With the leaves starting to change, the temperatures slowly dropping, and the days getting shorter, it’s clear that Fall is JUST around the corner! I don’t know about you, but I for one am beyond excited for Fall to arrive. Not only because I get to start wearing cozy sweaters again, but it means that it’s time for my Fall engagement sessions! Fall is such an incredible season for engagement photos, especially in a one of a kind city like Chicago! There are so many incredible locations throughout the city that make for the perfect backdrop for an engagement session, which is how this blog came to be. So without further ado, let’s take a look at 5 of my favorite locations for engagement photos in Chicago and what makes each of them so special!

Fall Engagement Photos in Chicago

When planning out your engagement session in Chicago I cannot overstate how important it is to talk with your photographer prior about your plans for the session. There are some crucial things you’ll need to discuss and consider for your session such as time of day for your session, the feel you’re going for, and whether or not you need a photography permit for your location. A large number of locations in Chicago now require photography permits. This by no means is a deal breaker, but it is an added cost and something that you’ll need to take care of prior to your session. Lucky for you, your photographer (me!), will be able to help guide you through this process, so no matter where you decide on taking your Fall engagement photos in Chicago you’ll be set!

1. Montrose Bird Sanctuary

Our first stop on our list is the Montrose Bird Sanctuary! Found on the north side of Chicago near the city’s Uptown neighborhood, this location is the perfect spot for your Fall engagement photos. The sanctuary is on Lake Michigan, so you get those breathtaking lakefront and Chicago skyline views the city is known for. Not only that though, but being a bird sanctuary means that there is a ton of natural beauty for us to enjoy during our session. With the abundance of trees changing colors it creates a beautiful scene for your engagement photos that is hard to beat!

2. Wooded Island in Jackson Park

Next up we have the immensely beautiful Wooded Island in Jackson Park! The park is near the University of Chicago campus on the city’s southern end. While the park is known for its incredible cherry blossoms that bloom in the spring, the Fall colors of the trees are just as incredible and should not be overlooked! Similar to Montrose Bird Sanctuary there is SO much beauty in nature here. What Wooded Island offers for your Fall engagement photos though is a more secluded feel to them, without the Chicago skyline as part of the backdrop. It gives your photos the feeling of being out of the city without that being at all the case! 

3. Chicago Botanic Gardens

On the far north end of Chicago you’ll find the beautiful Chicago Botanic Gardens! This third location on our list is a favorite of mine and has been for a while. One aspect I adore of the Chicago Botanic Garden for Fall engagement photos is that the garden curates specific flowers for the Fall season. That combined with the absolutely STUNNING Fall foliage means that we’ll have such a gorgeous backdrop for your engagement photos! With how dense the trees and other foliage are here, there are so many different colors to experience during the Fall, giving your photos that true and authentic Fall feeling to them.

4. Lincoln Park

Next up on the list we have one of the top go to locations for Fall engagement photos in Chicago, and for good reason! Lincoln Park is on the north side of Chicago in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, hence the name. Featuring iconic locations such as The Honeycomb, pictured in this blog, and the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, the park also features some of the most beautiful and stunning nature paths you can find in the city. This leads to some truly incredible engagement photos as you’re not only surrounded by the Fall colors, but also by the skyline of Chicago itself! Talk about getting the best of both worlds! One important thing to note is that Lincoln Park being one of the more popular locations in the city means that larger crowds are more likely unless you go during off days of the week or early in the morning.

5. Ping Tom Memorial Park

Last and definitely NOT least on our list we have the wonderful Ping Tom Memorial Park! This park which is near Chicago’s Chinatown and on the Chicago River’s south branch offers a wonderful mix of Fall colors and city views for your engagement photos. Where the other parks on this list are geared more towards a natural feel with some elements of the city mixed in, Ping Tom Memorial Park is the inverse. With stunning views of the city over the Chicago River and a healthy dose of nature to get those Fall colors in your session, it really is an amazing combination!

I’ve said it a million times by now, and I’m going to say it a million more! Chicago as a City just has so many incredible locations throughout it. Whether it’s for an engagement session in the Fall, an intimate wedding, or really anything your heart desires, Chicago has you covered! If you’re ready to plan your own engagement session but aren’t sure exactly where to start this blog here might be for you. And if you’re ready to book me for your wedding day and engagement session be sure to send an inquiry through my contact page!