How to Get the Best Spring Engagement Photos in Chicago
A local Chicago photographer’s guide to creating fresh, romantic engagement photos during the season when everything softens and begins again.
Hi, I’m Ashley — the photographer behind Artistrie Co., and someone who believes spring in Chicago is its own kind of romance.
There’s something about this time of year: the soft color palette, the first warm air, the sense that everything is shifting in small, beautiful ways. Engagement sessions in spring tend to feel unguarded — lighter, brighter, a little more open.
I photograph with a calm, candid approach, focusing on connection over perfection. If you’re drawn to images that feel tender and alive, spring is the season that delivers.
MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Winter in Chicago gets a bad reputation, but for photos? It’s quietly spectacular.
The city slows down. Colors soften. Light becomes this cool, velvety wash that flatters absolutely everything. Even the simplest gestures — holding hands, sharing a laugh, leaning in a little closer — feel more intimate against all that stillness.
Crowds thin out, too. Places that feel packed in summer suddenly feel open and peaceful, almost cinematic. There’s room to breathe, to wander, to settle into the moment without distraction.
And then there’s the light.
Winter sunsets are in a league of their own: pinker, deeper, more dramatic. A kind of magic you can’t manufacture, no matter how good your camera is.
If you’re willing to bundle up, winter gives you something rare — photographs that feel warm in spite of the cold, honest in spite of the elements, and unmistakably yours.
Spring in Chicago arrives slowly, almost shyly — but when it finally shows up, everything feels lighter.
Colors soften. The air smells a little sweeter. People loosen their shoulders for the first time in months. Even the smallest moments — brushing hair away from your face, reaching for a hand, laughing at something only the two of you heard — look different against all that newness.
Crowds fade during the early weeks, too. Parks feel calmer. Neighborhoods feel more like neighborhoods again. There’s room to wander, to pause, to settle into the ease of being together.
And then there’s the light.
Spring light is gentle and flattering — warm without being harsh, bright without being sharp. It wraps around you in a way that feels honest and unfussy, the kind of light that makes everyday moments feel cinematic without trying too hard.
If you’re drawn to the feeling of beginnings — fresh leaves, soft color, that quiet sense of optimism — spring gives you all of it. Photographs that feel bright, airy, beautifully alive.
The Soft Bloom of Spring
Spring is generous when it comes to wardrobe — soft colors, lighter fabrics, a little movement in the breeze. The goal isn’t to dress a certain way; it’s to choose pieces that make you feel incredible the moment you put them on. Confidence photographs beautifully.
Think about tones that feel at home in the season: lighter neutrals, soft pastels, airy chiffons, anything with a bit of ease or texture. Spring loves fabrics that move — silk, linen, cotton, even a simple knit with a touch of drape.
Where we shoot will influence your palette.
Standing in front of creamy stone or historic architecture? Neutrals and warm tones always look elegant. Planning for a more minimal or muted backdrop? A bolder color can be stunning. You want harmony — not blending in entirely, not competing with what’s around you.
And because Chicago in spring is… optimistic but unpredictable, layers are your friend. A polished coat, a light jacket, something you can slip on or off without losing the moment. Comfort is part of the aesthetic — if you're warm and relaxed, everything feels easier.
Have fun with it. Try pieces that make you stand a little taller. That joy always shows.
What to Wear for Spring Engagement Photos
Spring in Chicago has this particular kind of happiness to it — the kind that sneaks up on you after months of gray and suddenly makes everything feel a little lighter. It’s an undeniably fun time for photos.
The blooms alone are worth the wait. Magnolia trees, tulips, flowering branches in every direction — a few fleeting weeks where the city feels soft around the edges. If you time it right, you get color you simply can’t replicate any other season.
The weather is its own small gift, too. Gone is the icy wind that makes you question your life choices; not yet arrived is the full-force Chicago summer. Spring sits comfortably in that perfect in-between — warm enough to relax, cool enough to avoid the mid-July sweat-glow.
And while the city slowly wakes back up, crowds are still mellow compared to summer. Early spring mornings, especially, feel surprisingly open and peaceful — the kind of quiet that lets you settle into yourselves without the feeling of an audience.
All in all, spring gives you beauty, comfort, and just the right amount of calm — an ideal backdrop for photos that feel soft, romantic, and alive.
Pros of a spring Engagement Session
Spring in Chicago has a sense of optimism… but it also has a sense of humor. Winter tends to linger, and those dreamy blossoms everyone pictures don’t usually arrive until well into May.
If you’re planning a March or early April session, you’ll want to set expectations: trees are mostly bare, the grass is still waking up, and the city can lean more taupe than technicolor. It’s still beautiful — just in a quieter, more architectural way.
This is when Chicago’s bones really shine.
Historic buildings, clean lines, soft light reflecting off stone — the city can feel elegant and cinematic long before the flowers show up. Leaning into architecture rather than nature often makes early-spring sessions feel surprisingly polished.
But if you’re set on color — the magnolias, the cherry blossoms, the truly lush greens — timing is everything. Keep an eye on the forecast, watch the blooms, and be ready to choose a date when winter finally gives up. The moment spring arrives in full, it’s worth it.
Cons of a spring Engagement Session
If you are taking spring engagement photo session in Chicago, here are a few tips for a successful and fun experience!
spring Engagement Photo Tips
The biggest secret to beautiful spring photos? Don’t plan around dates — plan around what’s actually blooming.
Chicago’s spring is more… interpretive than literal. Some years the magnolias explode in early April; other years they appear the day you’ve emotionally accepted that winter might be forever. Trees leaf out painfully slowly, then everything turns green in what feels like 72 hours.
A rough guide (not a promise):
Magnolias: early–mid April
Cherry blossoms: mid–late April
Crabapple blossoms: late April–early May
Peak greenery: mid–late May
If blooms are important to you, let’s watch the season unfold together and choose a date that aligns with nature — not the calendar.
And if the blooms come early or late?
We pivot. There is always something beautiful to work with.
1. Follow the Blooms (They Make the Rules)
Spring is a season of layering — practically and aesthetically.
It can be 42° in the shade and 62° in the sun, sometimes within the same hour. The trick is choosing pieces that look beautiful and keep you comfortable, so you can stay present instead of thinking about your toes.
Think:
Light coats and jackets that feel like part of the outfit, not emergency outerwear
Fabrics that move (chiffon, silk, soft cottons)
Colors that echo the season: soft pastels, creamy neutrals, fresh greens
Shoes you can walk in — parks and gardens can still be muddy
Remember: the mood of spring is lightness. Your wardrobe should echo that, without leaving you freezing on a windy April morning.
2. Dress for the Forecast and the Mood
Spring in Chicago loves drama.
A little breeze? Beautiful — it adds movement.
A light drizzle? Shockingly romantic.
A sideways rainstorm with 30mph winds? We reschedule immediately.
Overcast days photograph better than bright sun. Misty mornings feel soft and cinematic. But harsh cold or messy storms aren’t the vibe, so we plan with flexibility and choose the version of the day that feels both beautiful and kind to you.
You shouldn’t have to “tough out” your engagement photos.
3. Expect the Weather Plot Twist (and Embrace It… to a Point)
Early spring (March–early April) is usually brown, bare, and still shaking off winter.
This is when Chicago’s architecture shines — stone buildings, iconic skyline views, neighborhoods, conservatories, cozy cafés, the Art Institute interiors.
Late spring (late April–May) is when the world wakes up: blossoms, new leaves, warm light, soft greens everywhere.
Your location should support the version of spring that actually exists on the day — not the version you saw on Pinterest. I’ll help guide you to places that feel right for the season.
4. Choose Locations That Match the Spring You Get
Spring light is crisp and clear, softer than summer, less dramatic than winter, and incredibly flattering.
The best times:
Sunrise for quiet streets and softer, cooler tones
Sunset for warmth, glow, and a little cinematic sparkle
Overcast days for even, dreamy light with zero squinting
Golden hour is shorter in spring, but when it hits, it feels like a gift. We plan around it whenever possible — it’s always worth it.
5. Chase the Good Light
While everyone else is waiting for July, spring gives you space.
Parks are calmer.
Neighborhood streets feel slower.
Museum steps aren’t overrun with wedding parties.
It’s one of the last “quiet” seasons in Chicago — ideal for photos that feel personal rather than performed.
Take advantage of it.
6. The Gift of Fewer Crowds
If you have a question about working together this spring for your engagement photos in Chicago or throughout the midwest, please complete my contact form or email me directly. I'd love to hear from you!
Have a question?
Artistrie Co. is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer serving Chicago, Illinois, Michigan and beyond.
