Location: Chicago Botanic Garden

As crazy as this is, I’ve only done one shoot at the Chicago Botanic Garden, and it was a mid-day shoot so dealing with the sun was a challenge.

The main reason I’ve only done one shoot there is that they have a $250 commercial photography permit fee, and they don’t do a great job of distinguishing what is a commercial shoot. They mention groups, and formal shoots, but they don’t really address a senior portrait shoot with one photographer and the senior and usually a mom. In the one shoot I did there in 2019, I simply walked up and told them I was doing a shoot with a senior, and the only charge as for parking. So I’m hoping to go back this year, but there is always the risk of whoever I”m talking to saying I have to pay the full fee.

The Botanic Garden is better for weekday late afternoon shoots. On weekends, they often have weddings or other events, and they do not allow photography anywhere on their location during these events.

So these images below are just a small sample of what we can do at the Chicago Botanic Garden.