Ever wonder where to go to get the best scenery and backgrounds for your next session?


In this post I will be sharing some of my favorite locations to take my clients to have their sessions. I love exploring what Wisconsin has to offer for locations, there is so much beautiful and diverse scenery here in the driftless areas, so here are a few ideas of where to take your clients next time you can't think of a location for your session!

Governor Dodge State Park

Located just outside Dodgeville Wisconsin, this state park is perfect for any kind of session, it offers a variety of scenery and landscapes to give the perfect backdrop for your photography! Check out the 2 lakes or pick a trail to hike and you will have loads of places to have your clients pose for the perfect photo!

A couple holds hands while walking through a golden autumn field at sunset.
A family walks together on a nature trail during autumn surrounded by bare trees.
A romantic outdoor portrait captured against a backdrop of sunset-lit trees.
A playful family moment captured by the water on a cloudy day.

Military Ridge State Trail

This is one of the bike trails located in Dodgeville and it has some perfect scenery for any session! The trees bend over the path just perfectly to create an amazing background for your images! This is another go to spot that I love to take my clients to! I especially love how amazing the trees look in fall!

A cozy autumn portrait featuring warm earth tones and plaid flannel clothing.
A joyful outdoor family portrait with warm yellow bokeh background.
A couple sharing a joyful moment together among vibrant autumn foliage.
A sunny family portrait on a dirt path surrounded by lush green summer foliage.

Olin Park


Travelling to Madison, you can get even more great locations to explore. I love the atmosphere at Olin Park, it is always peaceful and beautiful. There is a lot of variety of landscapes here as well, forest to walk through, a lake to look at and open fields, all perfect for a great portrait session!

A couple and their two dogs pose together in a sunny meadow at golden hour.
A couple walking hand in hand through a grassy field at sunset.
A couple sitting outdoors with their two dogs, a white Lab and a brown mixed breed.
A couple with their two dogs sitting by a waterfront with a city skyline in the background.

Stewart Lake County Park


Another great location in Southwest Wisconsin, nestled in the quirky city of Mt. Horeb. This locations will give you everything from a water backdrop to some great grassy paths with lots of plant life and a creek to wander along. Another great place to explore with your clients and make some magic!

A heartwarming outdoor portrait of a parent and child against a natural backdrop.
A child wrapped in a cute polka dot fox hooded blanket sits among green plants.
A tender moment captured on grass as a parent embraces a child in a blue dress.
A parent and child walking hand in hand down a nature path.

Bloomfield Prarie


This is a great little state recreational area between Dodgeville and Edmund, it has a cute pond and some great prairies for the perfect wide open shot! There are also some beautiful pine trees that also double as a great backdrop for your portrait session. This is another great location to check out and bring your clients to and get some great photos! Also an amazing place for winter photos as well, like this maternity session below!

An intimate black and white maternity photo captured by the water.
A tender maternity moment captured in winter with a couple in casual attire embracing and cradling a baby bump.
A maternity photo of an expectant mother in a beige dress standing in a snowy winter landscape.
A winter maternity photoshoot with a couple standing together against evergreen trees in snow.

I hope you enjoy these photos from the beautiful locations I have mentioned above! These are some of my go to locations when my clients ask where to go for our sessions! The images I get from these places are always so stunning and I get to appreciate the wonderful state that I live in even more!

@fharbourphoto
Follow me on Instagram