The Best Places For a Photo Shoot in Mid-Michigan
I was thinking to myself the other day “what I could bring to the table, that other photographers haven’t already done in the Lansing area?” There are posts about what to wear, items to bring to a senior or engagement session, posing ideas etc. What I couldn’t find was a list of great places to take pictures.
Looking for nice places to shoot (or “location scouting”) is a part of any photographers job. It is a process that is very time consuming but will help produce great photos for our clients. There are several considerations that photographers think of when looking for a location for a photo shoot. Firstly, what is the client looking for? Do they want flowers, trees, or a city? Once we decide the type of location, we look at the light quality, locations within the park/venue, ease of access, and many other factors. We look at these for any type of photo shoot, whether it be a wedding or senior portraits. Having the right location will enhance your photos, so they come out looking their best.
I have begun a series of videos meant to briefly highlight popular places within the Lansing area. My goal is to continue building this list as much as possible for you to help plan your portrait session. These simple videos are produced by myself and my wife, Emily, who helps out on most of my photo shoots. I hope you find them useful!
MSU Horticulture Gardens
The Michigan State University Horticulture Gardens are a very popular spot for photographers. The obvious reason being that they are very well maintained and have a large variety of photogenic spots in such a small area. These gardens are beautiful all year, however May and June are probably the best times to get photos taken here because of all the flowers.
There are actually three different gardens that are adjacent to each other including the Rose Garden, 4-H Children’s Garden and the actual Horticulture Garden. Each one is unique enough to give a variety of photos.
Address: 1066 Bogue St, East Lansing, MI 48824
MSU Horticulture Garden Photo Shoots:
Engagement Photos at the MSU Rose Garden | Shana and Jeff
Engagement Photos at the MSU Rose Garden | Nikhil and Spandana
Frances Park
Frances Park in Lansing is another fantastic place to get photos done. On the north side of the park, there is a very well maintained rose garden that is ideal for portraits. Not only are there plenty of plant life that make for great backdrops, but there is also a nice view of the Grand River that adds variety to your gallery. This garden also has restrooms that are well maintained if you need to change outfits during the photo shoot.
Meridian Historical Village
If you are looking for a more rustic look in your portrait session, then the Historical Village in Okemos, MI is a place you might want to check out.
This park is full of historical buildings such as a barn, gazebo, and a wedding chapel. There is also a lake and a ton of trees to add interest to your photos.
Cooley Gardens
Cooley Gardens are tucked away near the GM plant in downtown Lansing. There are a lot of flowers and greenery, but very little shade. This park features a pergola and several arches.
Due to the lack of shade, this park is best photographed in the early morning or evening.
Danford Island Park
Video coming soon!
Danford Island Park is an ideal location for senior photo shoots or engagement photos. This location is very versatile, primarily featuring trees and water, but also containing elements such as a staircase, path, and a scenic log to pose on. The location has plenty of shade and works well for either daytime or evening photos.