Michigan has such a vast array of landscape diversity, even right here in Chelsea, Ann Arbor Brighton, and the surrounding areas. There is abundant wildlife, thick pine forest, summer wildflowers, lakes and more lakes, and stunning seasonal changes. As a maternity and family photographer, I love photographing year round; from the hot summer days to the dark winter days, there is beauty in all of it.

Finding just the right location for each photography session is one of my favorite things to do, I like to know a little about each client that I photograph and then select a location that works best for them, or give them options and they can choose!

My photography style is outdoor, secluded forests, or wide open fields. The natural beauty, in combination with the family that I’m photographing, creates Art.

5. Matthaei Botanic Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan.

Ok, ok, every photographer knows about this location, but there is no denying the beauty and variety that you can find here! If you want flowers, they are here. If you want vast green grass, it’s here. Fields, yes. A thick row of pine trees, check. There is literally everything here…well, everything except privacy.

The inside is great too! You do have to pay $100 to professionally photograph inside the gardens, but it’s totally worth it. The inside pass includes the back “yard” of the gardens, which has even more variety, trails and options.

4. Maybury State Park; Northville, Michigan

My client suggested this park and I really enjoyed it! There is a beautiful forest with tall trees, the taller the tree (and less underbrush), the less ‘green’ color cast on your clients skin! (always a win!) Which is why the TALL trees in the old growth forests are my favorite. There was also a huge field and a lot of privacy, which is also a plus. The trails were a mix of paved and dirt paths in the woods and then grass through the field. There was definitely a lot of versatility in the backdrop, there are wildflowers at the end of summer, and one thing that I like for clients with little kids is the ease of the walk from the parking lot to the shooting locations.

3. West Lake Preserve, Chelsea Michigan - Great for winter! Contrary to it’s name, the West Lake Preserve doesn’t really have a lake (yes, there is a pond and the actual West Lake is at the very far end of the park, but no real access to the water). But what it lacks in water, it makes up for in big grassy fields and wild black raspberries all along the paths. I love photographing here in the winter on dark days when the sky is cloudy - or at sunset.

#2. Border to Border TrailHead at Territorial Road

I hesitate to put this one on the list because I’ve only photographed here once, but it didn’t disappoint with a huge field of wildflowers and landscaping right from the parking lot. There are often a lot of bikers and cars here because it’s a hub for the Border to Border trail, but on this stormy day, it was perfectly secluded and exactly what we needed! The flower field was top notch!

1. Park Lyndon North and South - one of my favorite and most versatile locations. This is one location that has stayed secret (I’ve never seen another photographer here) for the entire time I’ve lived here and I love that I can come here and only encounter a few people. There is lots of unique foliage a short walk from the parking lot, and miles of trails to explore other forests, fields and thick pine trees. There is also a pond, swamp and a dock if you are willing to hike far.