How to Get Beautiful Summer Engagement Photos in Chicago
Tips from a Chicago wedding photographer for stylish, sun-soaked summer engagement photos.
Hi, I’m Ashley — the photographer behind Artistrie Co., and someone who never turns down good light or a warm summer evening.
Summer in Chicago has its own energy — long golden hours, breezy lakefront nights, and a kind of ease that makes everything feel a little more romantic. Engagement sessions this time of year tend to unfold slowly: wandering, laughing, settling into the rhythm of the season.
My approach is candid and editorial in equal measure. I’m here for the real moments — the way you reach for each other, the soft spontaneity that happens when you're not paying attention, the spark the summer air brings out in everyone.
If you love photos that feel warm, relaxed, and beautifully alive, summer 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.
Summer in Chicago doesn’t try too hard — and that’s exactly why it works so beautifully for photos.
The days stretch long. The light lingers. Everything feels softer around the edges, like the whole city has decided to exhale. Even the simplest moments — a walk along the lake, a hand resting at the small of a back, a quiet laugh that hangs in the warm air — feel more romantic this time of year.
Crowds gather, of course, but there’s also this lovely sense of movement: boats drifting in the distance, tall grass swaying at Montrose, the hum of a neighborhood settling into golden hour. It gives your photos a life and a warmth that can’t be faked.
And then there’s the glow.
Summer light has a way of wrapping around you — golden, generous, cinematic. It’s the kind of light that makes everything feel a little more alive.
If you’re drawn to warmth, color, and a session that feels like slipping into a long summer evening, this is the season that gives you all of it — effortlessly.
The Ease of Summer
Summer is the season for clothes that move, breathe, and feel like the best version of you — cool, effortless, and a little bit bold.
Look to fabrics with natural movement: linen, cotton poplin, silk, light chiffon, gauzy knits. They keep you cool and photograph beautifully in bright summer light.
Your palette can possibly go two ways:
Soft & Sun-Washed:
Sky blues, warm whites, soft peach, champagne, sand, pale yellow — colors that glow in the heat and pair beautifully with Chicago’s architecture and the lakefront.
Bright & Summery:
Berry pinks, cobalt blue, palm green, lemon yellow, cherry red — refined, joyful shades that stand out in the best way. These work especially well downtown or anywhere with neutral backdrops.
Patterns are gorgeous in summer — think eyelet, gingham, minimal florals, subtle stripes, tailored sets. They add visual interest without overwhelming the frame.
Avoid neons and overly busy prints; they tend to fight with the summer sun.
Above all, choose pieces that feel good the moment you put them on: breathable, flattering, something you can actually move in. If you’d like help choosing looks, send me your options — I love helping clients style a session that feels polished and personal.
What to Wear for summer Engagement Photos
Summer in Chicago is the city at its absolute peak — bold, bright, fully alive. Everything feels cinematic: the lake glittering in the background, tree-lined streets in full green, sun pooling between skyscrapers like it was planned.
And the light lasts forever. That means no rushed timelines, no sprinting to catch sunset — just space to wander, linger, settle in. We can start in your neighborhood, stop for a drink, walk through a park, and end along the lakefront without ever feeling pressed for time. It’s the season where a session feels more like a summer date night than a photoshoot.
Crowds aside, there’s a real romance to Chicago in summer — the long evenings, the energy, the sense that everyone’s just… happier to be outside. If you want photos that feel warm, effortless, and distinctly Chicago in summer, this is the moment.
The Good Stuff About Summer
Chicago summer is beautiful, yes — but she has her quirks.
The heat can be intense. The humidity makes itself known. And the entire city seems to spill into the same parks, lake paths, rooftops, and riverwalks. It’s vibrant and fun, but not always ideal if you’re hoping for quiet corners and empty backdrops.
Midday sun is sharp and unkind, so timing is everything. Early mornings and late evenings are where the magic happens — softer light, cooler air, fewer crowds, and that golden glow bouncing off the skyline.
Then there’s parking (a sport in and of itself), street festivals that appear out of thin air, and construction that insists on being part of the city’s personality.
But with smart planning — the right timing, thoughtful locations, a little flexibility — summer still gives you some of the most glowing, romantic, undeniably Chicago images of the year. It just requires a bit of strategy… which is exactly where I come in.
The Not-So-Charming Bits
If you are taking summer engagement photo session in Chicago, here are a few tips for a successful and fun experience!
summer Engagement Photo Tips
Chicago summer light has a personality — bold, bright, a little dramatic.
The trick is timing. Sunrise gives you hush and soft edges; evenings offer warmth and that honey-gold glow that makes everyone look good.
Everything in between?
Squinting, sweating, and wondering why everything suddenly feels like the surface of the sun.
Let me guide you toward the windows of time when the light actually loves you back.
1. Hunt for the Soft Light
Summer wardrobes work best when they feel effortless: gauzy dresses catching the breeze, linen shirts with a little structure, fabrics that breathe and photograph beautifully.
Think airy, not heavy.
Think movement, not stiffness.
If you want a visual reference, your Pinterest board is perfect — polished, joyful, chic without trying too hard. Summer rewards that ease.
2. Choose Clothes That Move, Not Fight
Chicago heat can sneak up on even the most optimistic couple.
Pack water. Truly. Bring a chilled bottle or two in a small insulated pouch. You’ll look and feel more relaxed, and that shows in the photos.
A few extras that help: blotting papers, translucent powder, a tiny fan if you’re feeling committed.
This isn’t about vanity. It’s about comfort — and comfort photographs well.
3. Heat is Real. Hydration is Chic.
There’s something cinematic about Lake Michigan in summer — the soft blues, the wide open sky, the skyline behind you glowing like it’s on cue.
It’s also a little unpredictable.
Wind, water reflections, moving docks… it keeps you on your toes.
But if you love the idea of something breezy and romantic, the lakefront delivers — especially with the right guidance on where and when the light is doing beautiful things.
4. The Lakefront Is a Dream (and a Little Wild)
Summer already gives you everything: warmth, energy, color, motion. Instead of forcing “summery” moments, lean into the day as it naturally unfolds.
Think gelato in Old Town, a quiet walk through Lincoln Park, iced coffees in the West Loop, or simply wandering a favorite neighborhood.
Seasonal details feel more authentic when they’re part of your real rhythm, not staged.
5. Let Summer Be the Mood, Not the Prop
Some spots are magical in summer… and some are unbearable.
I’ll help you choose places that feel lively but not overrun, iconic but still comfortable.
Maybe that means the quiet corners of Lincoln Park, the shaded walkways in the Gold Coast, early morning riverfront paths, or a neighborhood that’s part of your story.
Beautiful spots are everywhere — the trick is knowing when they shine.
6. Pick Locations That Match the Heat (and Your Energy)
Humidity can be its own character in summer photos.
Plan ahead with a small touch-up kit: SPF, powder, lip color, blotting papers, a comb or clip, and anything else that helps you feel put together.
You’ll stay comfortable, relaxed, and photo-ready — and it makes the whole experience feel easier and more enjoyable.
7. Prep Like It’s a Warm Wedding Day
Summer is the season for movement — not rushing, but wandering.
That’s when the magic happens: turning a corner into perfect light, stepping into a breeze that lifts your hair, finding a quiet street that feels like a movie still.
Some of the best photos happen between locations, on the way from one idea to the next. Let the city guide us a little — it always pays off.
8. Wander Slowly. The City Will Reward You.
If you have a question about working together this summer 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!
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Artistrie Co. is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer serving Chicago, Illinois, Michigan and beyond.
