Places to Take Family Pictures in Metro Detroit
Metro Detroit has so many beautiful cities and parks for taking pictures! I love the variety our state has when in comes to scenery. As a Michigan family photographer, I've shot at several locations and have compiled a list of some of my favorites! As I continue working with families, I'll make sure to keep updating this list to make sure no place is left behind! Make sure to save this link or send to a friend to reference for later or to keep for your next photo session!
River Bends Park, Shelby Twp.
River Bends Park in Shelby Township is one of my favorite parks of all time! It's nestled between Ryan and Shelby Road. There are two entrances to the park, but I always meet clients at the 22 Mile entrance, just east of Shelby Road. It's a large park with water and bridges, and lots of room for large families! I use this park often for senior photos and couples as well.
My favorite time to take pictures is around sunset, and the sun sets just over the river if you know where to go! Some other features of the park include:
- Playgrounds for kids (especially for after photos!)
- Bathrooms available
- Bridges
- Water access/river
- LOTS of greenery, trees and fields!
- Graffiti bridge/stairs
- Large enough to give families lots of space!
George George Memorial Park, Clinton Township
George George is one of the best places to take pictures in Clinton Township. The park is a photographer's dream with lots of photo opportunities! In the summer you will find lots of people taking wedding pictures and senior photos here especially. I recommend taking photos at this park at least one hour before sunset because the trees do block some of the sun when it starts to go down.
Some of my favorite features of the park include:
Multiple bridges for photos
Fields perfect for running/playing
Beautiful tree lines
Cat tails!
Small enough for most people to walk the whole park
Clean bathrooms for changing/using
Budd Park, Clinton Township
Budd Park is a hidden gem found off of Clinton River Road in Clinton Township! It's a simple park with no playground or buildings, but that's part of the reason it is so great for family pictures in Michigan. It's usually a quiet park with little foot traffic so you don't wave to worry about photobombs. It's full of trees and has a nature path that connects to a neighboring park. This is the park I use for fall minis, and I love it!
Highlights of this park:
- Lots of nature
- Lots of space
- Little to no foot traffic
- No playground so kids don't get distracted
Innovation Hills, Rochester Hills
Innovation Hills has one of the best nature walks I have seen! They have trails all throughout the park to capture lots of nature and trees. The boardwalk is great for families with strollers or for families to sit on to change up poses! The park also offers an awesome play area that kids love to utilize when their hard task of being photographed is over!
Some of my favorite features of this park include:
Lots of space
Lots of tress - especially great for fall!
Playground for the kids
Pet friendly
As little or as much walking as you'd like!
St. Clair Metro Park, Harrison Township
I grew up in Clinton Township, just a few miles down from Metro Bech! I love this park because of its variety. The beach can get crowded in the summer, so I recommend planning around some busy days (like weekends) when possible, or just utilizing some of the other areas in the park! One of my favorite places to take pictures is near the boardwalk near the boat launch. It has bridges and water, and it is usually free of crowds!
