If you live in Wilmette, you already know: this is a community that shows up for its people. Friday night lights at New Trier, morning walks along the Green Bay Trail, lazy summer afternoons at Gillson Park — there is a rhythm here that feels both rooted and special. I am Emily Finger, and as a North Shore portrait and wedding photographer, I have had the privilege of documenting so many of those moments for Wilmette families. Whether your senior is finishing their last semester at New Trier Township High School or your daughter just committed to a college across the country, I am here to help you hold onto this chapter.
Senior Portraits in Wilmette
Senior year goes fast. One day you are watching your kid walk into the Northfield campus of New Trier for the first time, and the next they are picking out a cap and gown. My senior portrait sessions are designed to capture who your teen is right now — not stiff, not overly posed, just authentically them. We will work together to plan a session around the places and things that matter most.
For New Trier seniors, I love shooting at Gillson Park where the Lake Michigan shoreline gives us that incredible open light and the beach grasses add natural texture to every frame. We might start on the sand, move to the bluffs, and finish downtown near Plaza del Lago for something more urban and editorial. Students at Loyola Academy often want to incorporate the campus itself or nearby spots in Wilmette that have been part of their daily life for four years.
Every portrait session includes professional hair and makeup so your senior feels confident and camera-ready from the moment we start. I want this to feel like an experience, not just a photo shoot.
Weddings at Michigan Shores Club and Beyond
If you are planning a wedding at Michigan Shores Club, we should talk. This venue holds a genuinely special place in my heart — I am a named photographer there and have shot numerous celebrations in their elegant lakeside ballroom. I know the light in that space at every hour: the way the afternoon sun pours through the west-facing windows during cocktail hour, the warm glow of the chandeliers as the reception kicks off, and the stunning sunset backdrops when we step outside along the lake. Michigan Shores Club weddings have a timeless, classic feel, and I photograph them to match — romantic, refined, and full of real emotion.
Beyond Michigan Shores, Wilmette and the surrounding North Shore offer beautiful ceremony and reception options. The Baha’i House of Worship is one of the most architecturally stunning buildings in the entire Midwest, and couples who hold ceremonies or take portraits there get images that are truly one of a kind. Its intricate dome, manicured gardens, and reflecting pools create a setting that needs very little styling — it does the work for you.
Branding Photography for Wilmette Professionals
Wilmette’s business community is tight-knit and growing. Whether you run a practice on Green Bay Road, own a boutique near Plaza del Lago, or work remotely from your home office, strong personal branding imagery sets you apart. My branding sessions are tailored to your story — we will plan locations, outfits, and shots that align with your business and the clients you want to attract. The Mediterranean-inspired architecture of Plaza del Lago makes a gorgeous backdrop for lifestyle branding shots, and the tree-lined residential streets give that polished-but-approachable feel that North Shore professionals love.
Wilmette Session Locations I Love
Gillson Park and Wilmette Beach — This is my go-to for golden-hour sessions. The beach stretches along Lake Michigan with unobstructed views of the water and Chicago skyline in the distance. In fall, the surrounding trees turn deep amber and gold, and the light here around sunset is unreal. Seniors, couples, families — everyone looks incredible against this backdrop.
The Baha’i House of Worship — There is nothing else like it on the North Shore. The nine-sided temple is surrounded by perfectly maintained gardens and quiet reflecting pools. The symmetry and detail of the architecture photograph beautifully, and I especially love the soft, diffused light in the gardens during the late afternoon.
Plaza del Lago — Wilmette’s Mediterranean-style outdoor shopping village sits right on Sheridan Road and offers a completely different vibe from the parks. Stucco walls, wrought iron details, climbing greenery — it feels like a little piece of Europe. I use it for editorial-style senior portraits and branding sessions when clients want something polished and architectural.
Green Bay Trail — This tree-canopied path runs right through Wilmette and is beautiful in every season. In spring, the tunnel of fresh green leaves creates soft, even light that is incredibly flattering. In fall, it becomes a corridor of gold and copper. It is a natural, easygoing setting that works for seniors, couples, and branding alike.
Let’s Plan Your Session
Whether you are a New Trier senior counting down to graduation, a couple dreaming about your Michigan Shores Club wedding, or a Wilmette business owner ready for images that actually represent your brand, I would love to work with you. My sessions are relaxed, fun, and always include professional hair and makeup for portrait work. Reach out and let’s find the perfect Wilmette locations for your story.