Michigan Stadium Engagement Session in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Mariah + Adam
Two families walk into the Big House in Ann Arbor, MI…
and have the time of their lives! Mariah and Adam brought their families to to Ann Arbor to take a tour of Michigan Stadium and also celebrate their engagement! They made the 3 hour trek from home just to have this experience together and everyone was so pumped to get inside and see up close where their favorite team makes the magic happen! I was raised by two Spartans so I felt like a huge phony but I donned a Michigan shirt anyway and gladly joined the party.. and I’m so glad I did! I was so thankful to Mariah, Adam and their families for welcoming me and letting me be a part of this experience with them.
One major thing that I took away from this experience was that having family attend an engagement session is actually really special. I sometimes tell people before a session that they should feel free to bring someone else with them, even if the person they are bringing isn’t being photographed, because it’s usually more fun! Having a lot of people around you who love and support you and make you laugh is such a good environment for great photos. And it’s also great for anyone who feels uncomfortable in front of a camera and could use a distraction to help relax them and make them forget about the stress of wondering what they’re supposed to be doing with their hands (it’s crazy how many people get in front of a camera for the first time and suddenly remember they have hands and that they have no idea what to do with them… me included😂). (For more info on family sessions, visit my Sessions page).
We started outside the Stadium while we were waiting to be let in so we could get some pictures in front of the gates.
When we finally emerged onto the field from the Lloyd Carr tunnel, we could immediately feel the energy of the Big House. The thing that made a big impression on me at first was how eerily quiet it was, as if we had stepped into a big bowl outside of space and time and were existing on another planet. It felt so strange to me to be in what seemed to be an alternate universe that sits on a corner of a street I’ve driven down at least 70 times in my life. I’ve never been to a Michigan football game, but I’m guessing the contrast between how quiet it was on this day and on any given game day is incalculable. We had fun yelling and hearing echoes, exploring the length of the field, and taking photos of it all!
When you rent out the stadium for an hour, they supply you with a couple helmets and a football to throw around (or you can bring your own), but it was fun to have props to play with (Adam attempted a field goal that ended with him horizontal on the 25 yd line)
We had entered the stadium during golden hour, so towards the end of the session the sky got darker and the moon became a prominent subject vying for attention. We basically got the best of both worlds in terms of day/night shots, and some of the photos we took right before the end of the session are my favorite of the whole day! I was able to take so many great shots of Mariah and Adam and I just loved their energy and excitement for Michigan football, their families, and each other! And what is a better way to celebrate than to have your whole family give you high fives as you exit the stadium together? Also note: Mariah and Adam are getting married on 10/5 next year, so they wore jerseys that reflected that 😊
For Ann Arbor photographers:
This was my first time photographing anything inside a stadium or at a venue this large, and it was hard to find other blogs and tips for how to prepare myself and make sure I was ready to provide a great experience for my clients! So I’ve created a list to help anyone who might be lurking the internet for tips on how to tackle a session like this :)
Here’s a quick little guide
1. Scout the Location in Advance: Familiarize yourself with the layout of the stadium before the session. Even if it’s not possible to tour the location beforehand, look for images on the venues website that show features and angles that might be inspirational, as well as any must see/must photograph attractions (for example, in michigan stadium the seats on the east side of the stadium are painted in a big yellow “M” that provided a perfect backdrop for all the group photos.) Scour the internet and pinterest for photo inspiration to give you some ideas of what other people have done so you can decide what you like/don’t like.
2. Utilize Natural Lighting: Leverage the available natural light to your advantage. Shoot during golden hour if you can— natural light is always best, but If your session is at a time where you might be losing too much of the natural light, you might want to spring for the stadium or venue to turn on the lights, even if it costs extra. (These photos I took were mostly during daylight, but we also had them turn on the stadium lights because we knew we were going to lose a lot of that light at the end of the session). Be mindful of potential harsh shadows or blown-out highlights, adjusting your camera settings accordingly. Harsh shadows can be cool as long as you use them intentionally, and avoid it for certain poses or group photos.
3. Bring a wide angle lens: Wide-angle lenses are particularly effective in capturing the grandness of a stadium. Experiment with different compositions, incorporating elements of the stadium in the background while ensuring your subjects remain the focal point. Also make sure to take photos of just the backdrop, the stadium itself, as the subject. It’s always nice to have good photos of the location for storytelling purposes. Having a longer lens is also helpful in big spaces for close ups and to help get a variety in your shots— stadiums are massive places and you don’t want your subjects to be drowned out by the background in all the photos. My nikon 24-70 f/2.8 lens was great for the job.
4. Encourage Interaction: The ultimate goal is to capture genuine emotions and authentic family connections. Encourage playful interactions to bring out the natural dynamics among family members. Suggest fun activities, such as tossing a football or simply chatting and laughing together. These candid moments will help you create the heartwarming photos every fawns over.
5. Compose Vertically: While horizontal compositions are often preferred, consider experimenting with vertical compositions as well. This approach allows you to capture the stadium's towering architecture and any additional details that contribute to the overall narrative of the photograph. Plus, vertical photographs are great for instagram stories and reels!
6. Pay Attention to Details: Don't forget to focus on the small details that add depth and character to your images. Capture the family's matching jerseys, personalized accessories, or any sentimental football paraphernalia they may have brought. These details provide a personal touch and help tell the family's story within the context of the stadium.
7. Experiment with Different Perspectives: In addition to capturing wide-angle shots, explore different perspectives and vantage points. Get close and shoot from a low angle to create a dramatic effect, or climb higher to capture a bird's eye view of the family amid the vastness of the stadium. Variety in your shots will add richness and diversity to your final collection.
Remember that the key to successful family photography in a football stadium lies in creating a balance between showcasing the venue and capturing intimate moments. By applying these tips and adapting them to the specific dynamics of each family, you will have the opportunity to create an unforgettable collection of images that will be cherished for generations to come.
8. Don’t forget to capture social content! Take videos and pictures with your phone so you can use them to create cute little snapshots of the day that you can share on instagram and tiktok.. if other people like what they see, they may hire you to do the same thing for them!
9. Plan your session out ahead of time if you only have a limited time to be there. Have your client send you a shot list of the groups they want to photograph, and any shots they must have, so you can knock those out in the beginning and then use the rest of you time to be creative, get candids, and enjoy the experience!
10. Don’t forget your michigan gear to fully immerse yourself in the experience! If you don’t have any, the M Den or Underground Printing is a good place to get festive.
If you’re interested in having a similar experience, visit this link to reserve your photo opportunity with the University of Michigan:
And if you’re a client reading this and are interested in pictures… take me with you!