The Ultimate Location Guide for Senior Photos in Ann Arbor
After 300+ senior sessions in the Ann Arbor area, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite and most reliable senior picture spots! I hope you have fun exploring this beautiful area as you find the best photography locations in Ann Arbor for you! If there are senior photo locations that you love missing from the list, comment below!
1. Nichol’s Arboretum Peonies
Every year at the end of May and beginning of June, the peonies at Nichol’s arboretum bloom and fill the park with color and a beautiful scent! This is not to be missed for any senior that is looking for early summer senior pictures. It can get busy, so I’d recommend only visiting on a weekday or in the early morning.
2. The Huron River
The Huron River in Ann Arbor has multiple places where the water is shallow enough to walk and swim, and those are the best spots to take senior pictures in the water! Especially in the fall, the leaves on the trees around the river are beautiful. I’d recommend not visiting after periods of heavy rains. Don’t skip the bridges that are on and near the river as well!
3. Kerrytown
This is most definitely the cutest part of Ann Arbor! The cute side streets, colorful buildings, and overall vibe make it one of the best photography locations in Ann Arbor. Park on one of the side streets and walk around and explore – you’ll see great photo spots right away!
4. Huron River Drive Parks
Huron River Drive is beautiful year round, but it is absolutely MAGICAL in the fall. If you’ve ever driven or biked this road, you know exactly what I mean! You don’t even need a specific destination, exploring the road in the morning or evening is guaranteed to be beautiful. A top senior photo location, for sure!
5. Matthaei Botanical Gardens
This has been one of the most popular photography spots in Ann Arbor forever, and there’s good reason! The fields, big trees, beautiful fall color, and many flowers are a draw. You can pay a photo fee to take photos inside the greenhouse and outside in the gated area with the most flowers. I’d recommend not venturing off the paths, though, as I’ve seen two rattlesnakes, blankets of poison ivy, and ticks are common here.
6. The Law Quad & U of M’s Campus
The classic Ann Arbor spot – the Law Quad arch. In the spring, you’ll see college grads lined up to take their pictures in this iconic arch, but it’s much less busy in the summer. It’s a great place to take more formal senior photos, and the buildings nearby also provide a stellar backdrop.
7. Historic Blum Barn
This relatively new wedding venue in Saline has the best sunflower field in the Ann Arbor area! The light is golden and the flowers are at all different heights. Their sunflower field generally blooms in late August. Reach out to them on their website or on their instagram for permission to photograph there. It is a beautiful spot for senior pictures as well as a great place to host your wedding.
8. Downtown Ann Arbor
One of my favorite senior photo locations that is ever-changing is downtown Ann Arbor! My favorite time to explore is at and a little after sunset, when you can start to see the street lights and get great glass reflections.
9. Local Fairs
Depending on the time of the summer, local fairs in cities nearby Ann Arbor provide a unique backdrop for senior photos. Some of my all-time photos have been taken at fairs, and it’s always a blast hanging out there for sessions. If you’re interested in this, be sure to check when a fair is coming near you and confirm that their photo policy allows it.
10. Sleeping Bear Dunes & Western Michigan
This is the one place worth mentioning in this blog that is outside of Ann Arbor! You’ll see why it’s SO worth it to make the drive though. The landscape completely changes on the west side of the state and the sunsets are super dreamy.
