One of my favorite things to do is walk around downtown Detroit finding new streets, corners, and nooks with my couples to photograph them in. My goal is to find one new little spot or angle every time I shoot to keep myself challenged, work fresh, and make sure my couples have some unique shots in addition to every one’s faves (like Shinola!). I had so much fun walking around with Lexi and Jimmy, and we had the most pleasant November day. We even found a tree with leaves still on for a fall look! You would never know that this was directly next to a large construction zone. Here are a few of my favorites from their session!

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.

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 ;) .