The Grand Ravines

North + south
jension, mi

overview

This park is so versatile and thus is why I use it for a majority of my senior photo sessions. There are TWO parts of this park! Grand Ravines NORTH and SOUTH. They both are very different and each are considered their own location for a session, but if you happen to want to hop in your car for a quick 5-minute drive, you can get the best of both worlds! North has wildflower fields, trees, a winding wood railing down to the Grand River, and a covered bridge. South has a red barn, suspension bridge, and fields. Both are great for different reasons.

when to take pictures

There are a few different months when the colors/foliage is different and I would recommend different months based on the vibe you'd like. If you're looking for wildflower fields the best times are July or August. Another great time to get pictures here is the fall when I'd recommend October as the prime month to capture those beautiful fall colors! You also can't go wrong in September as well as you can get a mixture of it all.

what else?

This location is great for an hour session as we can easily walk from place to place. Typically at both locations, there is parking. North has a small lot past the lodge that I typically meet clients. South has a large parking lot right next to the red barn. Both locations do require walking short distances. Both bridges are about a half a mile walk and require about 5-10 minutes to get to. Both have paved paths that are accessible! What I love about these spots: they have so many options and don't require a lot of work to get to! They also allow for quick outfit changes if you'd like to change into a sports jersey or additional outfit during your session!

Grand Ravines Location highlights

Grand Ravines covered bridge senior photograph location

Covered bridge

North
Senior photos at the Grand Ravines north park

winding walkway

north
Grand Ravines south dog park senior photo location. Suspension bridge senior photos

suspension bridge

south
Red barn in west Michigan for senior photos. Grand Ravines red barn senior photos

red barn

south

the grand ravines portfolio shots

Tunnel park

holland, mi

overview

If you love the beach, this is your spot! I love this park as it is unique. A tunnel allows you one way to access the beach, which makes for a cool backdrop! It also has great spots for dune photos, access to stairs, and even wildflower fields, which are always requested. This park also doubles as a public beach, but often at the edges of the water you can mange to snap pictures without a crowd in the backdrop. As long as you don't mind a little sand in your shoes, this is a great spot for you!

when to take pictures

Honestly, this spot is great either early in the morning/later in the evening near sunset in the summer or after school starts in the fall. The reason - it's a popular beach spot for other west Michiganders. My most recommended time of day would be before 11am or after 6pm during the summer months. When we get into September, I'd recommend late afternoon. This spot also has fields that sometimes are covered in wildflowers and a pathway that leads into a forested area if you're looking for a few different backdrops!

what else?

This location is great for an hour session as we can easily walk out to the beach. There are stairs from both entry ways at this park. If you're looking to snap pictures on the large dune staircase, it is quite the climb up and down so be ready for a quick cardio session! In the field area during certain months there are wildflowers, which can make for some pretty pictures!

Tunnel park Location highlights

Tunnel park senior photos in Michigan

the tunnel

Tunnel park staircase senior photographer

staircase

Beach senior photos in west Michigan

beach

Flower fields for senior photos in Holland Michigan

flower fields

Tunnel park portfolio shots

Other recommended locations

I've been to a lot of spots for senior photos! I'd love to curate a unique session that meets the vibe that you want. Here is a list of some other spots that I've enjoyed taking pictures at!

  • Downtown Grand Rapids - parking garage, urban landscape
  • Millenium Park, Meadows - Walker, MI
  • Ottawa Beach - Holland, MI
  • Hudsonville Fair - Hudsonville, MI (seasonal)
  • The Highlands - Walker, MI
Senior photos in Holland Michigan
Kind Words

We had used a family member for all of our previous photograph needs so the thought of using someone totally unfamiliar for my daughter Sr. Photos was a challenge for her. Shannon came with some high marks and she did not disappoint. It was immediately apparent that Shannon and my daughter would be just fine. Shannon was very fluid and suggestive without pushing it. The session was a great success and my younger daughter is already talking about using Shannon for her session.

Chad Van Kampen