Lake Forest holds a special place in my work as a North Shore photographer. This is where the Armour House stands — one of my named wedding venues and a place I have photographed so many times that I know every angle of its limestone facade, every pocket of light in its gardens, and exactly when golden hour hits the terrace. But Lake Forest is far more than one venue. It is a community of stately estates, deep ravines, and a quiet grandeur that makes it one of the finest portrait locations in the entire Chicago area.
Senior Portraits in Lake Forest
Families in Lake Forest take senior portraits seriously, and I love that. Students from Lake Forest High School — whether they attend the West or East campus — often want sessions that reflect the sophistication and natural beauty of the town they grew up in. Hair and makeup are included with every portrait session, so your senior arrives relaxed, polished, and ready to go.
Market Square is one of my go-to starting points for Lake Forest senior sessions. This historic shopping district, with its English-inspired architecture, arched walkways, and courtyard fountain, is unlike anything else on the North Shore. It gives us texture, depth, and a European elegance that elevates every frame. From there, we might drive a few minutes to Forest Park, where wooded ravines, stone bridges, and towering mature trees create a completely different mood — earthy, natural, and rich with seasonal color.
I also work with students from Lake Forest Academy, whose sprawling campus on the west side of town has its own portrait-worthy grounds. Whether your senior wants a classic, refined look or something more relaxed and natural, Lake Forest gives us the range to deliver both in a single session.
Weddings in Lake Forest
The Armour House at Lake Forest Academy is the venue I know best in this town — and possibly anywhere on the North Shore. Its grand stone manor, sweeping lawn, and circular drive create a setting that feels like a private English estate. I have photographed ceremonies on the terrace overlooking the gardens and receptions inside the Great Hall with its vaulted ceilings and stone fireplace. Knowing a venue this intimately means I can anticipate the light, guide couples to the best portrait spots without eating into their celebration, and deliver a gallery that captures the full scope of the day.
Beyond the Armour House, Lake Forest offers several exceptional wedding venues. The Deerpath Inn, a boutique hotel modeled after a 15th-century English manor house, is an intimate choice for smaller weddings and rehearsal dinners — its courtyard and Tudor-style interiors are effortlessly photogenic. Onwentsia Club, one of the oldest and most prestigious private clubs in the Midwest, provides expansive grounds, manicured gardens, and a clubhouse that photographs with timeless formality. Each of these venues rewards a photographer who has spent real time on their grounds, and I have.
Branding Photography in Lake Forest
Lake Forest’s professional community includes financial advisors, attorneys, luxury realtors, designers, and wellness practitioners — all of whom serve a discerning clientele. Your branding imagery should match that standard. I create sessions that give you a library of polished, authentic content: environmental portraits in Market Square, lifestyle images in curated settings, and clean headshots that feel approachable and professional. Hair and makeup are always included.
Favorite Session Spots in Lake Forest
Market Square — Designed in 1916 and recognized as one of the first planned shopping centers in the United States, Market Square offers arched colonnades, a central fountain, lush seasonal plantings, and warm brick facades. It is one of the most distinctive portrait backdrops on the North Shore, and it never gets old.
Forest Park — This Lake Forest park system is defined by its deep, wooded ravines carved by streams running toward Lake Michigan. Stone bridges cross the ravines, and the canopy overhead filters light into soft, cinematic patterns. In autumn, the fall color here rivals anything in the region.
Elawa Farm — A restored prairie and farmstead on the western edge of town, Elawa Farm is unlike any other session location in the North Shore suburbs. Its open meadows, rustic barn structures, weathered wood fences, and tall prairie grasses give portraits a warmth and earthiness that contrast beautifully with Lake Forest’s more formal settings.
South Beach — Lake Forest’s beach on Lake Michigan is smaller and less trafficked than its neighbors, which makes it ideal for portrait sessions. The sandy shoreline, native grasses along the bluff, and open views of the lake provide that classic lakefront backdrop with more privacy and calm.
Book Your Lake Forest Session
Whether you are planning a wedding at the Armour House, looking for senior portraits that match the elegance of this town, or building a branding library that speaks to a premium clientele — I am here and I know this community well. Every session includes professional hair and makeup, a style consultation, and a curated final gallery. Let’s find the perfect Lake Forest locations for your story. Reach out, and we will start planning.