles/files/Wedding%20Photography%20Pricing%20Information.pdf .
East 4th Street is a car traffic free street in downtown Cleveland. It is the ultimate urban entertainment and dining destination. Very popular for wedding and engagement sessions. Great both during the day and evenings! No permit needed.
Public Square located in downtown Cleveland. It’s a newly renovated public area with great views of Tower City. Can get very crowded here on the weekends.
Progressive Field is located at the corner of Ontario and East 9th Street. Popular location for engagement and wedding sessions if you are a baseball fan. Photos can be taken here by the Bob Feller’s statue at Gate C, or on Plaza at Gate A between Quicken Loans Arena and Progressive Field. Special permission required to take photos inside the stadium. Please call 216.420.4200 a month in advance to make sure no event is schedule for the same date.
Urban decay locations: Abandoned Westinghouse Factory located at corner of Cedar & Ashland, Abandoned Warner Swasey Complex at the corner of E 55th and Carnegie, Jackknife bridge by Shooters on The Water restaurant, East & West bank of the Flats and Graffiti Wall near Columbus Rd & Carter Rd are all great locations if you are looking for urban decay type backdrops.
Cleveland Skyline locations: Heritage park located at 2018 Center street, Scranton Flats park at 1851 Scranton road and Voinovich Park mentioned later.
Ohio City is a great location for engagement and wedding photos. If you a looking for that urban look, West 25th street has a lot to offer. The West Side Market is here and many breweries. If you buy drinks for the wedding party that can make for some pretty cool photos. Keep in mind it can get very crowded on the weekends.
Tremont neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s one of the oldest parts of Cleveland and it has a few pretty parks like Lincoln Park and Tremont Park, great for photos.
Cleveland Metroparks located at 4101 Fulton Parkway is a great place for engagement session or wedding day portraits. Permit required. Contact the Visitor Center at 216.351.6300
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo located at 3900 Wildlife Way. Make sure to contact Group Sales Department at 216.661.6500, ext. 3389, to schedule wedding portrait session here. Keep in mind the Zoo can get very crowded on the weekends and some animals aren’t always awake. There is no time limit to take photos here.
Voinovich Park/North Coast harbor- Port Authority is located behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Great Lakes Science Center. This is a great location to photograph engagement sessions any day of the year and wedding portrait sessions in spring and fall seasons. Summer time sessions are a little tricky here if it’s a bright sunny day. There is no shade to be found here, so if you are planning to come to this location I would recommend a quick stop on the way to another photographic location.
Edgewater Park is a lakefront park and seasonal beach, located on Cleveland Memorial Shoreway. This beautiful park has lots to offer, with lots of open space, tall trees, big clean beach and scenic views of downtown Cleveland. The sunsets can be stunning here! Great location for engagement sessions and wedding portrait sessions. No permit needed.
Lakewood Park is a beautiful 31-acre lakefront park located at 14532 Lake Ave. Very scenic location with another great spot with the view of downtown Cleveland. However, this location can get very crowded on holiday weekends. No permit needed.
Rocky River Park is yet another scenic lakefront spot with a small beach and a peer. Located at 20250 Beach Cliff Blvd. This is a great location for engagement and wedding portrait sessions. No permit needed.
Huntington Beach Park located in Bay Village offers stunning view of Lake Erie and is a great location for engagement and wedding portrait sessions. However, it can get very crowed here in the summer. Expect to get sand in your shoes:) No permit needed.
Rocky River Reservation is a large woodland park located at 24000 Valley Parkway in North Olmsted. This location is great for natural wildlife scenery with lots of spots for photos. We recommend that you take drive through this park and find your preferred location that you would like to visit on your wedding day, or engagement session. Fall colors are stunning here.
Schoepfle Garden located at 11106 Market Street in Birmingham. This is a truly unique park in the Lorain County Metro Parks system with lots to explore. 70 acres of botanical gardens and natural woodland bordered on one side by the Vermilion River. This is a amazing location for both engagement and wedding photos.
Coe Lake is a nice park located in downtown Berea. Very pretty views of the lake and beautiful fall colors. No permit needed to take photos here. If you are looking for an outdoor ceremony location, the Pergola is available for rent here.
Olmsted Falls Park/David Fortier River Park is located at 24900 Water St in Olmsted Falls. This is a very popular wedding and engagement session location, especially in the fall. This park has both natural and architectural features: covered bridge, stone bridge, waterfalls, wooded trails. No permit needed here.
Grand Pacific Junction/Historic Shopping District is located at 8082 Columbia Rd in Olmsted Falls. This location features beautiful century old shops and an old train engine and caboose. This is a great stop for a few quick photos. However is you are planning your wedding ceremony or reception and like this location, please, see more info: Wedding Gardens – http://www.grandpacificweddinggardens.com/index.html and Grand Pacific Wedding Chapel – http://www.grandpacificweddingchapel.com/
Mapleside Farms is located at 294 Pearl Rd. in Brunswick. This is a beautiful apple orchard with stunning views of the valley. To take photos here you must contact in advance, or if you like this location for your ceremony and/or your reception, see more info here: http://mapleside.com/weddings-events/book-an-event/
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is 51.48 square mile large United States National Park that preserves and reclaims the rural landscape along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron. There are lots of scenic spots within the park like downtown Peninsula, Brecksville Station, Everett Covered bridge, Brandywine Falls, Indigo Lake, Szalay’s farm & market, The Ledges and Kendall Lake. This park is a great location for photography sessions all year round with fall season being one of the most popular. Permit is required to take photos here. Please, contact Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association. If you are looking to get married at this scenic location or have your reception, there are a few barn wedding locations: The Conrad Botzum Farmstead located at 3486 Riverview Rd. in Akron, 330.867.6681 and Happy Days Lodge at 500 W. Streetsboro st in Peninsula, 330.657.2909
Great Falls of Tinkers Creek located at Willis street in Bedford. It’s another beautiful park with great views. Awesome location for engagement sessions.
Hale Farm and Village is located at 2686 Oak Hill Road in Bath is a historic property of the Western Reserve Historical Society dating back 200 years. Reservations needed to take photos here.
Hinckley Reservation is located in Hinckley Township in Medina County, the reservation is dominated by the 90-acre Hinckley Lake. There are many locations within the park, so we recommend that you check it out before your session.
Nature Center and Shaker Lakes Park located at 2600 S. Park Blvd. in Shaker Hts. The Nature Center has indoor and outdoor facilities open to the public and available for rentals. Beautiful destination for engagement and wedding sessions.
Holden Arboretum located at 9500 Sperry Road in Kirtland is one of the largest botanical gardens in the United States, with more than 3,600 acres, including 600 acres devoted to collections and gardens. This botanical garden is a great location to visit for your wedding or engagement photos. Reservations are required here in advance. Wedding ceremonies are also allowed here.
North Chagrin Reservation located in Mayfield Village, Willoughby Hills and Gates Mills, the reservation includes a nature center, trails and picnic area. An interesting feature of the reservation is Squire’s Castle. Build at the turn of the century by F.B. Squire, it was to serve as the gatehouse to his country estate, but plans for the remainder of the estate never materialized. Now this location is a popular spot for engagement and wedding sessions.
The Chagrin Falls Triangle Park is located at Main Street in downtown Chagrin Falls. This is a beautiful Historic District with lots of shops. The chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop is very popular for photos as well as the falls area and park across the street.
Patterson Fruit Farm is located at 11414 Caves Road in Chesterland. This is a beautiful place to visit for photos. Particularly in the spring time, when the trees are in full bloom. Contact them at 440.729.1963 with any questions or to book your wedding, or event.
Mentor Marsh Nature Center is located at 5185 Corduroy Rd in Mentor. This is the largest marsh preserve in Ohio. The area privies habitat for a diversity of wildlife species. Great park for engagement sessions. Reservations are required to take photos here.
Mentor Headland State Park is located at 9601 Headlands Rd. It’s the longest natural beach in Ohio. Beautiful for engagement sessions.
Wiegand’s Lake Park is located at OH-87 in Novelty. Gorgeous natural location for ceremonies and reception.
Punderson State Park located at 11755 Kinsman Rd. in Newbury. Another beautiful state park with a cozy English Tudor manor to take photos or have your ceremony/reception. To plan your wedding here contact Punderson Manor Lodge and Conference Center.
Cuyahoga Falls is a city in Summit County and it has a great downtown. Beautiful and very versatile for engagement and wedding photos with both natural and urban features.
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is a notable country estate, with beautifully manicured, themed gardens. Located at 714 N Portage path in Akron. This is a great location for outdoor engagement and wedding photos. Call 330. 315.3210 for more info, or visit Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens website to inquire about pricing and to make your reservation, to take photos here.
Gervasi Vineyard located in Canton is a great location for your engagement or wedding photos. If you would like to take photos here, or are planning a wedding, contact Gervasi Vineyard for help at sales@gervasivineyard.com
McKinley Memorial Park located at 800 McKinley Monument Dr NW in Canton. If your wedding is in Canton and you are looking to take photos near by, this is a great park to come to. This park stretches a few miles along West Branch Nimishillen Creek with lots of spots for photos. Canton Garden Center is one of them.
Mill Creek MetroParks located at 1001 Canfield Rd. This park is a gem of Youngstown. One of the most popular locations within the park is Lanterman’s Mill and covered bridge next to it. Lot’s of possibilities here for beautiful backdrops. No reservations needed.
Fellows Riverside Gardens is a free public garden located at the northern end of Mill Creek Park. The address is 123 McKinley Ave. in Youngstown. This garden is a great destination for all seasons. Beautiful location for photos.
Indoor locations in North East Ohio:
The Old Arcade is located at 401 Euclid Ave. It’s one of Cleveland’s iconic landmarks, a large-scale indoor shopping mall with beautiful architectural features. This location is great for engagement sessions and wedding photos. You can also plan your wedding ceremony and reception here. Visit The Arcade Cleveland | Historic Shopping Center in Cleveland, Ohio (theclevelandarcade.com) for more info.
The Old Courthouse is located at 1 W Lakeside Ave. It’s available for Saturday rental for weddings or just to take photos. For more information call 216.443.7095 or 216.315.4110 also email weddings@cuyahogacounty.us
Cleveland Public Library-Main Branch is located at 325 Superior Ave. NE. The Main Library consists of two buildings. The older wing is constructed in the classical Renaissance design and is great for photos, especially if the weather doesn’t cooperate. Individuals and groups are welcome to take photographs in and around the library free of charge as long as there is no disruption of the regular use of the library. [A donation is requested.] Contact Outreach & Programming Services office at 216.623.2921 to reserve your date, or use their online form: http://cpl.org/thelibrary/aboutthelibrary/usingthelibrary/taking-photos-at-the-library
Playhouse Square Foundation located at 1501 Euclid Ave. The beautifully restored and elegant Allen, State and Palace theaters lend the perfect backdrop for wedding photos. Reservations are required here. Visit the Playhouse Square website for more information Playhouse Square
Greater Cleveland Aquarium located at 2000 Sycamore Street. Reservations required, call 216.862.8803 or visit their website at http://greaterclevelandaquarium.com/facility-rental/wedding-photos
The Cleveland Art Museum located at 11150 East Boulevard. Wedding parties looking to take quick snapshots are permitted in the Ames Family Atrium only. Free of charge. No flash, tri-pods, monopods, selfie-sticks, or additional lighting is permitted. Groups must not obstruct visitor traffic. If you have any additional questions or would like to book the atrium for a wedding reception, please contact The Cleveland Museum of Art at 216.707.2141
Park Lane Villa is located at 10510 Park Lane in Cleveland. The Ballroom at Park Lane offers an elegant backdrop with it’s ornamental stone, marble floors, spiral staircases and soaring columns. If you would like to use this space for photos or to plan your wedding contact them at 216.438.2926 or email at info@TheBallromAtParkLane.com .
Brooker Insurance Agency is located at 10749 Pearl Rd. in Strongsville. This locations offers a winding staircase, fountain, fireplace and a deck. If the weather doesn’t cooperate this would be a possible location for indoor photos if you are having your wedding in the area and don’t have the time to travel downtown Cleveland. Reservations and singed contract are required. To make your reservations, contact Brooker Insurance Agency at 440.238.5454.
The Crawford Auto and Aviation Museum/ Western Reserve Historical Society is located at 10825 East Blvd., in Cleveland. The Hanna Courtyard Garden is a beautiful backdrop for wedding ceremony or wedding session photos. For reservations call 216.721.5722
The Tudor Arms Hotel is located at 10660 Carnegie Ave, in Cleveland. The East Side hotel is set in a historic 12 story Gothic Revival Building near the University Circle. To plan your wedding here or just to rent the space for photos contact Double Tree by Hilton at 216.455.1260.
Hower House located at 60 Fir Hill in Akron. This unique 1871 Victorian masterpiece is the perfect setting for weddings, receptions or just to take photos. For reservation information call Hower House at 330.972.6909.
Franklin Park Civic Center/The Tudor House is located at 655 Latham Lane in New Franklin. It’s a beautiful 20 room brick and stucco mansion and a distinctive example of the Tudor Revival style of architecture. It is popular for weddings. Go to http://www.newfranklin.org/index.php/rental-information for rental information and to make reservations, or call 330.644.1728.
The O’Neil House Bed and Breakfast is located at 1290 W. Exchange Street in Akron. It’s a 19-room Tudor mansion, open year-round and popular for small weddings/events. To inquire about pricing and/or make reservations call 330.867.2650
Massillon Woman’s Club located at 210 Fourth Street NE in Massillon. Go to: http://massillonwomansclub.weebly.com/rental-information.html for rental information.
The Civic Theater is located at 175 S. Main Street in Akron. For rental information contact Howard Parr at 330.535.3179, or email: hparr@akroncivic.com