Congratulations! You’re engaged! You’ve found the one you want to marry, you’ve got the ring on your finger and now it’s time to commemorate this very special time in your lives with an engagement session. Yahoo!
Maybe you’ve been dreaming of this day forever and you already have an idea as to where you’d like your photos taken or maybe you have no idea, short of “I want them to be gorgeous!”. Either way, you’ve come to the right place!
The good news? Chicago is incredible and you have SO many location options to choose from! The bad news? See the answer to “the good news”! It can be overwhelming trying to plan it all out. But after six years of being one of Chicago’s busiest wedding and engagement photographers, I have dozens (and dozens….and dozens!) of engagement sessions under my belt. I’ve done the leg work for you so that you don’t have to!
With that, here are my top spots in the city for an epic engagement session and portraits that you’ll love forever (plus some insider tips to help set you up for success!).
North Avenue Beach (also called North Avenue pier)
Ah, North Ave. It doesn’t get more epic than you!
Here are three reasons why North Avenue Pier is my top recommendation to get those epic skyline shots:
1. It offers a panoramic skyline view that isn’t way off in the distance. While there are many spots in the city where you can get a full skyline view farther away from downtown, in my humble opinion there’s nothing like North Ave Pier when it comes to achieving that iconic “Chicago” vibe. You get a full view of the city and it’s still “right on top of you”.
2. It has all the mod cons! While proximity to parking and bathrooms isn’t a “must”, it’s definitely nice! There’s a parking lot right there and in the summer months the public restrooms can be handy! The last thing you’re going to want to worry about the day of your session is parking stress downtown (or what to do if nature calls!).
3. While always dramatic, it’s constantly changing. While I sometimes grumble to my husband that I’m going “back to North Ave AGAIN today” the truth is that I LOVE it. I always schedule sessions so that we wrap up around sunset and I’m telling you, with the sky and city lights reflecting in the waters of Lake Michigan, I’m never quite sure what the photo Gods have in store for us but it’s always spectacular!
Montrose Beach and Bird Sanctuary
Are you having trouble deciding whether you want your engagement session to have an urban, woodsy, beachy or prairie vibe? Well then the Montrose Bird Sanctuary is the perfect place for you, my friend! This rare gem of a location truly has it all. A stunning skyline view across the blue waters of Lake Michigan, a huge sandy beach, a pier dramatically jutting out into the lake, peaceful woods and in the summer, prairie grass and wild flowers galore.
A sunset engagement session at this spot will result in a gorgeous final gallery ten-out-of-ten times. Just be sure to bring a pair of comfy shoes to slip on between locations as there’s not always a paved path!
Bonus tip: This peaceful sanctuary lives up to its name. It is phenomenal for bird watching! A fun date idea would be to bring a little picnic to celebrate this engagement milestone after you wrap up your session! Bring a blanket, get cozy and toast to yourselves as you watch the sun sink behind that beautiful, iconic skyline.
2. Lincoln Park South Pond
Like Montrose Bird Sanctuary, Lincoln Park South Pond (also sometimes referred to as Lincoln Park Zoo, though technically we’re not actually inside the zoo!) has some versatility to play with. After shooting dozens of Chicago engagement sessions here, I know it like the back of my hand. Here are my top spots that should not be missed:
The Kissing Bridge. This is the only bridge that crosses the South Pond - you can’t miss it! Not only does it boast beautiful views of the skyline, as the sun sets a beautiful reflection of the city appears in the waters of the pond below which always makes for some gorgeous portraits! Plus a ton of people get engaged here so there’s some uber romantic karma here ;-)!
Cafe Brauer: Also one of Chicago’s finest wedding venues, the historic Cafe Brauer was constructed in 1908 and has an ultra-classic art deco design. You don’t want to miss the chance to have a gorgeous photo taken in front of one of the city’s classic architectural gems.
The Honeycomb. This - well - honeycomb-like structure is nestled in a little field of tall grass between the South Pond and under the Ulysses S Grant Memorial statue and is not to be missed! I’ve captured several proposals at the Honeycomb alone. Couples love it for it’s funky design and it’s panoramic view of the skyline.
Prairie grass! I LOVE me some prairie grass, especially at sunset, especially in the late summer/early fall. There’s something about the texture that is endlessly dreamy and romantic.
Riverwalk and Bridges
I would argue that it doesn’t get more quintessentially Chicago than the Riverwalk and its one-of-a-kind bridges! While the other locations offer far off views of the skyline, strolling along the Chicago River, you cannot help but feel the city’s energy pulsing beneath your feet. The gurgle of the river, the towering skyscrapers above you, esteemed architect Daniel Burnham’s iconic bridges, Chicago is a city of world class architecture and this part of town offers a vantage point like no other.
Tip: If you’re game, I recommend an early morning weekend shoot, particularly in the summertime! Get out there before the hot sun has been baking the pavement all day, before the tourists descend on this highly popular destination, before endless cars clog the streets. This way you two will feel as though you have the city all to yourselves (and if you’re feeling brave enough, let’s take to the street itself! We can get the most fabulously dramatic photos this way (and no one will get hurt in the process, I promise!).
4. Chicago Board of Trade & LaSalle Street
If you know anything about photography, you know that we photographers love a leading line and the Chicago Board of Trade has plenty! A towering architectural art deco icon that sits at the dead end of La Salle street makes this the perfect spot to pop out into the middle of one of Chicago’s busiest streets to capture those amazing, romantic, very urban portraits we all love.
5. best indoor engagement session location: The Art Institute of Chicago
While Chicago is famous for it’s fabulous summer weather, it’s equally as infamous for our brutal winters. My all-time favorite indoor spot for an engagement session is the world-famous Art Institute of Chicago. Rain or shine, this neo-classical architectural gem is filled with priceless Monets, Renoirs and Van Goghs, making it an incredible place to create personal art via photography with your love story taking center stage. If you’re working with a top Chicago engagement photographer they undoubtedly know all of the best spots to hit but if there’s a specific piece or artist that is near and dear to your hearts be sure to let them know! The more your engagement session reflects who you two are the better! And the cherry on top? There’s no photography permit required! Often Chicago’s most iconic locations (think Millennium Park, The Bean, etc) require a hefty fee but not the AIC!
Tip: If one of you OR if your photographer is a member then two out of the three of you get in for free! I personally am a member so always offer to get one of you in for free with me. Since there’s no photography permit necessary, you’ll get the entire museum to explore for only the price of one general admission ticket. Skip the line and buy it online ahead of time to maximize your time at the museum!
