Cranbrook Photography Sessions

Cranbrook House and Gardens in West Bloomfield, Michigan is a beautiful setting for portrait photography. Located on the grounds of Cranbrook Educational Community, this historic estate offers breathtaking scenery that’s perfect for portrait photography.

Senior Pictures at Cranbrook

For many high school seniors looking for a unique and special spot to take their senior pictures, Cranbrook is the perfect destination. This historic estate offers a breathtaking natural backdrop with its sprawling scenic gardens, iconic artwork, impressive architectural features. With a variety of gardens ranging from formal to natural, stunning architecture, and majestic views, you’re sure to have richly diverse backgrounds for your senior pictures.

The best part is you are no longer required to be a student at Cranbrook Schools to use the House Grounds and Garden for a portrait session. Of course, they charge a fee to use the property, but anyone can schedule a Cranbrook photography session for portraits now! But, please keep in mind that the grounds are a National Historic Landmark. In addition, there are students and residents on campus, so portrait photography is only permitted in select areas with strict photography policies in place.

NOTE: Cranbrook will often make special accommodations for current Cranbrook students and families.

Side-by-side photos of a young woman with short curly hair, wearing hoop earrings, a white crop top, and high-waisted blue pants. She smiles in a close-up and poses confidently outdoors on stone steps. — Cranbrook Photography – Senior Pictures at Cranbrook

Cranbrook has a number of terms and conditions that must be met to hold portrait sessions on their grounds. Some of more notable items include:

Session length must be limited to no more than 2 hours
Use of props (e.g., candles, fireworks, sparklers, lanterns, fog machines, smoke bombs, balloons, rice, confetti, glitter, flower peddles, etc.) is not permitted
Use of large props and decorations are not permitted
Posing in roadways or other vehicle thoroughfares is prohibited
Cranbrook reserves the right to relocate a session to another area on campus if necessary
Maximum group size is limited to 12 people for photography sessions
Grounds are only available June through October for photography sessions
No indoor areas are available for photography sessions
Cranbrook does not offer an area for outfit changes

A young woman wearing a light blue off-shoulder top and white pants poses confidently in front of a decorative stone doorway and beside a brick wall, smiling at the camera. — Cranbrook Photography – Senior Pictures at Cranbrook

If you would like to schedule a session for senior pictures at Cranbrook, we would love to work with you! Please feel free to contact us online or call 313-883-9500 to discuss availability and location ideas. We can’t wait to work with you!

Absolutely Thrilled

We found Paul Manoian online and after viewing his website and reviews, booked a session with him. His genuine concern for my daughter’s vision of what she wanted in her photo session: environment for the session, type of backgrounds, type of photos (including a headshot for her college auditions), was remarkable. His suggestions during the session and his willingness to try different shots to capture her ideas proved to us his professionalism and talent as a photographer. We are both absolutely thrilled at the photos from her session, and have recommended Paul many times this year when asked about a photographer.

Janna S.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Gold "5 Star Rating" graphic with five large gold stars shining above the text, perfect for highlighting your senior pictures.

Above and Beyond Our Expectations

Thank you so much Paul! You went above and beyond our expectations! We are so grateful for your talent, professionalism, patience, suggestions, I could go on all day! You are THE BEST!!!!!