Your senior photos are a pretty big deal! You have spent years working to reach this moment. You’ve put in sweat, countless hours, and maybe even some tears working toward your graduation. And now? It’s time to celebrate! Your senior photos should give you a chance to honor this amazing accomplishment while also showing off your one-of-a-kind personality. And while there is a lot that goes into your session, it all starts with the right location. I can help with that! As a Michigan senior photographer, I love working with students to help them plan their perfect portrait session. If you are looking for parks near Detroit for your pics, here are the ones I always recommend!
31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Township, Michigan 48045
It would be hard to run out of things to do at Lake St. Clair Metropark! This 770-acre Detroit area park is located on the banks of Lake St. Clair and offers a little bit of everything. There are paved trails for biking and hiking, an 18-hole golf course, a nature center, and an Olympic-sized pool complete with water slides.
Because this park is so massive, there are countless photo backdrops you can use for your pictures. The marina tends to be a popular spot, offering a waterfront space that becomes transcendent as the sun goes down. The park has boats available for rent in case you would like to hop aboard one for your session. For those who prefer something a bit more landlocked, you can use the park’s green space, where you will have the lush grounds surrounded by towering trees. It becomes especially gorgeous when the leaves change over the fall!

65775 Wolcott Road, Ray, Michigan 48096
If you would prefer something a bit more rustic throughout your session, you might really adore Wolcott Metropark! This park is simply huge, with over 2,635 acres just outside Detroit available for you to use. The property dates back nearly two centuries, when it was first built with grist mills. These days, you can still find the original mills as well as the iconic farmhouse, giving you a historic space that will shine throughout your backdrop.
The other thing that makes this park a local favorite is the country aesthetic. As you travel across miles of trails, you’ll come across some adorable barnyard animals, including sheep, goats, horses, cows, and chickens. Additionally, they offer equestrian trails for horseback riding, and they allow you to bring in your own horse if you have one. This serene park has so many opportunities that will set your pics apart!

4300 Main Park Road, Shelby Township, Michigan 48316
Stony Creek Metropark is one of the most scenic spots around, giving you over 4,435 acres, including over 500 acres of lake. This park has become a favorite for fishers, boaters, and swimmers, offering a tranquil space to pass hours. The grounds remain lovely throughout the year, offering vivid leaves throughout the fall, thick snow during the winter, and wildflowers once the weather thaws.
One of the things that makes this park a favorite for photo sessions is the access to breathtaking trails. You can stroll down wooden walkways through acres of green, opening up to idyllic meadows with tall grass on either side. They also have sandy beaches that will give you the perfect photo backdrop for your session!

1670 Baumann Road, Columbus, Michigan 48063
Columbus County Park might be one of the smaller parks on the list, but it still gives you over 400 acres with countless backdrops for your Detroit area pictures. While this park has a lot of aspects that make it a favorite, the unadulterated nature gives it an authentic Northern feel. There are several artificial aspects, including a disc golf course and a playground, but most of the property has been pretty much untouched. Once autumn arrives, bright orange leaves fall along walkways. Then, when the weather warms, you can find people jumping across the stones of the creek. People even stop by throughout winter to ski! No matter what you have in mind for your senior portraits, I think Columbus County Park will have just the thing!

8254 County Park Drive, Goodells, Michigan 48027
Goodells County Park is another “smaller” park loaded with Detroit charm across its 366 acres. When you step onto this property, you will feel as though you’ve just stepped through the pages of time. There are local businesses scattered across the grounds nestled between centuries-old structures. When you are here, you can check out the Historical Village, where you will see a pre-Civil War church, a log cabin, and a farmhouse. You can use these buildings as a picture-perfect backdrop before heading out to explore other spots like the open meadows and wooded walking paths. During the warmer months, there’s a good chance you’ll spot some butterflies fluttering across the wildflowers. The park is constantly searching for brand new ways to improve the grounds, ensuring that you’ll always have a breathtaking spot for your senior portraits!

99 Pleasure Drive, Detroit, Michigan 48027
If you are the type of person always on the search for your next adventure, you might really love Belle Isle Park! This island park is located on nearly 1000 acres, giving you tons of ways to get back in touch with nature. I love this location because it offers a little bit of everything. You can get out and kayak on the water with the trees as your backdrop, or you can pose in front of the glass Conservatory, constantly lush with plants. From the right angles, you can also get clear views of the Detroit skyline. While this property is divine any time of day, the sunsets are some of the best you will ever see!
If you are looking for the right park for your senior session, these parks near Detroit are going to give you the perfect backdrop! Now, it’s time to find the right photographer to snap your pics. I can be there for that, too! I am a Michigan senior photographer, and I love working with students to plan sessions that celebrate this accomplishment while letting them show off their unique personalities. If you want to see if I’m the photographer for you, I would love to chat about it! Send me a message today to find out more!