One of the first questions I get from seniors and their parents is: where should we shoot? The location sets the tone for everything — the colors, the light, the vibe. Grand Rapids and West Michigan have more variety than most people realize. Here are the spots I come back to most, and why each one works.
Riverside Park
The riverfront trail north of downtown gives you three different backdrops in a five-minute walk: open green field with skyline in the distance, wooded path with filtered light, and the bridge over the Grand River for an urban edge. It's accessible, parking is easy, and the light in the late afternoon is consistently good. This is my most-used location for a reason — it works for almost every style.
Downtown Grand Rapids
If the senior wants something more editorial — brick walls, murals, urban texture — downtown delivers. The stretch along Monroe Center and the alleyways off Division Ave have consistent texture and character. The best time is early morning when foot traffic is low, or golden hour when the buildings catch warm light. Downtown works especially well for seniors who want something that doesn't look like everyone else's photos.
Millennium Park
The dunes and open landscape at Millennium Park create a dramatic natural backdrop that's rare this close to the city. The rolling hills photograph beautifully in late afternoon light, and the wide open spaces give you room to move. This location works best for seniors who want something that feels more adventurous and less traditional.
Local farms and rural routes
West Michigan is surrounded by farmland, and the light on open fields at golden hour is some of the best natural light available. Old barns, open meadows, and gravel roads photograph with a warmth that parks and urban environments can't replicate. If you're in Rockford, Grandville, or anywhere outside the city, there's almost always a good rural option within 10 minutes.
Your high school
This one gets overlooked, but it's often the most meaningful. Shooting at the school — the gym, the field, the hallway — adds context that other locations can't. Senior year is a specific moment in a specific place, and the photos from that place carry more weight 10 years later than a pretty park shot does.
Your own backyard
Genuinely underrated. If your yard has good light and a clean background, a home session is comfortable, easy, and produces relaxed, natural expressions. No travel, no unfamiliar environment. Some of the best senior sessions I've shot have been in a client's own space.
A note on timing
Location matters, but light matters more. Every spot on this list looks different at 3pm versus 7pm. I schedule sessions to hit golden hour — the 90-minute window before sunset — whenever possible. The difference in quality is significant. If you're booking for spring or summer, plan for an early evening start.
Flexible locations across West Michigan. See Pricing
Have a location in mind that's not on this list? Reach out — I'm open to shooting anywhere that means something to you. The best senior photos come from places that feel personal, not just picturesque.