Tips for choosing a location for engagement session

Choosing a location for your session can be HARD. Trust me. This is one of the biggest conversations I have with clients besides what to wear. While my focus will always be on you and your loved ones during a session, I do try to use the backdrop to help tell the story.

***Some of these location ideas may not be doable right now due to COVID. Check in with me or your photographer and lets have a chat about what is possible in a pandemic. Worst case scenario, you choose one of the locations that we may not be able to use as an anniversary or family session later on.

A restaurant or bar you love

Ryan and Hannah’s entire session was centered around places that meant something to them. We started off at this empty field near their house, explored a Neighborhood they loved and hope to one day live, and then ended their session at Taco Bell. Because it is their favorite go-to meal.

A Museum

Museums are HUGE and have so many awesome spots to take photos. Plus, how much fun is it to explore? Make a date day out of your session and continue hanging out at the Museum even after I leave.

Where you got engaged

This is always a fun idea especially if you didn’t have professional photos taken during the proposal! Tim proposed to Stephanie at Promontory Point so going back to their engagement session was a blast. We got great views of the city too!

The zoo!!

I absolutely love the zoo. Lex and I go once a year and I would die of happiness if someone wanted to do their session at Brookfield. I did a little session at Lincoln Park a couple years ago before a proposal at the Honey Comb but would love love love to do a full session. Putting it out into the universe!

Your neighborhood

I don’t know about you, but I love going on walks through neighborhoods. Whether that be in the city or the suburbs. I guarantee there are fun places for us to shoot. And you get to document the time you lived there. So its a win win!

Your Home

Do you love spending cozy days at home with your partner? Then lets do your session there! It is where you feel comfortable and I love being able to document your home. You may not live in your apartment or house forever (and even if you do) it is so fun to be able to look back on this time with those photos. Plus, you can do fun things like cook together!

A brewery

Does your date night consist of checking out local beers? Then a brewery is the perfect spot for you! Or even bringing along beers for a fun activity to do during your session.

A forest preserve

This is a popular location for my couples! There are so many in the western suburbs to choose from (and that I can provide a list of suggestions for). Plus its a fun way to spend an evening, Exploring a forest, getting a little messy like Mollie and Adam did above.

Iconic Chicago backdrops

There are SO many places to shoot in Chicago. And if you love your city, you may want to capture some of that in your session. The downtown bridges by the Riverwalk, North Ave Beach and Millennium Park have all been fun places to shoot that show off Chicago.

A conservatory or greenhouse

Not only are they beautiful backdrops, they are also a great place to warm up in the winter! Only thing to keep in mind is that most conservatories or greenhouses require a permit and a fee in order for you to shoot there.

Where you met

While Rachel and Marlania actually met on a dating app, O’Hare was the first place they first met in person. It was such an awesome idea to go back and document that. We went out to one of the park lots and took photos in the station of the metra.

Your car

Love cars or hanging out in the bed of your truck? The whole session doesn’t have to in your car but this is also a unique location idea my couples have done.

Let’s get creative!

There really isn’t an idea for a session that I won’t do! I am up for it all. I have shot in a reservoir, in the bed of a truck, under the L in Chicago, in abanonded buildings, in front of street art, in a blizzard, at night under string lights…the list goes on! I hope this inspires you for your session :)