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
Covered bridge
North
winding walkway
north
suspension bridge
south
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
the tunnel
staircase
beach
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