Outdoor Places That Work Great For Portrait Sessions
As spring warms up and summer sits right around the corner, outdoor photo season is officially on the horizon—and I couldn’t be more excited! If you're thinking about booking a session, now is the perfect time to start planning. And one of the most important decisions we’ll make together? Location.
Where we choose to shoot has a huge impact on the final look and feel of your photos. A thoughtful location adds depth, tells a story, and can truly elevate your images—whether we’re photographing your senior, the whole family, or delving into a business branding session.
When I work with my clients, I always help match the location to their style, personality, and wardrobe choices. Some spaces feel polished and sleek, while others are full of nature or cozy personal meaning. Here are five of my favorite types of locations for spring and summer photo sessions—and why they might be the perfect fit for you:
1. In Town: Architectural + Edgy + Artsy Vibes
Don’t overlook our west-suburban towns! They vary and many offer the perfect blend of modern architecture, sleek lines, colorful murals, and even a little bit of that urban grunge. This kind of backdrop is especially great for high school seniors who want something bold, modern, or fashion-forward—especially if a nature-filled park just doesn’t feel like “them.”
For families, doing a session in the town you live in can be a beautiful way to tie your images to this season of life. Your photos become part of your family legacy—set right where your memories are being made.
2. "Home": Your House, Yard, Farm, or Lakehouse
There’s something...well, meaningful about being photographed in the place you call home. Whether it’s your family house, a cozy lake cottage, or your grandparents’ farm, using a personal location adds a layer of authenticity and comfort that you just can’t get anywhere else.
We can use the interiors, the front steps, or even wander into the backyard. If your home has great light and reflects your style, it can be the perfect setting to document this chapter in a truly personal way.
3. Natural Areas With "Features"
When I scout outdoor locations, I’m always looking for features—things like stairs, fences, archways, bridges, stone walls, or textured buildings. These aren’t just background details—they’re tools I use to create variety, interesting compositions, and dynamic posing options.
Places like Cantigny Park and The Morton Arboretum are local favorites because they offer so much variety in one space. I also know lots of hidden gems and secret spots within these bigger parks, so even well-known places can feel fresh and unique in your gallery.
4. Gardens & Natural Wildflowers
If you’re dreaming of something soft, colorful, and pretty—especially for senior girls who love a bit of floral magic—gardens can be stunning. These spots are seasonal, of course, and timing matters if you want blooms in full swing, but when everything lines up, the results are incredible.
The gardens at Cantigny and The Morton Arboretum are both lovely, but there are also some lesser-known options (and even private yards!) that can create that same floral-forward feel. I tend to reserve these spots for seniors or women’s portrait sessions, as I’ve found they don’t always vibe with family sessions that include young boys or men.
5. Personal Connection
Have access to a special spot through work, school, or family? Let’s talk about it! I always encourage clients to think outside the box—especially if there’s a meaningful location we can use that others might not have access to.
A recent favorite: I photographed a young client receiving her advance degree from a school in VA and felt a deep connection to the campus. There was simply no where else she would have wanted her session! Then there was the senior boy who spent years of his life golfing and hanging out at a local country club where his family had deep generational roots of membership. roots. It was personal, classy, and so “him.” These kinds of unique locations often make the most memorable and storytelling-rich galleries.
Let’s Choose a Location That’s You
Every session I book begins with a planning conversation, where we talk about location, wardrobe, and what you want your images to say. You don’t need to know exactly where you want to shoot—that’s what I’m here for! Together, we’ll figure out the perfect setting to match your style, tell your story, and create something beautiful.
I've created a gallery with sample images from various locations I typically photograph clients.
Spring and summer session spots fill quickly, especially at some of the more popular outdoor locations. If you’re thinking of booking, now’s the time to reach out, so we can get started!
