One of my favorite things about being a family photographer in Lake County, IL is the variety of stunning outdoor locations we have right in our own backyard. From peaceful lakeshores to wide-open meadows, the Lake County Forest Preserves provide endless backdrops for family photos especially at sunset, when the light turns golden and everything feels a little more magical.


This session was extra special because it wasn’t just about updating family photos, it was about celebrating a season of change. With older kids getting ready to head off to college, mom wanted to capture this moment in time before the house felt a little quieter. These are the milestones that deserve to be remembered just as much as the early years.


We met at one of Lake County’s beautiful forest preserves, and the evening couldn’t have been better. The tall grasses swayed in the warm breeze, the trees framed the glowing sky, and the sunset gave us that perfect golden hour glow. The family laughed, reminisced, and enjoyed just being together. Mom soaking up every hug, every smile, every little look between her kids before they step into their next chapter.


Sessions like this remind me that family photography isn’t just for young children, it’s for every stage of life. Whether your kids are starting kindergarten or packing for college, these photos become treasured reminders of how your family is right now.


If you’re looking for a way to preserve this season with your own family, the Lake County Forest Preserves are some of my favorite places for sunset sessions. They offer a mix of natural beauty, peaceful settings, and light that makes every moment shine.

Romantic couple standing on brick path in front of arched doorway of historic building in summer.
A series of four candid moments between two people in casual attire standing against a brick wall background.
Two people in casual summer outfits embrace while standing on a brick pathway near a traditional brick building.
Two people share a loving embrace on a brick path while one sits in a wheelchair, smiling together outside a brick building.
A group poses together outdoors on a brick pathway with warm sunset lighting in the background.
A couple embraces lovingly among blooming yellow wildflowers on a sandy path during a summer evening outdoors.
People gathered on a garden path with wheelchair, enjoying outdoor time together on a sunny day.
A brick walkway with concrete X-shaped barriers leads to a white doorway of a traditional building.
A couple embraces in a sunny meadow filled with yellow wildflowers during golden hour at sunset.