I have shared previous posts about places to shoot in DC (here and here) and decided to do one for Cincinnati. I’ve been back for 2 years now(!!), and I’m remembering all the spots that I loved before moving. If you’ve never been to Cincinnati, you don’t realize how close Kentucky is to the city — you literally go over one of the bridges, and you’re in Kentucky. So the post will focus on places I’ve shot around the city and in the Northern Kentucky area. I have already created a post for you if you’re looking for studios to shoot in and have even followed up with more places to shoot in Cincinnati.
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ALL PHOTOS BY: DORESE JENAE PORTRAITS
EDEN PARK
950 EDEN PARK DR
Eden Park was the first place I shot in Cincinnati when I moved back. It was December 2020, and the bare trees do not do the park justice because it’s so beautiful when the trees, plants, and flowers have bloomed.
There are two portions of the park that you can shoot in – Mirror Lake (photo on the left) and the Overlook (image below). The Overlook provides scenic views of the city on the river and Kentucky, while Mirror Lake is a beautiful place for picnics and photos. Both places have manmade ponds that you can enjoy.
The park can get packed with warmer temperatures, especially in the evenings. So mornings are better for taking photos and avoiding the crowds. Both locations have public restrooms but were closed when we shot here. If you have one, I always say bring your changing tent as a backup if the public restrooms are not available.
OVER THE RHINE (OTR)
OVER THE RHINE NEIGHBORHOOD
There are so many gems in Over the Rhine (OTR). OTR is one of my favorite places to shoot in Cincinnati. From great wall art to random alleyways and street corners that make it seem like you’re actually in a fancier city. The difference between OTR and some of the other places I include on this list is that it is an entire neighborhood that has so many different areas that you can explore to find a gem. I remember last summer when we stumbled on this tiny park (seen in the top left below) that we didn’t even know existed!
Because OTR is where everyone wants to be, especially on the weekends, it’s always gonna be crowded. But earlier is always better to miss the brunch crowd, the day wanderers, or the nightlife crowd. Depending on what part of the neighborhood you’re in, you could pop into a restaurant or bar to change quickly without anyone noticing. Because it might not be as easy to do this, I would just bring your changing tent or plan to change in the car.
THE PURPLE PEOPLE BRIDGE
1 LEVEE WAY
The Purple People Bridge is one of many bridges that connect Kentucky to Cincinnati. This bridge specifically connects Newport to Cincinnati. It is also a pedestrian-only bridge that is also picturesque. It’s an iconic place to shoot in Cincinnati. While many who haven’t visited the bridge assume that it’s purple because of the name, it’s actually blue in color. It can be argued that it’s a lighter shade of purple, but it looks blue to me.
Because the bridge is a popular area for runners, walkers, bikers, and tourists – especially when the weather is nice – I would advise shooting here early in the morning to avoid the crowd. If you want another look besides the bridge, underneath the Cincinnati side are Swayer Point and Yeatman’s Cove.
If you’re planning to change and only shoot on the bridge, I recommend bringing a changing tent. There are public restrooms in Swayer Point and Yeatman’s Cove, but depending on what time you shoot, it might be closed. Just remember it is a public restroom, so it might not be super clean. I’ve only used my tent or a car to change when we’ve shot here.
NEWPORT, KENTUCKY
I must admit that when I visited Newport to take these photos, I was floored at how much this area had changed! I always disliked visiting Newport because there was nothing to do, but that has clearly changed. So many new things, new buildings, and restaurants to explore. Newport on the Levee, the big indoor shopping center that I’m standing in front of (picture on the left), has even changed.
When we shot here, there was still a lot of construction going on, so there were not a lot of places we could take photos, but the construction has since been completed, and there are lots of cute places to explore. While there is street parking here where you could find some free spots, your best bet is to park in the garage under the Newport on the Levee building. There are clean, public restrooms to change in!! So you don’t need to bring your changing tent though it’s always good to have it just in case.
5 POINTS ALLEY
2437 GILBERT AVE
The alley is another one of my favorite places to shoot in Cincinnati. It’s because it’s super close to my place and I can walk there quickly. There are cute shops – including my favorite plant shop – restaurants, and bars that are close by that you can visit once you’re done shooting. The name 5 Points Alley is significant because there are 5 corners (duh) and on each corner is a unique wall mural – with a number 1 through 5 – completed by ArtWorks.
5 Points Alley is a conveying space where you can share picnic table seating, outdoor lighting, and free public WIFI. Admittedly, we’ve only shot here in the morning, so I can’t tell you if it’s super busy any other time. Though, I would assume it is especially when the weather is nice because anyone can hang out here.
Even though the website says there’s a public restroom, it appears to be a potty pot, and I haven’t seen it. Even if I did, I wouldn’t change in a porta-potty. Definitely bring a changing tent or plan to change in your car.
WASHINGTON PARK
1230 ELM ST
The area around Washington Park was in the process of being gentrified before my move to the DMV in 2017. When I shot here in November of 2021, I was shocked at how much everything had changed! They even added a pavilion where you can drink and grab a snack if you need to.
The beauty of Washington Park is the many nooks that you shoot in that give you a different view of the park. This is another popular space for visitors, brunchers, dog walkers, and yogis like to visit. So, I would opt for an early morning session during the week to avoid the crowds that occur on the weekend.
There is a public restroom available in the park, but it was closed for cleaning when we were shooting, so I couldn’t access it to see what the inside looked like. Depending on what time you shoot, I would bring your changing tent or opt to change in your car just in case the restrooms are closed.
THE BANKS
150 E FREEDOM WAY
The Banks is another place that’s changed so much, especially Smale Park! I know I keep saying this, but if you only knew what Cincinnati looked like before I moved, you would understand why I’m so shocked at how much everything has changed in 4 years. The Banks is where you can find the Bengals and Reds stadiums and Smale Park. There are a ton of restaurants, bars, and other things to do. If you don’t want to stay in Cincinnati, you can cross the Roebling Suspension bridge, and you’re in Covington, KY.
Because there is so much to do in this area, I would opt for an early shoot because it gets crowded really quickly, especially if it’s really nice outside. Be sure to check if there’s a game going on because everything will be a nightmare down there, and parking will be outrageous. I have been able to sneak into a restaurant here or there when we’re shooting, but I would bring your changing tent if you get caught or they say no.
BOLIVAR ALLEY
578 E 12TH ST
Bolivar Alley has been a recent project from ArtWorks – a nonprofit that aims to transform places through creativity. Many of the gorgeous wall murals you’ll find around the city were completed by ArtWorks. Bolivar Alley is filled with different painted murals that you can choose from depending on the vibe you’re going for. For directions purposes, the alley is across the street from the casino.
All the images I’ve seen online from people shooting in Bolivar Alley made it seem like the alley is fixed up; it’s actually not. The only pretty things about this alley are the murals. There are a lot of jagged rocks, uneven cobblestones, and fallen trees that I tripped over one too many times. So, wearing heels is a big no-no. I learned that lesson the hard way. 😬 Also, watch out for all the dog poop that dog owners do not pick up when walking their dogs. 🥴
There are no places to change here, so you should definitely plan to bring a changing tent or change in your car. While I didn’t have to worry about parking because I still don’t have a car and took a Lyft, only street parking is available. And if you decide to shoot in the middle of the day as we did, it might be difficult to find something right away.
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