Best Places for Spring Pictures

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Best Places for Spring Pictures

Ahhh, the warmth of the sun during the day and the crispness of the night (and let’s not forget about the blooms), makes Spring my most favorite time of year for pictures.  During the Spring, we aren’t fighting mosquitos OR the humidity.  The days are longer, and there is just a sense of renewal.  Whether you are taking graduation pictures, pictures with mom for Mother’s Day or family pictures,  Chicago and the western suburbs of Chicago offer so much beauty and fun during the spring and summer months.  Here are some of my favorite locations in the Spring to do ANY type of session.  

Lilacia Park, Lombard

The tulips and lilacs are incredible the last week of April and first two weeks of May.  And the VARIETY!  Did you know tulips actually come in black?!?  And despite how busy this park can get, you can usually find a little corner of the park to enjoy to yourself.  With that being said, I like to schedule sessions there EARLY in the day so we can enjoy ALL the corners without having to worry about tons of people in the background. 

Mom in pink dress and jean jacket holding her baby girl in same colors while at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL

Sisters smiling and laughing at the camera while in front of the yellow and red tulips at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL
Close up of purple lilac at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL
Little boy looking back at his mom while standing in front of yellow and red tulips at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL

Mom holding her smiling son in front of a yellow bed of tulips at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL

Little girl looking at the camera while standing in front of pink and white tulips at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL
Little boy handing a bouquet of pink tulips to his mom that is off camera at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL
Little girl showing me how big she is while smiling at the camera while mom looks on at Lilacia Park in Lombard, IL

Cantigny Park, Wheaton

I mean, what’s there NOT to love about this place?  A big beautiful mansion with beautiful gardens, a grand staircase, gorgeous gardens, a stream and a war museum with real tanks for the kids to climb and play on.

Family of four walking thru a row of trees at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL

Son kissing mom's cheek while twin brother and sister sit in front of them in the tulip garden at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL
10 year old boy with purple hair sitting in front of red tulips at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL
girl standing on chair and being forehead to forehead and smiling with her boyfriend in front of an army tank at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL

Mom and Son sitting in front of the red tulips at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL

Boy in front of pink roses at Cantigny Park, Wheaton
Twin brother and sister sitting in front of red tulips for their 1 year old milestone pictures at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL
Mom twirling her daughter in front of the purple blooms at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL

Hurley Gardens, Wheaton

This place is a hidden gem right in the middle of a neighborhood.  It’s perfect any time of year, but I love the magnolia trees in the Spring.

Girls in pretty dresses jumping up and down with an attitude at Hurley Gardens in Wheaton, IL

Girls in pretty dresses and sunglasses showing attitude at Hurley Gardens in Wheaton, IL
Girl in pretty pink dress blowing gumball bubbles with an attitude at Hurley Gardens in Wheaton, IL
Girls in pretty dresses and sunglasses showing attitude at Hurley Gardens in Wheaton, IL

Girls in pretty dresses sitting on stairs and showing attitude at Hurley Gardens in Wheaton, IL

Naperville Riverwalk, Naperville

Pretty Bridges, the river and park-like setting.  Lots of different backdrops and ambiance we can get from a Riverwalk session.

Group of people standing on a platform next to the river in Downtown Naperville, IL

Dog looking at camera and smiling while couple in background kissing at the Riverwalk in Naperville, IL
Couple looking out onto the river during sunset at the Riverwalk in Naperville, IL
Couple sitting on top of an ivy wall and holding an & sign at the Riverwalk in Naperville, IL

Couple looking at each other and smiling while standing in front of a covered bridge at the riverwalk in Naperville, IL

Group of Co-workers out for a leadership day on the covered bridge in Downtown Naperville at the riverwalk

Fabyan Forrest Preserve, Geneva

Ivy tunnel, bear caves, the river, an old boat house.  There is a TON to explore here and it’s beautiful any time of year.

Mom hugging her daughter during a family photography session that took place at Fabyan Forrest Preserve in Geneva, IL

Brother and Sister up in a tree with the sun behind them at Fabyan Forrest Preserve in Geneva, IL

Dad and daughter holding hands and walking thru an ivy tunnel at Fabyan Forrest Preserve in Geneva, IL

Little girl in beautiful pink dress twirling under a canopy of ivy at Fabyan Forrest Preserve in Geneva, IL

Downtown Chicago

Even though my clients typically prefer to stay close to home; I always LOVE when my client wants to take their session downtown.  There is so much life and culture in the city and that energy just radiates in the pictures from downtown sessions.

Graduate looking out onto the river while smiling in downtown Chicago

Graduate under the L train tracks in downtown Chicago
Graduate in front of the Chicago Theater during the pandemic while the city was shut down

Graduate standing confidently in with the city of Chicago skyline as her backdrop
Graduate confidently standing in front of Buckingham Fountain in downtown Chicago

girl in pretty dress jumping up in front of the BEAN in downtown Chicago

Graduate jumping up in the air in with the city of Chicago skyline as her backdrop

Girl in pretty butterfly dress twirling in front of a colorful butterfly mural in Chicago, IL

Carnivals

Yep.  I said it!  Carnivals you guys!  I love doing “out of the box” sessions and I’m always looking for unique ideas.  This is one not many people think about but are so incredibly fun!  All the bright colors, the food (cotton candy, elephant ears, huge lollipops) the games…ahhh!  I love these sessions!

Mom and son sitting in front of ballon dart game at a spring carnival

Mom and son sharing a lemonade with the Ferris wheel in the background at a carnival in the spring
Boy playing in funhouse tunnel at carnival
Mom and son sliding down a big yellow slide side by side at a carnival

Mom and son sharing a lemonade with the Ferris wheel in the background at a carnival in the spring

These are MY favorite locations in Spring, but I’m always adding to my list!  Have I missed any?!?

Kim Novella is a lifestyle family photographer based in the Western suburbs of Chicago.  She services Naperville, Warrenville, Wheaton, Oakbrook, Lombard, Downers Grove and surrounding areas.

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    Graduation week is finally HERE 🎓 . The ceremony will fly by. The parties will end. The tassels will get packed away. . But THESE moments? The "laughing with your best friends" moment, the "we did it", cap tossing moments... those deserve to be captured. . That's why I love these Cap, Confetti and Crew sessions so much! . They are fun, chaotic (in the best way), unposed, and core memory type moments with the people who made these years unforgettable. . Not rushed on graduation day. Not squeezed in between parties and dinner reservations. . Juts one more chance to celebrate this season together before everyone heads into their next chapter. . Caps up grads ✨ You made it! 🎓 . Booking link in bio

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    email : knovellaphotography@gmail.com

    follow me on Facebook and instagram @novella.photos

    located in warrenville, il

    serving Naperville, warrenville, Wheaton, winfield, aurora, Lombard, downers grove, Lisle, glen ellyn, Woodridge, oak brook, elmhurst, and other surrounding western suburbs of Chicago