Favorite Detroit Locations for Senior Pictures | Featuring Allyson
Favorite Detroit Locations for Senior Pictures
As a Michigan High School Senior Photographer, Detroit is the number one location request I receive from my high school seniors, AND it’s my favorite location, too! Detroit holds iconic urban settings like Belle Isle, Parker’s Alley, the Detroit Riverwalk and more.
So, with everything that Belle Isle and Detroit have to offer, how do you figure out where exactly to go, parking in the city, what to wear for urban senior pictures, if you need a photography permit for locations and when to do the photos?
Let me pause there and introduce myself. I’m Chelsie Maurer, a photographer located in Utica, Michigan and I travel throughout Metro Detroit for high school seniors and families. I’ve been photographing seniors for nearly 15 years (I just aged myself, I know) and I still get excited and geeked during every senior photo session I’m photographing! I’m going to dive into your Belle Isle and Detroit senior picture questions and show you some gorgeous portraits of Ally while I’m at it!
We are going to jump right in to some of my favorite Belle Isle and Detroit locations and whether you need a photography permit for them or not.
Belle Isle
You’ve got the fountain, the casino, the conservatory and more. It’s the best of both worlds at Belle Isle for your senior portraits because you can get the an urban feel and then go around the corner and get nature, too.
Recommended outfits to wear: Ladies, a sundress or other “nice casual” outfit is perfect for Belle Isle. Guys, a button down with the sleeves rolled up and a nice pair of jeans is a solid choice. You can dress it up more with a suit, but it’s definitely not required!
Photography Permit required: Yes
Parking fee: No
Downtown Detroit
Come on, what’s not to love about Detroit? You could literally walk around and find all sorts of incredible and unique areas for your photo session! Some of my favorite locations downtown are Parker’s Alley, DIA, rooftop, Campus Martius, anywhere along Woodward or the surrounding area downtown.
Recommended outfits to wear: Black and white photograph beautifully in this urban setting, and they look both sophisticated and timeless. Go a little dressy with these, or completely dress it down with a casual look of jeans, a white tee and your favorite white sneakers.
Photography Permit required: Yes, in some of those areas listed.
Parking Fee: Yes - download the Park Detroit app prior to heading downtown to use for street parking, otherwise plan on paying $10-$20 at a lot.
Eastern Market
Recommended outfits to wear: Go totally casual with this one! The colors and the graffiti will be bold in Eastern Market, so dress a bit down for this one. White/cream/black top with jeans and your favorite kicks will do!
Photography Permit required: No
Parking fee: No
As with any location, especially urban, you have to be prepared to be flexible due to hiccups like construction, a closure due to an event, traffic for sports events or concerts in the city and so forth.
ENJOY exploring the city in your session, you’ll certainly love the outcome!
xo,
Chelsie
Chelsie Maurer is an award winning professional photographer serving Metro Detroit and surrounding areas including Rochester, Rochester Hills, Utica, Troy, Macomb, Birmingham, Grosse Pointe, Chesterfield, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights, Warren, Oakland Township, Washington Township, and West Bloomfield.