Engagement Photos

bride and groom candid engagement portrait cuddling under a tree next to grand traverse bay michigan

Scheduling

Your engagement photos can take place at any time:
from right after your proposal to just a few days before the wedding.
There’s no rule about what season they need to be in either.
Would you prefer spring among the cherry blossoms in Traverse City,
summer along the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore,
fall on the scenic trails of M22,
or winter exploring the ice caves of Lake Michigan?

Sessions usually last about an hour and typically begin two hours before sunset, when the light is soft and golden.
We usually shoot at one location that offers a variety of scenic spots,
but we can add additional locations if desired.

Save-The-Dates

Wedding save-the-dates should be sent out about 6–8 months before your big day.
If you want to use your engagement photos for them, I recommend scheduling your session at least two months prior.
This gives us time to account for bad weather, editing, design, printing, and mailing.
Don’t worry if you’re running short on time — I can always prioritize a few images for you early so you can get the ball rolling.

couple pose with tattoos inside pub downtown traverse city michigan for engagement photos

Northern Michigan Location Ideas

INDOORS
Castle Farms
Kirkbride Hall
Village At Grand Traverse Commons
Historic Barns Park

BY THE WATER
Old Mission Peninsula
Old Mission Peninsula Lighthouse
Empire Beach & Empire Bluffs
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Grand Traverse Bay
Point Betsie Lighthouse
Pyramid Point
West Bay- Open Space

NATURE
Old Mission Peninsula ( fields, hiking trails, orchards, vineyards)
Brys Estate ( Lavender Fields)
Botanic Gardens At Historic Barns Park

DATE NIGHT
Jacobs Corn Maze
Walk Downtown
Frankfort Farmers Market
G.T. Butterfly House & Bug Zoo
Mari Vineyards
Chateau Chantal Winery
Horizon Books
Traverse Area District Library
Village At Grand Traverse Commons
Cherry Bowl Drive In Theatre

DOWNTOWNS / SMALL TOWNS
Traverse City
Frankfort
Elk Rapids
Suttons Bay
Northport

UNIQUE SPOTS
Glen Haven (historic restored port village)
Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre
The City Opera House
Fishtown (weathered fishing shanties on Lake Michigan)
Village At Grand Traverse Commons (former state hospital partially restored)
The State Theatre (vintage-style state theatre in downtown Traverse)
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Please note: Some locations require reservations and fees.

traverse city couple laughing during winter engagement photos in crystal lake michigan

Destination Engagement Sessions

While most of my sessions are local, I’m always happy to travel to a location that’s meaningful to you.

Northern Michigan is full of beautiful hidden gems, but it’s even more important that your images reflect who you are and tell your unique story.

couple posing in popcorn shop downtown traverse city michigan

wide photography of michigan couple posing at the grand traverse commons in traverse city

Pets

I absolutely love when couples bring their pets! It is important, however, that this may limit our location choices – or cut into our shooting time. One great solution is to bring a friend to help with your pet or plan a quick pickup/drop-off so we can continue the session afterward.

northern michigan engagement photos leeland michigan

dog running on beach in fishtown leeland michigan

close up of ring on couple during engagement photos in traverse city michigan — When picking your outfits, think about how you can **complement** each other rather than match.
For example, if he wears a blue and green striped shirt, you might wear a blue-toned dress that coordinates nicely.
Not matchy-matchy, just visually balanced.
Also, consider the location and choose something comfortable that suits the vibe.
If we’re shooting in a green field, a flowing summer dress in a contrasting color works beautifully and matches the mood of the setting.
Most couples stick to one outfit to keep things simple and relaxed,
but if you’d like a second look, we can absolutely plan that into the session.

Rings

If possible, I like to get a few close-ups of your engagement ring. For the best sparkle, have it cleaned before your session.
If a professional cleaning isn’t possible, you can soak it at home in warm water with a little dish soap, then gently scrub it with a soft toothbrush.

Inclement Weather

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we have options.
We can always reschedule, or if you are up for it, shift to an indoor location.

Here are a few indoor options in Northern Michigan ➞

Kirkbride Hall: A grand ballroom with elegant architecture, located in the Grand Traverse Commons.

The State Theatre: A vintage-style theater in downtown Traverse City with classic movie charm.

The City Opera House: A beautifully restored venue featuring gold architecture and painted cathedral ceilings.

Your home or rental: A cozy and meaningful option for personalized, intimate photos.

And of course, if you want tohave a little fun, we can shoot in the rain!
Sometimes those sessions make for the most magical images.

Themes and Props

Adding extra personality to engagement sessions can be so much fun!
If you met at a coffee shop, love old movies, or bowl together every Friday night- we can make that part of your story.
If you aren’t sold on making the whole event themed don’t worry, we will plan the themed portion on location and leave time for more neutral shots before or after.

couple sitting in northern michigan traverse city state theatre

Posing

Engagement sessions are truly the perfect opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera before the wedding day.
This allows us time to talk through natural “poses” or (as I prefer to say) actions that create authentic moments.
Investing this time guarantees the images from your wedding day will reflect real emotions and memories you will hold forever.

Bride and groom dancing on the beach during Traverse City Engagement Session

back to the guide

Delivery Of Your Images

My goal is to help you relive your moments as soon as possible.

I typically begin working on your photos right after the session, and you can expect to receive your engagement photo gallery within two weeks.
You will receive a link to an online gallery with full resolution images for you to download freely.

let’s get in touch!