I had the absolute pleasure of photographing Lilah’s senior portraits in the heart of Detroit, and what a memorable session it turned out to be! Lilah will be a senior at Clarkston High School this upcoming year, and being the daughter of my wife’s cousin, I felt truly honored that her family trusted me to capture this exciting milestone.

Starting on Belle Isle

We began the evening on Belle Isle, which is hands down one of the best locations in Detroit for senior portraits. Between the gardens, the long greenhouses, and the massive glass conservatory, there are endless backdrops to work with. Lilah started the session by bringing along her guitar, a personal touch that made the photos even more special and unique. We worked around the greenhouses first, then headed over to the gardens to catch some of that dreamy golden hour light. The conservatory in the background only added to the beauty of the images.

Golden Hour to Sunset

Before the sun dipped below the horizon, we made our way to Belle Isle Beach. The golden light melted into soft sunset tones, creating the perfect setting. Lilah was even brave enough to step into the water, which gave us some truly stunning shots to round out this part of the session.

Dinner Break at Mootz Pizza

After wrapping up on the island, we took a well-deserved break at Mootz Pizza. Between the garlic knots and their Margherita pizza, I can confirm—it was every bit as good as people say!

Nighttime in the City

The second half of Lilah’s session was all about downtown Detroit at night. We strolled through Parker’s Alley, and luck was on our side—the doors of Standby restaurant were wide open, creating a really cool backdrop for a set of unique photos. From there, we ducked into The Skip, a vibrant cocktail bar with colorful painted walls and cozy couches. It gave us such a creative and edgy vibe to end the evening on.

A Session to Remember

From soft golden hour light on Belle Isle to the vibrant energy of downtown Detroit after dark, Lilah’s session was the perfect mix of natural beauty and urban flair. Incorporating her guitar, stepping into the water at sunset, and exploring the city lights gave us so many one-of-a-kind moments.

I’m so grateful to have been part of this milestone for Lilah and her family. Wishing her an amazing senior year at Clarkston High School!

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