Sharing today some beautiful senior photos at Lake Marmo in the Morton Arboretum! My client had dreams of recreating a photo from her childhood in the Daffodil Glade in the Morton Arboretum as the inspiration for her senior portraits! With an early spring, I convinced her split up her session into a early and late spring photoshoots so we could get the best of the spring flowers!
The image on the right was selected for publication in Issue 82 of Senior Style Guide Magazine!
What makes Lake Marmo so special? It is ringed by redbud trees which makes an absolutely beautiful place to visit in the spring! With late-blooming daffodils, crocuses, and those redbuds, this is a must-visit on your springtime trip to the Morton Arboretum!
Struggling to figure out the best time to visit Lake Marmo at the Morton Arboretum? Check out their bloom report for more information! As your photographer, I’ll be watching the seasonal changes like a hawk, ready to pivot should those flowers bloom earlier or later than expected.
Lake Marmo Photos at the Morton Arboretum
There’s a beautiful path around Lake Marmo that’s well-worth walking. If you’re lucky you’ll see some beautiful Virginia bluebells as well! My client requested photos that didn’t show her face, wanting photos that were more vibe-y than a traditional senior portrait. I always ask my clients about their vision for their photoshoot so I can do my utmost to make it a reality!
Lake Marmo is just a short walk away from Daffodil Glade, and is also ringed with a variety of daffodil varietals! It really is a spring dream for a portrait session!
Daffodil Glade Photos at the Morton Arboretum
Channeling all the flower fairy vibes for this photoshoot! To get some bright and cheerful color in her photos in the early spring at Daffodil Glade, my client went with this beautiful coral dress.
The above image is award-winning in SeniorInspire Magazine’s Top100 of 2025 contest! It stood out to the judge from over 2,500 images submitted!
When the flowers are blooming on a ground rather than in a tree, you can expect me to ask you to get down on the ground with them! Not to worry, my client’s outfit was well protected with the blankets I brought!
By splitting up her senior session for photos in early and late spring, we were able to get some beautiful portraits with the magnolias! I love how it looks like she’s in a snowstorm of blooms!
Client’s Photoshoot Experience
Here’s what my client’s mother had to say about her experience!
From start to finish, Kristen is enthusiastic, energetic, positive and extraordinarily skilled. A consummate professional, she made me and my daughter feel completely at ease and comfortable at every stage. She thought of every detail and has an uncanny ability to remember likes, dislikes and preferences. No concern is too small for her attention, and no challenge insurmountable. Getting ready for the photo shoot was exciting, and boy was it fun! Kristen kept it light and kept it moving and didn’t let any good photo opps go to waste, even while walking to/from locations. And the pictures–just wow! My daughter and I were blown away by the variety and quality. I can’t wait to work with Kristen again someday. She is the best of the best. I highly recommend this talented artist.
Kristen Hazelton is an award-winning Oak Park, IL (West Chicagoland) and Livermore, CA (San Francisco East Bay Area) graduating senior, and family photographer. She occasionally photographs in San Diego, CA, Tucson, AZ, and Seattle, WA. You can inquire about your own photoshoot here!
