With so many great places in St. Louis to take amazing photos — it is hard to just list a few. The places on this list are sure winners, even for the most novice of photographers. Read below to see our beautiful parks, great gardens, and favorite attractions that are a photo-taking paradise.

1. The Missouri Botanical Gardens

The Missouri Botanical Gardens offer a lush and wonderful picture taking setting. The fountains, sculptures, and walkways provide an amazing backdrop to the year-round foliage. The Japanese Garden is a favorite here for outside photographs. The Climatron is perfect for up-close photographs of tropical plants. The Missouri Botanical Gardens are located at 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110.

2. Kiener Plaza

If you want to take brilliant photographs of St. Louis, Kiener Plaza is the place to start. You will have perfectly centered views of both the Gateway Arch and the Old Court House. Oh, and expansive views of downtown St. Louis.Kiener Plaza is located at 500 Chestnut St., St. Louis, MO 63101.

3. Art Hill in Forest Park

Of all the places in the central St. Louis area, Art Hill is the best for photographs with large views of the sky above. And, of course, it is a beautiful place. You can also take a perfect picture of Saint Louis on his horse here in front of the Saint Louis Art Museum. Art Hill is located at 35-43 Fine Arts Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110.

4. The Saint Louis Zoo

The Saint Louis Zoo is a great place to go if you want to photograph animals. Other unique photo opportunities here are the Mary Ann Lee Conservation Carousel and the train of the Zooline Railroad. Because the Saint Louis Zoo has no admission fee, you can go as often as you wish to get those perfect photographs. The Saint Louis Zoo is located at Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110.

5. Columbia Bottom Conservation Area

The Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is a bird watchers utopia for photographs. This wetland area is also one of the few places in St. Louis where you can get long clear shots of the skyline. Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is located at 801 Strodtman Rd, St. Louis, MO 63138

6. Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park

This park has everything you need for jaw-dropping outside photographs. You can take long sweeping pictures from up high of the river and valley below. The trails here are a treasure trove of wilderness photography shots. The lake of this memorial park is always picture perfect. But at sunset, there might not be a better place in all of St. Louis for photographs.Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park is located at 2143 Creve Coeur Mill Rd., St. Louis, MO 63146.

7. The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

The Cathedral Basilica is a destination for many photographers passing through St. Louis. Photos here can be taken after daily mass during the Churches public tour hours. It is the opulence and richness of the gold mosaic interior that makes this working church perfect for photographs. Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is located at 4431 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.

Have you taken photos at these amazing places? Share your experience with us in the comments below.

Visit the Historic St. Louis Union Station for another place to take great photographs.