Best Photo Shoot Locations for Summer in Metro Detroit
May-September
You've booked a summer photo shoot with Becks Photography, great choice! The next step is to pick the perfect location for your photo shoot. You want to pick a location that matches your vibe and style and one that's really flourishing in the summer. I've been all over metro Detroit searching for the best photo shoot locations for summer and compiled this list for you! Whether you're a family updating your family photos, a senior celebrating with a senior session, pregnant and excited to capture breathtaking maternity photos or a couple excited to have a fun photo shoot, I've got the location for you!
If you're unsure what location to choose, I have listed the locations in order of my favorite summer locations!
Addison Oaks
Addison Oaks is a quiet and open Oakland Country park. There are dreamy willow trees and an open field that typically has wild flowers. The greenery here gives a very whimsical look to your summer photos. It's great for families, maternity and seniors. You do have to pay to get into this location if you don't have an Oakland County parks pass. It's $5 if you are a resident. This park opens at 8am. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
Cranberry Lake Park
Think 1800 farmhouse with a few acres of land. I LOVE Cranberry Lake Park. It's located 15 minutes north of downtown Rochester. It's a unique and beautiful location for families, seniors, maternity and couples. This park has fields, barns, an old farmhouse and a maple tree lane. The barns here give a very "homestead" feel to your summer family photos. This is a great location for sunrise and sunset sessions. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
This is the best location for extended sessions because this park offers so many different backgrounds in a small area.
Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm
This location is a huge historic farm and estate now owned by the city of Rochester. Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm requires a photography permit(which I pay for yearly as no cost to you) and must be booked a few days in advance as they are first come, first serve. The barns here give your summer photoshoot a very historic/homestead look. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
The Beach at Stony Creek Metropark
Stony Creek Metropark is located in Shelby Township. It's a huge park with multiple locations within the park. The beach is a beautiful sandy portion that is the perfect location for a summer photo shoot of any type or length. This location is great if you want a summery/playful vibe (I may ask you/the kids to get into the water) This is a great location for sunrise and sunset sessions. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
*This location requires you to book as close to sunrise/sunset as possible (aka my earliest or latest available session)
Troy Farm Park
Located in Troy, this park features green grasses and a few barns. The scenery here will give your summer photos are boho and whimsical look. It's perfect location for a summer photo shoot of any type or length. This is a great location for a sunset session. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
The Tree Line at Stoney Creek Metropark
Stony Creek Metropark is located in Shelby Township. It a huge park with multiple locations within the park. The tree line features an area of the park with lots of tall evergreen trees. It's the perfect location for a summer photo shoot of any type or length however the tree line can be busy so we may have to wait our turn. The tree line gives an adventurous feel to your summer photos. This is a great location for sunrise and sunset sessions. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
The Grasses at Stoney Creek Metropark
Stony Creek Metropark is located in Shelby Township. It a huge park with multiple locations within the park. The grasses feature an area of the park with a large field of tall, tan grasses. The grasses give a boho feel to your summer photos. It's the perfect location for a summer photo shoot of any type or length. This is a great location for sunrise and sunset sessions. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
Bear Creek Nature Park
Located in Rochester, Bear Creek Nature Park is a large park with a nice walking path and a large grassy field. As long as the trees have leafs, this park is very magical. The scenery here will give your photos a dreamy, playful look. It's great for family sessions with a lot of room for kids to run and play. This is a great location for sunrise and sunset sessions. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
Innovation Hills
Located in Rochester Hills, Innovation Hills features a walking bridge, tall grasses, lots of greenery and a small creek that makes it a beautiful location for summer. The wooden walking path will give your photos a charming feel. It's the perfect location for a summer photo shoot of any session length. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
This is not a suitable location for family sessions.
River Bends Park
Located in Shelby Township, River Bends is a large park featuring a river, wooded areas, a few bridges and grasslands. The blooming fields and river make River Bends Park beautiful in the summer. In July and August there are often wildflowers here. The best spots to take photos at River Bends are a little difficult to access and are not accommodating to people who have trouble walking or are wearing heels. Before reaching the most picturesque areas you will need to go down 40 step or walk down a gravel hill, and again on the way back up. This is a great location for sunrise and sunset sessions. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
Douglas Evans Nature Preserve
Located in Beverly Hills, Douglas Evans Nature Preserve is a beautiful summer location for those who prefer a dreamy, boho look. The grasses begin to turn to green for the summer and can get tall. This location is great for kids but not the best for heals. I would not recommend wearing green at this location. This is a great location for sunrise and sunset sessions. You will be in nature here so we may see creatures and critters. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
Downtown Rochester
There are a lot of location in downtown Rochester that we can use for a photoshoot. I normally start on the rooftop of a parking garage and then head to downtown and walk around. This location is popular for seniors. It may be hard to have a family session here but if you have the patience for it, so do I! Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
Downtown Detroit
There are a lot of location in Downtown Detroit that we can use for a photoshoot. I normally start on the rooftop of a parking garage and then head to downtown and walk around. This location is great for any session type and length. It may be hard to have a family session here but if you have the patience for it, so do I! There is a $50 travel fee for this location. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
Lake St Clair Metropark
Lake St Clair Metropark is located in Harrison Township. It features a beach area on the lake, as well as grassy fields. The scenery here will give your photos a summery/playful feel (I may ask you/the kids to get into the water at the end of our session) It's a great location for a summer photoshoot of any length or type. There is a $30 travel fee for this location. This is a great location for sunrise and sunset sessions. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
Marshbank Park
Marshbank park is located in West Bloomfeild. It features a lake, wooded walking path and occasionally wildflowers in July and August. This park is great for couples or seniors but it can get busy, so there is not enough room for families to run and play.
This is not a suitable location for family sessions.
Slyvan Glen Lake Park
Located in Troy, Slyvan Glen features a large lake and a small wooded area. It's the perfect location for a summer photo shoot of any type or length. Because of the lake, this park often has goose poop making it hard for sitting poses. This is a great location for a sunset session. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
This is not a suitable location for family sessions.
Creeks & Wildflowers
If you are interested in getting into a field of wildflowers or a creek for your photos please contact me. Wildflowers typically bloom in July and August but they fluctuate every year.
I know a few spots in Rochester that are great for creek photos.
Cranbrook, Ford House, Meadow Brook Hall & Packard Proving Grounds
If you'd like to have a session at Cranbrook House and Gardens, The Ford House, Meadow Brook Hall or Packard Proving Grounds you will need to pay a permit fee and book your session well in advance(typically at least 3 weeks in advance). Each one of the above locations require that you reserve a session time and pay a fee for using their property for professional photos. Cranbrook House and Gardens is $300 for a 2 hour time slot. The Ford House is $85 per hour. Meadow Brook Hall is $225 for the first hour and $150 for each additional hour after the first. Packard Proving Grounds is $100 an hour. Please reach out to me ASAP if you'd like to book one of these locations.
Walking Disabilities
If you or someone in your group has trouble walking please let me know. I have a location in the Birmingham Area that is great for people who have trouble walking.
