Top Family Photo Locations Near Downers Grove

(Plus Tips for a Stress-Free Session)

One of the first questions families ask after booking is, "Where should we take our photos?"

The good news is you don't have to figure that out on your own.

After nearly 20 years as a Downers Grove family photographer, I've spent countless evenings scouting the western suburbs to find locations with beautiful light, stunning scenery, and plenty of room for kids to explore. Every location I recommend has been carefully chosen because I know exactly how it photographs throughout the seasons, where the best light falls, and which spots work best for young children, maternity sessions, and growing families.

Rather than choosing the most popular park, I help match each family with a location that fits their style. Whether you're dreaming of wildflowers, open prairies, towering trees, charming downtown streets, or a peaceful creek, there's a perfect setting waiting for your story.

My Favorite Family Photo Locations

Hinsdale and Oak Brook parks

Some of my absolute favorite locations for families who love nature. Parks in Hinsdale and Oak Brook offer wide open prairies, tall grasses, seasonal wildflowers, winding paths, and gorgeous golden sunsets that create timeless, organic images.

Best for: Families, maternity, children, and couples.

Maple Grove Forest Preserve (Downers Grove)

A local favorite featuring beautiful mature trees, a creek, a charming bridge, and incredible fall color. It offers a wonderful variety of scenery without requiring a long walk, making it especially great for families with younger children.

Best for: Spring and Fall Family sessions

Cantigny Park (Wheaton)

If you're looking for beautifully maintained gardens, elegant architecture, fountains, tree-lined paths, and a classic feel, Cantigny is always stunning. It offers a wide variety of backdrops in one location and photographs beautifully throughout the growing season.

Best for: Families, maternity, seniors, and milestone sessions.

Downtown Downers Grove, Hinsdale, La Grange, Clarendon Hills, Western Springs & Lemont

For families who love a more lifestyle feel, our local downtowns provide beautiful brick streets, historic buildings, charming storefronts, ivy-covered walls, cafés, seasonal flowers, and plenty of personality. These sessions feel relaxed, playful, and timeless.

Best for: Families with older children, maternity, and couples.

My Downtown Downers Grove Studio or Your Home

Not every session needs to be outdoors. My natural light studio offers a clean, timeless environment that's perfect during winter months, unpredictable weather, milestone sessions, newborn photography, maternity portraits, and young children who are most comfortable indoors.

Tips for a Relaxed Family Session

The most meaningful family photos rarely come from everyone looking perfectly at the camera.

Instead, they happen during genuine moments together.

A few simple ways to help your session feel effortless:

Choose outfits that are comfortable and allow everyone to move naturally.

Trust your children to be themselves. Some of my favorite images happen between the "posed" moments.

Arrive a few minutes early so everyone has time to settle in.

Leave the entertaining to me. We'll play games, explore, cuddle, laugh, and let your family's personality shine.

Don't worry if your little one needs a break. I've photographed thousands of children, and there's very little that surprises me anymore.

Creating Photos That Feel Like Your Family

Whether we're exploring the prairies in the Hinsdale area, chasing sunset through Maple Grove, strolling the streets of downtown Downers Grove, or creating cozy memories in my studio, my goal is always the same: to make your session feel relaxed, enjoyable, and genuine.

Families throughout Downers Grove, Naperville, Hinsdale, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, La Grange, Plainfield, and Chicago's western suburbs choose Summer Brader Photography because they want more than beautiful portraits. They want an experience that feels easy and photographs that remind them exactly what this season of life felt like.

If you're ready to plan your next family session, I'd love to help you choose the perfect location for your family's story.