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 Raven Ridge mansion: red brick Georgian facade with white trim

The mansion

Riders in scarlet coats and a pack of hounds on the drive

The grounds

The navy drawing room with a marble fireplace and chandelier

Interiors

A grey horse in a bridle in golden afternoon light

The horses

Two guests in evening gowns at an event at the estate

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.

The tree-lined drive approaching the mansion
A child reaching up to stroke a horse on the lawn
The hand-painted Raven Ridge sign with a raven above it
Raven Ridge Rising seal
Raven Ridge Rising raven logo mark

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

For Photographers

Bring your clients. Hourly, half-day and mini-session blocks.

Explore

Family

Family Sessions

Family Sessions

The beautifully imperfect moments you’ll want to remember.

Explore

Branding

Personal Branding

Personal Branding

Professional without looking corporate.

Explore

Flying Dress

Flying Dress & Fashion

Flying Dress & Fashion

Drama, movement, mansion, landscape. One unforgettable photograph.

Explore

Commercial

Commercial & Brand

Commercial & Brand

A full content library — interiors to open fields — in one location.

Explore

Baby

Baby and maternity session on antique furniture at Raven Ridge

Baby & Maternity

A quiet, private setting for life’s newest chapters.

Explore

Seasonal

Seasonal Sessions

Seasonal Sessions

Fall color, holiday sets, spring blooms and snow.

Explore

Equestrian

Horse & 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

Spring

Fresh greenery, blooms and soft light across the grounds.

Mar — May

Summer

Summer

Golden-hour sessions and unforgettable parties under the stars.

Jun — Aug

Fall

Fall

Autumn color against brick, and the hunt on the drive.

Sep — Nov

Winter

Winter

Curated holiday settings throughout the mansion — and snow.

Dec — Feb

Two guests arriving at an evening event at the estate

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.

Private celebrations

Nonprofit dinners

Corporate retreats

Children’s parties

Wellness gatherings

Brand experiences

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.

A huntsman in scarlet leads hounds through the trees

2.35:1

Shoots wide

6,684

Sq ft of interior

Feature & indie film

Television

Commercials

Music videos

Documentary

Interviews

Branded content

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

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

Equestrian Portrait Days

Booked in blocks, we arrange the horses and a photographer on site all afternoon.

Spring & Fall

Private Chef Dinners

Private Chef Dinners

The gourmet kitchen, the long table and one seating. Menus built around who’s coming.

By request

Themed Evenings

Themed Evenings

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

Announced

Children’s Celebrations

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

Wellness at the Ridge

Small-group retreats moving between the great room, the grounds and the open fields.

Quarterly

Drag or swipe →

Sarah Frye on the front steps beneath the autumn wreaths

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

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

Raven Ridge Rising — Inquiry