Best Senior Photo Locations by Style | Milwaukee, WI

Gardens

The Gardens Wedding Center – Allenton, WI

Despite being a wedding venue, the generous owners of the lush and stunning Gardens Wedding Center allow portrait sessions to take place on the ground with no additional fees! They do however ask that we coordinate dates so we do not conflict with any of their pre-existing events.

Boerner Botanical Gardens – Hales Corners, WI

Boerner Botanical Gardens is a beautiful location full of flowering blooming plants and stone architecture. Please be aware there you will need to pre-register and pay a fee to hold your session at the gardens.

Sunflower Fields

Numerous sunflower fields can be found blooming during the month of August. A few of my favorites are Shimon Sunflower Farm in Slinger, The Bowery Barn in Rubicon or Lannon Sunflower Farm in Lannon.

Urban

Downtown Cedarburg – Cedarburg, WI

Downtown Cedarburg is a collection of picturesque stone-walled shops and businesses. Not only does this location photograph beautifully during the day, but it is also a great spot for night time portraits.

Downtown Menomonee Falls

Downtown Menomonee Falls offers amazing murals, ivy-covered buildings, and stunning brick walls. Also within walking distance of the Mill Pond and the Menoneee Fall “waterfall”.

Historic Third Ward – Milwaukee, WI

If you are hoping for an urban Milwaukee downtown feel for your portraits. The Historic Third Ward is a must stop. From skyscrapers to fun urban sculptures and the Milwaukee Public Market,  you’ll find it all here.

Milwaukee Art Museum & Discovery World – Milwaukee, WI

What an urban Milwaukee location with a ton of variety? The Milwaukee Art Museum is the place to start. The art museum itself features gorgeous and unique architecture especially when its “wings” are open. Directly next to the art museum in downtown Milwaukee is “The Calling” known to many as the orange starburst sculpture. The Milwaukee Art Museum is also walking distance from Discovery World and the Lake Michigan break wall. Overall making this a very well rounded photo location!

Downtown West Bend

Downtown West Bend offers a gorgeous mix class brick and stone buildings as well as a modern and artistic backdrop courtesy of the Museum of Wisconsin Art. 

Black Cat Alley – Milwaukee, WI

One of my favorite locations in Milwaukee is Black Cat Alley. Tucked in behind unsuspecting businesses you will find an entire alley filled with giant murals perfect for a stunning portrait session!

Rustic Barn & Forest

Camp Quad – Hartford, WI

Camp Quad located just outside of Hartford, is a gorgeous setting for portraits. With its trails, boardwalk, and pond it offers a great variety of backgrounds. Keep in mind that we need permission from Quad Graphics to use the property, so this option is typically for family and friends of employees.

Richfield Historical Society – Richfield, WI

Richfield Historical Society in Richfield, Wisconsin is one of my favorite locations because of the huge variety of backdrops available. The northern section of the park has rustic red barns, a wooden bridge, and a gravel road through large trees. In the middle of Richfield Historical Society, you’ll find a shallow stream, a thicker forest, and grassy areas. A few of my adventurous clients have walked even into the stream for fun photos on a warm summer night. The southern end of the park is home to old world cabins, a “Sugar Shack”, open fields, and an observation deck overlooking the nature park.

Holy Hill – Hubertus, WI

Holy Hill Basilica and Shrine located in the country hills of Hubertus, is a great location for natural beauty and the Basilica’s gorgeous architecture. The paved paths through beautiful forests, stone ledges, and fields overlooking the basilica are all ideal backdrops for portraits. Holy Hill is a great location if you are looking to feature classic architecture and shady forests. But keep in mind the grounds hold operating hours, and inside the basilica, itself is off-limits for photography to respect the prayer of its patrons.

Ridge Run County Park – West Bend, WI

Ridge Run County Park is located in the City of West Bend, Wisconsin. This stunning park runs along both Boot Lake and Wells Lake. Several paths allow you the ability to follow the shoreline of Wells Lake deep into the park. With gorgeous wooden areas along the lakes shore as well as grasslands and open fields this is a gorgeous place for any photo session!

Retzler Nature Center – Waukesha, WI

Retzler Nature Center is located in Waukesha, Wisconsin. It offers lines of towering pine trees, open fields, and forest paths. This is a stunning location if you are picturing yourself among the pines or walking a field for your portraits.

Beach or Water Front

South Beach

South Beach is located in Port Washington right on Lake Michigan. It is a perfect beach location!

Port Washington Marina

The Port Washington Marina offers a gorgeous view of Lake Michigan right next to downtown Port Washington. It’s a fantastic place to mix waterfront and downtown backdrops! 

Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve – Grafton, WI

Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve is located right on Lake Michigan in Grafton, Wisconsin. The preserve boasts everything you could want for a nature-filled portrait session. Cliffs overlooking the lake, lush garden-like paths, wooden bridges, and beach access to Lake Michigan if you don’t mind the 20-minute walk being part of your session!

Kettle Moraine Forest-Pike Lake Unit – Hartford, WI

Kettle Moraine State Park-Pike Lake Unit is located in Hartford, Wisconsin, and has a beautiful beach view of the sun setting over Pike Lake. The park also offers wooded trails through forests, fields, and cattails. The park does require a parking permit, which can be bought for the day or the entire year.

Menomonee Park – Lannon, WI

Menomonee Park is located in the small village of Lannon, Wisconsin, and the home of Lannon Quarry. The quarry is encircled by a drivable road and walking path. Along this walking path, you will have a variety of locations to choose from for your portrait session. The beach at Lannon Quarry, while not large in size does host beautiful sunrises. Menomonee Park is also home to a small climbable rock “cliff” overlooking the water, a wooden fence line, forest paths, and an old stone wall. If you would like your session here please keep in mind there is a per car entrance fee to this Waukesha County Park.

Milwaukee Art Museum & Discovery World – Milwaukee, WI

What an urban Milwaukee location with a ton of variety? The Milwaukee Art Museum is the place to start. The art museum itself features gorgeous and unique architecture especially when its “wings” are open. Directly next to the art museum in downtown Milwaukee is “The Calling” known to many as the orange starburst sculpture. The Milwaukee Art Museum is also walking distance from Discovery World and the Lake Michigan break wall. Overall making this a very well rounded photo location!

Delafield Fish Hatchery – Delafield, WI

Delafield Fish Hatchery located in downtown Delafield, Wisconsin is a gorgeous sunset photo spot. Featuring a beautiful stone building, small pond, river bend, and tree-lined walking path this location is sure to please!

Schlitz Audubon – Bayside, WI

Seven Bridges Trail is located in Grant Park in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It runs right along Lake Michigan and offers a huge variety of stunning backdrops including wood paths, rock cliffs overlooking Lake Michigan, and a beautiful beach. With such a large park, there are plenty of places to explore!

Milwaukee Riverwalk

Located within walking distance from the Historic Third Ward, the Milwaukee Riverwalk offers a waterfront, beautiful staircases, and a boardwalk.

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