“Where will Our session take place?”

Once you pick a date and book a session with me, the question of “Where will the session take place?” is often the first thing to come up!

Lower level Dellwood Park, Lockport (November) Very unique spot with a lot of WOW factor. This location can be a challenge for some to find as it requires a Google Maps pin instead of an address. The lower level of the park is NOT accessible for strollers or wheelchairs and requires some walking with stairs to get to. Can work for morning or evening sessions and is ideal year round and shines in the Fall! Can work for larger extended family sessions if everyone is able to walk and maneuver stairs.

Honestly, it’s a valid question, often times with a variety of options!

I’m here to help you! I can even choose for you, in the event that you don’t have a preference! And while I love scoping out and finding new places to photograph my families… I do have some tried and true go-to favorites!

I’m going to break down some of the things that make the locations I choose special, as well 5 things to consider when choosing a location for your outdoor photo session.

*** Please remember, during peak Fall Season, most of my dates will have predetermined locations to keep the season running smoothly. So keep these examples in mind if you’re thinking of a fall session.

Hickory Creek Junction, New Lenox (June). Lighting is ideal in the evening only, June through November. Not hard to find, but does require knowing how to follow a Google Map pin. Parking is often never an issue. Can be accessed in part with strollers or wheelchairs. Can work for larger extended family sessions.

1. First and Foremost: LIGHT!

Not all outdoor light is created the same. Any professional photographer will tell you that LIGHTING is one of the (if not THE) most important aspect of any outdoor location, and there are DEFINITELY some locations with better light than others. Also, some locations may have AMAZING evening light, but may be way too harsh in the morning hours.

Light creates shadows, highlights, and contrast which can add depth and ambience to the finished photograph. Direction, intensity, and quality of the available light are something that must be considered. Often times, a specific spot may look like a gorgeous photo location to the average person, only for the professional photographer to notice harsh lighting coming from the wrong direction at the wrong time of day.

Lighting is the reason my outdoor sessions are booked when they are! Early morning and evening light will always be the ideal lighting for outdoor portraits. The sun is low in the sky and angled in such a way to create the most soft and flattering light, often without harsh shadows and blown out highlights.

Hickory Creek Junction, New Lenox (October). Lighting is ideal in the evening only, June through November. Not hard to find, but does require knowing how to follow a Google Map pin. Parking is often never an issue. Can be accessed in part with strollers or wheelchairs. Can work for larger extended family sessions.

Birdhaven Gardens, Joliet (October). Easy to find with an address to put into your GPS. Can work for mornings or evenings. Ideal for flowers, but gardens aren’t in full bloom until late June, but it is a great location from June -Snow sessions. Is accessible for strollers or wheelchairs. Parking is usually not an issue. Location is used for outdoor weddings and very popular, so crowds can be a concern. Can work for larger extended family sessions.

Frankfort Pond/Walking Path (June). Parking to access this area of town is often easier to come by than the main store front area. It iss ideal for evening, but can work during the early morning. Works best for summer and fall. It does require some walking and is mostly accessible for strollers or wheelchairs. The path is popular and can get busy and crowded with walkers and bike riders. It is also a popular spot with other photographers in the area.

2. Vibe: Urban vs Prairie vs Gardens vs parks

One of the first things I ask clients to consider before I offer suggestions on location is the VIBE they want their finished images to have. Are you loving the interest of architectural elements in a more urban setting? Or are you after manicured gardens with colorful flowers? Are you loving the idea of tall prairie grasses in an open field, or do you love the look of tall trees in a park type setting?

Downtown Frankfort (April). I have several meeting spots that are all easy to find via an address and GPS. Lighting is idea for morning or evening sessions. Parking and crowds can often be a concern as the area is often very busy on weekends and evenings.. Location works year round and is a great option during the winter, early spring, and mornings. Does require some walking around for the full variety. Not recommended for larger extended family sessions.

Downtown Lockport (October). Easy to find with a GPS but parking and crowds can sometimes be an issue. This location requires walking to visit the variety of spots that I use. Can be accessible for a stroller or wheelchair but we may be limited in the spots we visit. Works for morning or evening light and can be a great year round option with a lot of unique spots for big variety in a gallery.

Hadley Valley Preserve, New Lenox (June). Easy to find with an address for GPS, parking is not an issue. Ideal for evening light only. Is easily accessible for strollers or wheelchairs. Is the prettiest May-November. This location works great for larger extended family sessions. It is a nature preserve and walking path open to the public.

Lilacia Park, Lombard (April. Easy to find with an address and GPS. Ideal for mornings or evenings. Parking is public street parking and can be limited at peak times. The park is very popular so crowds can be an issue on weekends, so weekdays are ideal. Accessible for strollers or wheelchairs. A GEM for flowers and blooms from Early Spring - Late Summer. Not ideal for larger family groups.

Birdhaven Gardens, Joliet (October). Easy to find with an address to put into your GPS. Can work for mornings or evenings. Gardens and flowers aren’t in full bloom until late June, but it is a great location from June -Snow sessions. Is accessible for strollers or wheelchairs. Parking is usually not an issue. Location is used for outdoor weddings and very popular, so crowds can be a concern on weekends. Can work for larger extended family sessions.

3. Accessibility

Getting to the ideal spot is definitely something that has to be taken into account for some families! If we are photographing a larger extended family, and you have people coming from out of town, from different directions, or some who just aren’t good navigating their GPS, we may want to consider a spot that is easy to find for all! Believe it or not, not all locations have a hard address to give out. Some of my spots are a google map pin where I will meet you - and some people want something more straight forward and that’s OK!

Another thing to consider is if you need stroller or wheelchair accessibility. Most locations can accommodate either, but with some, we may be limited with where on the grounds we can go. A few locations are NOT accessible for a wheelchair or stroller, so that is something we can discuss before hand.

Lake Katherine, Palos Heights (August). Easy to find with an address and GPS. Can work for morning or evening sessions. Is ideal from Spring-Fall, but can also work for snow sessions. The park is very popular so parking is often an issue even on weekdays. Walking is required and this location may be a challenge for strollers or wheelchairs but is technically “accessible”. Not ideal for larger family groups.

Upper Level of Dellwood Park, Lockport (October). Finding the location will need the use of a Google maps pin instead of a hard address. Ideal for morning or evening and is beautiful in Spring-Fall. Doesn’t require a lot of walking and can accommodate a stroller or wheelchair. Works well for larger family groups.

Trantina Park, Homer Glen (September). This location offers some fun rustic barns and other structures. It is currently under construction so I always like to take a visit prior to booking to check on the current accessibility. Ideal for evenings, but can work for morning as well, Easy to find with a Google Map pin. Low profile grass area that is accessible for strollers or wheelchairs. Works well for large family groups.

4. Permits, Permissions & Other Special Concerns

Some locations will require special permission or a permit to use the property for a professional photo session. If a location does charge a permit fee, that would be an additional cost on top of the session fee I charge. So, it is definitely something to consider if there is a spot you have in mind.

If you have private property that you would like your session to take place at, I am always more that willing to work at new locations! Prior permission will be required (to be obtained by client) before I will agree to work on anyone’s private land.

Most locations within the City of Chicago now require a permit that has to be obtained ahead of time. Most locations further than 30 minutes out outside of New Lenox will also incur an additional travel fee in addition to your session fee.

*** If a location does charge a permit fee - I will always tell you that BEFORE we decide on a final location.

Private Property in Homer Glen - Requires previous permission as well as a permit for use. Not ideal for large family groups.

Cantigny Park, Wheaton (September). Location requires and additional permit fee as well as a parking fee. STUNNING manicured and professional gardens. Can work for morning or evening light. Ideal from Spring-Fall. Requires walking but also wheelchair and stroller accessible. Can work well for larger family groups.

Porter Beach, Indiana (September). Beach sessions are ONLY done right at sunrise or sunset. Extra travel fees will apply. Parking and crowds are often something to take into consideration. Beach sessions can technically work year round, however they are ideal in spring and fall when the weather is still pleasant - but the crowds aren’t at peak.

Private land, Mokena (permission obtained by client before the session).

5. Time of year & Time of day

While MOST locations can work any time of the year, sometimes the season your session is scheduled in may narrow down our location choices. Not to mention…some locations look vastly different depending on the season we choose to do the session.

If you have your heart set on tulips and lilacs, for example….I have a spot (ok… maybe 2 ) that can work. If you absolutely love the idea of a snow session, I have a handful of tried and true spots that look amazing during the winter months.

If you absolutely can ONLY make a morning session work, that is totally fine! I have a few suggestions that look amazing in the morning. There are a few locations that I definitely do not recommend for morning sessions because the light is just not ideal at those hours.