Evanston has an energy that is completely its own on the North Shore. It is a college town and a lakefront community and an arts hub all at once, and that mix creates some of the most dynamic backdrops I get to work with as a photographer. I am Emily Finger, and I have been photographing seniors, weddings, and branding sessions across Evanston for years. From the ivy-covered buildings on Northwestern’s campus to the rocky shoreline at Lighthouse Beach, this city gives me something different every single session.
Senior Portraits in Evanston
For Evanston Township High School seniors, this is a milestone worth documenting well. ETHS is one of the largest and most diverse high schools in the state, and the students I photograph reflect that — every senior has their own style, their own story, and their own vision for how they want to be seen. My job is to bring that out.
I typically build Evanston senior sessions around two or three locations so we get real variety in the final gallery. We might start at Clark Street Beach, where the rocks and the lake give us raw, natural texture, then move into downtown Evanston for something more urban — coffee shop doorways, brick alleyways, the colorful murals along Sherman Avenue. For seniors who want something softer and more romantic, Shakespeare Garden on the Northwestern campus is one of my favorite hidden gems. It is a small, walled English garden tucked between campus buildings with climbing roses, stone benches, and an intimacy that makes it feel like your own private set.
Every senior session includes professional hair and makeup, so your teen shows up, gets pampered, and feels genuinely confident before we even pick up the camera.
Weddings in Evanston
Evanston wedding venues have a character that is hard to find anywhere else on the North Shore. The Merion is a standout — its historic ballroom has that old-world elegance with soaring ceilings, warm wood tones, and gorgeous natural light that makes my job almost easy. I have photographed celebrations there in every season, and the space always delivers.
For couples who want an outdoor ceremony, the lakefront is stunning. Grosse Point Lighthouse, with its striking yellow-cream tower and surrounding park, is one of the most iconic landmarks in Evanston and creates a ceremony backdrop that your guests will never forget. The lighthouse park also gives us beautiful portrait opportunities after the ceremony — the light along that stretch of lakeshore during golden hour is some of the best on the entire North Shore.
Northwestern University’s campus chapels and surrounding grounds are another option I love. The gothic architecture, mature trees, and open lawns along the lakefill create a setting that feels both grand and intimate.
Branding Photography in Evanston
Evanston’s small business and creative community is thriving, and I work with a lot of local entrepreneurs who need imagery that actually reflects their brand. Whether you are a therapist with an office on Orrington, a restaurant owner on Central Street, or a creative freelancer working out of the Evanston Art Center, I will plan a branding session around your real spaces and your real work. Downtown Evanston offers incredible variety — we can shoot in your workspace, step outside for street-level lifestyle shots, and grab some detail images that round out your content library. The goal is a set of photos you will actually use, not just a headshot that sits on your About page.
Evanston Session Locations I Love
Lighthouse Beach and Grosse Point Lighthouse — The lighthouse is one of the most recognizable structures in Evanston, and the surrounding beach and park are gorgeous for portraits. The rocky shoreline adds rugged texture, and in the late afternoon the warm light bouncing off the lake is extraordinary. I use this location for seniors, couples, and engagement sessions year-round.
Shakespeare Garden at Northwestern — Tucked into the southern end of Northwestern’s campus, this walled English garden feels like a secret. Stone pathways wind through beds of roses, lavender, and flowering shrubs, and the walls create a sense of privacy that is rare for an outdoor location. It is one of my absolute favorites for intimate, romantic portraits.
Downtown Evanston — The blocks around Davis Street and Sherman Avenue offer an urban energy that works beautifully for senior portraits and branding. Brick facades, cafe patios, independent bookstores, eclectic storefronts — there is texture and color everywhere. It is the perfect counterpoint to a lakefront session when you want something more editorial.
Northwestern University Campus — Beyond Shakespeare Garden, the broader campus is a goldmine for photography. The Lakefill gives us open water views and dramatic sky, Deering Library offers gothic stone arches and ivy, and the tree-lined paths in the fall are breathtaking. For Northwestern graduation photography, I know every angle of this campus and will make sure your portraits capture the pride and emotion of that day.
Let’s Plan Your Evanston Session
Whether you are an ETHS senior ready to own your portrait experience, a couple planning your Merion wedding, or a local business owner who needs branding photos that actually work, I would love to hear from you. Every portrait session includes professional hair and makeup, and I will handle the location planning so all you have to do is show up. Let’s create something beautiful in your city.