Locations — Joyful Mia

LOCATION GUIDE

Deciding on a location... Here are a few of my favorite places to go.
Please note: Location availability may change due to Covid restrictions.

FAMILY LIFESTYLE SESSION Locations

CANTIGNY PARK, WHEATON, IL (a favorite! …and totally worth it!!)
1 S 151 S Winfield Rd, Wheaton, IL 60189
This location works for both morning and evening sessions. Perfect for lifestyle sessions.
An absolutely breathtaking park landscaped in great detail located in Wheaton. Stone steps, flowering gardens and a pond are just a few of the highlights that make Cantigny a special place for a photo session.
*Note a $35 photography permit and photographers $10 per car parking fee apply (totally worth it!!).
NO DOGS ALLOWED.

The River Walk, NAPERVILLE, IL (a favorite!)
Downtown Naperville, IL 60564
This location works for morning and evening sessions. Perfect for lifestyle sessions.
A favorite... Few didn’t backdrops to choose from!
Leashed dogs allowed.

RIVERVIEW FARMSTEAD PRESERVE, NAPERVILLE, IL (a favorite!)
Located at 111th St. and Book Rd, Naperville, IL 60564
This location works for morning and evening sessions. Perfect for lifestyle sessions.
A favorite... Has many backdrops to choose from!
Leashed dogs allowed. Leashes in excess of 10 feet are not allowed. Owners must clean up after pets.

PLANK TRAIL near downtown FRANKFORT, IL (a favorite!)
This location works for evening sessions. Perfect for lifestyle sessions.
A favorite... trail and grasslands.
Leashed dogs allowed.

NATURE BOARDWALK AT LINCOLN PARK ZOO, CHICAGO, IL
Located in Lincoln Park near Cafe Brauer in Chicago (2121 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614)
This location works for evening sessions. Perfect for lifestyle sessions.
A favorite... Different backdrops to choose from!
Leashed dogs allowed.
*Note: photographers parking fees apply and is apply to the ending balance at end of session.

ALFRED CALDWELL LILY POOL IN LINCOLN PARK, CHICAGO, IL
Located in Lincoln Park… The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool is an absolute gem for engagement photos. This secret garden is tucked away in Lincoln Park just steps away from the humming city streets. (2121 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614)
This location works for evening sessions. Perfect for lifestyle sessions.
A favorite... Different backdrops to choose from!
Leashed dogs allowed.
*Note: photographers parking fees apply and is apply to the ending balance at end of session.

LURIE GARDEN, CHICAGO, IL
A perfect place to take some beautiful photos! The garden offers seasonal flowers, a great city view, and its just steps away from Millennium Park, The Bean, and Grant Park!
*Note: photographers parking fees apply and is apply to the ending balance at end of session.

MONTROSE BEACH, CHICAGO, IL — **** THIS LOCATION IS NOT BEING OFFER AT THIS TIME ****
These beach pictures always end up being some of my favorites! If you love the very organic, candid & romantic look, you'll LOVE these beach session. This location has a lot of variety! The beach, long grasses, bird sanctuary, the lake, and a great skyline shot! Perfect for lifestyle sessions.
*Note: photographers parking fees apply and is apply to the ending balance at end of session.

VETERANS ACRES PARK, CRYSTAL LAKE, IL
431 N Walkup Rd, Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
This location works for evening sessions. Perfect for lifestyle sessions.
A favorite... Amazing trees and grasslands
*There is a $50 travel fee

Portrait Session Locations

NATURE BOARDWALK AT LINCOLN PARK ZOO, CHICAGO, IL
Located in Lincoln Park near Cafe Brauer in Chicago (2121 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614)
This location works for both morning and evening sessions. Leashed dogs allowed.
*Note a photographers parking fees apply and is apply to the ending balance at end of session.

ALFRED CALDWELL LILY POOL, LINCOLN PARK, CHICAGO, IL
125 W Fullerton Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614
*Photographer $30 parking fee is applied to the ending balance at end of session

LURIE GARDEN, CHICAGO,IL
Located at South Eastern end of Millennium Park
*Photographer $30 parking fee is applied to the ending balance at end of session

ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO, SOUTH GARDEN, CHICAGO, IL
111 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603
*Photographer $30 parking fee is applied to the ending balance at end of session

Lake Katherine, Palos Park, IL
Great location for a family or children portraits with many backgrounds to choose from. Not ideal for engaging long lifestyle sessions.
Leashed dogs allowed.

PLANK TRAIL & DOWNTOWN FRANKFORT, IL (a favorite!)
This location works for evening sessions. Perfect for lifestyle sessions.
A favorite... Has many backdrops to choose from! One of the great things about this location is that you can start off with a nature backdrop, then take pictures with a completely different look and feel by walking around downtown Frankfort!
Leashed dogs allowed.

CHURCHILL WOODS FOREST PRESERVE | LOMBARD, IL
Located at 900 W Saint Charles Rd Lombard, IL 60148
This location is best for evening sessions.
Leashed dogs allowed. Pets must be leashed. Leashes in excess of 10 feet are not allowed. Owners must clean up after pets.

PATRIOT'S PARK-BARTH POND, DOWNERS GROVE, IL
Located at on the south side of 55th Street, west of Fairview Avenue in Downers Grove, IL 60516.
This location is best for evening sessions.

LILACIA PARK, LOMBARD, IL
This location is best for evening sessions.
150 S Park Ave, Lombard, IL 60148
NO DOGS ALLOWED.

LAKE HARRIET, WOODRIDGE, IL
Located at 7000 Woodridge Dr Woodridge, IL 60517
This location is best for evening sessions.

NORTHSIDE PARK, WHEATON, IL
Located at Armburst Ave and Darling St. in Wheaton, IL
This location is great for evening sessions.

PIONEER PARK, NAPERVILLE, IL
Located at S Washington St, Naperville, IL 60540
This location is great for morning and evening sessions. Pets allowed.

DORTHEA WEIGAND RIVERFRONT PARK, NAPERVILLE, IL
Located at 2436 S Washington St Naperville, IL 60565
This location can be used for morning and evening sessions, however, the bridge is best for evening sessions.

WHALON LAKE, NAPERVILLE, IL
Located at Royce Rd and Lisson Rd in Naperville, IL 60565
This location is best for evening sessions.

DUPAGE RIVER PARK, NAPERVILLE, IL
Located at 808 Royce Rd. Naperville, IL
This location works for morning and evening sessions.

HUNTERS WOODS, NAPERVILLE, IL
Located at 2007 Lakeview Ct, Naperville, IL 60565
This location is best for morning sessions.

WILDER PARK FORMAL GARDEN, ELMHURST, IL
Located at 225 Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL
This location works for both morning and evening sessions.

ELDRIDGE PARK, ELMHURST, IL
Located at 363 W Commonwealth Ln, Elmhurst, IL 60126
This location works for both morning and evening sessions.

HICKORY CREEK PRESERVE - Hickory Creek Barrens, NEW LENOX, IL
20733 S Schoolhouse Rd, New Lenox, IL 60451
This location is best for evening sessions.
Leashed pets allowed.

EATON PRESERVE PARK, PLAINFIELD, IL
Located at 191 135th St, Plainfield, IL 60544
This location works for morning and evening sessions.
*There is a $25 travel fee

LIGHTHOUSE BEACH, EVANSTON, IL
Located at 2611 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201
This location works for both morning and evening sessions.
*There is a $25 travel fee. Photographers parking fees apply and is apply to the ending balance at end of session.

LAKE ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL
Located at 2201 N Windsor Dr, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
This location is great for evening sessions but can also be used for morning sessions.
*There is a $50 travel fee

Indoor Session Locations

Indoor location that is perfect for child milestone sessions and family portrait sessions. A great option for rain days and cold weather.

Wilder Park Conservatory, Elmhurst, IL
Located at 225 S. Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst, IL 60126
Admission: FREE and open to the public every day, 365 days a year. They do ask for a donation at the door.

Bird Haven Greenhouse & Conservatory, Joliet, IL
Located at 225 N Gougar Rd, Joliet, IL
*Note $20 per hour photography permit fee applies.