Best Photo Shoot Locations for Fall in Metro Detroit
October-early November
"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers" L. M. Montgomery
You've booked a fall 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 beautiful in the fall. I've been all over Metro Detroit searching for the best photo shoot locations for fall 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 fall locations!
Rochester Museum at Van Hoosen Farm
Rochester Museum at Van Hoosen Farm is great in the fall, especially if you like the historic barn and farm. Rochester Museum at Van Hoosen Farm requires a permit for photographers. I cover the cost of this but your session must be booked a few days in advance as they are first come, first serve. If there is a wedding or event, we cannot use this location. This location is best in the evening. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
Douglas Evans Nature Preserve
The nature preserve is located in Beverly Hills. It offers lots of grassy areas with beautiful trees in the background as well as a cute white barn. This is the perfect fall location for any type of session, the trees here are always gorgeous. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
Addison Oaks
Addison Oaks is a quiet and open Oakland County park. This park is huge so it is easy to find beautiful fall trees. 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 of the county. This location opens at 8am and is great for a morning or evening session. 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 lighting at this location is great for a sunrise or sunset session. 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.
Bear Creek Nature Park
A quiet park is north Rochester with large open fields and lots of trees. Some of the best spots at this location require you to step into a field of grasses, as pictured. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
Troy Farm Park
A beautiful fall location. This park has tall tan grasses and a beautiful old barn. The parking lot here is very small and it gets very busy, I recommend a weekday session here. The lighting at this location is good for a morning or evening session. If chosen for a morning session, it will not include the barn in the background, just a field of grasses. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
Innovation Hills
Innovation Hills is a great fall location for photoshoots with 1-2 people! There are tall grasses and beautiful trees, all along a wooden boardwalk. Innovation Hills is located in Rochester Hills. The lighting at this location is best for a sunset session. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
*Not a suitable location for family sessions*
Slyvan Glen Lake Park
Sylvan Glen Lake Park is located in Troy. This park features a large lake with a small wooded area behind it that is really beautiful in the fall. The lighting at this location is only good for a sunset session. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
Not a suitable location for families.
Stony Creek Metropark
Located in Shelby Township, this park is a great place for a fall session of any kind of length. There is a beautiful open field surround by trees that change colors, a field of yellow, fall wildflowers, and a lake with a sandy beach and colorful trees in the distance. The lighting at this location is great for a sunrise or sunset session. You will have to pay to enter this location if you do not have a Metroparks pass. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
River Bends
River Bends Park in Shelby Township featured fields of tan grasses, a creek, and woods. It's a great fall location for family photos as well as for seniors and maternity. The lighting here is great for a sunrise or sunset session. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
Spencer Park
Located in Rochester Hills, this park features a lake and lots of wooded areas. It's beautiful in the fall. There is a fee of $5-15 to enter (but I have yet to see them charge to enter after Labor Day) The park opens at 10am. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
Marshbank Park
Located in West Bloomfeild, this is a great park for senior photos. There is a lake, wildflowers, tall grasses, wooden walking paths and a willow tree. This location is perfect for sunrise or sunset. Click on the image to view my full location guide and see more photos of this location.
This location is only suitable for seniors/solo 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 few locations that are great for people who have trouble walking.
