7 Locations For Natural Engagement Photos In Metro Detroit
You know what they say… location, location, location!
To be honest, I half agree with this and half don’t. As a wedding photographer the first thing I look for is the loving connection between the subjects, then my mind will anchor the story with the elements of the environment. So don’t put too much pressure on it and have some fun choosing the scenery for your engagement photos instead! Here are a few tips I’ve put together to help you and your fiancé choose the location that’s perfect for you:
First, choose somewhere sentimental. Somewhere you and your honey have been on date night, or where you unwind after a busy work week. An engagement photoshoot is a chance to tell the story of your love - a visual dialog of your relationship together.
Next, choose somewhere private. No one wants to awkwardly pose for their engagement photos in front of a bustling crowd at a cider mill on a Sunday afternoon. I suggest booking your photoshoot during a weekday evening, when crowds are slimmer and you can enjoy a more intimate photoshoot experience.
Lastly, think about adding an activity! Do you guys like to drink coffee, throw a frisbee, picnic in the park with the dog? An activity is a great way to play around and shake the nerves of being in front of the camera.
So, with that in mind, here are 7 locations I love in Southeast Michigan for outdoorsy engagement photos:
1. Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
1100 Lake Shore Rd, Grosse Pointe Shores, MI 48236
100% my favorite location. It’s regal, it’s private, it’s right on the water - the perfect place for a summer engagement. There is a small fee to book a photoshoot here, but it’s worth every penny and the staff is warm and totally happy to have us there.
Permit: $125
2. Belle Isle Conservancy
4 Inselruhe Ave, Detroit, MI 48207
An awesome spot to bring variety to your photoshoot! I recommend going here for a spring or fall engagement (because it is deathly hot inside the conservatory in the summer). We can stroll through the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, play in the tree lines a bit, and make our way to the James Scott Memorial Fountain for sunset. It’s great place to bring your pup too! Belle Isle is now requesting a permit to photograph on the grounds, but it’s easy to obtain and totally worth it!
Permit: $50
3. Detroit Public Library + DIA
5201 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
This Midtown Detroit hotspot is the perfect place for a more formal photoshoot experience. White marble, historic architecture, and well manicured landscaping to pull it all together. It’s a great place to blend romance and class during any season! No fee is required to photograph here. Just polite manners to the library guards!
Permit: None
4. Gallup Park
3000 Fuller Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
The perfect location for the “all natural” photoshoot. A 70 acre park in Ann Arbor with walkways, bridges, canoes, kayaking, and tons of picnic spots. If those sound like your thing, this is the spot for you! There are beautiful flowering garden beds, benches on the water, and plenty of room for some fun in the sun! A versatile spot for an engagement of all seasons. No permit necessary!
Permit: None
5. University of Michigan Law Quad + Nichols Arboretum
625 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Two gems in Ann Arbor for the price of - NONE! I like to get fancy at the Law Quad where you’ll find regal historic architecture, carved limestone, and beautifully manicured garden beds. Then change into something more outdoorsy for a hike through the nature trails and tree lines of the arboretum for sunset! No permit required at either location.
Permit: None
6. Stony Creek Metropark
4300 Main Park Dr, Shelby Charter Twp, MI 48316
One of my favorite fall engagement destinations! All the trees turn spectacular shades of yellow, orange, and red! There are nature trails, open fields of tall grass, and even a beach area to catch some of the sunset’s reflection off the water. Perfect for couples who enjoy some time away from the city. It’s a daily pass to enter the park, but no permit is required to photograph here.
Permit: None, $10 day pass
7. Heritage Gardens
52700 Van Dyke Ave, Shelby Charter Twp, MI 48316
I’ve saved the best for last… Heritage Gardens! A beautiful, professionally manicured garden in Shelby Charter Township. Perfect for bohemian brides who love colorful, blooming floral and dreamy willow trees by the pond. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming. They do ask for a photography permit to be obtained, but it’s worth it because the garden is gated so when you book it, you have it all to yourself.
Permit: $110
And there you have it! Seven locations in Metro Detroit for natural and chic engagement photos! Can’t wait to see which ones you pick!
