The Eckert’s Experience
For seniors who love the outdoors or want a classic farm aesthetic, Eckert’s is a premier choice. This ever-changing landscape offers something unique in every season, from blossoming orchards to harvest-ready fields. Because the scenery shifts with the crops, it is easy to spend an hour or more capturing diverse looks in a single visit.
If you’re still narrowing down your vibe, check out my full guide to the Top Senior Picture Locations in St. Louis for even more inspiration.
The Best Part About Eckert’s
The beauty of Eckert’s lies in its seasonal variety. The pumpkin patches offer a quintessentially fall backdrop where seniors can sit among the gourds or pose within the vibrant rows. For a softer look, the apple and peach orchards provide shaded canopies perfect for "picking" portraits or lifestyle shots featuring baskets of fresh fruit.
During the peak of summer, the sunflower fields offer brilliant yellow vistas, while the towering corn fields create a textured, "get lost in the rows" vibe. Beyond the crops, Eckert’s features vintage tractors and farm trucks parked throughout the property, adding a layer of country-chic charm. For those seeking year-round greenery, the Christmas tree farm offers structured rows of evergreens that provide a lush, forest-like atmosphere regardless of the date.
What to Expect Each Season
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As new life returns to the farm, decorative flowers begin to bloom and strawberry and blackberry seasons arrive. The bright red and deep purple berries provide striking pops of color against the fresh green bushes, making for vibrant and cheerful portraits.
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This is one of the busiest and most colorful times at the farm. With sunflowers, peaches, and apples all reaching their peak, the landscape is filled with lively tones. The full foliage of the trees and the abundance of ripening fruit ensure a high-color background at every turn.
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Autumn brings a double-feature of color: the changing leaves of the surrounding trees and the arrival of the pumpkin patch. This is also the ideal time to utilize the corn maze for unique, textured portraits or to capture the last of the apple-picking season.
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While the deciduous trees go dormant, the Christmas tree fields remain a vibrant green. These evergreens serve as a beautiful, consistent backdrop for winter sessions and transform into a stunning "winter wonderland" following a fresh snowfall.
Pricing and Accommodations
While parking at Eckert’s is free, the farm does require a field pass fee for entry into the picking areas, regardless of whether you are harvesting produce. Public restroom facilities are located within the main farm buildings, though they are not available once you head out into the fields.
Address
Belleville Location: 951 S Green Mt Rd, Belleville, IL 62220
Millstadt Location: 2719 Eckert Orchard Ln, Millstadt, IL 62260
Senior Pictures at Eckert’s
Emmie
Eckert’s
Emmie just knew that she had to have some sunflower senior pictures taken when she heard they were growing at Eckert’s! Not only did we find beautiful sunflowers growing…
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