lifestyle
engagement
wedding
travel
personal
all posts

Journal

Navigate

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Engagements

Weddings

Wedding photographer, Starbucks enthusiast, and lover of all things romance and weddings.

MEET BROOKLYN

Maternity Session Locations in Chicago 

Thinking of documenting your pregnancy? You will miss the little bumps and hiccups you have gotten accustomed to over your pregnancy and having a photo that captures this time in your life will be a very fond object of yours, years from now.

We are fortunate to live in an area where we have such a diverse setting to take photos. Whether you are looking for a cityscape, fields of flowers, a beach, or interesting architecture, Chicago offers them all. Read on to learn about some of my favorite locations to take photos throughout Chicagoland. 

Indoor Portrait Locations near Chicago

While it would be wonderful to live in an area where we could take photos outdoors all year long, that’s just not realistic here in Chicago. Thankfully, there are some wonderful locations that are filled with natural light and offer a beautiful background. For your maternity photos. 

The Art Institute of Chicago

By far one of my favorite places for photos! They have a beautiful marble foyer and staircase that can serve as a beautiful aesthetic for photos- it defiantly lends itself to a high-end look. And they don’t require a permit to photograph there!

Outdoor Locations for Maternity Photos

Wrigley Building / Chicago River Walk

  Another iconic setting that is frequented by wedding parties. The Wrigley building with its beautiful stone architecture overlooking the Chicago rivers provides an artistic and classic backdrop. While there, take the time to walk down Chicago’s River Walk. To add some variety to your session.

South Garden

An absolute favorite of every photographer in the Chicago area. The gardens outside Chicago’s Art Institute are absolutely stunning. While in the heart of the city, you’ll feel far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. Check before visiting, they frequently close the gardens for maintenance. 

Chicago Beach Maternity Session Locations

  • Montrose Beach is a great location because there is plenty of parking within walking distance to the beach.
  • North Avenue Beach – Aim for an early morning weekday session to avoid the crowds

North Shore Maternity Session Locations 

 

  • Wilmette’s Baha’i Center – This is another favorite of mine. The Bahai Center has beautiful gardens and the architecture is one-of-a-kind. 
  • Chicago Botanic Gardens. A permit is required but well worth it for the backdrop it provides. 

What to Wear to Your Maternity Session

Say yes to the dress! There’s truly nothing more flattering than a long flowy dress. Dresses and skirts tend to look the most stunning on camera because they really flatter the female figure. I recommend choosing long, flowy dresses or skirts because they are flattering on all body types, look amazing on camera, and bring extra movement and dimension to your photos. Maxi dresses will give the best “twirl factor,” and add more romance to your walking photos and look especially gorgeous when juxtaposed with nature, like the beach, woods, or flower fields. 

Many of Chicago’s finer maternity boutiques have closed their doors, but there are plenty of vendors to look for online as well as any dresses that are “bump friendly.” Here are some of my favorites:

If interested in learning more about how to prepare for a newborn photos session, after your baby arrives, click here.

If you are interested in booking a maternity portrait session with Kathryn Jean Photography, please send an inquiry. 

A husband and wide pose together next to a large tree with their dog.

Share:

10 Favorite Maternity Photo Locations Near Chicago

Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

«

Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you are planning your wedding, you probably want the chance to escape into a world all of your own. This is a day when you and your beloved are the stars of the show! You get to write the next chapter of your story and invite the ones you love the most to help […]

You May Also Enjoy:

Perhaps the most important decision you make after saying “I do” is choosing your wedding photographer. After all, the photographer captures and records all those important details, from the dress to the first kiss right down to the last dance, and they are the people you will spend most of your time with on your […]

A couple cuddles on the beach

Elawa Farm History Built in 1917, Elawa Farm in Lake Forest was initially a gentleman’s farm. This venue gained notoriety for its refined design from the North Shore’s premier estate architects, David Adler and Alfred Hopkins. Named for its original owners, the Elawa Farm wedding venue is one of the last remaining Midwest estate farms. […]

a bride and groom pose together for their portraits at Elawa Farm

Maternity Session Locations in Chicago  Thinking of documenting your pregnancy? You will miss the little bumps and hiccups you have gotten accustomed to over your pregnancy and having a photo that captures this time in your life will be a very fond object of yours, years from now. We are fortunate to live in an […]

A husband and wide pose together next to a large tree with their dog.

A lifestyle in-home newborn session in Chicago

a new mom and dad cuddling their first born on their bed

You May Also Enjoy:

I’m a local Wilmette photographer here to help you choose attire for your Spring family photos. Spring is by far my favorite time of the year to photograph families and children’s portraits. Between the lush greens and bounty of flowers and blooms, there are endless opportunities to create beautiful portraits here in Wilmette. Let Your […]

Wilmette photographer captures family posing for their annual portrait along Lake Michigan's beach.

Engagement sessions in downtown Chicago have endless opportunities for great photos, and Akira and Austin were the perfect subjects for this session! I’m so looking forward to their wedding in the Fall of 2022. Austin and Akira were just wonderful people to spend time with and delightful to photograph. Just look at their faces; they […]

engaged couple posing in front of millennium park

As a local Evanston family photographer who serves the Chicago area and it’s Northshore, I have so many photos of my family that I treasure. Many were taken back in a day before cell phones, before computers, and back when film was a bit of a luxury. We took photos mostly on special occasions, and […]

family walking on beach

As an Evanston newborn photographer, I’ve seen how smooth and chaotic a newborn shoot can be! It doesn’t matter if this is your very first baby or a new addition to your growing family; planning for newborn photos can be overwhelming. It is a bit of a dance between juggling feedings, crazy sleep schedules, and getting […]

smiling newborn in black and white

You May Also Enjoy:

Have you thought about a family portrait session but started feeling overwhelmed and full of dread when considering what goes into it? You’re not alone. Many clients say they put off family photos because it seemed like a lot of work and stress or because they had an experience with a North Shore family photographer that just […]

Newborn Pictures Chicago | Fresh 48, Newborn Sessions & Lifestyle Sessions; What’s the Difference? A new baby makes you a new family, no matter if this is your first baby or another addition! Just like no two babies are alike, professional photos taken after they come into the world should capture these moments in a […]

Newborn baby in white wrap

When Feifei contacted me for a newborn photography session in Chicago, specifically to celebrate his son’s 100th day of life, I was soooo very excited. I had never photographed this traditional Korean celebration before and I was looking forward to heading into Chicago to capture this momentous day. For those who aren’t familiar with this […]

chicago newborn pictures mom and son on bridge in chicago

A maternity photography session at Oak Brook’s Mayslake Peabody Estate

pregnant woman in white dress by window

You May Also Enjoy:

Golf clubs and weddings are a match made in heaven. Not only are they set up to provide you with every luxury imaginable, but they will give you some of the most exquisite views throughout your day. Now, it’s just a matter of finding the club that is just right for your wedding day! As […]

No matter the current trends, European estate weddings are always in vogue. Whether you grew up dreaming of the views of Pemberley or are a recent convert with Bridgerton on a constant rotation, these atmospheres have everything you need for a storybook wedding. Now, it’s just a matter of finding the right one! As a […]

A husband and wife stroll with their wedding party at the Greencrest Manor in Michigan

Chicago is a vast and beautiful city filled with unlimited spaces to give you your dream wedding. While some people prefer the glitz and the glamor of downtown, others prefer to keep things a little quieter with plenty of space to spread out. If you fall into the latter category, a North Shore wedding might […]

a wide angle view of the Exmoor Club in Highland Park

Our Top 10 Business Resources

3.

50 Creative Poses for Couples in Love

2.

Engagement Session Checklist

1.

Resources to guide you as you plan for your engagement session, wedding, or photography business.

remember to take these

FREE RESOURCES