7+ Creative Locations For Silly, Sweet Chicago Engagement Photos

Creative locations for Chicago engagement photos are easy to come by. Some of the most popular engagement photo locations are popular for a reason. Whether it’s amazing views of the skyline, gorgeous beaches, charming neighborhoods, or a natural oasis in the city, there are so many choices. 

So where do you start? Pick a location that fits your personality and the vision you have for your photos. Do you want to get fancy or cozy? Intimate or glam? Do you want classic images that celebrate your time in Chicago, or personal images that tell your story in your neighborhood? 

In this post, I give you all the details about

7 Creative Locations For Chicago Engagement Photos

More Beautiful Engagement Photo Locations

Your Chicago Engagement Photos

Two women walk through a park during a Chicago engagement photos session.

7Creative Locations For Chicago Engagement Photos

Montrose Harbor and Montrose Bird Sanctuary

The Montrose Harbor and Montrose Bird Sanctuary are very underrated spots for Chicago engagement sessions. You get a mix of great city views and nature. The harbor and sanctuary include tons of lakeside space where you can have private moments, too. It’s the perfect location if you want a little bit of everything in your gallery.

An engaged couple poses for a Chicago wedding photographer in a field of wildflowers.
A man twirls a woman on a nature trail in a park in Chicago engagement photos.
A couple holds hands and walks along cement stairs during an engagement session at Montrose Harbor.
A couple splashes in the water at the edge of Lake Michigan with the Chicago skyline in the background during an engagement session.

North Ave Beach

North Ave Beach is understandably one of the most popular spots for Chicago engagement photos. It’s got gorgeous views of the skyline. The sandy peninsula on Lake Michigan gives you a chance to play with light from different directions, too.

Keep in mind that volleyball season can impact beach access in the summer. Check local event listings before finalizing your session date.

Lincoln Park

Like Montrose Harbor, Lincoln Park has a wide variety of spaces for photos. The iconic honeycomb and boardwalk are very popular. If you want a distinctly Chicago spot for engagement photos, you can’t beat the honeycomb.

Two men pose for engagement photos in Lincoln Park Chicago with their dog.

You can also make the most of all the nature at Lincoln Park, too. With 1,200+ acres of gardens and ponds, you have so many chances for whimsical, romantic photos.

Two men reach for each other's hands with the Chicago skyline in the background during an engagement photo session.
Two men kiss under a clear umbrella in Chicago engagement photos at Lincoln Park.

Your Home

You might not expect to find your home on a list of locations for Chicago engagement photos, but I seriously love home sessions. If you feel self-conscious about being photographed in public, you can let yourself off the hook. Let yourself enjoy a quiet day with your partner.

Sometimes it helps to do an activity during a home session. You could

  • cook brunch together

  • listen to records

  • tend your plant babies. 

Whatever you like to do in the home you built together will make for great engagement photos. Remember this is supposed to be fun!

A man and woman hug under a tree in the autumn sunshine.

Your Favorite Neighborhood

On that note, Chicago is a city of neighborhoods. I love doing sessions that show off your home and favorite spots around your neighborhood. Do you have a coffee shop you hit up every Sunday morning? We’ll stop there on the way to the park to walk your dog.

A man and woman hold hands and cross a street in Chicago during an engagement session.
A man and woman lean on a counter with cocktails in Chicago engagement photos.
A man kisses a woman's cheek at a rooftop bar in Chicago engagement photos.

Wrigley Building

The Wrigley Building is one of the best places for Chicago engagement photos featuring the river and cityscape. There’s so much amazing architecture within walking distance. You can show off Chicago without feeling cliché or touristy. The Wrigley Building is also close to lots of Chicago’s iconic bridges.

Winnemac Park

Winnemac Park is another underrated location for photos. Located in the Bowmanville/Wolcott Gardens area, this park includes hundreds of trees, beautifully landscaped gardens, and nature trails. The wildflowers in spring are stunning.

An engaged couple kiss in a field of wildflowers in Chicago engagement photos at Winnemac Park.
Two women hold hands as they walk towards a Chicago engagement photographer in Winnemac Park.

More Beautiful Engagement Photo Locations

Still looking for the perfect Chicago location for your engagement photos? Check out these ideas:

  • Lurie Garden in Millenium Park

  • Humboldt Park

  • Olive Park

  • Lincoln Park Conservatory

  • Garfield Park Conservatory

  • your local library branch

A man and woman hold hands and kiss in an aisle at a Chicago library.
A man and woman nuzzle in a library during a Chicago engagement photo session.

Your Chicago Engagement Photos

There are ups and downs to every approach. Ultimately, it’s about the energy you want to portray in your photos more than the backdrop itself. So stress less about picking the perfect location for your Chicago engagement photos and focus more on having fun.

Would you like to see more engagement sessions that I’ve photographed? Check out these blog posts!


Would you like me to take your Chicago engagement photos? I’m a Chicago photographer who takes timeless photos for humans in love. Inquire with me here.

Engagement SessionAJ Abelman