One of the questions I get asked most often is some version of "where should we actually take our pictures?" And I love it, because choosing the right spot is half the magic. As a Skokie-based photographer, I spend a lot of my time scouting outdoor family photo locations across Chicago's North Shore, and I've built a detailed mental map of the spots that photograph beautifully in every season, and the ones that look gorgeous in person but turn into a sea of harsh shadows and parking headaches the moment you show up with three kids and a stroller.
So let me save you the trial and error. These are the outdoor family photo locations I return to again and again, why they work, and how to get the most out of each one.
What Makes a Great Outdoor Family Photo Location
Before we get into specific spots, it helps to know what I'm actually looking for when I scout. A great location gives us a few different "scenes" within a short walk, so we're not marching tired toddlers half a mile between shots. It has soft, open shade or a tree line that filters the light, which keeps everyone from squinting. And it has a backdrop that feels like you, whether that's the drama of Lake Michigan or the cozy texture of a tree-lined path.
The other thing I weigh constantly is timing. Even the most beautiful location on the North Shore looks flat and washed out at noon. The hour after sunrise and the 90 minutes before sunset, what we call golden hour, are when these places truly come alive.
Glencoe: Beach Drama Meets Garden Variety
If I had to pick the single most versatile area for outdoor family photo locations on the North Shore, Glencoe would be at the top of my list. Glencoe Beach gives us those striking Lake Michigan backdrops, open water, soft sand, and a horizon that makes images feel cinematic. It's especially lovely in summer when the light skims across the water in the evening, and it works beautifully for everything from maternity sessions to big extended-family gatherings.
A few minutes away, the Chicago Botanic Garden offers an entirely different mood. English gardens, birch groves, prairie grasses, and those iconic Japanese garden bridges mean we can create real variety without driving all over town. It's one of the few places where a single session can feel like three completely different shoots.
Highland Park and Fort Sheridan: Quiet, Natural, Free
A little farther north, Highland Park and the Fort Sheridan area are some of my favorite under-the-radar outdoor family photo locations. Fort Sheridan gives us a wonderful mix, wooded paths, open fields of grass, and a peaceful stretch of beach that doesn't have the city skyline crowding the background. Parking is easy and free, dogs are welcome, and on a weekday evening you can often have whole stretches of it nearly to yourselves. For families who want a relaxed, nature-forward feel rather than a polished garden look, this is the one I recommend.
Winnetka and Wilmette: Classic North Shore Charm
For families who love a more timeless, storybook aesthetic, the lakefront parks in Winnetka and the Gillson Park area in Wilmette are hard to beat. Gillson Park in particular packs a remarkable amount of variety into one place: sandy beach, grassy hills, mature trees, and quiet little nooks that feel tucked away even on a busy summer weekend. It's a favorite of mine for milestone sessions and first-birthday shoots, because there's always somewhere shady for little ones to take a breather.
Winnetka's lakefront, meanwhile, has that effortless North Shore elegance, manicured greenery, gentle bluffs, and water views that elevate even the simplest of family portraits.
Close to Home: Evanston, Skokie, and Lincolnwood
You don't have to drive far to find beautiful outdoor family photo locations, and I always remind my clients of that. Right here near home, Evanston's lakefront and the Northwestern campus area offer dramatic water views, leafy quads, and architecture that adds a sophisticated edge. The Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park is a fun, slightly unexpected backdrop full of texture and visual interest, and it's wonderfully convenient for families based in Skokie or Lincolnwood who'd rather keep things low-key and local.
These closer-to-home spots are also my go-to recommendation for newborn families who'd prefer not to travel far, or for anyone squeezing a session into a busy weeknight before the kids melt down. If you're newer to the area, my post on spring family photo locations in Skokie & the North Shore goes deeper on some of these closer-to-home spots.
How I Help You Choose the Right One
Here's the part I want you to hear most clearly: you don't have to figure this out alone. When we plan your session, I take into account your kids' ages and nap schedules, the vibe you're going for, the season, and even what you plan to wear, and then I match you with the location that will make all of it sing. A toddler-heavy summer shoot calls for something different than a sentimental fall maternity session, and that's exactly the kind of thing I love sorting out together. If you're still deciding on outfits, my guide on what to wear for family photos pairs perfectly with picking your spot.
Across all of these North Shore locations, Glencoe, Highland Park, Winnetka, Wilmette, Evanston, and right here in Skokie, my goal is the same: to find the place where your family feels most relaxed and most yourselves, because that's always where the best images happen.
If you've been thinking about updating your family photos this year, summer on the North Shore is honestly one of the most beautiful windows we get. The light is long, the gardens are full, and the lake is at its best. I'd love to help you choose the perfect backdrop and capture this season of your family's life. Get in touch and let's plan it together.