I’m excited to share some beautiful motherhood spring Morton Arboretum photography! The arboretum is about 30 minutes to the west of Oak Park, ~45-60 minutes away from downtown Chicago and is an absolutely stunning location for portraits!

I’m in love with these star magnolias! There are some that are pink-tinged and others that are a pure white.

Morton Arboretum Photography – Spring Motherhood Photos

For magnolias, parking lot 5 on the East Loop is where you should head. The Arboretum has a wonderful bloom report, discussing what you can expect to see blossoming each week and where to go.

These two are the sweetest! Abbie is an amazing photographer herself; you can see her work here! I am so excited to photograph a wedding with her this summer.

Is the Morton Arboretum free?

Only for babies and members! Adults are $17/each, children 2-17 are $12/each, while babies to age 2 are free. The membership price is a minimum of $75/individual for one year (although there are discounts for more individuals). There is an additional fee for photo permits, although members get a discounted rate!

Restaurants near the Morton Arboretum

One question clients often have is “where do I head for brunch/dinner after my photoshoot at the Morton Arboretum?” Here are some of my favorite places to eat near the Arboretum!

• Gingko Restaurant and Cafe: this is in the visitor’s center AT the arboretum in case you’re quite hungry! The restaurant is open 11-2, and the cafe is open 9-6.
• To the southwest of the Arboretum is Naperville, and the Mediterranean restaurant Meson Sabika is a fantastic dinner spot! For brunch, try Egg Harbor Cafe.
• Directly south of the Arboretum is the town of Lisle, and Euro Crepes and Pizzeria is a great option!
• To the Northeast of the Arboretum is Butterfield, and if you’re looking for breakfast, Honey-Jam cafe is a great choice. If you’re looking for dinner, try Chauma Gaucha steakhouse.

I love this sea of flowers! On magnolia hill there are so many beautiful varieties. First, there are pinkish Jane magnolias that actually bloom twice per year! There are also white and pink star magnolias, and even some stunning and relatively rare yellow magnolias. People brought lawn chairs to just sit and relax outside in the sunshine next to the beautiful flowers. Nice!

I was at the Arboretum in late March and it was pretty chilly! This warm spring day was absolutely perfect!

Does the Morton Arboretum allow dogs?

Yes! The Arboretum does allow dogs, which is fantastic if you want to include your furry family members in your photoshoot! However, dogs are only allowed on select days, which will necessarily dictate your photoshoot date.

I’m finishing this post off with my favorite photo of the bunch!

One thing you do need to know about the Morton Arboretum is that it requires a permit for a photoshoot – BUT! There is a discounted rate for Arboretum members and this photographer just so happens to be a member!

The Arboretum website states:

If you are holding a special event and renting facilities at The Morton Arboretum, the permit fee is waived.  Purchasing a photo permit serves as timed entry for your entire party and no additional timed tickets are required.

So if you’re looking for a truly magical location for a photoshoot with loads of flowers – and near Oak Park and Chicago – this is a good one!

Kristen Hazelton is an Oak Park, IL (Chicago, IL metro area) and Livermore, CA (San Francisco East Bay Area) senior, family, and engagement photographer. She occasionally photographs in San Diego, CA, Tucson, AZ, and Seattle, WA. You can inquire about your own photoshoot here!