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ENGAGEMENT LOCATIONS

Milton Lee Olive Park

Updated onNovember 23, 2021

Home / Engagement Locations / Chicago / Milton Lee Olive Park

Milton Lee Olive Park is constructed peninsula located near Navy Pier and Ohio Street Beach with a unique west facing skyline view. The Park offers a great combination of natural trees and city views. It’s a great option for engagement photos and wedding day portraits.

The photogenic highlight of Olive Park is the cantilevered deck that extends more than 20 feet out over Lake Michigan. With black granite benches and stainless steel railing the platform is a great place to take in the sunset. Additionally there is a section of honey locust trees that lead down the paved sidewalk. The wooded section near the Ohio Street entrance create a rare woodland feel in the middle of the city.

With expansive waterfront views the rest of the park is marked with a series of five circular fountains of various sizes that separate the park from the the Jardine Water Purification Plant. Because of the nature of the public works facility, cars and busses are not allowed to stay standing near the main gate.

Tree-lined sidewalks make for a nice contrast to the Chicago architectural background. The park is fenced and can occasionally be closed to visitors. Navy Pier Marina, the Ferris Wheel and Crystal Gardens are all visible to the West. Ohio Street Beach and the giant rock breakwall can also easily be accessed from the park.

The Navy Pier parking lot is an option. At $32 for two hours you may have better luck looking for a garage west of Lake Shore Drive along Grand Ave. The walk won’t be much farther.

In most cases, I’ll suggest traveling by Uber/Lyft during our engagement session. It’s less complicated than figuring out parking at each destination and often less expensive.

Driving ourselves usually eats a lot of time with the added logistics of parking and getting to where we want to go. If you have a friend or family member who wants to drive us, that can be a convenient option as well.

Dogs are allowed at Milton Lee Olive Park, including the gated portion of the park and the deck viewing platform.

NOTE: there was some concern in 2019 about dogs getting mysteriously sick while playing in the grassy areas of the park.

Here’s an article with more information on how to include your dog in engagement photos.

LOCATION DETAILS

Address: 500 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611
Neighborhood: Streeterville
Permit: Not Required

WHY WE LOVE IT

The view of the skyline with a couple "floating" over the water is one of the most epic Chicago engagement photos I get to make. Unlike the view from Adler or even North Ave. Beach, you're so close at Olive Park that it feels like you're part of the skyline - rather than a background element.

It's always great to be able to get multiple looks from one location and getting beach, skyline and trees is rare. At Olive Park you can have all three in the same photo!

The proximity to Navy Pier makes it a convenient spot for changing outfits between locations. Harry Carey's is also a good place to grab a drink before we start shooting.

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REAL COUPLES

Milton Lee Olive Park engagement photos


Kara & Matt: Architectural Artifacts Wedding Photos

Emily & Kieran: Adler Planetarium Wedding Photos

Colorful Chinatown Engagement Session: Jean & Jack

Jennifer & Jeremy: Olive Park Engagement Photos

Chicago Riverwalk Engagement Photos: Christie & Garrett

Ashley & Jason: Engagement Session

couple poses for engagement photos at milton lee olive park in chicago with lake michigan and the skyline in the background

Engagement session at Olive Park & Riverwalk: Amy & Eric

TIPS + ADVICE FOR COUPLES

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LESLIE + OLIVER | CHICAGO

pricing info


Real weddings don’t fit neatly into six, eight or even 10-hour packages. Our collections don’t require you to know your timeline months before your wedding.
As a a documentary photographer, I love moments. And it turns out a lot of moments happen before most photographers arrive or after they leave. That’s why all of our collections include up to 12 hours!

We’ll work together to make sure I’m there for all the great moments you expect, and the ones you don’t. You’ll never have to worry about planning your day around the photographer’s schedule.

Wedding collections start at $4,800, which includes:
– full day coverage with two photographers
– online image gallery for viewing and ordering
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Fill out the form on the right to check our availability for your date and to receive the full pricing guide.

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