Have you experienced a summer in Michigan? More specifically, Ann Arbor? Being in Michigan, my home state, during the late summer is one of my absolute favorite places to be. Everything is in bloom, the greenery is lush, and there is SO much daylight! Seriously, in the summertime in Michigan, the sun sets around 9 pm. For a photographer, that much daylight to work with is an actual dream.
If you didn’t know, I am originally from the Great Lakes State (Michigan). While I primarily work now as a wedding photographer out of New Orleans, I tend to fill my summer up with work back home in Michigan since the weather is absolutely perfect for photos!
I grew up just north of Ann Arbor in a small town called Whitmore Lake, where I have known the Mastro Family for most of my life. When Haley asked me to take engagement photos of her and Nick, I was really excited about the opportunity to document someone with whom I have so much history.
We decided on doing their engagement photos in downtown Ann Arbor for a few reasons. Not only is Haley an employee of the University, Ann Arbor is where her and Nick have many memories, making downtown Ann Arbor an ideal spot for their summer engagement photos.
For my time with Haley and Nick, we first met up in Kerrytown, an artsy little pocket of Ann Arbor that is home to some of the best food in the city, as well as a lot of local artists. Kerrytown has a historic feel with several blocks of cobblestone roads and historical buildings. It made sense that’d we’d meet up outside of a quaint market to start our session.
Our time together was an adventure walking around Ann Arbor, which, in the summer, is like *the* thing to do if you are in the area. From Top of the Park (a month long film and music festival), to the world renowned Ann Arbor Art Fair, to getting some ice cream downtown, you won’t be short of things to do in the summer downtown.
Our first stop on our adventure was Literati Bookstore, which, if you are visiting, is a must-stop! Nick is also a librarian, which made this a perfect place to pause for some photos.
Parking Garage Engagement Photos Overlooking the City of Ann Arbor
After the bookstore, we went to State Street which is one of the main hubs of the University and got some bubble tea, an Ann Arbor staple! Once we had our teas in hand, we ventured up to the top of a parking garage nearby to catch the sunset.
Believe it or not, watching sunsets from the top of a parking structure is a thing to do in Ann Arbor, especially during the summer! Offering not only a spectacular sunset, it also offers an unbeatable view of the city where you can see as far as the Big House, the University’s beloved football stadium.
While a parking garage may seem like an unassuming place to take engagement photos, it offers really clean and minimal lines, as well as neutral colors that make for lovely photo opportunities! These photos that we took at the top of the structure, with the light starting to set, are some of my favorite images from 2021!
Want to see more of my Michigan work? Take a look at this engagement session in a sunflower field!
