How to Make the Most of a Rainy Summer Engagement Session in Ann Arbor

You’ve spent weeks planning your summer engagement photos — the outfits, the locations, the vision. And then the forecast calls for rain. Don’t stress — a little summer rain can actually transform your session into something romantic and cinematic. A rainy day in Ann Arbor can actually make for some incredible engagement photos with the moody light and intimate vibes. Here are some photographer-tested tips (and a few Ann Arbor–specific ideas) to make the most of it:

Here’s how to make it work beautifully.

🌧 1. Lean Into the Mood

Rain doesn’t have to mean compromise. Overcast light is flattering, the colors of Ann Arbor become richer, and the atmosphere feels instantly more romantic. Imagine strolling through downtown or the U-M Law Quad with soft raindrops falling — it’s timeless, elegant, and real.

☂️ 2. Bring Elevated Rain Essentials

A few thoughtful details keep you comfortable and your look intact:

• Clear or neutral-toned umbrellas — they photograph cleanly and keep your skin tones natural.

• Waterproof makeup — you definitely don’t want your makeup running.

• Towels + hair touch-up essentials — a simple way to stay photo-ready between spots.

🏛 3. Choose Locations with Built-In Cover

Ann Arbor has no shortage of elegant spots that offer shelter and character:

• Nickels Arcade — airy light and vintage architecture.

• The Law Quad cloisters — those stone archways feel straight out of Europe.

• The Clements Library - the architecture is stunning and the arches provide cover from the rain.

• Downtown Ann Arbor streets — especially in the evening, the street lights provide a completely different vibe.

💕 4. Keep It Effortless and Intimate

Rain has a way of slowing everything down. Take your time. Hold hands, walk close, laugh when the wind catches your umbrella — those unplanned, genuine moments always photograph best. The rain gives permission to be natural, connected, and present.

🌦 5. Have a Flexible Plan

If it’s a passing summer storm (which it often is), we can easily wait it out or shift the start time. Michigan skies change by the hour, and post-rain light is often the most beautiful of the day.

✨ Final Thoughts

A rainy summer engagement session isn’t about adjusting expectations — it’s about creating a different kind of beauty. The atmosphere becomes cinematic, the light softens, and the connection between you becomes the focus.

So if the skies turn gray, embrace it. Ann Arbor in the rain is romantic, refined, and unforgettable — the perfect setting for a love story that feels timeless.

Why the Ford House in Grosse Pointe Is One of Michigan’s Top Engagement Session Locations

If you’re dreaming of a timeless, classic, and artfully elevated setting for your engagement session, the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe is truly one of Michigan’s most breathtaking locations. As a Michigan wedding photographer, I’ve had the joy of photographing many couples here — and every time, I’m reminded why this estate remains one of my favorite backdrops for beautiful portraits.

1. Historic Architecture & Elegant Design

Designed by the famed architect Albert Kahn and completed in 1928, the Ford House is modeled after the Cotswold-style manors of England. From stone roofs and vine-covered walls to arched windows and ornate doorways, every corner of the property offers texture and timeless beauty — the kind that never feels dated or overly posed. It’s an aesthetic that resonates perfectly with couples who love artful, intentional photography.

2. A Variety of Stunning Backdrops

What makes this location exceptional is its range of scenery, all within one property. You can stroll through the rose garden, wander shaded stone paths, pause at the lakeside, or explore the grand lawns overlooking Lake St. Clair. Each spot tells its own story — whether you’re going for soft romance, modern editorial, or something classic and refined.

3. Lakefront Light & Natural Beauty

Because the estate sits right on the water, the light here is absolutely magical. During golden hour, the sky glows softly over Lake St. Clair, creating luminous tones that photograph beautifully. Whether we’re capturing gentle movement or still, quiet moments, the natural light helps create those timeless, editorial-style images you’ll treasure for years.

Ford House Photography Session Details

The Ford House requires a photography permit for all professional sessions. You can reserve your time directly through their Photography Booking Page. As of 2025, session rates are:

1-hour session $90

2-hour session $170

📸 Wedding or extended sessions (such as bridal portraits or wedding party sessions) start around $400–$500 for 2–3 hours.

Booking Tips:

• Reservations should be made at least 3 weeks in advance.

• The interior of the house is not available for photography — all sessions take place on the grounds.

• You’ll need to complete a short Photography Request Form

My Approach to Ford House Engagement Sessions

When photographing at the Ford House, I love to take full advantage of the variety and light the property offers. My engagement sessions here typically last about 1–2 hours and include:

• Multiple looks (often one formal and one relaxed)

• A mix of editorial, artistic and natural poses

• Timing around golden hour for the most flattering light

• Gentle direction to help you feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera

Ready to Plan Your Ford House Engagement Session?

You can learn more about the location and reserve your photography permit directly through the Ford House website. If you’d like to work together to create your engagement session there, I’d love to help. You can book your session directly via my online booking calendar.

Timeless Engagement Sessions at Cranbrook House & Gardens

by Caitlin Maloney | Detroit Wedding & Engagement Photographer

There’s something undeniably romantic about Cranbrook House & Gardens in Bloomfield Hills. The historic stone architecture, sculpted hedges, and sunlit reflecting pools feel like a scene from Europe — right here in Michigan.

If you’re dreaming of a refined, nature-filled setting for your engagement session, Cranbrook offers the perfect blend of elegance and serenity. Here’s everything you need to know before booking your session — along with my personal tips as a Detroit engagement photographer who’s captured countless love stories here.

🕊️ Booking Your Cranbrook Gardens Engagement Session

Professional photography sessions at Cranbrook must be booked in advance through the official Cranbrook House & Gardens website.

👉 Reserve your Cranbrook Gardens Portrait Session

Each session includes:

• Two hours of photography access to the gardens

• A reservation for your chosen time slot (set by Cranbrook)

• Access to a variety of exquisite outdoor spaces

💰 Session fees paid directly to Cranbrook:

• 1–4 people: $300

• 5–10 people: $500

• 11–16 people: $700

(This fee covers use of the property — my photography services are separate.)

Reservations typically open in spring and close each year in early fall. Because the gardens are winterized in October, plan ahead for a session between May and September for peak color and beauty.

🌿 My Professional Tips for a Flawless Engagement Experience

1. Book Early for the Best Light & Bloom

Cranbrook is one of Michigan’s most sought-after engagement locations — especially during late spring and early fall. I always recommend reserving your session as soon as the booking calendar opens.

2. Schedule Around Golden Hour

The soft, golden light just before sunset enhances every texture and tone — from the limestone terraces to the lush greenery. It’s the secret behind that effortlessly romantic, glowy look you see in editorial engagement photos.

3. Select Spaces That Reflect Your Aesthetic

The gardens offer endless possibilities, each with its own energy and texture:

• 🌿 The Sunken Garden — intimate and secluded

• 🪞 The Reflecting Pool lawns — architectural and classic

• 🏛️ The Courtyard — perfect for timeless, formal portraits

4. Elevated Outfit Planning

There are no indoor changing areas at Cranbrook, so thoughtful styling is key. I suggest:

• One statement look — elegant and editorial (think soft neutrals, tailored silhouettes, or flowing fabrics)

• One refined casual look for movement and comfort

• Minimal accessories or layers to shift the tone between setups

Your palette should compliment the garden’s textures — greens, stone, and water photograph beautifully against muted or neutral tones.

5. Relax & Be Present

Your engagement session isn’t about posing perfectly — it’s about feeling connected. I’ll guide you through movement and emotion so your images reflect the two of you looking and feeling natural, while utilizing the beautiful light and surroundings of the gardens to culminate in artistic, timeless images.

6. Weather & Rescheduling

Michigan weather can be unpredictable, but Cranbrook allows one complimentary reschedule in the same season due to severe weather. I can always bring clear umbrellas if there is only light rain in the forecast, too. Rainy day images are always some of my favorites.

✨ Etiquette & Expectations

Cranbrook is a historic landmark and active public space, so sessions must respect its preservation rules:

• No pets (except service animals)

• No climbing, touching, or entering fountains or sculptures

• No food, alcohol, or amplified music

• Exterior locations only — interiors are not available for portrait sessions

• No confetti, streamers or glitter

💫 Why I Love Photographing at Cranbrook

Every time I photograph a couple here, I’m reminded why it’s one of Michigan’s most iconic engagement locations. The light in the gardens during golden hour is stunning, and there are so many different backgrounds that your photos will have a vast variety of options to choose from for your save the dates or to display in your home or at your wedding.

It’s a place that feels grand, yet intimate — perfect for couples who want their engagement photos to feel sophisticated, timeless, and effortlessly romantic.

If you’re drawn to refined architecture, soft natural light, and meaningful storytelling through imagery, a Cranbrook Gardens engagement session might be the perfect fit.

💌 Ready to Begin?

You can book your garden permit directly here and coordinate Cranbrook’s availability with my own:
👉 Cranbrook House & Gardens Portrait Sessions

You can see my availability and book your engagement session online here:  https://caitlin maloney photography.as.me/

Photographing Lilli on the beautiful campus of MSU was so fun! Lilli wanted to be surrounded by flowers with a bit of a bohemian/Free People feel. Knowing that parents want classic framed photos for the wall as well, we did a nice mix of trendy/classic, and we were all so happy with the results. This session was extra special, because I went to high school with Lilli’s mom and Lilli is the her mom’s mini me. I felt as if I was photographing my high school best friend the entire session. Here are a few of my favorites from Lilli’s senior pictures in East Lansing!

Taylor and Bogdan mixed classic and timeless with some University of Michigan love for their engagement photos. We started their engagement session at the stunning law quad for some elegant engagement photos. Taylor had the prettiest dress! Then we headed over to the Block M for some U of M pics. Bogdan was so excited about these…you could see it in his face. He immediately started grinning once we got to the Big House! Here are some of my favorites from their spring session!

Sarah and Nick were married at the new Book Tower wedding venue in downtown Detroit. They had the most beautiful spring day, everything ran on time, and they were the most laid back couple, enjoying every moment of the day. Their ceremony took place at the historic St. Anne de Detroit, and we captured some photos under the Ambassador Bridge at Riverside Park. But, I will say that my favorite part of the day was their first look at Kamper’s Rooftop…I mean…those views! They created for such stunning portraits! Here are some of my favorite photos from their wedding day!

A few years ago, Megan and Brad were married at the beautiful Dearborn Inn in a spring wedding and I was there to capture it. This spring, they are snuggling little baby A. It was a joy capturing her smiles and the love that Megan and Brad have for her! Congrats on becoming a family of three!

When couples choose to continue to entrust me to photograph their babies after their weddings, I am beyond humbled. It feels so extra special knowing that I can capture these moments for families that will be passed down for generations.

If you asked me what my favorite season was to photograph in, it would be hard for me to answer! They are all wonderful for different reasons. However, there is something special about spring…the excitement and energy of everyone emerging from the winter slumber…the excitement for the green, the warmth and of course, the flowers! Spring flowers seem to only be in bloom for 1-2 weeks for each kind…tulips and magnolia trees in April for a week or two…lilacs in May…peonies end of May and early June. Capturing photos with these fleeting blooms is so special for that reason! For Zoe and Jeff’s session, we were lucky enough to capture some of these spring blooms in all their glory on the stunning MSU campus. Here are some of my favorites from their East Lansing engagement session!

When I set out to photograph a wedding, I am not just shooting to shoot. Or shooting to provide a few good profile photos. I am shooting to tell a story- the story of a momentous day in a couple's lives. Increasingly, when I chat with couples in initial consultations, we talk not only about capturing the wedding day but about the end goal- what will they do with these photos? How will they enjoy them? Look at them? How will they relive their day? What is the purpose of these photos? How will they preserve their family's history?

One way to do all of these things is to create an heirloom wedding album. It has space to tell the story, include the important details, preserve the family history, display the family photos, and allows the couple to relive their day and enjoy, once again, those important moments- all by flipping the pages of their book.

Albums have thick pages and luxurious leathers so they are durable and stand the test of time. They come is many colors, so that they can seamlessly blend in on your coffee table or shelf. They can easily be packed and moved from a couple's first apartment together to their first new home together.

Here is an album I designed for one of my couples at beautiful Cherry Creek Golf Club.

A long time ago, I used to have a studio and photograph newborns in baskets and props. We would try for hours to get newborn babies to sleep and snuggle perfectly for photos. But after awhile, it felt mean! A baby, just days old, being crammed into a bowl or other prop just didn’t sit right anymore. That’s when I decided I would photograph newborns and their families in the comfort of their own homes. Artistic, natural, black and whites are the goal. They are timeless, looking their best printed, matted and framed. Here are my favorites from a recent newborn session. Baby E was wide eyed and very aware of his surroundings, and I love the photos.

Tis the season for grad photos! April is always so exciting for a photographer. It almost feels like coming out of hibernation after a long winter. The flowers are starting to bloom, the leaves on the trees are starting to pop, and at MSU, the champagne is starting to be sprayed! I love shooting graduation photos. Hearing the excitement in grads voices- about how much fun they had at MSU, but also hearing the excitement about what comes next- grad school, moving to the big city, a job lined up, studying for the LSATs or MCATs…it’s truly inspiring. Here are some of my favorite grad photos taken of Violet in March!

When Jadyn and Marc booked me for their wedding, they had already had an engagement session…in Italy! However, it was a year earlier and they confessed, all of their things had been stolen during the session when they set them down on the ground to take photos, so a second round of engagement photos sounded good to them! They thought they could use the practice…and maybe a stress free session too!

We met up in Detroit in January, which is not a popular time for engagement photos. It may have been cold enough to turn our skin pink and purple, but we prevailed, dipped into a few places to warm up, and got some gorgeous photos. These two were in from out of town, so rescheduling wasn’t an option when zero degree temps hit the forecast. They wore long coats, we secretly had hand warmers in our pockets, and the Siren Hotel lobby helped warm us back up to normal skin tones. It was all worth it for these photos; my favorites are below! Can’t wait for their War Memorial wedding in Grosse Pointe later this fall!

When preparing for what to wear to an engagement session, many brides choose to wear white. However, I love it when brides choose to to wear something that really pops against the background of the location they chose. That is exactly what what Sydney did. She chose to wear a wine colored dress, which really popped against the architecture of the Law Quad in Ann Arbor. It also perfectly matched the color of the hydrangeas all around the building! Here are some of my favorite photos from Justin and Sydney’s engagement session in Ann Arbor, and take note of Sydney’s dress when planning your own outfits!

Let’s face it- engagement photos feel awkward! That’s one of the benefits to doing them- you won’t feel as awkward on your wedding day, right? To combat some of that awkwardness and to make things feel as comfortable as possible, these two chose to have their engagement session at their beautiful home in Grosse Pointe. We took photos inside and out, and I love how they came out. Bonus to doing them at your home- you don't have to worry about permits, fees, venue hours, bathrooms to change in, etc...because it's at your own home. Here are some of my favorites!

One of the cutest accessories a couple can bring to their engagement session is their puppy! Last summer, I spent an evening on beautiful Belle Isle in Detroit with these two and their corgi! They hugged him, cuddled him, kissed him, and those big corgi eyes gave me some of my favorite photos ever! I’m super excited to photograph S + N’s wedding at the Book Tower in Detroit next month! Come back to check out some of those favorites soon, but for now, here are my favorites from their engagement session!

Let’s face it- the economy is not the bet right now! With that, couples are always looking for ways to save on their wedding expenses. One way couples can do that, is by choosing a venue where everything can be held in one location- getting ready, portraits, ceremony, and reception. The Saint John’s Resort in Michigan is one of those venues that host it all. They have a hotel on site with large suites for getting ready, beautiful gardens with a waterfall for portraits, a chapel and indoor ceremony location, and a beautiful atrium for the reception. By having a wedding day’s events all in one location, couples can save on transportation costs and shorter days for your photographer and coordinator mean lower costs there as well. Plus- it takes so much stress off knowing you just need to head downstairs for things or can run up to your room if you forgot anything! It’s so easy!

Katelyn and David lived out of town, so the convenience of having everything in location was a priority for them. Here are some of my favorites from their day!

S + J wanted to have their engagement photos taken at a location that was meaningful to them: the place they met, their home! Not too many couples can say they met at the home they live in, but that’s exactly what happened with these two. J had a Fourth of July party at the house, S came with a friend, they met, and the rest is history! I love the photos we captured; they were laid back, relaxed, and just comfortable- exactly what a home lifestyle should be. Here are some of my favorites from their session!

I’m not sure if there is anything prettier in Ann Arbor than the peony gardens at the Arb when they are in full bloom. They only bloom for two weeks of the year, the last week of May into the first week of June. Whenever a couple inquiries with me for an engagement session in Ann Arbor, I always say, if you can do one of these two weeks, choose the peony gardens for your engagement photos! It’s a unique setting that very few couples are able to have, and the results are so so stunning. Here are some of my favorites from a session there last year!

The Law Quad on the campus of U of M is one of the few locations that looks amazing in photos in any season and any form of weather. It can be used in rain, in spring, in summer, and in fall. It’s a classic and elegant background, so photos taken here look even better when engaged couples dress up! For guys, that might mean sport jackets or cardigans, for women, that might mean a dress and heels. I loved the outfits B+A chose; not super formal but not completely casual either. Here are a few of my favorites from their engagement session!

Living in the Lansing area means we have access to so many beautiful gardens for family photo sessions, my favorite being the MSU campus! We captured this family’s session after a huge milestone- mom graduating with her PhD!! What a wonderful way to commemorate a significant life achievement! Here are some favorites of mine from their family portrait session at the MSU Horticulture Gardens!