It’s that time again: the kids are back in school and the weather is slowly cooling. That means the leaves will be changing into beautiful hues of yellow, red, and orange, which is perfect for fall family pictures!
You can check out our guide full of Recommended Family Photographers, but what about fall photo sessions specifically? We teamed up with our featured photographers to bring you ideas for where to take fall family photographs and give you inside info on what sessions they have left so you can snag these popular times slots!
Please keep in mind that most of the following locations charge a photography fee, which is managed by your photographer, so check with the location or the person you hire before making your final decision.
Photographers with Upcoming Photo Sessions
Before you scroll through the myriad of amazing locations to take fall family photographs in the city and suburbs, here’s a list of fall sessions that are currently available. Many of the photographers warned us that there aren’t many spots left, so you’ll want to check these out as soon as possible. Then scroll through to see samples of their work at various gorgeous locations nearby and be inspired!
Summer Brader Photography
Your 2025 fall lifestyle Maternity, Newborn, Children and Family Photographer
Based out of Downers Grove, IL, serves Chicago and surrounding suburbs and available for travel
summer@summerbraderphotography.com
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Hey there, memory-makers! I’m Summer with Summer Brader Photography and I’m here to help you freeze-frame the magic before your kids grow another inch overnight.
🍁 Fall Minis:
Running every Thursday through Sunday from early September through the first week of November at beautiful, set locations around the western suburbs. These quick-but-mighty 30 minute sessions are perfect for updating your walls (and your holiday cards) and come with 10 digital images from a gallery of 20+ images. Immediate family only, no pets. $495
🚨 Heads up: Rain happens! The last week of each month is reserved just in case, so you’ll need to keep that open to reschedule if needed.
🌟 Full Fall Sessions:
Looking for a bit more time and flexibility? Regular fall sessions are also in full swing! Grab your spot now so we can start planning the perfect session for your family, yes, even if that means coordinating 3 kids and a dog. Yes! Full sessions are for the entire immediate family. One hour. Access to download ALL images from a gallery of 50+. Standard Wall Art Collection which includes (2) 8×10, (2) 11×14 & (1) 16×20. $895
📸 These spots always book fast, so don’t wait. Let’s make some photo magic!
CLICK HERE FOR BOOKING LINK (also includes the holiday minis so you can snag those before they’re gone)
EsteeG Photography
on location or in studio
Countryside, IL
esteegphotography@yahoo.com
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Fall is busiest time for photos as it’s absolutely gorgeous with the warm colors and crisp cool air. Let’s have some fun in your session with big hugs, tickles and laughs. This year EsteeG Photography is offering Fall Minis on October 19, 2025 for $250.
Moira Nolan Photography
on location
Bolingbrook, IL
mknolanphoto@gmail.com
Website | Facebook | Instagram
This year, I’ll be offering two weekend dates for Fall Mini Sessions: September 20th and October 12th. These are $225 and include a 15-minute session and 10 digital images, with the option to upgrade to the full gallery for an additional $100.
Full Fall Sessions will be offered exclusively on weekday evenings. Weeknight sessions let us take advantage of popular locations without the crowds — meaning a more relaxed experience for you and beautiful portraits without distractions.
Kristen Hazelton Photography
based in Oak Park, IL, serving Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area
kristenhazeltonphotography@gmail.com
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Serving Chicagoland from Oak Park, IL, Kristen Hazelton Photography provides on-location fall photoshoots for Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Whether you’re looking for vibrant fall color or something a little different this year, I offer custom services to make sure your fall family photos are perfectly tailored to your family’s wants and needs. Click here for more information!
Tesoro Photography
📩 tesorophoto@outlook.com
📍 Serving the Chicago area + surrounding northwest suburbs
🗣 English and Spanish speaking
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Hello! I’m Crystal with Tesoro Photography. Not only do I love capturing treasured family memories, but getting to do so in my favorite season, with the crisp fall air and pops of color in the leaves, is a dream come true!Are you ready to capture some warm, snuggly moments before the fall season passes in the blink of an eye?
Fall Mini Sessions Are Back!
These short + sweet 25-minute sessions are perfect for busy families who still want timeless, joy-filled portraits to treasure. Held at hand-picked outdoor locations on select dates, in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, they make updating your memories easier than a fall breeze.
✔️ $195 includes 5 beautifully edited images
🎁 Book by August 15 and get 5 bonus images—that’s 10 total, just for booking early.
Sessions fill quickly, book early and let’s hangout among the autumn leaves together!
Ligia Chiu Photography // Film
based in Mount Prospect, serving Chicagoland
Website | Instagram
Ligia Chui is offering Fall Mini Sessions on October 11 and 18 in Northbrook. They are $200 for 30 minutes ($100 deposit at the time of booking) for about 50 fully edited digital downloadable photos. Please note that reschedules can only be made in the event of inclement weather or emergencies. All rescheduled sessions will take place on the weekdays. Click here to book.
A limited number of one-hour long sessions are also available during the month of October. The price is $300 for 1 hour ($150 deposit at the time of booking) for about 80-100 fully edited digital downloadable photos. Click here to book.
Amanda Kay Photography
based in Elmhurst, serving Chicagoland
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Amanda Kay Photography is now booking all fall sessions including the ever popular mini sessions. These sessions are 15-20 minutes and include a minimum of 20 images. With 8 different location options, click here to grab your spot today!
Fall Photo Locations in Chicago
31st Street Beach
Margaret T. Burroughs Beach, most commonly called 31st Street Beach, offers views of the Chicago skyline.
31st Street Beach
3100 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 742-3224
Adler Planetarium
The area outside Adler has some of the best views in the city, with a huge stretch of skyline and the lakeshore.
Adler Planetarium
1300 S Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 922-7827
Belmont Harbor
Boat harbor with park space and views of the skyline to the south.
Belmont Harbor in Lincoln Park
3600 Recreation Drive
Chicago, IL 60613
(312) 742-7673
Chicago Riverwalk
This 1.25-mile long path connects Upper Wacker Drive to the lake, with views of the Chicago River, bridges, architecture, and public art.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Honeycomb art installation and several locations with skyline views.
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 742-2000
Millennium Park
The iconic bean sculpture (Cloud Gate), Crown Fountain, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and Maggie Daley Park in the heart of the city.
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 742-1168
Milton Lee Olive Park
Fountains with paths and benches amidst trees, located on a peninsula just north of Navy Pier
Milton Lee Olive Park
E. Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Montrose Beach
Montrose Beach
4400 N. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60613
(312) 742-3224
Montrose Harbor
A protected prairie area with photo opportunities among fall foliage.
Montrose Harbor
601 W Montrose Avenue
Chicago, IL 60613
(312) 742-7527
North Avenue Beach
Dunes, sand, and skyline make this spot special for family photographs.
North Avenue Beach
1600 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60613
(312) 742-3224
North Pond
Nature meets an urban skyline in this Lincoln Park natural area.
North Pond
2610 N Cannon Drive
Chicago, IL 60614
Northerly Island
Great views of Lake Michigan with the skyline behind you.
Northerly Island
1521 S. Linn White Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 745-2910
Oak Street Beach
Sandy beach with waterfront and skyline views.
Oak Street Beach
1000 North Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 74-BEACH
Ping Tom Memorial Park
This park has wooded areas, city views, murals, and Chinese landscape design elements.
Ping Tom Park
1700 S. Wentworth Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-3121
Promontory Point
Promontory Point is a natural area part of Burnham Park, a lakefront park just north of the Museum of Science and Industry.
Promontory Point
5491 S Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 256-0159
Winnemac Park
This park features an accessible playground, scenic prairie garden, and nature trail.
Winnemac Park
5100 N Leavitt Street
Chicago, IL 60625
(312) 742-5101
Fall Photo Locations in the Chicago Suburbs
Bird Haven Greenhouse and Conservatory
Lush, tropical foliage makes for beautiful photos.
Bird Haven Greenhouse and Conservatory
225 Gougar Road
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 741-7278
Blackhawk Waterfall
Also known as the hidden waterfall in South Elgin, this spot has rocks to step across, a waterfall, and graffiti behind the falls.
Blackhawk Waterfall
35W003 Route 31
South Elgin, IL 60177
Busse Woods
Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village has a boating center, elk pasture, meadow, and plenty of trails that highlight fall colors.
Cantigny Park
Artistic structures, both formal and informal gardens and buildings
1 S 151 Winfield Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
(630) 668-5161
Danada Forest Preserve
Home to the Danada Equestrian Center, prairies, woods, wetlands, a farm, and rolling terrain.
Downtown Geneva
Geneva’s historic downtown makes a great backdrop.
Downtown La Grange
There’s an alley in downtown La Grange with artwork, brick walls, and rustic stairs that makes it a unique spot for photographs.
Downtown Lemont
Lemont has rolling hills, three waterways, and a historic downtown.
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst University
190 S Prospect Ave
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 617-3400
Fabyan Forest Preserve
You’ll find a large windmill, bridge, and amazing landscape structures for picturesque moments.
Fabyan Forest Preserve
1925 S Batavia Avenue
Geneva, IL 60134
(630) 232-5980
Fullersburg Woods
Fullersburg Woods creates great backdrops for fall photos with bridges, paths, stone steps, and fall foliage.
Fullersburg Woods
3609 Spring Road
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 850-8110
Glencoe Beach
Glencoe Beach
55 Hazel Avenue
Glencoe IL 60022
(847) 835-1185
Graue Mill
The brick path, railings, and mill make Graue Mill an iconic spot for a memorable photo shoot.
Graue Mill
3800 York Road
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 655-2090
Greene Valley Forest Preserve
Greene Valley’s historic bright red barn makes a striking backdrop and there are also great paths with fall foliage.
Greene Valley Forest Preserve
23W171 Hobson Road
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 933-7200
Illinois Prairie Path
The Illinois Prairie path encompasses 62 miles of paths across various suburbs, so there are plenty of options for great fall photos.
Katherine Legge Memorial Park
Older stone buildings and walls, painted gates and doorways, and mature trees
Katherine Legge Memorial Park
5901 S. County Line Road
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 789-7000
Knoch Knolls Park
Bridges, rivers, a pond, mature trees, and native plants.
Knoch Knolls Park
320 Knoch Knolls Road
Naperville, IL 60565
Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens
Huge nature destination with a waterfall, prairie, arboretum with trees from around the world, and more.
Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens
7402 Lake Katherine Drive
Palos Heights, IL 60463
(708) 361-1873
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
LeRoy Oakes is home to Creek Bend Nature Center, Durant House Museum and Pioneer Sholes School.
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean Street
St. Charles, IL 60175
(630) 232-5980
Lilacia Park
This park offers visual interest all season long with various plantings, paths, and steps.
Lilacia Park
150 S Park Avenue
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 620-7322
Little Red Schoolhouse
Trails, nature play, and a pond makes this a fun spot to explore and capture in family photos.
Little Red Schoolhouse
9800 Willow Springs Road
Willow Springs, IL 60480
(708) 839-6897
Maple Grove Forest Preserve
Maple Grove is “the largest remnant of the vast maple forest that became Downers Grove,” according to the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
Mayslake
Wetlands, ponds, and prairies offer a variety of scenery for photographers to work with.
Mayslake
3401 St. Paschal Drive
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Naperville Riverwalk
Greenery, classic covered bridges, luxurious landscaping, and the river.
Naperville Riverwalk
178 Jackson Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
Oldfield Oaks
Mature oak woodland, natural wetland and restored prairie with many types of wildflowers.
Oldfield Oaks
2525 87th Street
Darien, IL 60561
Patriots Park
The large loop around Barth Pond has many places where families can stop for photos by the water.
Patriots Park
501 55th Place
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 963-1300
Riverview Farmstead Preserve
Riverview Farmstead Preserve
S Book Rd
Naperville, IL 60564
(815) 727-8700
Springbrook Prairie
Springbrook Prairie in Naperville is a vast natural prairie with all kinds of native plants.
St. James Farm
Beautiful paths lined with landscaping, classic fences, buildings with lot of character, and allées (rows of trees planted to create a natural “alley”).
St. James Farm
2S541 Winfield Road
Warrenville, IL 60555
(630) 933-7248
The Morton Arboretum
The foliage at The Morton Arboretum is top-notch. There are both casual and formal gardens that make great spots for fall photographs.
The Morton Arboretum
4100 IL-53
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 968-0074
Vehe Farm Park
The Vehe Barn makes the perfect rustic backdrop for family photographs.
Vehe Farm Park
23680 W Cuba Road
Deer Park, IL 60010
(847) 438-0764
Warrenville Grove
A bridge, pond, and wild flowers.
Warrenville Grove
3S345 Batavia Road
Warrenville, IL 60555
Waterfall Glen
Variety of plants, terrain, and paths with a beautiful waterfall area.
Waterfall Glen
Lemont, IL 60439
(630) 933-7200
Wilder Park
Wilder Park is home to a conservatory with great natural light and plants, a playground, an art museum, and a majestic library.
Wilder Park
175 S. Prospect Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 993-8900
Wolfe Wildlife Park
Natural wetlands area with over 100 species of birds, a playground, and scenic areas.
Wolfe Wildlife Park
W 109th Street and Laramie Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
(708) 857-2201
