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!
When the peony gardens are in bloom, there is no better location for an engagement session than the Arb in Ann Arbor! Seriously- every corner you turn is just more and more beautiful. There are flowers, woods, bridges, paths, river….so many photo possibilities! I’m so glad Adrienne and Peter reached out early to schedule their session at the peony gardens, knowing they are in bloom only for two weeks out of the whole year! Those two weeks, I feel as if I’m at the Arb every other day, and I’m certainly not complaining. So many gardens have barriers for entry, like permits or large fees. At the Arb, aside from difficult parking, it’s pretty easy access. I’m so happy with how these photos turned out! Congratulations to Adrienne and Peter on their engagement!
Megan and Brad were originally supposed to be married in April 2021, but indoor weddings were still restricted in Michigan at that time, so they decided to postpone until spring of 2022. They ended up with the most gorgeous weather- sunny and no humidity, in the 70s with a light breeze. There were pink and white blooming trees everywhere which really made the portraits look extra beautiful.
They started their day getting ready at the Dearborn Inn and then headed to St. Hugo of the Hills for their ceremony. St. Hugo is such a beautiful cathedral. Then, it was back to the Dearborn Inn for portraits and the reception. I absolutely loved this wedding and how the photos turned out. Here are a few of my favorites!
Danielle and Max were the first couple to book a 2023 wedding with me! At the time of booking, Danielle asked if they could do their engagement session at Silver Lake Sand Dunes. She loved a set of romantic dune photos she had seen on Pinterest taken in California, and wanted a similar look here in Michigan. Since they are getting married in Detroit, they wanted a totally different look for their engagement photos.
On the day of the session, we arrived at the beach and it was raining! Thankfully it stopped, and the good thing about going to the beach on a rainy day, is that it’s empty! We had nearly the whole place to ourselves! It was also cooler, so when we hiked the dunes (even though I almost died because it was so steep), we didn’t really sweat- which of course you don’t want to be sweating in photos! I absolutely love the results we got- the post-rain light and clouds were so beautiful. And honestly, you can’t beat sandy Michigan beaches…the sand is so clean and the water so clear. Here are a few of my favorites from their session!
Clare and Eric were my first wedding of 2022! With the wedding boom that is 2021-2022, I’ve gotten to photograph at many new venues, and it was my first time shooting at the Lafayette Grande in Pontiac, MI! I absolutely loved the architecture inside and out, the brightness of the space, the chandeliers, large staircase window, and the food was excellent, too!
Clare and Eric had a classic style with pops of spring color, and I absolutely loved the florals that Olive’s Bloombox created for their wedding. The bouquets and centerpieces were stunning! A big thank you to my second shooter Amanda for capturing all these beautiful detail shots of the table settings and centerpieces.
From our arrival to the first look, portraits, ceremony and reception, everything went smoothly, which doesn’t always happen in the wedding world! The rain stayed away until portraits were over, and we stayed on time for the entire day.
It was such a pleasure to work with these two recent med school grads, and I wish them luck as they move across the country for their residencies! Congrats Clare and Eric! What a fantastic start to 2022!
When Julian’s babysitter asked if I could take graduation photos of her and her friends at Michigan State University, of course I said yes! Even though over the weekend it had been 82 degrees, just two days later we were dealt 32 degrees, high winds and even snow! It was seriously crazy. We started at the College of Engineering and then headed over to Beaumont Tower and the bridge for the Spartan sign. We ended by grabbing some individual shots in front of the gorgeous spring blooms that are all over campus. These 6 crazy smart soon-to-be engineers powered through our chilly two hour session in cute dresses and gowns. Here are a few of my favorites!
Hannah + Martin’s wedding at the Dearborn Inn was one of my favorites of 2021. Hannah’s classic style gave off Kate Middleton vibes, and they scheduled their day so that we had an ample amount of time for photos. We literally got so many bride and groom creative portraits just spending an hour walking the beautiful grounds of the Dearborn Inn. I love the Dearborn Inn because there are so many spots for photos with different backgrounds from gardens to brick archways. You never run into another wedding party and you can have everything in one spot (getting ready and ceremony and reception). It makes things so easy. Also, there are spots for photos if it rains! There is a gorgeous lobby and several covered porches that are beautiful and perfect for photos- rain or no rain! Hannah and Martin were so happy and calm; it made the day a pleasure to photograph!
Southern Exposure Herb Farm
This place has it all: a barn, gardens, greenhouses, antiques, a vintage car. It’s in Battle Creek and does require a fee, but it’s not nearly as high as the fees around the Detroit area. It’s also quiet and not super crowded. It is privately owned and you do need permission. They also host weddings and other small events! This would be a great location for a summer engagement session.
South Haven
South Haven is my favorite Michigan beach town to photograph in because of the ease and diversity of the area. You can park right in the lot at South Beach (fee required) and walk a few feet and be standing on the beach. If you don’t want to be covered in sweat walking to the top of sand dunes, this is your place. There are small dunes accessible from the South Beach parking lot as well, and the great thing about them is they are small to hike to the top, but give the illusion you are really high up. They have a gorgeous view of the water and lighthouse, and also if you turn away from the water, you can photograph in the paths and with the sea grass. When you’re done shooting at the beach, you can change in the restrooms on site and then walk up the street towards the docks. They are accessible (not private) and photos look really pretty when boats are docked. There are also spots along the channel and on the rocks as you walk down the street to shoot at. So many backgrounds in such a small area make for a great variety of photos. South Haven is great when it’s warm, so late spring, summer and early fall are good times for shoots there. All other times of year can be cold and very windy.
Downtown Grand Rapids
If you’re looking for urban scenery, it’s easy to walk around downtown Grand Rapids and find cool spots. My favorites are by the art museum and the Civic Theater and bridges. However, there are so many alleys and cool off the beaten path spots to explore! Grand Rapids is my favorite in summer so the parks can be utilized, but since this location is urban, the city scapes look nice any time of year.
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.
County Farm Park
This park is the perfect place for a spring, summer or fall session. My favorite is late summer, because their community gardens are in bloom and it makes for a great backdrop. This park has wooden fences, a wooden pergola, nature trails, and gardens. In the spring they have a large daffodil garden. I used to live next to this park and it is one of my absolute favorite locations for a session. Bonus are the easy parking (free lot on site) and bathrooms.
Law Quad
The Law Quad is my go to in late fall and winter because the architecture is so beautiful. In fact, all of the photos below except for about 5 were taken in November and December! The Law Quad is great in any season though, and is a great location formal or casual. It’s within walking distance to other beautiful campus buildings as well as the Nickels Arcade and downtown State Street for more urban looking photos. Many start at the Law Quad with a more formal outfit and then change into a casual one for downtown A2 photos. Parking is a little trickier with street parking only and there are bathrooms a block or so away at the U of M Student Union. The one downside to the Law Quad is that every one knows about it and it can be very busy in all seasons except winter, as families, seniors and weddings also like to come here for photos.
Nichols Arboretum
This is a fave of so many for obvious reasons! My favorite time to shoot here is when the peony garden is in bloom from Memorial Day weekend to mid-June. It is very crowded, so one hour before sunset is the best time to go so you don’t have tons of people in the background of your photos. On Sundays, you can park in one of the U of M lots for free, but otherwise it’s pretty difficult to park at the peony garden entrance (there are only 3 parking meters out front on the street). I think there may be bathrooms but not sure! It’s pretty in fall too, but in summer the mosquitoes are really bad so I tend to avoid the area down by the river when they are out.
Nickels Arcade
This is a perfect spot for urban photos! It’s also covered and blocks the wind, so good if the weather isn’t so great on the day of your shoot. There are always people walking through so it can get busy. Parking is street only and can be a challenge to find a spot. Expect to walk a lot. Bathrooms available at the student union down the street a few blocks.
U of M Campus Buildings
There are so many beautiful buildings on campus, literally everywhere you turn can yield a good photo if the light is right. Parking is a challenge, but it can be fun to just walk around and take photos when you see something cool. Bonus to shooting on campus is that there are no fees because because it’s a public university. Bathrooms at the student union on State Street, but other buildings are pretty restricted.
Ann Arbor City Parks
There are so many great parks in the city of Ann Arbor. I mentioned County Farm Park above (because it deserved it’s own section), but other parks I love in Ann Arbor are Barton Nature Reserve and Island Park. They are both a ways from downtown, so only choose these spots if all you want are casual nature photos. Parking on site. Bathrooms available at Island Park, not sure about Barton.
Frances Park
Frances Park is on the west side of Lansing, about 20-25 minutes from MSU. There are bathrooms and easy, free parking on site. No permits needed. There is a gorgeous rose garden, river overlook, pergolas, and wooded nature paths. You can also go directly down to the Grand River. This park is amazing is summer once the roses are in bloom and in fall when the trees along the river have turned and you can see their reflections in the water. I absolutely love how shoots turn out at this park.
MSU Lewis Landscape Arboretum
Located on the south of MSU’s campus are possibly my favorite gardens in all of Michigan. In spring, summer and fall, the gardens bloom with dahlias, hydrangeas, roses and more. There is an English garden, a pergola, a few ponds, and a mini apple orchard and vineyard. You can get so many different looks in just this one garden! Bonus is there is a tiny parking lot right on site, so you don’t have to walk far to the location. Only down side is there are no bathrooms anywhere nearby so if you are doing an outfit change, it has to be in your car. This garden rivals other gardens in the Detroit area that charge hundreds of dollars in fees. There are no logos or Sparty statues around, so it even works for non-Spartan alum :) . There is no shade at this garden, so it only works for golden hour sessions or on cloudy days.
MSU Central Campus
Central campus is great for all four seasons! There is shade in this area along the river, so the light is a little more forgiving than the arboretum if shooting outside of golden hour. Parking at the main library is free in the evenings, though it can be more difficult to find a spot. Bathrooms are open during business hours in the library too. There aren’t as many flowers as the arboretum, but the leaves look incredible, especially in fall. There are evergreens for winter. The riverwalk and bridges look beautiful in photos, and the botanical gardens are right next to the library. There is a lot of walking in this area, so its a great spot for a casual outfit.
MSU North Campus
MSU North campus is by the Union and the old dorm buildings. The old dorm buildings provide for such gorgeous architecture, which makes an elegant background. There are also beautiful blooming trees, bushes and flowers on north campus. Bathrooms are in the union to change but parking is a little trickier. Beaumont Tower is right across from the Union too, but can become really busy, especially during graduation season. It’s easy to do a more formal outfit on north campus and then change into a casual one for central campus.
Rotary Park
If you are looking for a beach/water summery vibe, but don’t want to drive to a lake, Rotary Park in downtown Lansing has a beach along the river! It gets a great sunset and I love how the photos turn out. It’s right on the river trail so there are lots of little nooks and a cool bridge to use too. Parking is super simple but unfortunately there aren’t public bathrooms for changing. This spot can be combined with shots at the Capitol building/downtown Lansing. Couples often start with a formal look a the Capitol and change into a casual one for the beach.
MSU Children’s Garden and Horticulture Gardens
These gardens are so beautiful in summer! There isn’t any shade, so shooting at sunset is imperative, and the roses are in bloom in summer only. There is a cute little bridge and pond, a red brick path, hanging flower baskets, and beautiful roses everywhere. It’s a great summer spot for a session. Parking is super easy right on site but unfortunately no bathrooms.
Downtown Lansing and the Capitol Building
The Capitol building provides an elegant backdrop for photos and looks best dressed up. Parking isn’t too bad (you can park on the street right out front at a meter) but there are no bathrooms. Do a formal look here and then move to Rotary Park for a casual one! This location is also great in early spring/late fall when there aren’t leaves on the trees since there is beautiful architecture to use as a backdrop.
Old Town
For couples wanting a spot with a lot of color and a cute downtown vibe mixed in with a bit of nature, Old Town is perfect. Brightly colored buildings and the river trail make for fun photos. There aren’t many flowers, but the colorful buildings give the images a pop. There isn’t any shade, so golden hour or a cloudy day work best. Parking is easy (there’s a large lot on site) but no bathrooms for changing.
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!
Lauren + Nick’s engagement session ended up being some of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken in Ann Arbor! Because it was December and we had no greenery, we stuck with the law quad and Nickel’s Arcade for cool architecture for our shots. It was definitely cold, but we had some sun! I absolutely loved the green dress Lauren wore…it really popped against the muted color of the law quad architecture. Their jackets and jeans kept them nice and warm in their casual outfit…I’m always a proponent of doing an outfit change- some casual, some more formal. You never know what you might like better, and some outfits photograph better than others. No matter what kind of style you choose, solid colors almost always photograph better. Here are a few of my favorites from their session!
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 ;) .
Every one is always asking me for suggestions for shoot locations, so I had to blog Emily + Eric’s Ann Arbor engagement session because this location is one of my summer faves! It’s not crowded (I was the only photographer there!), so unlike the Arb, it’s a little off the beaten path. It’s also free- no permit required! Probably because it isn’t swarming with photographers. Once locations become overrun with photographers (because unfortunately some don’t clean up after themselves and their clients), permits and fees usually follow. Aslo- parking is super easy! There’s a lot right at the entrance!
This location, County Farm Park, has it all: woodsy paths, wooden fences, gardens, flowers, pergolas, lamp lined sidewalks, and beautiful green space and trees. It’s my favorite in the summer, but I’ve also used it in the fall (although the gardens are no longer in bloom). This location is also special to me because it was in my neighborhood when we used to live in Ann Arbor! My son Julian and I would walk it weekly! So, I definitely know this park well. Here are some of my favorite images from Emily and Eric’s July session!
Congratulations to Trin and Matthew, who celebrated in my first indoor wedding since 2019!! It was so fun to finally celebrate in a pre-pandemic way!
Venue: Grosse Pointe Yacht Club with Alondra Kennedy as Event Coordinator for GPYC
Church: Ss Peter and Paul Church in Detroit
Florist: Bellisario
Day of Coordinator: Alexandra Weddings and Events
Videographer: Spencer Whiteman
Band: Your Generation in Concert
Trin’s Makeup: Juliette Rose Lux
This winter, I am catching up on blogging past weddings. Becky + Upendra’s wedding took place in 2019 in Grand Haven, Michigan and is one of my favorites! Upendra is from India so there was Indian music and dancing…it was so much fun to watch! One of the things I really enjoy in photographing weddings is the cultural aspect: I get to see how different cultures celebrate weddings and it’s fascinating!
Becky + Upendra had not one, not two, but THREE weddings! They were married in India first so Upendra’s family could have a celebration. Then, they got married in the church which was important to Becky’s parents. And finally, they got married on Lake Michigan with Becky’s family and college friends of both Upendra and Becky (they met in graduate school!). They were married at the beautiful and modern Camp Blodgett, which sits directly on a sandy cliff overlooking Lake Michigan! It was GORGEOUS. If you’re looking for a lakeside modern yet laid back venue, you have to check out Camp Blodgett.
The day started at a beach house rental with getting ready, a first look and portraits. Then, we headed over to Camp Blodgett for the ceremony and reception and more portraits on the beach. It was so nice and relaxing to have the ceremony and reception in one place and then we could sneak away to the beach for portraits whenever Becky + Upendra had a moment. I absolutely loved the final images, and can’t wait to get back to Camp Blodgett soon- it’s become a favorite of mine!
Happy New Year! I kicked off 2021 (and aren't we ALLLL glad it's finally 2021?!) with Olivia + Mark's winter engagement session at MSU in East Lansing. Typically, when I think of winter engagement sessions, I think of bitter cold and dreary. But we had the most beautiful winter day! There was fresh snow and it continued with flurries, giving us possibly my favorite winter engagement photos ever. If you're newly engaged and thinking of snowy engagement photos- let's do it! Get in touch and we can watch the weather for some wintery MSU engagement pics!
It’s cold and dark and gloomy outside, which is when I like to start blogging summer sessions… to remind me of the warmth and blooms and golden sun that is summer.
This session was one of my favorites of 2020. Haley and Derek chose to reschedule their August 22, 2020 wedding to August, 2021 due to COVID. However, they wanted to do something special on their original wedding date. They already had their fall engagement session in 2019, but decided a second engagement session on their original date would be a great way to celebrate. They got all dressed up, went out to dinner, and then headed to downtown Lansing for some photos at the Capitol building and on the rooftop of a parking garage with a view of the city.
Then, after an outfit change, we headed to Frances Park. It is a hidden gem in the Lansing area and has a stunning rose garden and river overlook. It’s one of my favorite parks to take portraits…and it’s free! Free parking and no permits!
I’m so happy I still got to celebrate their original wedding date with them, and happy that they had something special to do! What a great idea! And I’m so looking forward to their 2021 wedding!!!
