5th Avenue N. in Birmingham is my location spotlight for this post. It’s one of my favorite city settings for portraits. There are some really impressive buildings. The Federal Building U.S. Courthouse is a popular spot for photos because of its large, stately presence, muted tones with beautiful white marble, and gold accents. Regions Center is also on 5th Avenue N. and with its 30-story height, it’s one of the tallest buildings in Birmingham. In my opinion, 5th Avenue N. is one of the few places in our city where you can stand on the sidewalk, look up at the impressively tall buildings, and really feel like you’re in a metropolis.
I love contrasts! Within a couple of blocks, you can find not only the white marble of The Federal Building, but also the black steel of Regions Center. I like the stark contrast of these buildings, which offer very different backdrops for portraits. There’s also the First United Methodist Church built of red sandstone with bold red doors located behind the courthouse.
Another reason I love to photograph in this area is because of the variety of settings. The buildings aren’t the only interest. There are trees and bushes, sometimes with pops of color that add a really nice natural element. In the summer you’ll find lush greens and in the fall, there are several young, colorful trees.
Photographing in the city offers a more consistent setting than photographing in a natural environment. It’s one reason I love it when my clients ask for a city setting. Predictability is sometimes a gift.
Contact me to schedule your portrait session. 5th Avenue N. is only one of many location options, but it sure is a great one! If you’d like to consider other locations, so far I’ve written three location spotlights posts. Please take a look at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Rotary Trail, and Altadena Valley Park.
