If you’re searching for a unique outdoor location for family photos in Macomb County, Stony Creek may be a great fit for you! This Metro Detroit park offers a variety of backdrops in one location. As a Macomb County family photographer, I recommend this location for families who want a variety of photos without sacrificing time or distance.

About Stony Creek Metropark

Stony Creek is located in Shelby Township, Michigan and covers over 4,400 acres of land. Picnic sites, bike paths and hiking trails surround Stony Creek Lake at the center of the park. From sandy beaches to open fields, this location has something everyone in the family will love!

Some of my favorites spots to take family photos at Stony include:

• Shelden Pines (tall pine trees)
• Open field behind the pines
• Hold House Ruins (steps)
• Eastwood Beach

For most families, a 30-minute session is the perfect match for hitting up at least two of these locations for photos. If you’re looking for photos both in the pines or field and on the beach, an hour is the best way to go since we will have to drive between locations.

Planning for Family Photos at Stony Creek

When planning family photos at Stony Creek, I like to photograph a little earlier than golden hour, about 2.3 hours before sunset. The trees in the park are very tall, and they often block the sun much earlier than the start of the famous golden hour. This earlier start time also helps us to beat the rush of other photographers and families to the popular spots!

When working with couples, I like to start our engagement photography session about 2 hours before sunset. We are typically able to use the trees, steps, field and beach all within a 1-1.5 hour session. Check out this post featuring a sunset engagement session at Stony Creek to learn a little more about what this can look like!

What to Wear for Family Photos

First and foremost, make sure everyone in the family is comfortable! I was one of those kids who HATED dressing up, and my face showed it in every photo! Make sure your family tries on every outfit ahead of time and that your child won’t be itchy or complaining the entire shoot.

My next biggest tip for choosing what to wear for family pictures is to consider wearing neutral tones. You really can’t go wrong. Bright, bold colors and patterns don’t always photograph well and can be distracting in photos. Target and Amazon have been great places to find affordable and cute outfits for family photos.

Check out our blog post or What to Wear for Family Photos for even more tips while planning your family photoshoot!

Schedule Your Family Photos

Summer and fall are the most popular times to schedule family photos. Early in the morning or 2-3 hours before sunset are my favorite times to plan for family photos. I always recommend planning around naps and bedtimes for children since we don’t want them grumpy for photos! If this means we have to meet at 7:30 a.m., let’s do it!

I’ve been a family photographer in Macomb County for years, so I know how to help your children have fun during your session! I make scheduling family photos easy. Simply contact me today and I will send you some available dates to get you booked! Please note that most Saturdays May-October are booked early in the year, so be sure to plan ahead!