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2024

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Best Portrait Photographers in Pittsburgh, PA

Our Recommended Top 19

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Pittsburgh Portrait Photographers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

120Reviewed

79Curated

19Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Pittsburgh, PA 15236

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (51)
Yelp
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Jamie Virgin Photography is a Pleasant Hills studio serving the Pittsburgh area since 2009. The studio specializes in baby and child photography but also offers family and senior photography. Jamie will do photo shoots on location, but also does studio sessions of babies, children, and professional headshots. Jamie looks forward to providing all of the props, outfits, and accessories for your baby’s newborn through one-year-old photoshoots.

Pittsburgh, PA 15234

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (42)
Facebook
5.0 (33)

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 2001, Laura Mares Photography offers Pittsburgh residents a wide range of portrait photography options. Ms. Mares' sessions may take place in the studio or at a local indoor or outdoor location of the client's choosing. The photographer's portfolio includes engagement and wedding, maternity and newborn, child and sibling, family, and senior portraits. Additionally, Laura Mares Photography offers corporate head shots and event packages as well as candid lifestyle shoots.

  • Couples
  • Family
  • Lifestyle

Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (19)

Why choose this provider?

Danielle Blewitt is a family and newborn photographer and filmmaker in Pittsburgh that helps families record the memories that are most meaningful to them through photos and films. Family sessions are done in natural light at an outdoor location or in the comfort of the family’s home. Danielle has a lifestyle approach that is casual and relaxed, which is perfect for families with little ones. Danielle is the first photographer in Pittsburgh to offer Family Films, giving families a way to document their memories in motion. More than a photograph, films preserve memories in vivid color, full sound, and in motion.

Greensburg, PA 15601

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (16)

Why choose this provider?

Melissa Helman Photography is a boutique-style studio that specializes in taking maternity, newborn, and family portraits. Lead photographer Melissa Helman develops customized photography sessions and keeps her clients informed about each step of her creative process. She offers different photography packages for them to choose from, such as keepsake folio packs and custom albums. Her studio also includes various amenities, like a changing station and waiting area, to help her clients get comfortable before each photoshoot.

Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (146)
Facebook
5.0 (48)

Why choose this provider?

Adam Michaels Photography, in Pittsburgh, specializes in creating wedding photos, and handling other forms of event photography. However, customers from throughout the city and the surrounding areas have also heaped praise upon Adam Michaels Photography for its excellent portraiture work. Rather than focusing strictly on the final product, Adam Michaels Photography specializes in giving his clients a fun, comfortable experience during the shoot itself.

2130 Lebanon Drive, Elizabeth, PA 15135

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (37)
Google
4.9 (15)

Why choose this provider?

FotoFixation Photography provides a premier senior portrait experience for clients located in the Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas. Owner Kim Kracun specializes in senior photography and offers various portrait sessions along with styling and planning consultations and boutique heirloom products. Kracun is a nationally published senior photographer and has received awards from Senior Year Magazine, Seniorologie, and SeniorInspire to name a few. Her works have also been featured in publications like the Flourish Academy, seniorMUSE, and Senior SZN Magazine.

Pittsburgh, PA 15228

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (52)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Matthew Blassey Photography is a portrait photographer based in Pittsburgh, PA. Matthew specializes in giving his clients a comfortable, fun & seamless picture-taking experience from beginning to end. He will walk you through his shooting style & strategy throughout each session while coaching you during the process. Matthew utilizes his expertise, experience, and artistic vision in crafting portraits that meet your marketing, professional & personal needs.

1406 Riverview Road, Glenwillard, PA 15046

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Review Sources

Google
5.0 (11)
Facebook
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Photographer Anna Bauman takes vivid and colorful portraits of couples, families, and senior students in the greater Pittsburgh area. Always aiming to capture her subjects beautifully, she allows them to choose the location of their photo shoots and helps them plan the best outfit colors and styles to match the venue. Clients have praised Bauman for the simplicity of booking a photo session and her ability to put them at ease within just a few minutes of working with her.

McKees Rocks, PA 15136

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (15)
Facebook
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

April Ohl Photography is owned by Pittsburgh-based portrait photographer April Ohl, whose services place an emphasis on family sessions and high school senior portraits. Her mission is to provide an amazing senior portrait experience unlike any other. Her photography packages include hair and makeup, in-person or virtual style consult, and a location guide to help clients choose the right locations. Ohl's work has been published in photography publications such as Senior Inspire and Dreamy Magazine.

Pittsburgh, PA 15215

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Tara Bennett Photography, based in Pittsburgh, serves clientele from the city and across the area who are seeking high-quality portrait photos. Ms. Bennett has taken portrait photographs of families, couples, adults, children, and expecting mothers, as well as candid, photojournalistic photos at weddings, engagement parties, and other occasions.

Pittsburgh, PA

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (31)

Why choose this provider?

Lauren Renee Photography serves clients throughout the Pittsburgh metro area, taking portraits of families and wedding parties, along with a variety of other categories. Lauren Renee calls her work vibrant, evocative, and organic, and she offers styling and staging services to embellish her in-studio sessions. Some of her portrait work has been featured in national publications such as The New York Times. As opposed to the formulaic approach often preferred of business portraits and other formal images, Lauren Renee Photography prioritizes an artistic approach to capturing images of clients.

Gibsonia, PA 15044

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Family Art Photography, a Gibsonia photography studio with customers all throughout the greater Pittsburgh community, is owned and led by Andrea Shilling. Ms. Shilling has a fun, vivid style. She specializes in portrait photography, especially portraits of graduating seniors. Photography buffs may appreciate that she exclusively uses Canon cameras.

Pittsburgh, PA 15239

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

CTG Photography LLC, located in North Versailles, is an owner-operated photo studio. Courtney is a thoroughly trained and experienced professional who has dreamed of being a photographer since she was in high school. At Indiana University of Pennsylvania, she earned a B.S. in Communications Media and Sociology. In portraiture and other forms of photography, her style combines traditional and editorial techniques.

Pittsburgh, PA 15235

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (12)
Facebook
5.0 (9)
Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Beth Kukucka, the owner, operator, and namesake of Beth Kukucka Photography, has been using cameras since she was six years old. Now, as a professional photographer who takes portraits of adults, children, and pets, she focuses on creating high-quality images that her clients will cherish for decades. To ensure that they meet her high standards, Ms. Kukucka carefully edits and processes her own images.

Indianola, PA 15051

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (25)
Yelp
5.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Veronica Varos Photography, in Indianola, is a small Pittsburgh Metro photo studio. Ms. Varos is a trained and experienced documentary photographer, who got her start taking pictures of musicians at concert venues. She is a member of the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) and the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), and has won multiple "Women in Business" honors from Whirl Magazine.

Wexford, PA 15090

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Alicia Photography, located in Wexford, has been serving Western Pennsylvania for more than three decades. Its staff includes Alicia Dal Lago and Geoff Crowe. Each of these qualified photographers has received Certification from the Professional Photographers of America. Just 3% of photography professionals have earned certification from the PPA.

555 Grant Street Suite 337 Offices at the William Penn Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (252)
Facebook
5.0 (25)
Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Whether in a studio or a location of the client's choosing, Jen Barker Worley creates professional portraits that help her clients develop their personal brand. Located in Pittsburgh, the studio works with professionals and others across the metro area to produce headshots that speak for them and to their target audience. After many years of putting her clients at ease, Jen Barker knows how to deliver the portraits and headshots her clients need.

Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (18)
Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Joe Appel Photography is a small studio serving customers from throughout the city as well as its suburbs. Mr. Appel spent many years at a staff photojournalist at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He gets the same rush from taking pictures of weddings and other special events as he did snapping photos of news events. From his work at the newspaper, he has extensive experience taking portraits.

1007 Mount Royal Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15223

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (17)
Google
5.0 (13)

Why choose this provider?

Life Camera Soul Photography serves Pittsburgh and SouthWestern Pennsylvania, whether that may be in our studio or a location of your choice. Our artistic approach is centered around offering Timeless Empowering Contemporary Portraits for Professionals and the every day Individuals. Our focus is Professional Headshots and Portrait Photography. Portraits being Family, Maternity, Senior, and Engagement Portraits. We provide a Boutique Photography experience to ensure that you feel comfortable and confident with every step, from the beginning process of your Portrait Session to even after the end. We got you!

  • maternity photographer
  • Maternity Portraits
  • Wedding Photographer

Compare our Top Portrait Photographers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Jamie Virgin Photography
Pittsburgh, PA 15236
Laura Mares Photography
Pittsburgh, PA 15234
Danielle Blewitt Photography
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Melissa Helman Photography
Greensburg, PA 15601
Adam Michaels Photography
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
FotoFixation Photography
2130 Lebanon Drive, Elizabeth, PA 15135
Matthew Blassey Photography
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
Anna Bauman Photography
1406 Riverview Road, Glenwillard, PA 15046
April Ohl Photography
McKees Rocks, PA 15136
Tara Bennett Photography
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
Lauren Renee Photography
Pittsburgh, PA
Family Art Photography
Gibsonia, PA 15044
CTG Photography
Pittsburgh, PA 15239
Kukucka Photography
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
Veronica Varos Photography
Indianola, PA 15051
Alicia Photography
Wexford, PA 15090
Jen Barker Worley Photography
555 Grant Street Suite 337 Offices at the William Penn Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Joe Appel Photography
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Life Camera Soul Photography
1007 Mount Royal Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15223

FAQs

  • Introduction

    Portrait photography can be the perfect way to capture special moments for adults, children, couples, and families. It's a popular option for occasions, such as graduations, weddings, birthdays, and various milestones reached throughout childhood. However, you don't need a special reason to get a portrait professionally done, as there are many photographers eager to work with new clients at a reasonable rate.

    Professional portrait photography takes years of practice, and the right photographer can achieve results that go far beyond the typical selfie. A magnificent portrait can bring out the subject's inner qualities, allowing their unique personality to shine through for generations to cherish.
  • What is portrait photography?

    Portrait photography is the art of capturing a sitter's likeness with a camera. While this may sound as simple as snapping a quick shot with your mobile phone, the truth is that a truly good portrait photo is difficult to achieve. The goal of a high-quality photo is to capture the personality and emotions behind the subject.

  • What is the history of portrait photography?

    Since the invention of the first camera in 1839, portraits have been one of the most popular kinds of photos. However, way back when, photos needed an exposure time of 20 minutes or more, meaning you would need to sit completely still for that time or else end up with a blurry image.

  • Where can you learn portrait photography?

    Many art schools across the country offer degrees in photography, and some even have specialized classes in portraiture. This can be a good option for young photographers who want a well-rounded skill set. However, many dedicated portrait photographers are self-taught and rely on their portfolios to serve as their credentials.

  • How do you start a portrait photography business?

    Before starting a portrait studio, it's best to gain experience shooting your friends and family so you have a strong portfolio to show clients. Once you're confident in your work, try making a website where you can direct new businesses interested in having their pictures taken.

  • How to eliminate shadows in portrait photography?

    The secret behind many photographers' success is that photography is 50% editing. If you're working digitally, you can open up your pictures in editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop, and use its digital tools to manipulate shadows and highlights. If you prefer to work analog, the best way to mitigate shadows is proper lighting.

  • What are the four categories of portrait photography?

    The four categories of portrait photography are constructionist, candid, environmental, and creative.

    1. Constructionist photographs involve working with a photographer who will sit you in different poses and lighting to create the perfect shot from the ground up.
    2. Candid photos are taken with minimal setup, trying to capture their subject in the moment.
    3. Environmental photos try to capture subjects in their natural environment.
    4. Creative photography uses a variety of experimental techniques and elements to create an original image.