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/

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!

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!

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!

Would you believe these photos were taken on a November day, and that it was 70 degrees?! Everyone is usually scared to schedule fall photos in November, but I’m telling you- November can be an amazing time for photos, especially the first week. Here are a few favorites from Janie + Brad’s Detroit engagement session at the Detroit Public Library and Detroit Institute of Arts. I’m so in love with how they turned out!

Detroit Institute of Arts

The DIA is a super popular spot for photos! It’s probably the most requested session location I get for Detroit. It has the most beautiful architecture, so is a great spot for photos in any season. It’s across the street from the Detroit Public Library so both locations are easy accessible during one shoot. This is definitely an elegant look, so dresses and sport jackets look best. Parking is on the street, but Sundays it’s free and not too bad. Expect to wait in line as it’s a popular location not just for engagements, but for weddings, families and seniors. No bathrooms.

Detroit Public Library

This is probably my favorite! It’s grand architecture feels like you are outside of a mansion. There is shade and trees and the building is large so it’s not too hard to find a nook away from others. Street parking that is free on Sundays. No bathrooms. It also has that elegant feel so works better with dressier outfits.

Z-Lot

The Z-Lot has great views of the city and a perfect casual vibe. You do have to pay to park in the structure to shoot on the top, so parking is never an issue but it does cost. No bathrooms. Also, it can be super windy up top! I always love the photos I get shooting at the Z-Lot and it is great in any season except winter.

City Streets

What could be more fun than wandering the streets of a city capturing photos on crosswalks, with street lamps, and that city vibe? This is the perfect location for ALL seasons, since you don’t need to worry about leaves on trees with such gorgeous architecture as your backdrop. Formal and casual both work, but expect to walk a ton. This can be paired with the Z-Lot…park and shoot there first, and then take a walk around the city after. No bathrooms.

Edison Memorial Fountain

The fountain is gorgeous architecturally, and with string lights hanging over, make such pretty light. End here after walking through the city streets for photos. Casual or formal, but wear comfy shoes. No bathrooms.

Belle Isle

Between the Casino and the fountain, you can get so many photos! It can be super crowded so expect to wait for the best spots. Parking isn’t too bad at either, and bonus there are bathrooms at the Casino! There are willows and a pond too, so you get architecture and greenery. Only downside is sometimes the park can’t keep up with the trash. It can get super windy, so I recommend this location in late spring, summer and fall only. The wind makes it very cold being on the water.

I often get asked if couples are allowed to do an outfit change at their engagement session- the answer is yes! I actually encourage it for a few reasons. FIrst, it’s an opportunity to show your style. Second, you may end up loving how one outfit photographs over the other (but not have clue prior to the session). Third, it gives you a bigger variety of photos with different uses. You may want to use an elegant one for a Save the Date, but use casual ones to frame in your home. Stacey and Jarrod went for an elegant look at the DIA and Detroit Public Library that ended up on their Save the Dates. They did a casual look downtown, too! If you don’t want to do a full on outfit change, a few quick ways to change your look are to add or swap an item you are currently wearing. For example, add a scarf, swap flats for heels, switch a sport jacket for a cardigan. No changing required, just a couple quick swaps to get a different look!

Here are a few of my favorites from Charlotte + Otto's engagement session at the Detroit Public Library! Charlotte and Otto wanted classic, and that’s what we tried to do with this location and natural posing. Their chosen outfits- a sport jacket/khakis/loafers and a navy wrap dress/heels- added to the classic look.

But I also wanted to talk engagement sessions in general today! The new thing is to have your proposal photographed and then take photos immediately after. With this new fad, occasionally I have engaged couples contact me looking for a wedding photographer, but tell me they don't need engagement photos since they had some taken at their proposal.

However, it's SUPER important to have your engagement photos taken by your wedding photographer! It's like a dress fitting, cake tasting, hair and makeup trial....you need a "trial/experience" with your photographer, too! Especially since we are the ones with you for 8+ hours on your wedding day (more than any other vendor except a wedding planner or videographer). We get to know each other, help you feel comfortable in front of the camera, find out if you have a good side or any imperfections you want hidden with posing, learn poses you love and don't love so we don't spend time on ones you dislike on the wedding day, and I could go on. Basically- an engagement session is a must do, and really should be done with the one who is shooting your wedding! All photographers work differently, pose differently, edit and light differently. It’s good to know how your wedding photographer works.

One question people sometimes ask when they are on the fence about an engagement session, is “I live out of town- how do I fit in the session when I only come in town briefly for visits?”. The answer is that many of my clients actually are not local! Since engaged couples who live out of state often have to come in for tastings, fittings and trials, not to mention bridal showers, holidays and friends’ weddings, it’s typically not a problem to squeeze a session in, and when I know you are in from out of town, I try to be more flexible with scheduling. Rarely does it not work. And if all else fails, there is always the week of the wedding when you’d be in town anyways! It really is worth making happen. And the bonus is you’ll have some photos of the two of you wearing casual clothes in a different location and possibly season, and some prints you can display at your wedding/showers or to make a guest book with. There isn’t really a downside to doing an engagement session! And I’m pretty sure most photographers agree ;) .

Alissa and Rob originally wanted their session to take place on Belle Isle, but the island stopped issuing photo permits for 2020 due to the pandemic. So, we decided on downtown Detroit (Z-lot and Grand Circus), with the goal of getting as much fall color in the photos as possible. People don’t usually think of city locations as being great spots for fall photos, but they are! The trees turn color in cities too, and the leaves mixed with the architecture makes for stunning, unique color. In fact, cities are really the only location that look fantastic in all four seasons. Here are a few of my favorites from their shoot…

I've been waiting to shoot my first Detroit engagement session for quite some time now, so I was super excited when Meghan and Andy chose downtown Detroit as their location! I'd heard so much about it, and seen so many awesome photos, I was excited to experience it for myself. Detroit far exceeded my expectations, and I immediately fell in love with the urban vibe of the photos we were able to capture. A big thanks to Meghan and Andy for showing me around the city!

Caitlin Maloney is a wedding and portrait photographer serving both Rhode Island and Michigan, including Detroit, Ann Arbor, East Lansing, Newport, Providence, Jamestown, Narragansett, and the surrounding areas of Chicago, Northern Michigan, Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Boston. 

Like what you see? Get in touch at caitlinmaloneyphotography@gmail.com. Now booking 2017 weddings and portraits.