Top Locations for Senior Pictures that Aren’t in Downtown St. Louis
While downtown St. Louis has its share of cool urban cityscapes and beautiful parks, you might be looking for something a little different for…
While downtown St. Louis has its share of cool urban cityscapes and beautiful parks, you might be looking for something a little different for your senior pictures. Or maybe you just prefer to stay out of the city altogether. You can still capture that urban vibe or have a gorgeous park as your backdrop without heading downtown. With 10 years of experience in the photography industry, I’ve had the chance to work with seniors at lots of spots outside the city that are just as unique, beautiful, and/or give you that feeling of being in a town. To save you the hassle of hunting for the perfect locations, I’ve put together a list of my top favorites that keep you out of downtown.
Shaw Nature Reserve
Shaw Nature Reserve is the dream location for any flower lover wanting senior pictures surrounded by beauty. With the Whitmire Wildflower Garden in full bloom, charming wooden and brick buildings, a peaceful lake, and wooded trails, you'll have a variety of nature-filled backdrops. From vibrant spring flowers to quiet winter scenes, Shaw Nature Reserve offers stunning settings no matter the season.
Location: 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63110
St. Charles
St. Charles offers the perfect blend of city charm and historical beauty, with brick streets, historic buildings, and lovely parks, making it a great choice for senior pictures. The area features unique spots like storefronts, fences, light posts, a rustic cabin, and even inoperable train tracks for a variety of photo opportunities. With its seasonal offerings, from flowers in the spring to fall colors on the trees and winter’s architectural backdrop, St. Charles provides a versatile setting for portraits year-round.
Location: 408 S Main St, St Charles, MO 63301
Queeny Park
Queeny Park is an ideal location for senior pictures, featuring a mix of open fields, flowers, and vintage architecture. With three buildings, a flower-lined brick pathway, and a spacious grass field, the park offers a variety of settings for both nature and country-inspired shots. Open year-round, it provides beautiful backdrops in every season, from colorful blooms in spring to fall foliage and even winter’s serene landscape, all at no cost to visit.
Location: 1675 S. Mason Rd, St. Louis, MO 63131
Eckert’s
Eckert’s is the perfect spot for anyone who loves the charm of farm life and the beauty of fresh produce. Whether you’re looking for a rustic country vibe or colorful backdrops from changing crops, this location offers a variety of picturesque scenes all year round for your senior pictures. From picking peaches and apples in the orchard to getting lost in a sunflower field or pumpkin patch, there’s a backdrop to suit every mood and season.
Belleville Location: 951 S Green Mt Rd, Belleville, IL 62220
Millstadt Location: 2719 Eckert Orchard Ln, Millstadt, IL 62260
Faust Park
Faust Park is a great spot for senior pictures if you want a mix of nature and unique architecture. With its beautiful woods, lake with grassy paths, historic log cabins, and the stunning Butterfly House, you’ll have plenty of beautiful backdrops to choose from. You can even make your session extra fun by visiting the Butterfly House or hopping on the carousel for one-of-a-kind portraits.
Location: 15025 Faust Pk Dr, Chesterfield, MO 63017
Best Prom Picture Locations in St. Louis
If you’re wondering where some great prom picture locations would be around St. Louis, then look no further. It can be hard hunting down the perfect location for your prom portraits, especially when it’s raining…
If you’re wondering where some great prom picture locations would be around St. Louis, then look no further. It can be hard hunting down the perfect location for your prom portraits, especially when it’s raining, so here are some locations you may or may not have thought about.
Forest Park
Forest Park is the perfect location for a variety of looks, and you’re bound to find a spot where nobody else is at. Outside the museum’s is perfect for an architectural background, or you can head indoors if it’s raining. The Art Museum will have a lot of interesting sculptures and art pieces to make for great backgrounds. The lake at the bottom of Art Hill and the surrounding path are beautiful spots for your prom pictures, or even the Jewel Box with its blooming tulips. The Muny also is perfect if you’re looking for some more architecture in your background or even a beautiful gazebo surrounded by plants.
Union Station
Union Station is a superb location for prom pictures, especially when it’s raining. It’s jam packed with indoor spots for pictures, the hotel being the highlight with its staircase, seating arrangements, and not to forget it’s awesome and colorful lighting. Outdoors is neat around the trains and restaurants as well.
Tower Grove Park
Since prom is in the spring, and tulips bloom in the spring, this makes Tower Grove Park an amazing location for prom portraits. With tulips blooming all over the place, a beautiful lake with additional ponds, and a great, stone structure, you’re bound to find plenty of beautiful backgrounds here. There’s even an old stone building with a walkway just across from the lake if you want to mix up the scenery a bit.
River City Casino
If it’s raining out and you’re looking for somewhere to go with not too many people, River City Casino is a great option. You won’t need to go into the actual casino. Everything you’ll want to utilize is near the restaurants. Take your portraits in the long hallways or sitting at one of the tables. Maybe you even want some portraits by the mirrors or standing on the staircase. There are even some cool doorways you can stand in.
Jefferson Barracks Park
The Visitor’s Center at Jefferson Barracks Park is amazing for prom pictures. With flowers blooming, a gazebo, old stone house and barn you won’t run out of ideas here anytime soon. You can also head down to the riverfront for some portraits on the bridge, or to the entrance of the park for some different architecture.
City Garden / Kiener Plaza / Downtown
Downtown is always a fun spot to take prom pictures around. If you’re wanting to grab a few portraits with the Arch you can do this from a variety of locations, like by the Arch, Old Courthouse, Kiener Plaza, and even City Garden. All of these locations have a variety of opportunities for prom pictures as well, especially with all the sculptures at City Garden.
Local Spots
Have a little bit of extra fun picking out some local locations that may mean something to you, or just are downright fun. You can stop at a cupcake store and grab some cupcakes before prom, which of course you’ll have to take pictures with, take photos up at your high school, or sometimes the venue will have some neat scenery to take pictures around.
Bonus: These locations are also perfect for homecoming photos in the fall, especially if you’re dealing with unpredictable weather!
