Photo Shoot Locations (Carnegie, Smithfield: rentals, house, wedding)

[angelamarak]

Hello. We are looking to have our daughter's 18-month photos taken and are trying to find a good location. Our house is "the norm" so we want a change of scenery. We are looking for an indoor location, as February's weather is still kind of iffy for outdoors. Any suggestions? Someone had suggested the Toy Lending Library, but I am not too familiar. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We are looking for candid shots, as opposed to posed studio shots. Thanks in advance!

Angie

[Pitt Chick]

Phipps?

[PeterRabbit]

^ That's my first thought too. Aviary or zoo, museum with dinosaurs.

[dugdogmaster]

Oo! Oo! The cool toy store on E. Carson St., Groovy.

[Chihlidog]

S.W. Randall on Smithfield downtown is a neat little store, but of course I dont know how they might feel about a photoshoot inside. I would also mention the Children's Museum on the North Side, or possibly the Carnegie Science Center. Neat stuff in all those places.

[gallacus]

Although Phipps is gorgeous, I believe they have a policy which forbids personal photography inside their building. You can take pictures of the building, the plants, the grounds, etc. but you can't take pictures of people inside the building. I would have to assume, however, that you could easily get away with it if you tried

[Pitt Chick]

hmmmm.. we take photos in there all the time.

And it is a popular spot for wedding photography.

[pic-chic]

You shoot all you want in Phipps, but not with a tripod unless you're a member. I wouldn't advise taking pictures of other people, but mostly because that's dicey anywhere these days. I don't know how they are about pros bringing in clients for photos, but you could ask in an anonymous call.
The aviary does allow tripods and might be more active (whether that's good or bad could depend). Their policy - http://www.aviary.org/abt/photopol.php

From the Phipps website:
Photography

Phipps Conservatory encourages photography and video for personal use only. Any commercial photography (including wedding photography, professional portraits, modeling, media, and images for resale in any form) requires prior approval and may involve a fee. Contact Rentals at 412-622-6914 x6401 to schedule wedding and portrait photographs. Please direct all other inquiries to Marketing at 412-441-4442 x3804.
Tripod Use: Members only may use a tripod during a designated Sunday 9:30 until 11 am slot (Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday excluded). Reservations are required four days in advance by contacting our ticketing office.