The 8 Best Cityscape Photographers in Cincinnati

As the third largest city in Ohio, Cincinnati has a lot going for it. It’s a local hub for creativity, food, sports, and architecture. This last point is why it’s such a popular subject for Cincinnati cityscape photographers! There are so many good vantage points for showcasing the skyline.

Not to mention bridges, skyscrapers, and amazing sunsets to complete the visual narrative. Peerspace’s list of the top photographers has all of these. Captured not only on the ground but sometimes even from high above! Take a moment to browse our collection and see if you don’t feel an emotional connection with the Queen City.

1. Colin Peterman

Colin Peterman is a landscape, cityscape, and aerial photographer. His collection focuses mainly on Cincinnati and Columbus, two of Ohio’s largest and most architecturally splendid cities. Colin makes amazing use of teal + orange split toning. The two colors already coexist in the subtle blues of the cityscapes and the blazing oranges of a sunset. Yet a little push in post gives them irresistible appeal!

Colin also chooses strong subjects and ideal compositions, always looking out for foreground, midground, and background interest points. What’s more, his images include some of the most beautiful and historic parts of Cincinnati and Columbus.

2. Ralph Hodge

Ralph Hodge is one Cincinnati cityscape photographer who is definitely doing his own thing! His style is one where silhouettes against a bright sky backdrop suggest forms rather than explicitly reveal them. The forms can be obvious, like trees, columns at Ault Park, or the John A. Roebling Bridge. But always, there is the contrast the dark shadow offers against well-chosen sunset lighting.

Ralph’s vision is a fine art one and offers a window into how he views the world. This makes his work unique in a space where so many artists are doing the same thing over and over.

3. Jon Reynolds

From downtown bridges to natural parks surrounding the city, Jon Reynolds’s collection is the work of a master fine art photographer. His “Queen in Winter ” series is one of our favorites since many photographers put up their cameras when it’s too cold to go out. Jon instead finds fresh inspiration in the mist, snowy branches, and muted lighting.

He also does an amazing job of pairing the human and natural worlds. Thunderstorms and lightning bolts are natural phenomena that are intense on their own, yet they juxtapose well with the skyscrapers of downtown Cincinnati. Clouds’ motion blurred through long exposure again reminds us of the ever-present beauty and power of the natural world!

4. Brandan Wesson

Travel, cityscapes, lifestyle, and sports are what Brandan Wesson does best! His favored subjects encourage viewers to get out and explore the wider world. When presenting the beauty of Cincinnati, Brandan often enjoys warm sunsets paired with shadow-filled foregrounds. It’s a style that’s very unique to him.

Blue hour is hard to capture well, especially when the skies are clear. Yet Brandan’s images are not at all boring. They have a contemplative character and look quite natural, as do his early morning images. It’s easy to see he has a local’s appreciation for the skyline.

5. Aaron Duesing

When browsing the work of top Cincinnati cityscape photographers, you should choose a specialist like Aaron Duesing. For one, his portfolio also includes other scenic cities in Europe and the USA, all captured from some really creative angles. Streetcars, bridge cables, busy streets…Aaron’s truly a master skyline and cityscape photographer.

That said, he is just as interested in smaller architectural wonders. His feed is full of old houses photographed from street levels. The kind of homes that really demonstrate the character and charm of the city.

6. Zak Kauth

Many Cincinnati cityscape photographers use a bright and cheerful lens to showcase the city’s beauty. But Zak Kauth offers something very different; a dark and moody perspective where shadows rule and subtle lights invite a more contemplative look. Blue hour and nighttime are his favorite times to shoot.

Zak even takes viewers above the Queen City using aerial drone cameras to reveal a sparkling world of neon colors and black expanses that few people get to see. Locals will also appreciate how Zack composes shots to emphasize famous landmarks and historic buildings. His wide-angle aerial shots do an especially great job of this! It’s rare to see such dynamic images from the ground, let alone from a drone’s eye view.

7. Ben Wright

Ben Wright is a graduate of Full Sail University with a bachelor’s in film and video production. Born and raised in Cincinnati, his prints collection have the intimate quality you’d expect from a local artist. The character is welcoming, with vibrant colors and punchy contrast.

Ben is especially talented at finding just the right lighting for a given subject. Purple and blue hour paint Cincinnati in pastel shades; ideal for a relaxing and contemplative scene. And at night, dark black skies create the perfect backdrop for the frenetic pace of highways.

8. Jason Moermond

Jason Moermond was born and raised in the Queen City, making him a natural fit for our list of the top Cincinnati cityscape photographers. Landscapes and the outdoors have always been a love of his. Paired with his love for artistic expression, Jason quickly took to photographing cityscapes and nature. His images have been featured across the city, including a spot in Silver Moon Magazine.

Jason’s style has a dynamic quality to it thanks to his willingness to shift the position of his camera around. He shoots at ground level, brings the camera up high, and otherwise invites us to explore the city from a different perspective. We also think you’ll enjoy the HDR style Jason occasionally uses. Recovering shadows and highlights for a presentation closer to how we would experience a scene in person!

Find unique photoshoot locations in Cincinnati on Peerspace