Cantigny Park is a must Family Picture Location

Once a year I always get to see my favorite family from Iowa. I was even greeted with a hug by Cooper. The McGowan’s annual family session wouldn’t be the same without rain.  Last year, we ended our session with rain, but this time we had another obstacle to shoot around. Mosquitos!!  In the end, everything turned out perfect as it always does.

Cantigny Park in Wheaton is a great location for any photoshoot. I’ve visited here many times in my career for weddings, engagements, family, and maternity pictures. Cantigny Park does not require an entry fee, but they charge you a parking fee of $5.00. A  media permit is needed for a photoshoot. Photographers usually state permits are the responsibility of the clients. The permits in Duopage County are usually $50 and in some places in the city as high as $200 depending on the length of time and number of people.

Cantigny Park is filled with many large trees for a lot of shade. I always look for a shaded area for even lighting. Avoid shooting during high noon when the sun is directly above which can cause unwanted shadows on the face. It’s best to start my sessions during the golden hour. I like the look of warmth and utilize some sun flare.

For this particular session, we had an overcast day. Which is good lighting since everything looks well diffused. Even lighting is always key. The problem with the photo shoot was the damn mosquitos. It was very uncomfortable and sometimes painful getting bit. Always keep that in mind during the humid summer, especially after rain. Nonetheless, it was great to see this family again. These kids get taller every time I see them.