Old Mill Creek · North Chicago, Illinois
A private estate to gather, create, celebrate & rise.
Five acres of countryside in Lake County, Illinois and a 6,684 sq ft mansion, opened selectively for unforgettable photo shoots, intimate celebrations, corporate retreats, film productions, nonprofit gatherings and one-of-a-kind experiences.
5
Acres
6,684
Sq ft
12+
Settings
$175
/ hour+

The mansion

The grounds

Interiors

The horses

Gatherings
There’s something about Raven Ridge
You feel it the moment you come up the drive.
The trees, the open land and the quiet.
Horses nearby, and the seasons turning across five acres.
A mansion with real character, not a rented white box.
The feeling of having travelled much farther than you did.





Photo Shoots
Your story deserves more than a backdrop.
Forget the studio. Here the backdrop is an entire private estate — countryside, changing seasons, natural texture, mansion architecture and landscaped grounds. Every session looks different, because the estate itself does.
Photographers

For Photographers
Bring your clients. Hourly, half-day and mini-session blocks.
Explore
Family

Family Sessions
The beautifully imperfect moments you’ll want to remember.
Explore
Branding

Personal Branding
Professional without looking corporate.
Explore
Flying Dress

Flying Dress & Fashion
Drama, movement, mansion, landscape. One unforgettable photograph.
Explore
Commercial

Commercial & Brand
A full content library — interiors to open fields — in one location.
Explore
Baby

Baby & Maternity
A quiet, private setting for life’s newest chapters.
Explore
Seasonal

Seasonal Sessions
Fall color, holiday sets, spring blooms and snow.
Explore
Equestrian

Horse & Equestrian
For people who understand a horse is never just a horse.
Explore
The estate’s own calendar
Every season tells a different story.
The estate changes dramatically across the year — which is why most clients come back.

Spring
Fresh greenery, blooms and soft light across the grounds.
Mar — May

Summer
Golden-hour sessions and unforgettable parties under the stars.
Jun — Aug

Fall
Autumn color against brick, and the hunt on the drive.
Sep — Nov

Winter
Curated holiday settings throughout the mansion — and snow.
Dec — Feb

60
Seated, comfortably
Events
More than a backdrop. Gather here.
An intimate private-estate alternative to banquet halls and conference rooms — the warmth of a mansion, with five acres of countryside around it.
Film & Productions
Your next scene starts here.
Expansive interiors, multiple fireplaces, a gourmet kitchen, landscaped grounds and open countryside — a range of looks inside one location, with no company move.

2.35:1
Shoots wide
6,684
Sq ft of interior
Experiences
There’s always something rising at the Ridge.
Some happen once. Others become traditions. Swipe through them at your own pace.

Canvas at the Ridge
Live art, cocktails and community inside the mansion — the great room turned over for concerts and a bar.
Seasonal

Equestrian Portrait Days
Booked in blocks, we arrange the horses and a photographer on site all afternoon.
Spring & Fall

Private Chef Dinners
The gourmet kitchen, the long table and one seating. Menus built around who’s coming.
By request

Themed Evenings
Costume, character and a red carpet — immersive nights staged room by room through the house.
Announced

Children’s Celebrations
Birthdays at the long table under the chandelier, with the grounds to run off the cake.
By request

Wellness at the Ridge
Small-group retreats moving between the great room, the grounds and the open fields.
Quarterly
Drag or swipe →

The story
“What makes Raven Ridge special is that it isn’t just a venue or a beautiful backdrop. It’s an entire private estate. My vision is to open this extraordinary place in a thoughtful way, and give people the chance to create, gather, celebrate and make memories here.”
Sarah FryeFounder, Raven Ridge Rising
Marketing & event strategist · 20+ years
Owner, SF Consulting Services
Gallery
The estate, room by room.
A working look at the settings available to you — interiors, architecture, grounds and the land beyond them.








See the latest sessions on Instagram
Plan your experience at Raven Ridge.
Private estate rentals begin at $175 per hour, with custom pricing for events, commercial shoots, productions and curated experiences.
Contact
Let’s create something here.
Tell us what you’re imagining — a photo shoot, a private gathering, a production, or something we haven’t thought of yet. Sarah replies personally, usually within one business day.
The estate
Old Mill Creek, Illinois
From
$175 / hour
Under the umbrella of
SF Consulting Services
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