locations
Please choose a location from my location guide for your session. Location scouting is a huge part of my job, each one of these locations are perfect for a photoshoot in terms of lighting, backgrounds, space, and distractions. Please look through the options and read the short descriptions of each location to find one that best suits who you are!
Troy Farm Park
features
Troy Farm Park is a beautiful small park with an old barn and tall grasses.
seasons
The barn and grasses at Troy Farm park make this location beautiful throughout every season.
session type
This park is perfect for any session type. The lighting here is good for sunrise or sunset.
what to expect
Troy Farm Park tends to get pretty busy on weekend evenings. It is a small park with a small parking lot. I highly suggest booking a weekday session or a weekend morning session for this location. This location does not have bathrooms.
Addison Oaks Park in Leonard
features
Addison Oaks Park is a beautiful park on a lake with a huge willow tree and seasonal wildflowers. For a family session here I use the willow tree or wildflowers. If you'd like a wildflower session here, please book as close to sunset as possible.
seasons
This park is great when the trees are in bloom May-October. It would also be beautiful for a snowy session. This park opens at 8am.
session type
Addison Oaks is large enough to accommodate any session length. The lighting here is perfect for a sunset session.
what to expect
There is a fee to enter Addison Oaks, it's $5 for Oakland Country residents. A session at this park would involve a small to moderate amount of walking. They do have public bathrooms here.
Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm
features
This location is a huge historic farm and estate now owned by the city of Rochester.
seasons
Van Hoosen Farm is beautiful year round because of it's historic farm.
session type
This location is huge so it is suitable for all location types and lengths.
what to expect
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. They normally have their public restrooms open here.
Cranberry Lake Park in Oakland
features
Located just north of Rochester, this park has an old barn and farmhouse along with a lot of land to explore.
seasons
Cranberry Lake Park is beautiful in every season.
session type
This park is big and has a lot of features, making it great for any session length and type. The lighting here is perfect for a sunrise or sunset session.
This is the best location for extended sessions because this park offers so many different backgrounds in a small area.
what to expect
This park requires very little walking. We can use the outside of the farmhouse and barns if you'd like, or just stick to the beautiful property surrounding it. They do have 1 public restroom here.
Stony Creek Metropark in Shelby Township
features
Stony Creek Metropark is located in Shelby Township. It features a beautiful evergreen forests, tall grasses, open fields and a large lake with a beach. There will be opportunities to get into the lake if you would like.
*if you would like beach photos here, they need to take place 30-60 minutes before sunset
seasons
Taking photos at Stoney Creek is beautiful year round. The lake, grasses and evergreen trees are gorgeous even in the winter months.
session length
Stoney Creek Metropark is HUGE. It can easily accommodate any session length and type. If you decide on Stoney Creek for your location we will stay there the entire session and travel to different locations within the park. The lighting here is perfect for a sunrise or sunset session.
what to expect
This is a metropark so you will need a metroparks pass to enter the park or there is a $10 fee. If you book a session here you need to be comfortable walking about a 1/2 mile.
Downtown Rochester
features
Downtown Rochester features a lot of buildings and alleyways that makes great backdrops for cityscape photos.
seasons
This location is wonderful year round and doesn't change much in looks from season to season. Because of the Christmas lights, I do not recommend this location from mid-November to February.
session type
The downtown location is great for any session type! It's a popular location for seniors and headshot but can be a unique and edgy location for couples and families as well!
what to expect
Naturally, this location can get crowded on nights and weekends. It's best to book your session here on a weekday. Morning sessions are always an option as well.
Addison Oaks Christmas Tree Farm
features
This location is a huge 20 acre christmas tree farm on private property in Oakland Michigan.
seasons
Addison Oaks Christmas tree farm is beautiful year round because it is virtually unchanging throughout the seasons. This is my FAVORITE location November-March.
session type
This location is huge so it is suitable for all location types and lengths.
what to expect
Addison Oaks Christmas tree farm charges a $35 fee per session BUT if you have a session here, the owner offers $10 off a Christmas tree. Dogs are allowed. Boots are highly recommended.
River Bends Park in Shelby Township
features
River Bends Park is located in Shelby Township. It is a large park with a river, wooded areas, a few bridges, occasional wildflowers and grasslands.
seasons
Because of River Bends many features, this park is beautiful year around.
session type
River Bends Park is perfect for a session of any length and type. The lighting here is perfect for a sunrise or sunset session.
what to expect
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.
D E Nature Preserve in Beverly Hills
features
The nature preserve is located in Beverly Hills. It offers lots of grassy areas, seasonal wildflowers, and a cute white barn.
seasons
This park is beautiful year round and it's my favorite October location. In the summer, it's best not to dress in greens here as you will be surrounded by green.
session type
The nature preserve is great for all session lengths and types. The lighting here is perfect for a sunrise or sunset session.
what to expect
This location is a huge, unmowed field and it is BEAUTIFUL, but there will be bugs and critters close as there are very little true "paths" here. Parking is very limited here. This location is not suitable for heals and is great for children.
Bear Creek Nature Park in Rochester
features
Bear Creek Nature Park is a large, quiet park located in north Rochester. There is a nice walking path and open fields.
seasons
This park is best when things are in bloom, typically May-October.
session type
Bear Creek is a huge park and can accommodate all session lengths and types. The lighting here is perfect for a sunrise or sunset session.
what to expect
Due to the nature of the park you will want to use bug spray, which I always have. There are bathrooms at this park.
Innovation Hills in Rochester Hills
features
This large park features a wooden walking path through a wooded area and grasses. There is also a creek you can get into if you'd like but unfortunately there is not enough space for you to pose in front of it without getting in.
seasons
Innovation Hills is a great location year round.
session type
Innovation Hills is best for senior, maternity and couples but it's not great for families.
what to expect
Taking photos here will include walking about a 1/2 mile loop. This walk will be on either a paved path or a wooden walkway.
Sylvan Glen Lake Park in Troy
features
Sylvan Glen Lake Park is located in Troy. This park features a large lake, and a small wooded area.
seasons
Taking photos at Sylvan Glen Lake Park is best when the trees have leaves from May to mid November.
session type
This park is best for session with only 1-2 people. The lighting here is only good for a sunset session.
what to expect
Once you park your car there is a short walk to reach the most picturesque spot, we will need to continue on about 200 yard to a grassy area behind the lake. There are bathrooms at this park.
Dodge Park in Sterling Heights
features
Dodge park features grassy areas with gravel walking paths surrounded by trees.
seasons
This location is great May-early November.
session type
Dodge park is large enough for any session type and length.
what to expect
This park can often be crowded with guests so it's not the best place for a large family or to bring your dog along with you.
Birmingham City Hall
features
This is a beautiful brick building surrounded by plants and shrubs in the heart of downtown Birmingham.
seasons
Taking photos at Birmingham City Hall is beautiful year round.
session type
This location is great for for seniors, portraits, and headshots.
what to expect
This location is easy to access and you can normally park very close.
Downtown Detroit
THERE IS A $50 TRAVEL FEE FOR A SESSION in downtown detroit.
features
When booking a session downtown please let me know if there are any specific areas you would like to go to. If you do not have any spots in mind I will lead us around to the most popular spots.
seasons
Downtown Detroit is great year round.
*If you'd like to go to this location I suggest checking if there are any events downtown on the date that you have scheduled*
session type
This location is best for any session length. The longer session that you book, the larger the variety of backgrounds will be used for your photos.
what to expect
If you book a session in downtown Detroit you can expect to walk around different street taking photos the entire time.
*If you'd like to go to this location I suggest checking if there are any events downtown on the date that you have scheduled*
Spencer Park in Rochester Hills
features
Spencer Park is located in Rochester Hills. It features a beautiful lake with a beach area, shade trees and a wooded area.
seasons
Photos at Spencer Park are best from May-November. This would also be a nice locations for snowy photos. This park is open from 10am to dusk.
session types
Spencer park is perfect for any session type or length. The lighting here is perfect for a sunset session.
what to expect
This park does charge a fee to enter(this ranges from $5-15) and they do not accept credit cards. The park also does not allow dogs from May 15 to Labor Day. Spencer park opens at 10am so you need to book an evening session to use this location.
Port Huron Beach
there is a $100 travel fee for a session at this location
features
This is a large public park with a beach. There will be sand, rocks, seagulls and other people at this beach.
seasons
This location is beautiful year round thanks to Lake Huron but can get windy occasional, in which case we will play in the wind.
session type
This location is great for everyone, especially children!
what to expect
This location requires about 50 years of walking from the parking lot. Occasionally you have to pay a small fee to park. There are public restrooms here but they are occasionally locked.
Lake St Clair MetroPark in Harrison Township
THERE IS A $30 TRAVEL FEE FOR a SESSION AT Lake St Clair Metropark.
features
This Metropark features a beach along Lake Saint Clair, tall grasses, a walking path and green fields.
seasons
This park is beautiful year round.
session type
Lake St Clair Metropark is a large park so it is great for any session length.
what to expect
You will be walking through the sand for this session so please come prepared. This park is a Metropark so you will need a Metropark pass or you will have to pay a $10 entry fee. Please arrive to your session 10 minutes early to accommodate.
Detroit Institute of Arts
There is a $40 travel fee for a session at DIA.
features
This location is on the grounds of DIA in downtown Detroit. It would be an outdoor session around their property. It is a beautiful marble building with great gardens and landscaping.
seasons
Taking photos at Detroit Institute of Arts is beautiful year round.
session type
DIA is best for a 30 minute or hour session. Most of my clients love this location for headshots, a senior session or a romantic couples session.
what to expect
To used this location you must book Monday-Friday. It is too crowded to use on the weekends. This location is easy to access and you can normally park very close.
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.
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 mid July and stay until September but they fluctuate every year.
I know a few spots in Rochester that are great for creek photos. Please reach out to chat about wildflowers or creek photos.
Walking Disabilities
If you or someone in your group has trouble walking please let me know. I have a locations that are great for people who have trouble walking.
Becks Photography is a Metro Detroit photographer who specializes in family portraits, senior portraits, couples portraits, maternity portraits and lifestyle newborn portraits. Whether you're looking for a Rochester Hills photographer, Troy photographer, Royal Oak photographer, Birmingham photographer, Sterling Heights Photographer, Oakland County Photographer, Auburn Hills photographer or West Bloomfeild photographer, Becks Photography is your go-to Metro Detroit Photographer.