I’m proud to serve the Chicago North Shore as an Evanston photographer! When this client reached out for fall photos, I was delighted to offer multiple beautiful locations around Glenview and Winnetka in order to get exactly the look she was going for!
When we have your session consultation, I make sure to ask your location preferences, as well as asking what needs your family has. Will grandpa need a location with a bench, or close proximity to a parking lot? Do you need a dog-friendly location? As your Evanston photographer, these are the details I consider when offering location suggestions so that you don’t need to worry on the day of your session – it’s taken care of. 🙂
Evanston Photographer
Depending on what look you’re going for, there are a number of beautiful photoshoot locations in Evanston!
Merrick Rose Garden
This hidden gem of a garden offers a beautiful, quieter space with the flowers, along with a small grassy area for children to run around. A perfect setting for a relaxed family session.
Clark Street Beach
As an Evanston photographer, this location is one of my personal favorites! It has a beautiful sandy beach, beach grass, and is right next to Northwestern University. This is a brilliant location, particularly for Northwestern graduation photos – between the beach and the pretty architecture of the nearby university buildings, you can get a lot of variety without much walking at all!
Lighthouse Beach
This location also provides a lot of lovely variety. Of course there’s the beach with bright sand and beach grass for interest, but there’s also the front of the Harley Clarke Mansion, and the Grosse Point Lighthouse. This combination of natural and architectural elements lends itself well to a varied gallery.
Winnetka Photographer
As a Winnetka photographer, here are a few of my favorite nearby locations!
Skokie Lagoons
This location provides a beautiful natural setting with lots of deciduous trees, meadows, and grassy areas with water in the background. Due to the orientation of this landscape, it’s a good choice for an afternoon session if you’d like water in the background of your portraits.
Gallery Park
A little further afield, to the west of town in Glenview is the lovely Gallery Park. This park offers a bridge, pier, and fountains, all with paved walking paths and pretty stonework. I love that this location offers a variety of backdrop choices: there are natural areas with wildflowers, manicured lawns, and many pretty angles with the pond in the background. The wildflowers will be in peak bloom in mid to late July.
Highland Park Photos
If you’re looking for Highland Park photos, here are some of my favorite locations near the town!
The Chicago Botanic Garden
Technically just to the south of Highland Park in Glencoe, the Chicago Botanic Garden is an outstanding choice for photos year-round. Even in the winter and early spring, the Botanic Garden offers beautiful lake and evergreen backdrops in the Japanese Garden, and lovely garden architecture in the English Walled Garden and the Heritage Garden. Of course, the garden truly shines during the peak blooming seasons from April through September. Looking for a specific flower, color, or look? Let me know, and I will scout the garden with an eye for your preferences.
Rosewood Beach
For a more casual vibe at your session, Rosewood Beach is a great choice for your Highland Park photos! Offering a sandy beach next and tree-lined bluffs, imagine wading in the water, making sandcastles with your children, or posing in the surf during your session here.
Fort Sheridan
Another nice location for photos is beautiful Fort Sheridan just to the north of Highland Park in Lake Forest! Fort Sheridan offers expansive views of Lake Michigan along with beautiful, natural scenery. It’s lovely at any time of day, but for the lake in the background, you’ll want to choose a morning time for your session.
Wilmette Photographer
Wilmette is home to a number of beautiful photoshoot location options! As a Wilmette photographer, here are some of my top choices.
Bahá’à House of Worship
Of course, the Bahá’à House of Worship is one of my favorite North Shore photo locations! While this spot shines any time of year, it’s particularly nice during the spring when the gardens are in bloom! The ornate architecture of this temple, the reflecting pool, and the beautiful flowers all make this a lovely choice for images!
Michigan Shores Club
With its ornate Tudor-style architecture and close proximity to the beach, the Michigan Shores club is a great option, particularly if you’re looking for an indoor photoshoot location on the North Shore.
Wilmette Harbor
For a nautical-inspired photoshoot, or photoshoot with your boat, this is a lovely location! Not only do you get the look of the marina, but there’s also a neighboring park for greenery and variety in your gallery.
Interested in Chicago North Shore photos of your own? I’d love to help out! Reach out here to get the ball rolling for your own photoshoot!
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!
