Top Illinois Engagement Session Locations

Scenic Illinois Engagement Photoshoot Locations

I've been posting a ton about the Cloudland Canyon styled session because I am obsessed! But, you don't have to go out of Illinois to get beautiful photos! Below is a list of my favorite locations for engagement sessions in Illinois!

River Bend Forest Preserve - Mahomet, IL

This location has it all - the pond, a lookout over the pond, and tons of gorgeous locations for sunset photos!

Garden of the Gods - Harrisburg, IL

This location is a bit of a drive as it's located in Southern Illinois, but still well worth mentioning! From the overlook, to the rock walls, there is such an amazing variety at this location! The hike to this spot is incredibly short and the payoff is incredible!

Want to see more from this engagement shoot - check out my other blog post all about this session!

UIUC Arboretum and Japanese Gardens - Urbana, IL

The UIUC Arboretum and Japanese Gardens has such a great variety of backdrops! I personally love the pond, the Cherry Blossoms (if you can catch them at the right time), and the variety of textures on the different buildings!

Morton Arboretum - Lisle, IL

This arboretum is huge! So many beautiful ponds, trees, and art installations! Any type of tree you could possibly want, they have! I did a two hour engagement shoot here and still didn't make it to all of the different areas!

Rooftop

There are several locations in central Illinois with rooftop accessibility. I love rooftop sessions! Their unobstructed views make them a perfect location to end your session and catch the sunset!

Middlefork Preserve - Penfield, IL

This is a personal favorite of mine because it's close proximity and never disappoints! I especially love this one in fall because the oranges and reds provide such a deeply beautiful background!

Homer Lake - Homer, IL

Another beautiful nature park in Central Illinois. There is the lake and so many hidden corners with different textures for backdrops! This is such a large open space, when the sun sets, it filters through the trees and is so gorgeous!

Lake of the Woods - Mahomet, IL

This is an incredibly popular spot and for good reason! The big red covered bridge is a highly requested spot for sessions and is so beautiful against the greens surrounding it! They have an adorable red bridge with a waterfall behind it and meticulously cared for gardens!

Sangamon River Forest Preserve - Fisher, IL

Similar to the other forest preserves in the area, this one has wildflowers, trees, and a river that can provide lovely backgrounds.

Allerton Park - Monticello, IL

This location has a bit of everything! From the old architecture of the mansion to the amazing gardens, this one is a great choice for couple who love the city feel, but also want to get a little nature as well! It also holds a special place in my heart because I got married at Allerton!

Kankakee River Valley Forest Preserve - Kankakee, IL

I love this location! The accessibility of the river and the open landscape that lets sunsets take the front stage is one of my favorite perks of this location.