Ann Arbor Photo Location Ideas

September 20, 2018

Our team has made a good number of trips to Ann Arbor for photo sessions and weddings over the years, and it’s finally time to share our favorite places to set up photos in and around the city. Let’s take a look at some of the best photography locations in Ann Arbor:

Matthaei Botanical Gardens

The gardens do require a paid photo pass, but it’s worth it to get more exclusive access to their variety of gardens. Add in that golden sunset glow, and you’re set.

Downtown Ann Arbor

If you’re going for an urban look, check out Liberty Street by the Michigan Theater. You can also pop into a downtown coffee shop or sip some wine if you’re going for a lifestyle/date night session. Just be sure to arrive early to leave yourself time to find parking.

UofM Campus Buildings

The University of Michigan has a mix of classic and modern architecture just a short walk from Liberty Street.

The Law Quad

The Law Quad deserves a section of its own, because this location may be the single most popular destination in Ann Arbor (particularly for wedding photos). Its classic architecture has a romantic European feel, so if you have classic tastes, this may be the best photo location for you. Just be prepared to potentially wait your turn if you’re planning to to head there for wedding photos.

The Go Blue Barn

The barn is on private property, so we made a point to seek permission, but for UofM fans, there’s a small space to stand at the edge of the road without disturbing the property (I ended up standing on the other side of the road—check out my Instagram Story Highlights to see a behind the scenes look at how we took this photo). Turn your angle to the side, and you have a whole new look.

Nichols Arboretum

Nichols Arboretum is huge, and you could easily spend a whole session or wedding day in just one small area.

Barton Pond

I wouldn’t necessarily do a full session at Barton Pond, but it’s a good add on at the end if you have time and want to add variety to balance out your downtown urban Ann Arbor photos.

The Allie & Co. Overstock Frame Sale is Coming

April 13, 2018

My new frames will have a few updates (largely the change from glass to acrylic, which makes the frames lighter and easier to ship, so frames will no longer be limited to East Lansing clients). With these updates, I’ll be sorting through the extra frames that I have in stock and setting up an overstock sale with huge discounts.

This sale will be available to anyone who can pick frames up in East Lansing, regardless of whether you’ve ever worked with me as a photography client. A lot of these will be large frames that would be perfect for displaying family photos from weddings or sessions.

Each frame will be fully prepped with your photo(s) and ready to hang on the wall. Sign up below to be the first to hear about the sale when it goes live. Supplies will be limited and sold on a “first come, first served” basis.

10 Gorgeous Michigan Winter Wedding Venues

March 27, 2018

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Have you daydreamed about a snowy Michigan winter wedding with dinner near a cozy fireplace, followed by a warm weather honeymoon? Or maybe you’ve thought about getting your wedding photos outside with a glistening snowy scene as you invite your friends into a warm, lush greenhouse that brings everyone cheerful thoughts during the colder months.

Whatever your inspiration, you’re going to need the perfect Michigan winter wedding venue to fit your winter wedding needs, so let’s talk about a mix of different winter venues across a few different categories:

Barn or Lodge Michigan Winter Wedding Venues
Greenhouse Michigan Winter Wedding Venues
Loft Michigan Winter Wedding Venues
Classic Michigan Winter Wedding Venues

Let’s jump in.

Michigan Barn and Lodge Michigan Winter Wedding Venues

Brick Walker Tavern and Rustic Barn in Brooklyn, Michigan

Vibe: Relaxed, Vintage, Eclectic

If you have vintage or eclectic tastes, and you want to plan together a unique and cozy winter wedding, check out Brick Walker Tavern in Brooklyn, Michigan. There are two buildings—the brick building is like an inn that has rooms for your closest friends and family and a big room upstairs for your ceremony (although I’ll note that the upstairs room isn’t accessible, so keep this in mind if you have guests who require accessibility). And after the ceremony, your guests will down a short path to the heated two-story barn for the reception.

Brick Walker Tavern Wedding Photo Credits:

Faythe Emmons, Your Big Day Weddings & Events
Cake: Tavolina Catering & Events
Some photos were taken by my second photographer, Caitlin

Fox Hills Classic in Plymouth, Michigan

Vibe: “Up North Cabin,” Cozy

Although Chelsea and Jason’s February wedding day was 70+ degrees, Fox Hills Classic kept the cozy winter lodge feel alive with its fireplace, wood and stone.

Fox Hills Wedding Photo Credits:

Flowers: Lily’s Flowers of Saline
Cake: Zingerman’s Bakehouse, Ann Arbor

Black Barn Vineyard in Rives Junction, Michigan

Vibe: Modern Barn

I had the honor of being a part of a summer wedding at Black Barn Vineyard in Rives Junction before the barn was completed, but now that it’s done, it’s a gorgeous setting for a winter wedding. I’d love to see a classic black and white wedding with gold accents to play up the black barn and white snow.

Michigan Greenhouse Michigan Winter Wedding Venues

Michigan State Horticulture Gardens in East Lansing, Michigan

Vibe: Bright, Fun, Relaxed Elegance, Blank Canvas

The MSU Horticulture Gardens in East Lansing have a heated wide open greenhouse that’s perfect for a late fall or winter wedding. Guests sit at their tables as you walk down the aisle, which is becoming more and more common as a way to simplify the wedding day and avoid a setup change.

MSU Horticulture Gardens Wedding Photo Credits:

Photos by Allie & Co. Associate photographer, Rachael

Plantera Conservatory in West Bloomfield, Michigan

Vibe: Bright, Sophisticated, Lush

Plantera Conservatory is on my dream list. This greenhouse wedding venue in West Bloomfield is absolutely filled with gorgeous green spaces to brighten up any winter wedding.

These holiday wedding floral ideas from Emily at All Grand Events would bring in the perfect combination of winter reds and lighter blushes to blend in with the backdrop of Plantera.

Michigan Loft Michigan Winter Wedding Venue

Ford Piquette Plant

Vibe: Bright, Open, Great for the History Buff

The Ford Piquette Plant has a rich history in Detroit—it’s lined with vintage Ford automobiles, it’s the birthplace of the Model T, and it’s now a US National Historic Landmark. Your ceremony and reception can be set up on different floors for an easy flow for guests, and the bright loft provides the perfect backdrop for indoor photos.

Ford Piquette Plant Wedding Photo Credits:

Wedding Planner: Nicola Wilson, Simply Brilliant Events
Flowers: Ruby Slipper Design, Sandra Bostwick
Cake: Cake Ambtion, Jessica Bouren

Classic Michigan Winter Wedding Venues

Detroit Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan

Vibe: Classic, Timeless, Grand, Dark

The Detroit Masonic Temple is a huge classic building with endless photo opportunities, regardless of the weather outside. Invite your friends and family to come in and forget about the cold as they take in the amazing details around every corner of the Masonic Temple.

Detroit Masonic Temple Wedding Photo Credits:

Some photos were taken by my second photographer, Derek
Cake: Love & Buttercream
Flowers: Soo Fabulous
Dress: The Wedding Shoppe

The Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, Michigan

Vibe: Bright, Classic, Grand, Easy on Guests

The Inn at St. John’s has everything under one roof—a gorgeous chapel, a variety of reception rooms and a full hotel.

The Inn at St. John’s Wedding Photo Credits:

Cecelia Ash, Orchid Events
Flowers: Silk Thumb Florist
Cake: Cakes by Stephanie

The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan

Vibe: Classic, Dark, Great for the History Buff

The massive Henry Ford Museum has a mix of classic indoor areas for photos, or you can pop outside for winter photos against the classic brick museum exterior.

The Henry Ford Museum Wedding Photo Credits:

Flowers: Petit Fleur Events, Corrina Kulhanek

The MSU Alumni Chapel and Kellogg Center in East Lansing, Michigan

Vibe: Classic, Simple, Blank Canvas, Easy on Guests

The Kellogg Center itself is basically a blank slate—its rooms can be styled any way you want. But what makes the Kellogg Center special is its proximity to the rest of MSU, which has the charming Alumni Chapel, along with gorgeous backdrops for wedding photos (both inside and outside).

The Kellogg Center has the added bonus of being a full hotel, so your guests can simply take the elevator upstairs at the end of the night instead of traveling home in the snow.

The Kellogg Center Wedding Photo Credits:

Flowers: Petal & Forrest
Chairs: Chair Happy

Learn more about wedding photography

A Romantic Spring Wedding at Wellers Carriage House in Saline, Michigan

December 27, 2017

Learn more about wedding photography

I love photographing weddings at venues I’ve never been to before. I feel this big ball of creative energy as I take in each new corner of the place and explore the way the light plays across the scene. That said, oh my gosh—I would happily photograph every wedding at Wellers Carriage House in Saline. Being a part of these Wellers Carriage House wedding photos has been such a dream, and I’m excited to get back there later this year for Kait and Zach’s fall wedding.

I was the solo photographer on this wedding, which was no trouble at all with the easygoing pace of a wedding that’s all in one place and a relaxed couple like Jessica and Matt. Jessica got ready at the Hospitality House, and then we headed over to Wellers for a first look along the most perfect path of trees budding for Spring (their wedding was May 6).