10 Best Engagement Photo Locations in Chicago Suburbs
Are you newly engaged and looking for the perfect spot to take your photos? I’ve got you covered with some of my top 10 best engagement photo locations in the Chicago suburbs! From Aurora to the outskirts of Chicago, I serve clients all over the western burbs. I have years of experience finding the most beautiful locations that fit what you’re looking for.
As a full-service photographer, your engagement photo experience is highly customized. Meaning, I spend time with you helping with everything from planning to creating keepsakes for your home.
Choosing the best location for you is a big part of that planning stage, which we discuss at your design consultation! What kind of style are you looking for – nature, urban, chic? Is there a location that has special meaning to your story? Are there particular colors that would look amazing hanging on your living room wall? These are all questions we brainstorm together!
If you’re looking for a highly personal, fun experience for your engagement photos around the Chicago suburbs, just fill out my inquiry form so we can connect.
Downtown Aurora – Aurora
Nearly 200 years old, the city of Aurora is filled with history, especially in the downtown area. You can park along the street or in public garages and find lots of interesting photo spots within walking distance. Weathered brick buildings, murals, quaint alleys and small parks make for the perfect variety of urban-naturescapes. For the couple below, we also stopped inside the beautiful Society57 coffee and event venue for a classy, upscale vibe!
For this next session below in downtown Aurora, we hit up the parking garage, walked along the river and stopped at a few neat buildings I found, and then ended with the gorgeous gardens outside the historic Grand Army of the Republic military museum.
With Josh and Kyra’s session in downtown Aurora, we started at Endiro Coffee shop and found some textured walls nearby that perfectly matched their style. We wrapped up their beautiful anniversary session with golden hour sunset at a beautiful little veterans park down the road.
Downtown Naperville Riverwalk – Naperville
Engagement photos at the downtown Naperville Riverwalk are one of the more popular choices to be sure. It carries nostalgic character for many, as oftentimes date nights and fond memories are made there! Again, being a large area with lots of scenic variety, I like to walk around and find backgrounds that inspire and tell your unique story.
For Sara and Aaron’s session, we spent time at Sparrow Coffee and along the riverwalk. We reminisced on their first date and all the memories together there since!
Blackwell Forest Preserve – Warrenville
One of my favorite forest preserves in the western suburbs, Blackwell Forest Preserve is a gorgeous place to take engagement photos. With docks and bridges on the water, endless greenery of all kinds, trails, and even a giant hill with stunning 360 views at the top – there’s truly no shortage of perfect photo spots. The evergreen trees also make for a great choice during winter months.
Herrick Lake Forest Preserve – Wheaton
Conveniently located off Butterfield Road just down the street from Blackwell, Herrick Lake is another hidden gem that is perfect for engagement photos! It’s an easy walk around the lake, and is fun to stop at the different bridges and paths along the way. You can even rent kayaks there, which would be an amazing activity to do together and get photos of!
Danada Equestrian Center – Wheaton
Boasting white fences, open fields, and various barns, Danada Equestrian Center is a gorgeous location for capturing western themed engagement photos. However, their casual open grounds allow for lots of variety in outfits and scenery. Plus, you maybe even be able to get some horses in the background! You can dress up and pose in front of the large white barn, or can get casual and run through the fields.
St James Farm Forest Preserve – Warrenville
Located just off Winfield Rd near Cantigny Park, St James Farm definitely makes the list for best engagement photo locations in Chicago suburbs. It’s free to enter, with a winding road and plenty of parking. Enjoy white fences, barn doors with brick and black paint, and plenty of nature around.
Fabyan Forest Preserve – Geneva
There’s nothing quite like this little gem nestled in the beautiful city of Geneva along the river. If you’ve ever dreamed of getting engagement photos at Fabyan Forest Preserve, here’s your sign to make it happen! The gardens feel like something out of a fairy tale, with wrought iron fences, statues, paths, and plenty of beautiful greenery. Hang out near the river, or grab some shots in front of the famous historic Fabyan Windmill.
Riverview Farmstead Preserve – Naperville
Quiet and quaint, the Riverview Farmstead Preserve definitely deserves a spot on the list of best engagement photo locations around Chicagoland. It has such a romantic and family-oriented vibe to it. Perfect for putting on a a flowy dress and getting playful poses around the fields, historic buildings, and river!
The Morton Arboretum – Lisle
It’s no secrete the Morton Arboretum is one of the treasures of the western Chicago burbs. Boasting miles of stunning landscapes, there are endless possibilities for creativity for your engagement photos. Spring is a beautiful time of year, and of course there’s nothing like the fall explosion of endless rich colors. However, it is a more pricier choice, to be sure. Admission costs $17/person if you don’t have a membership. Additionally, there is a $100 photography permit for one hour.
Garfield Conservatory – Chicago
Finally, in Chicagoland, sometimes indoor photo locations are a must – especially during the rainy and winter seasons. One of my go-to places is conservatories, which allow for the lush greenery of the outdoors but with plenty of protection from the elements. Garfield Conservatory is free to enter, with a photography permit of just $35. It’s one of my favorite places for indoor engagement photos. There are multiple different rooms with different plant environments. Truly stunning!
And that’s a wrap! There are 10 of my best engagement photo locations in Chicago suburbs!
I firmly believe engagement photos should be highly personal and customized. Basically, the photos tell your story, show your personality, and evoke emotion. While the wedding photos will tell the story of your big day, the engagement photos will tell the story of your relationship.
It’s my joy to be a full-service portrait photographer who holds your hand and guides you every step of the way. All the way to designing stunning keepsake albums and wall art to proudly display in your home!
Interested in hearing more about the experience? Just fill out the form and we’ll connect for on a quick free call to chat more! –> INQUIRE HERE
