Finding locations for photoshoots can be tricky, especially if you’re new to the area or unfamiliar with the city you are shooting in. That was me about three years ago when I moved to St. Louis. Luckily, I’m surrounded by many great friends and photographers who helped me map out the best spots in St. Louis for photos. Some are widely known, and some are a little bit of a secret, but they’re all perfect for any photo shoot you may have. Let’s dive in!

Forest Park

This might seem like the most obvious location for photos in St. Louis, but that is definitely for a reason! Forest Park is BEAUTIFUL. It is a sprawling urban oasis spanning over 1,300 acres. It's renowned for its stunning landscapes, recreational amenities, and cultural attractions. There are so many different locations within the park that make for amazing backdrops for your next session. The Saint Louis Art Museum on top of Art Hill is one of the most popular due to the beautiful museum and landscaping surrounding the hill. You can walk around the basin of the hill next to the water to capture something more organic. The Muny and the World’s Fair Pavilion and Fountain are two other spots within the park that are top-tier photography spots. You won’t be the only one walking around the park with a camera!

Washington University

Just down the street from the top of Art Hill is a beautiful and well-known university, Washington University. With beautiful, historic buildings, it has quickly become one of my favorite places to shoot. Whether that be senior sessions or couples sessions, you will not run out of spots to take pictures of here. You will get a little mix of old and new here as well, which makes for a diverse photography location.

Kiener Plaza - Downtown St. Louis

Looking for a spot that represents the heart of downtown St. Louis? This is it! Kiener Plaza is located in the heart of the city, sitting between Broadway & Seventh St. Standing in the middle of the plaza gives you a view of the magnificent Gateway Arch along with some well-known skyscrapers and the Old Courthouse building (which is also very pretty)! It’s one of my favorite locations for someone who LOVES the city. To add to it, there is still some greenery in the plaza, which can be hard to come by if you’re downtown! BONUS: There is a parking garage by Ballpark Village that everyone loves to do photos on. It has a great view of the Arch and city!

Photo by Zoe Wood Photography
Location: BONUS location near Kiener Plaza - the parking garage! Top floor.

Tower Grove Park

Tower Grove Park is another WONDERFUL park that we have here in St. Louis. Located in the neighborhood of Tower Grove, it is a stunning spot year-round. One of my favorite engagement sessions ever was shot in Tower Grove Park. My couple met while playing pickleball, and TGP has the best pickleball courts, so we shot some of their photos while playing a game of pickleball. Talk about a sweet moment! You can find spacious areas of grass and trees along with a popular wedding and photography spot, the Piper Palm House. Fun tip: the ponds behind the Piper Palm House are STUNNING in the spring and summer with all the flowers and landscaping. I love that spot! You can never go wrong taking your photographs here.

Lafayette Square

A St. Louis staple location - Lafayette Square. Lafayette Square is a charming historic district known for its beautifully preserved Victorian architecture and picturesque park. You will be in awe of this park, both its surroundings and internal landscaping. One of my favorite spots within the park is the pond. Talk about picture-perfect! And if you know, you know, but most of the time, you can spot a swan or two in the back of your photos. How romantic! Walking outside of the square allows you to capture the beauty that is in all of the old architecture. It's definitely a client favorite!

Missouri Botanical Garden

This location isn’t open to the public (you’ll have to pay for entry) but is a public favorite! The Missouri Botanical Garden, founded in 1859, is a botanical oasis in the heart of St. Louis. Spanning 79 acres, it showcases an extensive collection of plants from around the world, including rare and endangered species. There are beautiful structures and exhibits. You can wander through the garden for hours and never photograph it all! This is definitely a perfect spot for any nature or floral lover.

EXTRA: Klondike Park

This location isn’t in the city center, but I did want to include it because it seriously is probably the most beautiful spot outside of the city. Picture white sand and rocky cliffs: they don’t sound like they’d go together, but they sure do create the most perfect background for any session. Klondike Park is located about 45 minutes from St. Louis, which creates a little bit of a drive, but it is totally worth it! Your clients will thank you for bringing them to a location they wouldn’t get in the city! There is plenty of space and trails to explore beyond the lake, but the area around the water is my favorite.

Best Photo Locations in St. Louis, MO