Have you been searching for a location in the Western Chicago suburbs for your family photos? One that is immersed in nature and will serve as a beautiful backdrop for your photos? If that sounds like what you’ve been searching for, then I highly recommend the Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville.
There are so many forest preserves in Dupage County and it’s one of my favorite things about living in the western suburbs. But I have to say, there’s something extra special about the Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville – especially for a fall family session.
I recently had the chance to photograph the Azarela family at the Blackwell Forest Preserve, and their photos captured the best of Midwest autumn.
Let’s dive into more about the Blackwell Forest Preserve so you can decide if it’s the perfect place for your own family photos.
Family Photos at the Blackwell Forest Preserve
My friend Sarah and her husband Sam had a family session with their two dogs, Rusty and Charlie. We took advantage of golden hour; the sunset added a beautiful golden light to the warm browns and autumn colors throughout the forest preserve.
I took Sarah and Sam’s photos next to the archery range at the preserve, but there are many beautiful spots throughout the preserve that are great for photos. There are ponds, wooded trails, grasslands, wetlands, and an excellent sledding hill (which sounds like a super fun idea for a winter family photos session!)
Fall is a gorgeous time of the year to take photos at the Preserve but you also can’t go wrong with taking pictures at any time of the year here. The winter will provide you with a snowy, winter wonderland backdrop. Summer is when everything will be lush and green, you’ll spot Queen Anne’s Lace and daisies. Spring is when you can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the woodlands and see everything starting to bloom again.
This was such a fun session, and I loved that Rusty and Charlie were a part of it. If you want to bring your dog to a photo session at The Blackwell Forest Preserve, keep in mind that your dogs are welcome at most preserves as long as they’re on leashes under 10 feet long.
You also need to remain with your dog at all times, so it may be a good idea to have someone else with you to keep an eye on your furry friends throughout the session.
There are also off-leash areas, but you need an annual (valid January – December only) or daily permit for each dog you bring. You can buy one online 24/7. For more information on this, go here.
Another thing to be aware of is that you do need a special permit to take pictures here. The cost of the permit varies depending on whether you are a resident of DuPage or not. You can see the different costs of the photo permit here.
Tips for Your Family Photo Session
If you’re planning your own family session, here are some of my best tips for how to prepare for a memorable shoot and beautiful photos:
Think about location
There are so many possibilities when it comes to choosing a location! Between parks, gardens, and lakes, the options are endless for gorgeous backdrops. You can also make your session feel extra special by choosing a location that has meaning to you. Your photographer can also always recommend locations if you are struggling to choose one.
Choose the time of day for your session
Golden hour is the hour right after sunrise or the last hour before sunset. I will generally recommend shooting at golden hour as it gives everything a soft, warm light. Soft, glowy lighting is flattering for everyone!
With young children, I recommend thinking about when they are generally awake and in a good mood. Definitely avoid nap times and meal times! I will choose happy kiddos over perfect lighting every time.
Plan your outfits
Make sure that you and your family dress for the weather. Especially in colder weather, layers are great to add to your outfit and will keep you warm. Another bonus with layers is that they allow for a subtle outfit change.
First and foremost, wear an outfit that you feel comfortable and confident in. I recommend starting with one outfit and then choosing coordinating (not matching!) outfits for the rest of the family. There are helpful online resources, like color palette generators, that can help you choose complementary colors.
Also, if you are bringing your dog along for your session, I recommend a neutral-colored leash and collar that won’t distract from your photos. Personally, I really like to choose fun bandanas that coordinate with our human outfits. (I’m a big fan of The Foggy Dog and Cookies and Co). If you want to read more tips about bringing your dog to your photo session, check out my blog post here.
Ready to Plan a Photoshoot at the Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville, IL?
The Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville is the perfect location for family photos. It is also a charming location for an engagement session or a couple’s session any time of year.
And if you’re in the Chicago suburbs and want to plan your own family photos at the Blackwell Forest Preserve (or if you have another spot in mind for your session), I’d love to chat. You can click here to learn more about my photography services, or you can head over here to get in touch and start planning your own session!
