Honestly if just a headshot, use natural lighting from a near window and use a blank wall as a backdrop

i don't know where exactly but i can give you some quick tips: your spot needs to have a window with good amount of diffused light coming in (shouldnt be a problem on a winter pittsburgh day). ideally there wouldn't be a ton of other overhead lights to mess with the temperature and shadows. have your partner (ideally this isn't a selfie) stand right in front of the window. you back up 10' or so facing the window/partner. this distance will reduce distortion (assuming cell phone) at the cost of some quality (you'll have to crop in)- but you don't need many pixels for a little headshot (experiment with the distance, it's lens dependent- use telephoto option if you have it). the background should be simple (which will be the hard part) but if you can at least blur it using a 'portrait mode' then the combination of good light + low distortion will make the DIY headshot better than most. for location i was thinking some of the PPG buildings by the fountain. i think they're open, lots of open space, and lots of windows. hopefully the windows aren't too tinted so you have enough light. actually shooting outside with some snow on the ground could be great- you'll get some light bounce up to fill shadows. the background being further away will allow you to blur it better too. have fun! edit- north hills... honestly try north park outside over the lake with a blur background option. should turn out nice

If I were going to do this, I'd probably go for Phipps Conservatory but honestly for a headshot a plain wall, a brick wall, or some kind of curtain/backdrop are all things you could do most anywhere. You could probably walk into any building at CCAC and find a suitable spot.

I was recently in this situation and decided to take a nice camera and tripod to Phipps as early as possible. It was funny because I decided to do this in mid December, the Christmas decorations were up so there was actually a little bit of traffic. Phipps is really designed for single file walking, so in about three minutes I'd bewildered a whole lot of mostly older people who were so confused why I would be in a hurry to get through the conservatory. I went into the big jungle room, quickly snapped like 100 selfies in the hopes I would get one for a smile like a normal human, and then since I was in a jungle in December I brought a book and just read for an hour and soaked up the humidity and left.

Nordstroms at the mall. Good lighting and lots of clean spaces

If you don’t have a friend to take the photo or a good lens, ask around. There are many people that would love to practice their photography skills.

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Winter garden in ppg building

Places you're allowed to mind are libraries or coffee shops (if you buy a coffee), and that's pretty much it. Otherwise you could find office buildings with lobbies and ask the front desk if you can take some quick photos. Or just be quick if there is no front desk attendant.

California Coffee Bar or Anchor and Anvil both have cool vibes, you'd have to go at a slower time if you want a better selection of places to pose and I'd probably still ask if it was cool but I doubt they'd care as long as you don't take pictures of anyone else haha

Actress ?

Could ask police to give you copy ?