It’s that time again: the kids are almost 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.
Featured 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!
Fall Mini Sessions with Summer Brader Photography
Maternity • Newborn • Families • Branding • Headshots • Interiors
summerbraderphotography.com
Facebook | Instagram
Let's make this year's family photos the easiest thing on your fall calendar.
No stressing over what to wear, where to go, or whether your kids will cooperate. I've got you. Every Fall Mini Session includes the same concierge planning experience my full-session families love, from styling help to a beautiful, hand-picked location with the best fall color and light.
Sessions take place Thursday through Sunday evenings throughout the season in Chicago's western suburbs. You'll enjoy a relaxed 30-minute session, then choose your favorite 10 images from a gallery of 30+ beautifully edited photographs.
$495
Pick your date, reserve your time online, and leave the rest to me. We'll laugh, play, make memories, and create photos that actually feel like your family.
Fall Minis with EsteeG Photography
on location or in studio
based in Countryside, IL
esteegphotography@yahoo.com
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Fall will soon be in the air and it's time to start booking your family's fall photos! We have dates in October and November and would love to see you!
Fall Sessions with Ligia Chiu Photography // Film
on location photographs
based in Mount Prospect, serving Chicagoland
ligia.chiu@gmail.com
Website | Instagram
Ligia Chiu Photography // Film is offering fall mini sessions running September through October at scenic locations across the North Shore and western suburbs, from Lake Forest beaches to Crowe Island Woods and Potawatomi Woods.
Each 30-minute session captures your family in light, airy, timeless portraits paired with candid moments that show them just as they are. For $200, you'll receive about 50 fully edited, digital downloadable photos.
Spots are limited and dates fill quickly, so reserve your session soon!
Dates Coming Soon! Amanda Kay Photography
Fall Sessions with Tara Joseph Photography
Maternity • Newborn • Families
Naperville + Plainfield
tarajosephphotography.com
Instagram
The leaves are changing, the air is crisp, and there's no better time to update your family photos.
My Fall Mini Sessions are relaxed, fun, and designed to capture the real moments, genuine smiles, big laughs, and all the little in-between memories you'll treasure for years. No stiff posing, just a laid-back experience your whole family will enjoy.
Join me Saturdays and Sundays this fall at beautiful locations including the Naperville Riverwalk, Cantigny, and parks throughout the Naperville and Plainfield area.
Each 30-minute session includes personalized styling guidance, a private gallery of 30+ beautifully edited images, and your favorite 10 digital downloads for $495.
Pick the location that feels like your family, reserve your date, and let's create photos you'll love long after the leaves have fallen.
Fall Sessions with Moira Nolan Photography
on location
based in Bolingbrook, IL, serving Chicago suburbs
mknolanphoto@gmail.com
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Hey there, I’m Moira! A photographer, memory keeper, and toddler-wrangling mom. This year, I’ll be offering two weekend dates for Fall Mini Sessions: September 27th and October 11th. These are $250 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.
Fall Photo Locations in Chicago
31st Street Beach
31st Street Beach
3100 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 742-3224
Margaret T. Burroughs Beach, most commonly called 31st Street Beach, offers views of the Chicago skyline.
Adler Planetarium
Adler Planetarium
1300 S Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 922-7827
The area outside Adler has some of the best views in the city, with a huge stretch of skyline and the lakeshore.
Belmont Harbor
3600 Recreation Drive
Chicago, IL 60613
(312) 742-7673
Boat harbor with park space and views of the skyline to the south.
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
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 742-2000
Honeycomb art installation and several locations with skyline views.
Millennium Park
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 742-1168
The iconic bean sculpture (Cloud Gate), Crown Fountain, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and Maggie Daley Park in the heart of the city.
Milton Lee Olive Park
E. Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Fountains with paths and benches amidst trees, located on a peninsula just north of Navy Pier
Montrose Beach
Montrose Beach
4400 N. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60613
(312) 742-3224
Montrose Harbor
601 W Montrose Avenue
Chicago, IL 60613
(312) 742-7527
A protected prairie area with photo opportunities among fall foliage.
North Avenue Beach
1600 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60613
(312) 742-3224
Dunes, sand, and skyline make this spot special for family photographs.
North Pond
2610 N Cannon Drive
Chicago, IL 60614
Nature meets an urban skyline in this Lincoln Park natural area.
Northerly Island
1521 S. Linn White Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 745-2910
Great views of Lake Michigan with the skyline behind you.
Oak Street Beach
1000 North Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 74-BEACH
Sandy beach with waterfront and skyline views.
Ping Tom Memorial Park
1700 S. Wentworth Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-3121
This park has wooded areas, city views, murals, and Chinese landscape design elements.
Promontory Point
5491 S Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 256-0159
Promontory Point is a natural area part of Burnham Park, a lakefront park just north of the Museum of Science and Industry.
Winnemac Park
5100 N Leavitt Street
Chicago, IL 60625
(312) 742-5101
This park features an accessible playground, scenic prairie garden, and nature trail.
Fall Photo Locations in the Chicago Suburbs
Bird Haven Greenhouse and Conservatory
Bird Haven Greenhouse and Conservatory
225 Gougar Road
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 741-7278
Lush, tropical foliage makes for beautiful photos.
Blackhawk Waterfall
35W003 Route 31
South Elgin, IL 60177
Also known as the hidden waterfall in South Elgin, this spot has rocks to step across, a waterfall, and graffiti behind the falls.
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
1 S 151 Winfield Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
(630) 668-5161
Artistic structures, both formal and informal gardens and buildings
Crow Island Woods
1140 Willow Rd
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 501-2040
Crow Island Woods has a boardwalk, prairie, and a log cabin, which all make a beautiful backdrop for fall photographs.
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
Fabyan Forest Preserve
1925 S Batavia Avenue
Geneva, IL 60134
(630) 232-5980
You’ll find a large windmill, bridge, and amazing landscape structures for picturesque moments.
Fullersburg Woods
Fullersburg Woods
3609 Spring Road
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 850-8110
Fullersburg Woods creates great backdrops for fall photos with bridges, paths, stone steps, and fall foliage.
Glencoe Beach
Glencoe Beach
55 Hazel Avenue
Glencoe IL 60022
(847) 835-1185
Graue Mill
3800 York Road
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 655-2090
The brick path, railings, and mill make Graue Mill an iconic spot for a memorable photo shoot.
Greene Valley Forest Preserve
Greene Valley Forest Preserve
23W171 Hobson Road
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 933-7200
Greene Valley’s historic bright red barn makes a striking backdrop and there are also great paths with fall foliage.
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
Katherine Legge Memorial Park
5901 S. County Line Road
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 789-7000
Older stone buildings and walls, painted gates and doorways, and mature trees
Knoch Knolls Park
Knoch Knolls Park
320 Knoch Knolls Road
Naperville, IL 60565
Bridges, rivers, a pond, mature trees, and native plants.
Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens
7402 Lake Katherine Drive
Palos Heights, IL 60463
(708) 361-1873
Huge nature destination with a waterfall, prairie, arboretum with trees from around the world, and more.
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean Street
St. Charles, IL 60175
(630) 232-5980
LeRoy Oakes is home to Creek Bend Nature Center, Durant House Museum and Pioneer Sholes School.
Lilacia Park
Lilacia Park
150 S Park Avenue
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 620-7322
This park offers visual interest all season long with various plantings, paths, and steps.
Little Red Schoolhouse
9800 Willow Springs Road
Willow Springs, IL 60480
(708) 839-6897
Trails, nature play, and a pond makes this a fun spot to explore and capture in family photos.
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
Mayslake
3401 St. Paschal Drive
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Wetlands, ponds, and prairies offer a variety of scenery for photographers to work with.
Naperville Riverwalk
Naperville Riverwalk
178 Jackson Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
Greenery, classic covered bridges, luxurious landscaping, and the river.
Oldfield Oaks
Oldfield Oaks
2525 87th Street
Darien, IL 60561
Mature oak woodland, natural wetland and restored prairie with many types of wildflowers.
Patriots Park
Patriots Park
501 55th Place
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 963-1300
The large loop around Barth Pond has many places where families can stop for photos by the water.
Riverview Farmstead Preserve
Riverview Farmstead Preserve
S Book Rd
Naperville, IL 60564
(815) 727-8700
Settler’s Park
Settler’s Park
24401 Lockport St.
Plainfield, IL 60544
Settler’s Park has a lot of open space with landscaping that shines in the fall, along with a lake.
Springbrook Prairie
Springbrook Prairie in Naperville is a vast natural prairie with all kinds of native plants.
St. James Farm
St. James Farm
2S541 Winfield Road
Warrenville, IL 60555
(630) 933-7248
Beautiful paths lined with landscaping, classic fences, buildings with lot of character, and allées (rows of trees planted to create a natural “alley”).
The Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum
4100 IL-53
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 968-0074
The foliage at The Morton Arboretum is top-notch. There are both casual and formal gardens that make great spots for fall photographs.
Vehe Farm Park
23680 W Cuba Road
Deer Park, IL 60010
(847) 438-0764
The Vehe Barn makes the perfect rustic backdrop for family photographs.
Volkening Heritage Farm
201 S Plum Grove Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60194
(847) 985-2102
With its red barn, rustic fence, and farm setting, Volkening Heritage Farm is great for fall photos.
Warrenville Grove
3S345 Batavia Road
Warrenville, IL 60555
A bridge, pond, and wild flowers.
Waterfall Glen
Waterfall Glen
Lemont, IL 60439
(630) 933-7200
Variety of plants, terrain, and paths with a beautiful waterfall area.
Wilder Park
Wilder Park
175 S. Prospect Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 993-8900
Wilder Park is home to a conservatory with great natural light and plants, a playground, an art museum, and a majestic library.
Wolfe Wildlife Park
Wolfe Wildlife Park
W 109th Street and Laramie Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
(708) 857-2201
Natural wetlands area with over 100 species of birds, a playground, and scenic areas.
