8 Beautiful Places to Take Engagement Photos in Michigan   

Photo by Tylee Shay Photography

Congratulations, you’re engaged! To memorialize this life-changing moment and capture photos you’ll treasure for a lifetime, schedule an engagement shoot with your wedding photographer at one of these picture-perfect Michigan destinations. 

Places to Take Engagement Photos in Michigan

1. Mackinac Island

There’s so much to love about engagement photos on Mackinac Island. For newly engaged couples, planning a getaway weekend to this scenic island can easily be paired with an engagement photo shoot. In mid-May, the island comes to life with blooming purple lilacs. Vibrant red, yellow, and orange leaves blanket the romantic island in the fall.  

 

2. Ludington State Park

Engagement photos at Ludington State Park are a Michigan classic. It is one of the best places to watch the sunset in the state, so what better place for engagement photos? Opt for a cute dessert-inspired photoshoot at House of Flavors Ice Cream Parlor or take a 1.8-mile hike out to Big Sable Lighthouse, one of the most scenic lighthouses in the state.   

 

 

 

3. Belle Isle

With jaw-dropping views of the Detroit skyline, scenic parks, and beautiful backdrops, Belle Isle might be the best place to take engagement photos in Metro Detroit. The island’s south end looks directly over the Detroit River and the distant skyline, making it perfect for photos from sunrise to sunset.   

 

 

4. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is famous for all the right reasons – its scenic beauty, its stunning sandy beaches, and its gorgeous dunes. Some photographer favorites in the area include Pyramid Point, Empire Beach, Pierce Stocking Drive, Empire Bluff Overlook, Sleep Bear Dune Climb, and more.  When it comes to the best places to take engagement photos in Michigan, you can’t go wrong with this destination.  

 

  5. The Ledges

The Ledges, located within Fitzgerald Park in Grand Ledge near Lansing, is one of the coolest geological features in the Lower Peninsula. The area is popular for hiking and rock climbing, and it lies directly next to the Grand River. Summer and fall are the most popular times to take photos, and the area is perfect for a fun and romantic engagement photoshoot.   

 

Photo sourced from GR Kids

   6. Bellaire

Bellaire & Boyne Mountain Resort has backdrops for engagement photos year-round. If you’re a couple that loves to ski or snowboard, a slope-side engagement photo shoot in the winter is perfect. During the summer, couples can ride the chairlifts up for cute engagement photos. Fall brings some of the best fall foliage in Michigan, with the tunnel of trees nearby in Harbor Springs. 

 

   7. Holland State Park

Holland State Park is one of Michigan’s best beaches, including a pier and lighthouse directly within the park. Proposals and engagements are extremely popular on this beach, and once you get your photos done here, you’ll understand why. There are plenty of great local photographers who know all the best spots. There’s Liz Lyszyk and Jamie May, to name a few.   

 

   8. Downtown Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor is known as one of the most artistic cities in the United States. Graffiti Alley is a one-of-a-kind spot in Michigan that features artwork from local artists in the community. The U of M campus is also one of the most beautiful college campuses in the state. The Law Quad in particular is an ideal spot for engagement photos, surrounded by neo-Gothic buildings that make gorgeous photo backdrops. 

Places to Take Engagement Photos in Michigan

There are so many wonderful places to take engagement photos in Michigan, it was hard to narrow down the list! Here are some additional honorable mentions:

• Saugatuck
• Downtown Grand Rapids
• Old Mission Peninsula
• Fisherman’s State Park
• Downtown Detroit
• Michigan State University
• Alpena

No matter where you choose to take your engagement photos, we want to be one of the first to say congratulations! If you are looking for more Michigan wedding inspiration, visit our Michigan wedding blog.