As a dog mama, I totally get wanting to include your furbaby in your photos. Clifton has been in our engagement photos and my maternity photos (and you know he will be a part of all the upcoming family photos with our baby boy). Whether it be your engagement session, wedding photos, or family photos — your dog is a part of the crew and should be included, right?

Below are some of my absolute favorite locations in Chicago + the Chicago suburbs that are dog-friendly and make for beautiful outdoor photo locations with your pup. Check out the list below of my 8 favorite dog-friendly photo locations in Chicago!

Olive Park | Chicago

If you want epic skyline views and photos with your dog, this is the spot for you. I love Olive Park because not only do you get gorgeous views of the city, but there’s a ton of variety in the backgrounds that you can get at this location. From the skyline to greenery, to the beach, there’s something for everyone in this small little spot nestled off the beaten path in Chicago. I also love this location because it isn’t packed with people and tourists.

Lincoln Park | Chicago

Lincoln Park is a favorite of mine and my clients for both engagements, wedding, and family photos. It is the perfect spot to bring along your furbaby because of the walking paths, space to roam, and gorgeous photo opts. I love shooting at the South Pond, and the area looks wildly different (but oh-so-gorgeous) throughout the seasons. 

 

Montrose Dog Beach | Chicago

Want photos with your pup on the beach? This is your spot. Dogs aren’t allowed on the beaches in Chicago (someone please let me know if I am wrong), so this is the spot if you want to be on the sand.  If your dog loves other four-legged friends and gets distracted easily, this might spot might not work well. But it could be fun if you want to splash in the water and run with your pup for more in-the-moment photos.

North Avenue Beach Lakefront Path | Chicago

While dogs aren’t technically allowed on the beach, you can walk your pup on the path that has those beautiful skyline views. If you’re wanting to bring your for baby to this location, I recommend having a friend or family member come along so that they can take your dog once we are done using him or her in the photos — allowing us to explore the beach for a bit.

Mayslake Forest Preserve | Oak Brook

This is one of my favorite spots not only for photos with your furbaby but for just about any photo session. This is a hidden gem nestled in the cutest little spot in Oak Brook. It has an off-leash dog park, so you can wear out your dog before or after the shoot. And it has the prettiest wild grass, mini lake, and gorgeous walking paths.

St. James Farm Forest Preserve | Warrenville

This gorgeous forest preserve has a cute white fence, yellow barn, tall wild grass, and gorgeous trees — making it an adorable location for both engagement and family sessions (as well as wedding photos). And you can take your pup walking along the trails without a problem.

Waterfall Glen | Lemont

Explore this gorgeous forest preserve that includes a beautiful waterfall with your pup. This is a dog-friendly location as long as your furbaby remains on his/her leash. The waterfall is super popular in the summer months, so if you heart set on photos here, it is best to schedule for spring or fall if you want it less crowded.

Danada Forest Preserve | Wheaton

The grounds of Danada Forest Preserve are full of beautiful trees, a cute white fence, and gorgeous nature vibes. Pups are welcome as long as they remain on a leash.

Have another location in mind for photos with your pup? I’d love to know what other spots you love.

Please keep in mind that the following locations do NOT allow dogs, so if you have your heart set on one of these spots, you won’t be able to include your pup in the session.

+ Chicago Botanic Gardens (Chicago)

+ Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool (Chicago)

+ Art Institute Gardens (Chicago)

+ Lurie Gardens (Chicago)

+ Oak Street Beach, Ohio Street Beach, North Ave Beach (Chicago)

+ Ryerson Woods Forest Preserve (Riverwoods)

+ Independence Grove Forest Preserve (Libertyville)

+ Cantigny Park (Wheaton)

+ Morton Arboretum (Lisle)