not sure where to have your session? below are different locations throughout Ozaukee, Washington and Milwaukee counties I have done senior sessions at. Want that “field of flowers” look? Late June, July or early to mid August are when you want to schedule your session. Fall colors? Early to mid October.
Big Bay Park | Whitefish Bay
small, but picturesque park along Lake Michigan
Boerner Botanical Gardens | Hales Corners
Part of the Milwaukee County Park System showcases themed garden spaces maintained by professional horticulturalists. Blooms vary based on the season. Admission fees and Professional Photography Permit fee will be added to session cost. Be aware the gardens start gearing up for their China Lights display as early as August, so June and July are the best times to book your session for this location.
Black Cat Alley | Milwaukee
murals painted by various local artists adorn the buildings of this alleyway on Milwaukee’s east side. Can be combined with Milwaukee’s Swing Park and Holton St. Bridge if choosing the Signature or VIP sessions
Cedar Creek Park | Cedarburg
set at the bottom of the cascading falls of Cedar Creek. Footbridge and willows/trees line the creek. Always beautiful, but especially picturesque in October when the fall colors are popping. Location is completely inaccessible the weekend of Country in the Burg festival in August.
Cedar Creek Settlement | Cedarburg
the ivy-covered cream city brick and wood buildings of the shops at cedar creek make for great backdrops. This location is inaccessible during their annual weekend festivals – Strawberry Fest in June, Country in the Burg in August and Wine and Harvest Fest in September.
Concordia University | Mequon
set atop the bluffs of Lake Michigan, concrete stairs surrounded by tall grasses and wildflowers end in a crushed gravel trail that wanders along a rocky shoreline before ending at a cozy little beach with lots of driftwood. No pets are allowed here, the over 200 steps can be a bit strenuous for some and there are no public bathrooms. Location may be unavailable at times due to campus events.
Covered Bridge Park | Cedarburg
one of the few remaining covered bridges in the state surrounded by lush greenery, flower gardens and a smaller footbridge. This location is prone to flooding after heavy rains and is a very popular spot for all kinds of photography sessions including weddings and prom/homecoming photos.
Doctor's Park | Shorewood
Wooded park with stairs that go down to a beach along Lake Michigan
Highland Woods | Mequon
old growth forest with wood chip trails. especially picturesque in fall when the colors are peaking. Note: no public bathrooms here
Lime Kiln Park | Grafton
the brick lime kilns for which this park is named is, of course, the main feature. the Milwaukee River also runs along the eastern edge providing great natural backdrops and the metal bridge near the kilns rounds out the various looks this park provides
Lion's Den Gorge | Grafton
Set along the bluffs of Lake Michigan, this park provides sweeping lake vistas along a wood chip trail that winds through old growth woods. 100+ stairs down the bluff provide access to a sandy beach that is about a 20 minute walk from the park entrance. Due to the park’s size, this location cannot be used with the 30-minute Essential Session package, only the Signature and VIP.
Mee-Kwon Park | Mequon
pond surrounded by willows and a trail that leads up along mule hill to an old growth forest
Mequon Nature Preserve | Mequon
510 acres of land with six miles of trails that wind through old growth forests, ponds and rolling meadows. Three different parking lots make it quick and easy to move to different parts of the preserve without wasting too much time walking from area to area. Public bathrooms are located in the preserve building, but is typically closed before the preferred session time (one hour prior to sunset)
Milwaukee Art Museum | Milwaukee
the wings of the Calatrava and the surrounding gardens with Lake Michigan vistas make for stunning photos. “The Calling” sculpture and surrounding O’Donnell park just west of the museum provides even more looks. Public bathrooms inside the museum (when open). A photography license must be purchased if photos inside the museum are desired
Milwaukee's Third Ward | Milwaukee
urban vibes among the cream city buildings and alleyways and the natural beauty of Milwaukee’s riverwalk. As the different shooting areas are a bit spread out, this location is only available for Signature and VIP sessions and there are no public bathrooms for changing
Rotary Park | Mequon
Pukate woods lies at the north end of the park and has wood chip trails that wind through an old growth forest. The “Memory Garden” provides wildflower and grasses in season (late June through early September) and there are two ponds surrounded by cattails and willows as well.
Swing Park & Holton St. Bridge | Milwaukee
underneath the picturesque Holten St. Bridge is the quirky Milwaukee Swing Park. Great urban vibes that can be combined with Black Cat Alley when either the Signature and/or VIP Session package is chosen.
Trinity Creek Wetlands | Mequon
a hidden gem with a crushed gravel path that circles a large pond and is surrounded by tall grasses and wildflowers. seldom used railroad tracks that run along the habitat are perfect for a traditional track pose. Note: there are no public bathrooms here.
Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum | Milwaukee
an Italian Renaissance-style home on a bluff above Lake Michigan landscaped with terraces, formal gardens and a stunning “water stairway.” A photography permit must be purchased and the museum is often closed for weddings, concerts and other various events, so a few weeks’ notice must be given to arrange a session date and time. Location is not an option with the 30-minute Essential Session package.
Village/Fireman's Park | Thiensville
set along the Milwaukee River with a dam/waterfall and a crushed rock trail that follows the river down to the Thiensville Mill
Virmond Park | Mequon
park set on the bluffs of Lake Michigan with old growth woods, prairie and wildflower fields and stairs that lead down to a narrow beach along the lake. over 200 steps make up the stairs, making it a bit strenuous for some. Depending on the Lake levels, beach photos may not always be an option
Zach Farm | Mequon
my 40-acre family farm provides versatile backdrops with it’s barn, silo, pond and orchards. Crops are rotated, so cornfield backdrops are only available every other year. Corn is set to be planted in 2026