Best Photo Shoot Locations in Rochester Hills Michigan
Calling all residents of Rochester, Michigan! Are you looking for fun family portraits? Do you need senior photos for that upcoming yearbook deadline? Would you like to capture dreamy maternity photos? Well, you're in luck— Rochester has SO much to offer. There are countless amazing locations for every type of session. Whether you are booking family photos, a maternity session, or senior photos, Rochester has the perfect location for you. Let's check them out!
Hello!
Nice to meet you! My name is Rebecca or Becks, and as a Rochester Hills photographer, I love capturing your important milestones and celebrations in this town we call home.
Whether you want to book an intimate maternity photo session in the comfort of your own home or take a trek in nature to capture senior photos in the beautiful outdoors, I'm ready for create whimsical photos with you! So, why should you choose Becks as your photographer? Being there to capture the happy moments with new and returning clients and being able to deliver bliss in the form of photos is the best job ever! As a photographer, I strive to bring each client timeless and professional photos. A photo is the perfect way to capture a feeling, emotion and a milestone. Becks Photography has top notch equipment and photo editing skills and I continue to educate myself on all things camera and editing. A session with Becks Photography will be laid back, fun, and enjoyable. Taking photos shouldn't be uncomfortable. I come prepared to each session with a variety of poses and prompts. My editing style is very true to life, meaning that your photos will be lightly edited to look very natural. My goal is to make every session together fun and every photo timeless. The best thing you can do to prepare for a session is to relax and have fun!
Time of day
Believe it or not, some locations aren't the best for sunrise/sunset. Don't stress, I've been to every location for sunrise and sunset and have some great advice for you to have the perfect lighting for your session.
Sunrise
If you've booked a sunrise session, please choose from one of the following locations
- Downtown Rochester
- Bear Creek Nature Park
- Cranberry Lake Park
- Troy Farm Park
sunset
If you've book a sunset session, conveniently, all of the Rochester locations have amazing lighting for sunset.
Now that we've discussed the best locations for the time of day, let's check out each location and what they are know for!
Innovation Hills
Most of Innovation Hills is a wooden path making this a great location for seniors and maternity but not so much families. It's beautiful year round!
Downtown Rochester
Another great location for seniors, maternity, and headshots. I love the urban look that downtown Rochester gives. I do not recommend this location November, December, and January but other than that, it's great year round!
Addision Oaks
Addison Oaks is a quiet and open Oakland Country park. It's great for families, maternity and seniors. This park is beautiful mid May to late October. 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.
Bear Creek Nature Park
I am obsessed with this dreamy Rochester location. Bear Creek is full of open field of rolling hills making it ideal for kids! It's great for families, maternity and seniors. This location is beautiful year round.
Troy Farm Park
While not technically in Rochester, it's very close! Located on South and Adams, this is a great location year round. It's so large that you can choose to, or not to include the barn in your photos.
Van Hoosen Farm
I'm in love with this historic location in Rochester. Van Hoosen Farm is a large historic farm and estate, perfect for children. Located in north Rochester, this location is ideal for families, maternity or seniors. The scenery at this park changes throughout the season but is beautiful in every season. There is a $50 fee to book a session here (but I cover this cost) and it is first come first serve so it must be booked in advance.
Hidden Creek Location
This spot will remain a secret because it's the best hidden gem in Rochester. Located close to downtown this spot is a great location for families, maternity, couples and seniors. This spot is best in the summer and is only accessible if the creek is low (it hasn't rained a ton lately)
Cranberry Lake Park
Think 1900 farmhouse with a few acres of land. I LOVE Cranberry Lake Park. It's a unique and beautiful location for families, maternity and seniors. This park is perfect year round.
Spencer Park
With a stunning lake and trees, Spencer Park is a great fall location! It's perfect for families, maternity and seniors. You do typically have to pay to enter this park, it ranges for $5-$10.
Different seasons, different locations
As well all know, the great outdoors look very different in the winter than they do in the summer. Fortunately for you, I've been to each location in Rochester in every season to create the perfect location guide for your session.
november-mid May
When the plants are dead, it's very important that you choose a location that's still beautiful! Check these out...
- Downtown Rochester
- Van Hoosen Farm
- Innovation Hills
- Cranberry Lake Park
- Troy Farm Park
Mid May-September
It's summer! Everything is green as can be, the best locations in the summer are...
- Innovation Hills
- Addison Oaks
- Bear Creek Nature Park
- Van Hoosen Farm
- Hidden Creek Location
- Cranberry Lake Park
- Troy Farm Park
October
"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers" L. M. Montgomery
- Innovation Hills
- Bear Creek Nature Park
- Van Hoosen Farm
- Cranberry Lake Park
- Spencer Park
- Addison Oaks
- Troy Farm Park
What to bring to your photo shoot
All you need to bring are outfits you feel confident and comfortable in—as well as your smiles, of course! Neutral tones, earth colors and pastels look best, and try to avoid patterns, but most importantly, choose something your are comfortable in. I don't want you to stress about posing. As your Rochester Hills photographer, I always come prepared with poses and prompts to guide you through your photo shoot. It's an absolute honor to document your special moments, from your first baby to your annual holiday card photo and those timeless senior photos. I'm so honored to be your photographer and I cannot wait to capture magical and whimsical family, maternity or senior photos with you!
I'm worried about my kids...
Have you ever tried corralling your kids for a family photo and ended up with silly faces or crying meltdowns? My years of experience as a nanny have been a gift in my journey as a family photographer. In fact, most of my clients have told me that I have a knack for making family portraits enjoyable, quick, and energetic to keep kids entertained. I work hard to communicate expectations and make every family member feel comfortable in front of the lens. In photography, proper lighting is one of the most important aspects of making an ok photo, great. At Becks Photography, I always strive for greatness. Proper lighting is best achieved when the sun just rose, or is setting soon. This is why I only offer my outdoor sessions around sunrise or sunset. In the summer, this often means that the session times that I offer are your kids bedtime. I understand that can be nerve wracking to you but I have typically found that children do well with sunset sessions. They are excited to stay up and do something different and the majority of my family session aren't "posed photos" where your child has to sit still and smile, but more so playing games and enjoying family time while I capture true emotions. If the timing is inconvenient for you, consider booking an in home session or booking an outdoor session during a different time of year. For example, in the summer the sun sets around 9pm but in the fall the sun sets around 6/7pm.
What about dogs?
If you'd like to bring your dog along with you to you family, senior, or maternity session in Rochester you are more than welcome to! It's important to think of your pup when you are choosing a location. Some locations don't allow dogs, and other locations are a tad too busy to bring your dog along with you. Check out these locations that are great for dogs!
- Addison Oaks
- Bear Creek Nature Park
- Cranberry Lake Park
As a Rochester Hills resident myself, I take pride in my city! Rochester has so many great parks for walking, biking, fishing, swimming, and for photo shoots! I spend my free time exploring Rochester to find stunning and natural photo shoot locations. Depending on the season and weather (as well as how beautiful the leaves are looking!), I have an ongoing list of options we can choose from when you book with Becks. For a more urban vibe, downtown Rochester is perfect for senior photos. Addison Oaks and Bear Creek Nature Park give all photos a dreamy atmosphere and beautiful earth tones, making them a popular choice for family, maternity and senior portraits.
