Session location ideas
If you’re debating on where to have your sessions. Here is a list of southern Wisconsin locations
I’ve shot at before that can make for a beautiful setting during your portrait session. Even outside of your session these are great spots for a family outings, hiking, and other outdoor adventures.
Dorothy Carnes — Fort Atkinson
(hwy 12 entrance)
Dorothy Carnes Park is a nature-based, 514 acre conservation park. You will find 198 acres of prairie, 108 acres of Oak Savanah, 76 acres of agricultural land and 90 acres of wetland. The park surrounds Rose Lake marsh, one of the most diverse bird areas in the county. By the parking lot is a beautiful large wood and stone pavilion along with wood rail fences.
Dorothy Carnes — Fort Atkinson
(banker Rd entrance)
This portion of Dorothy Carnes features a restored old farmstead with a wide range of rustic buildings surrounding by acres of prairie and small ponds.
Haumerson’s Pond — Fort Atkinson
Great park with a recently built timber frame warming shelter. Trails heading out from the shelter follow the bark river and through the nearby woods.
Rock River Park — Fort Atkinson
Fort Atkinson's largest park at 113 acres with the southern park boundary abutting the Rock River. Within the park stands a replica of the "Old Fort". Playgrounds, football fields, an archery range, and prairie/woodland trails add to the diversity of options found within the park.
Aztalan State Park — Aztalan
A great small Wisconsin state park with a mix of prairies, historic mounds, and hardwoods. The park covers 172 acres along the Crawfish River.
Korth Park — Lake Mills
Situated on the shores of Rock Lake, Korth Park offers visitors a sweeping view of Rock Lake from the top of a glacial drumlin dominating the center of the property. This park is also home to an 8-acre restored oak savanna and 60+ acres of tall grass prairies.
The park offers a mowed trail system as well as a gravel path along the lake that connects to the Glacial Drumlin Trail and a beautiful large wood pavilion.
Natureland park — Whitewater
Natureland’s 122 acres contain 4 hiking trails, which provide an opportunity to observe the beautiful Kettle Moraine terrain. Natural springs and wetlands support a variety of vegetation, displaying the ecological diversity found in the park.
Bring your bug spray for late summer and early fall sessions!
Firemans Park — Waterloo
Park is 60 acres of woods, green space, and baseball fields.
Connections to the Maunesha River with a steel bride, walking trails, disc golf, oak lawns, pavilions, natural playgrounds, and a Historic Carousel.
Rotary Gardens in Janesville
Rotary Botanical Gardens is an award winning 20-acre, non-profit botanical showcase with over 24 different garden styles and 4,000 varieties of plants. A wide range of beautiful structures and paths provide amazing portrait backgrounds.
There is a small entrance and photo permit fee for the gardens but it is well worth it.
Riverside Park — Janesville
Riverside Park covers 87 acres and runs along the beautiful Rock River. The park features scenic overlooks, picnic areas and pavilions, and boat launches. It’s exceptional location for fall portraits. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail runs through the park, featuring the Devil’s Staircase portion of the trail.
Paradise Springs — Eagle/Palmyra
Features a 1/2 mile paved, handicap accessible, trail past a trout stream and old stone spring house. Also has an 1850's German log home across from the main entrance. A state park vehicle sticker is required to park in the lot at Paradise Springs.
Stute Springs & Homestead
Nature Trail — Palmyra/Eagle
This is an extremely beautiful place to hike. The main trail was originally a farm lane, but since it has been converted into a one mile loop hiking trail through the former 180 acre Stute Farm. A number of small old restored farm buildings remain near the natural springs. It’s about a 5 minute walk back to the farmstead with photo opportunities along the way.
Bring your bug spray for late summer and fall sessions!
Astico Park — Columbus
Astico Park (100 Acres) consists of developed and natural areas on the historic Danville Mill Pond of the Crawfish River. The park is split by the river and connected by the historic Ninabuck and Scofield Bridges. Features shoreline and wooded hiking trails, large open play fields and an expansive river shoreline.
Indian Lake Park — Cross Plains
At 442 acres, Indian Lake is one of Dane County's largest parks. The park has outstanding natural and historic resources. A winding trail leads to a historic chapel built in 1857, located on a hilltop which provides a breath taking view of the lake and surrounding valley. The Matz Stone Ruins across from the main entrance provide a unique backdrop.
Burke Town Hall Park — Sun Prairie
This hidden gem is located between Sun Prairie and Cottage Grove on Reiner Road. The park includes a quiet spot with bench on top of a hill, surrounded by a pond and covered bridge. A second hill and shaded picnicking area is located on the grounds. The wooded area features a gravel hiking path and with some grass prairies. There is another wood bridge along the edge of the pond leading to the gravel trails.
Olin Park — Madison
Offering some of the best views of downtown Madison, Olin Park is located on the shores of Lake Monona. Bridges, nature trails, the Olin Pavilion and lake piers provide a nice range of backgrounds.
Tenney Park — Madison
Located on the shore of Lake Mendota, Tenney Park highlights are numerous different style bridges and waterfront backdrops.
The park is a very popular ice skating location in the winter.