10 Locations Ideas for Winter Engagement Photo Sessions
(UPDATED 2/2/25) The Midwest can be a finicky beastie when it comes to finding locations mid-winter in Cleveland. Here is a list of ideas and pictures of locations in the Cleveland area.
- ALL THE MURALS!
The Tribute to Prince Mural by Glen Infante is right around the corner from Hingetown and on the edge of Ohio City. Located at the corner of Washington and W 25th Street. 🍩
read more about the artist: https://clevelandmagazine.com/in-the-cle/the-read/articles/glen-infante-loves-the-hype
2...EDGEWATER BEACH
The beach in the Winter just hits different. The clouds and lake waves can provide drama along with windy conditions that provide a movie scene style backdrop. Edgewater also has a beach house and seasonal grasses that create interest all year long. Plus it is just down the street from Gordon Square.
3...OUR STUDIO AT AURA
Natural light for days, dressing room, hair and makeup room and lounge areas along with 15,000+ square feet of customizable space. Multiple backdrop walls and feels.
4...LOCAL BREWERY OR COFFFE SHOP
The top level at Saucy Brew Works has all kinds of private alcoves. Plus the beer is a nice pre-session lubricant that generally helps with the demands for kissing, holding hands, cuddling, and smiling we hurl at you during a session. :) Most local places are more than happy to let you snap some photos. Just ask ahead and TAG their local business. We have had clients score a free dinner that way!
5...CLEVELAND SIGN
There are a lot of them.
6...STREET ALLEY
The session happened in a well lit alley way behind Playhouse Square. I spent the half hour just instructing the couple to do completely goofy things and the pictures are still some of my favorites.
8...CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
The hiking trail around the Kendall Ledges is a great place for winter snaps. While the colors can be pretty overwhelmingly green most months of the year crating a greenish cast to skin tones, during the winter the tree canopy above is empty providing more light in the cavern type areas. The mosses and rusts also pop from the wetter conditions.
8...TYLER BARN
After a fresh snow this barn in the Rocky River section of the Metroparks is stunning. It is a popular spot for fall family sessions.
Secret: It houses lawnmowers and other boring maintenance equipment.
9...CLEVELAND CULTURAL GARDENS
Located along MLK Blvd. this row of gardens has tons of cool architecture and evergreens in most of the gardens. Our favorite is always the stretch from the Italian Cultural Garden down to the Hungarian Garden. It is a great alternative to the Cleveland Museum of Art down the road that can be quite crowded.
10...PLAYHOUSE SQUARE The Cleveland Public Library
We had special permission to shoot the above session at Playhouse Square but if that is out of your budget, the Cleveland Library offers similar marble staircases and vibes of grandeur at at $50 donation price tag.
bonus location ideas...
LOVE BIRD MURAL
It's right around the corner from the Prince Mural on the corner of Washington and W25th Street!
HINKLEY RESERVATION
The grasses, evergreens and lake make the dock a perfect location for sessions any time of the year.
EAST 4th STREET
The cafe lights add a nice glow to winter sessions on a dreary day.
ZOOLIGHTS
An evening session at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoolights is especially magical and unique. Since we also photograph a lot of theatre productions we are used to working with this unique lighting scenario.
