Family Photo Session at Cranbrook House and Gardens - Perez Family
If you’re a photographer in Southeast Michigan, you know Cranbrook Gardens is the ideal place for a picturesque photoshoot.
If you’ve never been to Cranbrook House and Gardens, it really is a visual treat. I feel like I am transported out of Michigan entirely every time I’m there, and as someone who is a big fan of all things European, I like being somewhere that makes me feel I’ve jumped the pond and am experiencing real history (and by that I mean— real history exists in Europe, because most of their buildings weren’t built in the 19th + 20th century). Actually, if you hit the link above and go to Cranbrook’s website, you can read up on the history of the House + Gardens if you like that kind of thing! The original owners were Detroit residents George Gough Booth and Ellen Warren Scripps, who wanted a slower-paced, countryside residence (and also a larger property to build on that was hard to come by in the city). They named Cranbrook after the English town that the Booth family was originally from.
Cranbrook is amazing for engagement photos, but it’s also just a really cool place to visit! And it’s totally free (though taking professional pictures isn’t).
If you’ve been following along for a while, you might recall that Cristina and Carlos got engaged at Cranbrook, in the very same spot where the above picture took place. You can imagine how special it was for them to return to the same spot years later with a new member of the family in tow! It was also very fun to return during a warmer, greener season =)
I know I (and all photographers) are a broken record about this, but I can’t stress enough the importance of light during all types of sessions. There are so many factors that go into getting great photos, and sometimes you have so many considerations and limitations that you just have to decide what to prioritize, and I almost always prioritize light. However, there are times even light is not the most important factor in determining where/when to take photos. Sometimes you have to work with what you’ve got even if the situation isn’t ideal. And I’ve been thinking about this a lot because 1. I really do subscribe to the thought that curating things too much deviates from the honest nature of documentary photography and 2. I’ve been seeing other photographers using unusual/harsh light in such incredible ways lately that I am inspired to try and use what I’ve got rather than trying to manipulate everything all the time.
Shooting in full sun is preferable to shooting in a dark basement (imo), but it can still be really challenging. If you’re reading this as a lay person or potential client, this is why you see photographers so often only offer sunrise or sunset sessions. The light shortly after sunrise and shortly before sunset is BANGIN, there’s no denying that. I will never say no to a golden hour shoot. But I just don’t think that’s a realistic constraint to put on anyone you work with, especially when you work with families. The only people in charge at a family session are the tiny humans, and I’m not even going to pretend otherwise.
All this to say, you can always figure out how to make something work for you even if it’s not what you’re used to or the most ideal of circumstances. If you’re shooting in full sun hours, you can find shade. If there’s a spot you want to shoot in because it’s special but it’s in a spot with dappled light, just do it! It might turn out more beautiful than you think! This spot was special to Cristina and Carlos, and even though it wasn’t the best lighting, we made it work!
One of the best parts about Photography at Cranbrook
is that there are so many different little nooks and crannies and every single one of them is extremely beautiful. There are other locations I shoot at where I have to scout beforehand to find all the best places, but at Cranbrook you don’t have to do that. Cranbrook doesn’t have a bad side. From the landscaping, to the architecture, to the many bodies of water on the property— just all flawless. Engagement photos at Cranbrook are always such a vibe.
^^ Sometimes during a photo session you just need to take a snack break.
I know that having your picture taken can be really intimidating, but I just love it when people allow themselves to be free in front of a camera. For me, there really are no rules as long as you are being yourself. Be wild, or be soft. Smile or look contemplative. Pretend the camera isn’t there, or look directly at it. There’s no wrong thing to do, as long as what you are doing isn’t performative.
This is why it’s usually such a joy to photograph families with babies or little kids— kids are the best at this. They haven’t learned any of the bad habits we have as adults to be insecure or to feel like we need to be some of ourselves in front of a camera that doesn’t actually exist— they’re just unapologetically themselves and they bring the best energy.
This is also why having a session in a big space, with lots of places to walk or things to do can be helpful if you have subjects that are uncomfortable in front of the camera— if you give them something to do that will distract from the camera, they’re going to be more relaxed and more open to being themselves.
I am always happy to do a shoot at Cranbrook, so If you want to do a session there with me, make an inquiry now! It’s best to do so as soon as possible so you can reserve a session slot through the Cranbrook website.
Cranbrook site fee: $300 for up to 4 people for 2 hours (grab some friends to make it cheaper if you want a solo session here!)