Photography Locations in Detroit That Make You Say “Wow”!
When couples ask for wedding photography ideas in Detroit, we always start by asking them ‘What does Detroit mean to you as a couple?’
- Is it sports-related?
- Do you want famous architecture?
- Green park with skyline?
- Big colorful art with lots of texture?
- Stylized 1920 Art Deco gold and gilding?
- Famous Detroit landmarks?
- Busy contemporary streets?
To us ‘Detroit’ is all of these things.
Important note: Please confirm photography permit or availability with your preferred location. Many properties will only allow photography with advance permission if your ceremony and/or location are not on the property.
Cass Avenue Viaduct
Location: 6349-6321 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
Featuring over 7,500 installed reflectors in a rich sea-green color, the Cass Avenue Viaduct offers a colorful backdrop for your engagement or wedding photos.
The Belt
Location: Between Broadway and Library Street and links Gratiot and Grand River
The Belt in downtown Detroit is a unique alley space that has been redefined. The alley is home to various murals by artists from around the country. It’s bursting with color these days. New murals and bright lights have re-energized this alley downtown.
The Belt is a part of the Library Street Collective effort to ensure artists have a space to create. Mike Staff Productions photographers think The Belt is one of the hottest spots to give your wedding and engagement photos some Detroit flare.
Z Lot
Location: Between Broadway and Library Street and links Gratiot and Grand River
Z Lot is a 10-story parking garage located next to The Belt. The Z Lot is also part of Library Street Collective’s effort to ensure artists have a space to create. The parking structure features murals from 27 artists from across the globe.
The Z Lot is the perfect way to add color to your engagement or wedding day photos. The 130-foot wide murals are all so diverse, giving you variety in your engagement shoot or wedding day photography.
U of M Law Quad
Location: University of Michigan Campus 625 S State Street
The striking Gothic-style buildings that make up the University of Michigan Law Quad is architecture at it’s finest. This Ann Arbor location is a wedding photo favorite. You don’t have to be a student to be on the grounds but you may be battling the crowds.
Woodward Ave.
Location: Downtown Detroit
Woodward Avenue has some pretty cool spots including the Fox Theater and Hockeytown Cafe. Photographers are known to stop traffic in these locations to get the perfect shot…often while standing in the middle of Woodward! This location has Detroit pride and history all over it. It is a landmark of Detroit and has a great downtown feel.
Eastern Market
Location: South Wall of Cost Plus Wine Shoppe at 2448 Market Street in the Eastern Market District.
Between the flowers, the food the buildings, the shops, and the murals, there’s always an opportunity for the perfect photo at Detroit’s historic Eastern Market. Wander through the crowds on a Saturday, or choose a quiet weekday afternoon to see it all. Public art has always been part of the Eastern Market District experience. This space brings additional art to the city and additional Instagram-worthy photography opportunities for YOU.
Engine 1 Detroit Fire Dept.
Location: 111 W Montcalm St, Detroit, MI 48201
Just a quick walk from the Colony Club, and you’ll see this amazing mural on the side of Engine 1 Detroit Fire Dept. This detailed graffiti piece is a fun change of scenery for your wedding day photos. Just a warning, this one is usually blocked by cars or an engine! If it’s not blocked, don’t miss out on the opportunity!
Detroit Entertainment Venues
- Ford Field
- Little Caesars Arena
- Comerica Park
- The FOX
Planning Your Photography Locations in Detroit
Detroit is a big city, with lots to offer. When planning your session, it is important to think about what you want your photos to look like and be realistic with locations and your timeline. Here are some of our photographers’ favorite locations to visit during a session.
- Town Pump / The Fox / Comerica Park
- Cliff Bells
- A walk around Campus Martius
- The Guardian Building and surrounding streets
- The Z Lot / The Belt / The facade of the library across the street/ Empty streets around Z Lot
- The Fisher Building – the tunnel in the basement, the staircase in the back of the Peacock room, the coffee shop, pillars, and mosaics.
- The Spirit of Detroit / Hart Plaza / Waterfront
- Upper Milliken Park with the carousel / The RenCen / Grasslands
- Lower Milliken Park with the lighthouse tower / The tree framing the RenCen and skyline
- Belle Isle – the skyline at the top of the island, daffodils in the spring, fountain, Casino, red bridge, and the weeping willows behind the Casino.
- The DIA / The Detroit Library Main Branch
- Eastern Market has TONS of murals that change yearly.
- The restaurant & art gallery made of shipping containers that is very industrial, near the DIA.
- The Whitney
- The Shinola Store/ The Jolly Pumpkin/ The Traffic Jam
Mike Staff is the founder and CEO of Mike Staff Productions, one of the most highly acclaimed wedding services companies in the country, providing award-winning Wedding DJs, Wedding Photographers, and Wedding Videography for over 25 years.
