Ahh! Planning your engagement session is one of my absolute favorite parts! Choosing the perfect location is key to capturing the vibe and aesthetic you’re envisioning. Luckily, West Michigan has a ton of beautiful spots of an engagement session location.
An engagement session is an amazing opportunity for us to see how we work together, helping you feel comfortable in front of the camera while allowing me to get a feel for your unique chemistry as a couple.
This guide includes a curated list of my favorite locations in West Michigan and features of each spot!
If you’re looking for lots of greenery, beaches, or trails:
The Highlands, Grand Rapids, MI
Features: Open fields with tall grass, wild flowers, and trails. Easy to access with some small hills. Free parking on premises. Pets are welcome!
Verplank Doc Co., Holland, MI *Kailee Marie’s favorite location!
Features: Large gravel piles. Easy access on weekends ONLY. Free parking across the street (DO NOT park on premises). Pets are welcome!
Riley Trails, Holland, MI *Kailee Marie’s favorite location!
Features: Tall pine trees, trails, and a large pond. Easy access. Free parking on premises. Pets are welcome!
Hemlock Crossing, West Olive, MI
Features: Open field with pine trees all around, a bridge, a large pond, and trails. Free parking on premises. Pets are welcome!
Windsnest Park, West Olive, MI *Kailee Marie’s Favorite location!
Features: Beach with beach grass trails and pine trees in the distance. Dune and stair access to the beach. Paid parking on premises. No pets.
Oval Beach, Saugatuck, MI
Features: Beach with beach grass and sand dune trails. Easy access. Paid parking on premises unless you have a park pass. Pets are welcome!
Al Sabo, Kalamazoo, MI
Features: Large open grassy field. Easy access. Free parking on premises. Pets are welcome!
Tunnel Park, Holland, MI
Features: Beach with an outlook of Lake Michigan. Beach grass trail area. Small patch of greenery before heading into the beach. Stairs and sand dune access to the beach. Paid parking on premises. No pets.
Millennium Park, Walker, MI
Features: Ponds, trails, wild flowers, and a tall bridge you can walk across or go under. Easy access with some small hills. Free parking on premises. Pets are welcome!
Grand Ravines Dog Park, Jenison, MI *Fun Fact: Kailee takes her pups here!
Features: Red barn, wild flower trails, and a dog park. Easy access. Free parking on premises. Pets are welcome!
Rosy Mound, Grand Haven, MI
Features: Small sand dune area at the entrance with a gravel path and pine trees. An easy 5 minute walk to the red woods from the entrance. 20 minute stair climb to the beach (I DO NOT recommend this climb if it’s a very hot day). The beach features a board walk. Stair and sand dune access to the water. Paid parking on premises. No pets.
Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Mears, MI
Features: Sand dune area that extends to Lake Michigan. Steep sand dune hill to access the dunes. (I DO NOT recommend this climb if it’s a very hot day). Must have parking pass. Parking/day pass can be purchased there. Pets are welcome!
Felt Mansion, Holland, MI
Features: Old estate with a white little white church in an open field and tall grass. No permit or fee is required but you must check with grounds first. Free parking on premises. Pets are welcome.
If you’re looking for more downtown or an indoor city shoot:
Social Misfits, Grand Rapids, MI
Features: Modern and trendy bar. The couple MUST confirm date/time with the bar before arriving. Can parking in a local parking garage for a fee. Free street parking M-F after 6:00 PM local time. No pets.
Rooftop Parking Garage, Grand Rapids, MI
Features: Overlook of Grand Rapids. Easy access. You may drive in and park for a fee. Free street parking M-F after 6:00 PM local time. Pets are welcome!
Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids, MI
Features: Modern architecture with different forms of art. $15 per person to enter for a day pass. Can park in a local parking garage for a fee. Free street parking M-F after 6:00 PM local time! No pets.
Downtown Greenhouse Market, Grand Rapids, MI
Features: Indoor private green house. $100 additional fee to use this location per company guidelines. Free parking M-F after 6:00 PM local time. Parking on premises for a fee. No pets.
Madcap Coffee Shop, Grand Rapids, MI (or any surrounding cafe/coffee shops)
Features: Trendy green and white coffee shop. Can utilize the outside and inside. Can park in a local parking garage for a fee. Free street parking M-F after 6:00 PM local time! No pets.
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel/Civic Auditorium, Grand Rapids, MI
Features: Vintage hotel with gold elevators. Tan on the outside with black doors and windows. Large marble pillars across the street at the Civic Auditorium. Can utilize the outside and inside of the hotel. Can park in a local parking garage for a fee. Free street parking M-F after 6:00 PM local time! No pets.
Fredrick Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids, MI
Features: Indoor desert and butterfly greenhouse. Large outdoor garden area with trails and paths. $300 additional fee for photography permit per company guidelines. $20 per person to enter. Free parking on premises. No pets.
What to remember when picking a location!
Take into account the time of year and lighting conditions when planning your photoshoot. Also, it is important to verify if any permits/permissions are needed for any particular locations, especially for public parks or private properties!
Congratulations on this huge step! Your engagement session will beautifully capture your connection, whether we’re immersed in nature, art, or the city!
