Sawyer is in his final year at Community High School in Ann Arbor; however, for his senior pictures, he and his mother decided to do something different. Initially, they considered staying close to home, but as soon as they began exploring options in Detroit, they quickly changed their plans.

For families looking to book senior pictures for Community High School students, this is a great example of why you don’t have to limit yourself to the area around the school. Sometimes, the best choice is simply the location that offers the aesthetic you’re looking for. In his case, Detroit provided Sawyer with an environment completely different from what he was used to in Ann Arbor.

We began his three-hour session during the morning “golden hour” when the light is softer, the streets are quieter, and there is more freedom to move around without having to contend with heavy traffic or crowds at every stop.

At Belle Isle, we captured some of our first shots of the morning, including the Detroit skyline across the water and the James Scott Memorial Fountain. These settings lent a classic, authentic Detroit feel to the session and paired perfectly with Sawyer’s personal style, especially the brown leather jacket he brought along.

Afterward, we moved to areas with more texture and a distinct, gritty character. Graffiti, brickwork, historic structures, industrial details, and downtown streets offered a completely different aesthetic all while remaining within the city. That variety is precisely why I love doing sessions for senior pictures in Detroit. Sawyer and his mother had already given some thought to the locations they wanted, so the session had a clear purpose from the very start. We didn’t just wander around the city looking for random backdrops; every stop added a unique element, whether it was the city skyline, a fountain, industrial textures, or a more intimate, relaxed portrait.

That’s precisely why I prefer longer sessions for students who want variety. Three hours give us the flexibility to change locations, work with different types of lighting, and create a collection that doesn’t look like the same photo repeated ten times, just with a different background.

If you’re planning a senior photo session for a student from Community High School and aren’t sure whether to choose Ann Arbor, Detroit, or somewhere completely different, remember that you don’t have to stick to the most obvious options. Senior photos should reflect the student’s personality, and sometimes that means seeking out an unexpected setting.

Want senior pictures that actually mean something? I’ll help you create a session that feels like you. Let’s plan something that tells your story and highlights where you’re headed next.

➡️ Visit our Senior Pictures pricing page for additional information.
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