Corey Talks: Locations for Pictures (South)

Spring is in the air, the temps are finally rising and the sun has finally come to visit! This all means that it’s finally time to start thinking about those engagement sessions you’ve been storing up to use when it finally gets warm in Ohio. Or maybe you’re just trying to gather ideas of where to go the day of your wedding? Either way… here’s the post that I am sure at least a few local brides will be able to use! The one question I’m asked often is “where should we go?” followed quickly by “how much will it cost?” since some places aren’t free to take pictures at. Below is not a complete list but as much as I can make it of ideas of places to take pictures for your engagement or wedding pictures the day of the wedding and how much the cost is. If you have any places to suggest, please feel free to let me know! Props to Heidi of Heidzillas whom has an awesome list to start from on her blog as well… when I get to my places north, you will see an expansion of this list so you will see doubles of some places but make sure to check out her list! Some of this info may change as I get more accurate information on the locations and charges for using them for your sessions!

Locations for Pictures…. Places South (of Cleveland)

Akron

Akron Art Museum
One South High, Akron, Ohio
Photography is not permitted here in the galleries or auditorium but this doesn’t mean that you can’t have a shoot inside the Akron Art Museum. Even the exterior is pretty awesome with the futuristic designs. The parking garage also features a gorgeous spiral staircase.
Cost: Cost of admission for engagements, unknown for bridals.

Akron Civic Theatre
182 South Main Street, Akron, OH
This is a very dramatic location for brides looking for drama! An amazingly beautiful theater – one of the few left in the country and lobby make for a dramatic backdrop to any bridal photos. I have shot here with David Beckstead’s Workshop (the first 7 images are from the workshop).
Cost: Rental Fee – contact for more details, depends on availability.

Canal Park
300 S Main Street, Akron, Ohio
A great location for the guys or sports lovers!! I have not been here but I have heard that they are pretty easy to work with! You may not be able to get pictures on the field if there is a game but contact prior to your date to see if there is a possibility.
Cost: Ticket to get in, perhaps free if you contact the park before.

Firestone Metro Park
1480 Girard Street, Akron, Ohio
Firestone Metro Park consists of Little Turtle Pond Park and Coventry Oaks Area both are on the south side of Akron. This is a great place to go if you are looking for nature pictures with or without water in the background! I went here with Celeste and Marcus for a few shots after their wedding (the image of the guys in the circle is from there).
Cost: Free

John S. Knight Center
77 East Mill Street, Akron, Ohio
The John S. Knight Center is located on the University of Akron campus. While you cannot go inside, the exterior makes for some dramatic portraits featuring a popular water fountain and steps. Celeste and Marcus stopped here for the infamous “jumping” bridal party shot everyone wants (it makes it easier when there are steps!) and for a few shots near the fountain.
Cost: Free

Quaker Square/The Trackside Grill
135 South Broadway, Akron, Ohio
This is a great location for brides looking for a bit of winsome fun for their pics! They have train cars set up inside as well as a couple min train cars that may have been amusement park rides once upon a time, cut out faces to stick your head in (lol we’ve ALL done it!) as well as benches. I went here with Celeste and her bridesmaids before her wedding for some fun pics. The picture of Celeste with her girls in seats behind her was taken there, as well as the one of her at the back of the train. The one of her next to the concrete wall was taken in a tunnel in the parking lot.
Cost: Free

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
714 N Portage Path, Akron, Ohio
One of my favorite places locally to shoot, hands down! It is a GORGEOUS location with so much scenery it’s almost overwhelming! There are various tudor style buildings on site, with Stan Hywet Hall being the main focal point. There is also a Carriage House and Japanese Tea Houses on site as well as reflecting ponds, gardens, terraces and a greenhouse. The catch here is that you cannot do any photography indoors the mansion which is a shame. I was able to with a workshop group last year -you may not know but this is essentially unheard of, even tour groups aren’t permitted to take pictures of Stan Hywet’s interior! This was the exception to the rule however so if you are hoping for a picture on the amazing staircase, you are going to be out of luck here. However there is so many amazing things outside that you won’t feel too brokenhearted I promise! I shot here last year with David Beckstead’s Workshop (images of the bride in front of the stained glass window and the next 5 following), for Darlene & Carl’s engagement session, Amanda and Matt’s engagement sessionJohn and Jennifer’s engagement session, Kelli and Andrew’s engagement sessionJenna and Craig’s wedding ceremony,  Stacy and John’s Wedding.
Cost: $200/hour for engagements, special fees for wedding parties, contact Stan Hywet for details.

University of Akron
302 Buchtel Common, Akron, Ohio
If you want a bit of everything, University of Akron is a good place to go! They have so many unique areas to take pictures in that with just a few steps you can look like you are in a totally different location. For the sports enthusiasts, you can get pictures in any one of the fields surrounding the campus. There are gardens, unique sculptures and arches as well as many other things to feast your eyes upon. The only issue is that you may have to walk a bit to get to certain areas since parts of the campus aren’t able to be driven. Celeste and Marcus stopped here since this is where they met and shared a kiss beneath the arches (in the blog) as well as took pictures with their bridal party here.
Cost: Free

Alliance

Glamorgan Castle
200 Glamorgan St., Alliance, OH 44601
This is a historic castle built in 1904 and is a massive estate now used for the administration building for the Alliance City Schools. While pictures can not be taken inside, the grounds are availabel for use.  Freda and Jason had their engagement session here.
Cost: Free

Haines House
186 West Market St., Alliance, OH 44601
This home was part of the underground railroad and is also the oldest brick building in Alliance. The grounds and exterior of the home is available for photos but contact for information about taking pictures indoors.
Cost: Free, donation if indoors.

Mabel Hartzell Historical Home
840 North Park St., Alliance, OH 44601
This historic home was built in 1867 and is open by appointment only. It is a gorgeous home though and worth a look into if you want that victorian look to any of your images.
Cost: $2 donation for tours, contact for wedding picture pricing.

Canton

Canton Garden Center
1615 Stadium Park, Canton, Ohio
This is a great place to go for the ‘traditional’ bridal portraits that you see in garden settings. This garden is located inside of McKinley/Waterworks Park and has its own parking lot to make accessing the area in formal wear a breeze! There is a fountain, waterfall and bridge on site along with various garden landscapes that are in bloom from late Spring through early Fall.  I have shot here with Christina and Matt for their engagement session, Melissa and Chris’s engagement session, Heidi and Matt’s engagement session, Carla and Craig’s engagement session, Stacey and Adam’s engagement session,  Melanie and Lance’s winter wedding images and The Sedlak Family.
Cost: Free but donations are suggested

Canton Palace Theater
605 Market Avenue N, Canton, Ohio
This theater is one of the last of its kind remaining in the United States and would a beautiful backdrop to your session! The sessions here are free, so long as the schedule permits (although I would recommend a donation).
Cost: Free

Gervasi Vineyard
1700 55th Street, Canton, Ohio
It’s still weird for me to drive by and see this grand estate where there was just open fields, a pond and train tracks.  It is so amazing what they’ve done with the place in the few years that it has been open.  Here you’ll find a lush landscape with flowers, trees and a pond as well as many italian inspired buildings.  While it’s odd to find a place that charges in the area, I think that it is completely worth the money.  I shot Laura and Jordan’s engagement session here.
Cost: $200/hour for any type of session

National First Ladies’ Library
Museum/Saxton Mckinley House 331 S. Market Ave. Canton, Ohio
Education and Research Center 205 S. Market Ave. Canton, Ohio
The Museum/Saxton McKinley house is absolutely gorgeous and just the exterior could make for a wonderful backdrop to any portrait session. I’ve heard conflicting stories on photography indoors however, so if this is a place that interests you, contact them and plead your case!!!
Cost: Unknown

McKinley Monument
800 McKinley Monument Drive, Canton, Ohio
I have been a longtime fan of the impressive monument standing in honor of President McKinley. Between the reflection pond, the rolling hills, and the impressive stairs it’s hard not to find a place to get a good shot on the monument. I also have a gallery show upcoming in 2010 there so if you go with me there, it’s very likely that you will be in a gallery show of mine! I have shot both Jennifer and Justin (my favorite guy shot is from there with the guys jumping in the air off the steps!) and Melissa and Eric (the picture of them on the stairs and the casual family portrait) there already for weddings and Stacey and Adam Elizabeth and Jared, Melissa and Chris, Heidi and Matt, and finally Codi and Joe have all came here for their engagement sessions.

Cost: Free

 

McKinley Park/Waterworks Park
800 McKinley Monument Drive, Canton, Ohio
Adjacent to McKinley Monument are acres of gorgeous park area that has slowly been developed over the years to span from the Professional Football Hall of Fame to McKinley Monument. This area includes ball fields, playground equipment, a running/walking trail and historic buildings all landscaped around trees and a creek. A gorgeous area anytime of the year, but especially in the fall! I made a quick stop at the waterfall with Melissa and Eric before heading off to their reception (image on the bridge above a waterfall and walking back holding hands), I have also photographed Christina and Matt’s engagement session, Melissa and Chris’s engagement session – see McKinley Monument and Canton Garden Center for more images from the area – they are all connected.
Cost: Free

Professional Football Hall of Fame
2121 George Halas Drive, Canton, OH
What football fan wouldn’t want pictures here??? The crown gem of Canton, the HOF attracts thousands of people every year – especially during HOF week in Canton in late July/early August. For this reason I do not suggest visiting here for pictures during the month around the festival. Carolyn and Matt came here for wedding images.
Cost: Cost of admission for engagements, free to use outdoor field for weddings, unknown charge for indoor use.

 

 

Hartville

Kingsway Pumpkin Farm
1555 Andrews St. NE, Hartville, OH 44632
What better place is there for fall themed wedding or engagement pictures than a pumpkin farm?! The farm is open from mid-September through the beginning of November. This farm offers a hayride to a pumpkin patch, farm animals as well as a corn maze.  I have photographed Miss Lana and The Straw Family here.
Cost: Admission price.

Maize Valley Winery & Market
6193 Edison St., Hartville, OH 44632
If you are hoping for a vineyard setting but aren’t able to get all the way up to the Cleveland area you may want to consider getting the pictures done at Maize Valley.
Cost: Free, contact for weddings.

North Canton

Hoover Historical Center
1875 E. Maple Street, North Canton, Ohio
Walsh University now owns the Hoover Historical Center as well as Hoover Park – the grounds that surround the center. The home is a beautiful backdrop itself as well as the park surrounding it featuring woods, a stream and a small covered bridge.
Cost: Free for the grounds, cost of admission for the house.

Fieldcrest of North Canton
1346 Easthill Street, North Canton, Ohio
Growing up and living literally right down the street from here makes this one of my favorite places locally to shoot. This is the old Hoover farm where Boss Hoover lived. The landscape here is gorgeous as well as the gazebo, farms, buildings… you name it! There’s so many places to shoot here! Melissa and Eric got married here (ceremony images through the one at McKinley Monument) and Kate and Ravi also were married here.
Cost: Free for engagements, weddings depend on if there is another event going on (since they host weddings here)

MAPS Air Museum
2260 International Parkway, North Canton, Ohio
Are you a fan of airplanes or is someone close to you in the military? This would be the perfect place to bring a bit of the air into your portrait session without having to evade police by running onto the runway at Akron Canton Airport! I have yet to shoot here, but my Dad was good friends with the founders of the museum so I’ve been here quite often!
Cost: Cost of admission, contact ahead of time for weddings to be sure of no conflicts

Price Park
1000 W. Maple Street, North Canton, Ohio
Price Park is “the” park for most North Cantonites to go to in the warm weather. Featuring a gazebo, duck pond, playground equipment, various sports fields and a walking track it has a bit of everything in it for the couple that wants variety. Due to the copious amounts of duck droppings I would NOT recommend this as a place for brides to come for portraits but if you are pinched on time it can work.
Cost: Free

 

 

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