Fun and Casual Portraits Using Classic Detroit Architecture

Most of my clients fall into two distinct categories; those who LOVE getting their photos and those who LOATHE getting their photo taken.

Bet you can't guess which clients fall into which category!


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Photo Portraits Using Detroit Classic Architecture -

Blending Classic Portrait Photography With Fun Lifestyle Candid Moments


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Seriously Fun Lifestyle Portrait Photography in Classic Detroit


Detroit's got some amazing classic architecture downtown that can mimic just about any classy and classic older place you'd like your portraits taken at. We have a couple of choices about where to go and each area allows us a lot of opportunities within the hour's photography session. Picking between them is the hardest choice you'll have to make all day. I stick to areas where we can park easily and I only stick to areas that I feel are fairly well traveled and we are safe.

The Pros for Detroit? There is nothing short of Cranbrook that compares to the architectural diversity that you'll find right in downtown Detroit. So why trespass when we have a city full of great backgrounds that we are welcome to use? Pretty much whatever you want to find, we can find it downtown. This location is perfect for those looking photos that have a classic, slightly European look to them. There is still plenty of contemporary stuff to play with down here too if that's your thing. If you want a two hour session, there are other parts of Detroit we can head to for an even great variety of images. For those looking for a mix of urban classic and urban "decay", this is the spot for you. This spot is great all year round.

The "Cons" for Detroit? No bathrooms for changing. There are no bathrooms, but it's often fairly easy to change in a car since there isn't a ton of traffic down there. That's about it for cons!


One of the best things about this location is that it photographs pretty much the same year round. Sometimes things will be under construction and off limits, but for the most part, it's pretty much open as a photographer's playground.


If you want to see more photos from this place, check out the link to my senior's photographed in Detroit. It's a great way to see even more images with a bigger variety of backgrounds


I Want My Own Unique Location

No worries! Hopefully it's within a 30 mile radius of Troy area (I can give you my address so you can figure it out and what the travel fee would be if it's further). This is a two hour shoot and means we can move around a lot more and hit more locations. You'll need to book a two hour session since I almost always book my sessions back to back. The fee is $700.

If you are looking to make this a combined multi family photography session, you might need to book the two hour session as the more people involved, the more photoshopping I'm going to be doing afterwards.


Of course, if you love this location and want to book a 1 hour session here, the fee is $400.


- ALL packages include all the edited, high resolution digital files and the following...

Online gallery with your images posted for a year.

You can print from a professional lab connected to my site.

Free downloads included.

So long as you enjoy the heck out of them, that's all I ask!



Tips For Great Portrait Sessions


Start by picking the season. I would strongly suggest NOT shooting in the winter as wet, red, drippy noses aren't as attractive as they sound. 40 degree weather is about my limit (and my clients). While it's great for cuddling, nobody wants to change clothes or even take off mittens and coats. So for comfort sake, I would suggest avoiding December-April. That being said, I booked quite a few winter session in Detroit this past year and while it was very cold, the couple REALLY wanted super wintery photos!


Peak leaf season is from October 6th to about November 6th if we're lucky. Keep in mind that this is also peak wedding season, peek senior season and peak family season as well. So plan pretty far in advance! I only shoot portraits M-TH (you can surely guess what I'm doing on the weekends), so time slots do fill up quickly. Leaves typically show up and the grass turns green around May 6th. July and August are usually beastly hot, so this is when I try to schedule sessions in the water. Getting me out of the water is usually the most challenging part.


If you have any props or clothing changes, please bring them in a rolling bag. Pack a mirror as well if you care about that as most places don't have great mirrors.


If you think you're awkward and feel super self conscious about getting your photo taken, you keep good company. Almost all of my clients are nervous and not sure what they'll actually look like. Most haven't been professionally photographed in a really long time and not together. There is a learning curve and we'll go through it together. It really does make the wedding day just that much easier.


Think of actives you like to do together so we can do those. Look at the photos for inspiration. Maybe you like to fish, so that could be done. Maybe you like to play football or camp garden or lie around reading books all day. If it's anything other than being on your phone, it should be a pretty cool photo. Just make sure you have the things that go with your activity!


© Marci Curtis