A Jewish couple enjoys their hora at their wedding reception at the Detroit Athletic Club in Michigan.
A white groom and a black bride sharing a funny moment together before their ceremony on the University of Michigan campus.
A woman kisses her dog during her engagement session with a vintage car.
A white blond bride and a salt and pepper groom excitedly exiting a church while guests throw eucalyptus leaf confetti at them in Port Austin, Michigan.
A groom wearing a white and black tux kissing his bride on the cheek during their Planterra reception.
A laughing bride wearing a light and whimsical wedding dress enters her outdoor reception at the Toledo Golf Club.
A groom in a black tux anxiously awaits his bride in a white Vera Wang dress to come down the stairs of the Cranbrook Art Museum.
A bride has a first look with her four bridesmaids on the porch of a Dexter Michigan farmhouse venue.
Manchester Michigan wedding couple sharing cute notes before their ceremony.
A freshly married couple carrying their unity tree away from their ceremony site at a Jackson Michigan vineyard wedding venue.
A bride laughing at her husband's joke on their wedding day at Cobblestone Farm, a wedding venue in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
An excited couple surrounded by large yellow and blue florals exit their ceremony after their indoor ceremony at the University of Michigan League.
A groom and his groomsmen wearing blue suits laugh during their portrait session at Wellers in Saline Michigan.
A bride wearing a bright red cheongsam and her groom waring a blue suit take a quiet moment outside of their reception at the Raisin River Room in Saline.
A bride with a cathedral veil cuddles up to her new husband at sunset at the Pine Knob Carriage House.
A groom wearing a black tux glances at the camera while his bride whispers something in his ear while sitting on the steps of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.
A black and white photograph of bridesmaids helping to carry the dress and long veil of the bride before the ceremony.
A winter bride and her red-wearing bridesmaids talk and laugh before the ceremony at the Jam Handy in Detroit.
A fun couple dances at their reception to a live band at the St John's Resort in Plymouth.
A happy bride walks away from her farm venue on her wedding day.
A couple wearing a unity cord around their hands walks away from their Chicago outdoor ceremony at the Glessner House.
A groom and his groomsmen have a cute moment with a baby goat at a historic farmhouse venue near Ann Arbor, Michigan.
An Asian couple celebrates after their outdoor ceremony on a golf course.
A bride and groom under a bright yellow fall tree with the bride looking back at the camera.

Ann Arbor Wedding Photographer

A same-sex couple walking in between a bright red art piece in front of the Eastern Wedding venue in Detroit, Michigan.

For all the real, unscripted moments you’ll experience on your wedding day

Totally classic, always fun and oh so natural wedding photography

for couples in love in Ann Arbor, Metro Detroit, and beyond

Documenting true-to-life and true-to-you love
all over Michigan and the Midwest

A tiny camera icon

If having a wedding that's all about the two of you is what matters most…

If connection, family and going your own way are at the top of your list…

Then you're in the right place. Because here's where you'll find Ann Arbor wedding photography that's all about capturing you, your favorite people and the authentic love you have for each other. 

Just as it is.

You want to savor every joyful moment, not get caught up in how perfect the table settings look.

You’re all about experiencing the love, laughter and glow of your special day, even if that means a little dirt on your outfit or a less than perfect cake (as long as it tastes good, right?).

Click the images below to see full wedding days, elopements, and engagement sessions.

A photo of a couple doing a dance spin in downtown Toledo.
A U of M alumni couple has their winter engagement session on campus in Ann Arbor.

"Chelsea is super easy going and flexible, but she didn't hesitate to give us her suggestions and let us know what would get us the best photos, which we appreciated so much!

We would 100% recommend her to anyone!"

- Hailey & Dan
A headshot of Chelsea Brown, a Michigan Wedding Photographer.

About chelsea (she/her)

The first thing I ever wanted to be was a bird.

No joke- I got up at kindergarten graduation and announced to the world that I wanted to be a bird. I eventually realized my inability to produce feathers was outside of my control, but that didn't stop the disappointment of not achieving my goal. Although, "Ann Arbor wedding & elopement photographer to awesome, chill couples in love" does have a pretty nice ring to it.

Seriously though, I've been a wedding photographer pretty much my entire adult life. My camera is basically an extension of my hand at this point, so I figure I might as well make good use of it and take some incredible pictures while I can. 

And getting to hang out with laidback, loved up couples like you is just the icing on my cake. 

FEATURED IN

A black logo for Detroit magazine, Metro Detroit Weddings.
A small blue logo for The Knot.
A pink badge for Style Me Pretty, a high end wedding blog.
A black and white logo for Emmaline Bride, a DIY wedding blog.
Black logo for blog Wedding Chicks.

Saying ‘I do’ to your dream wedding, not to expectations.

Because it's not about showing off what you've got or making the grandest gestures of love for all to see. And it's definitely not about how the Joneses did it (as lovely as their wedding was). 

No. This is all about you two. 

Celebrating how much you love each other in a way that feels most right to you. No theatrics, no stress, no 'zilla. Just laid back, easy and fun love. Shared with those that mean the most to you.

Your love story. Your wedding. Your rules.

You're looking for a wedding photographer who knows the score. You want classic, timeless images that’ll look great now and in the future. True to life, but full of color and fun. Natural wedding photos that don’t feel posed, and that feel like you, not a staged fairytale.

And you want a photographer who takes it all in her stride, but isn’t afraid to jump in and get involved where needed. You want someone who brings calm to the chaos of a wedding day, who won't give you any bullshit and will say it like it is. 

Ultimately, you want a Ann Arbor wedding & elopement photographer you can trust to capture it all on camera while you get on with the serious business of getting married and enjoying your day, whatever that looks like. 

  • I’ve photographed 400+ weddings over the last 18 years. Experience  ✔

  • Editing style that won’t leave you thinking “Why do my wedding photos look so dated?!” years later. Clean, classic editing ✔

  • Comprehensive coverage of your day- from the unplanned “in-between” moments to the grandma-pleasing portraits. Well-rounded ✔

  • A photographer that helps keep the day on schedule (while not being pushy), so you can focus on being present. Detail-oriented and attentive ✔

  • No overly stiff posing - wedding photographs that reflect who you are. Natural, candid- looking ✔

  •  A source of zen on your wedding day, even if things go awry. Calm, cool, and collected ✔

  • Going to elope on Pictured Rocks? Or having an intimate wedding or elopement in the PNW? Count me in. Willing to travel ✔

What you can expect from working together:

Couple laughing on the coast of Lake Michigan while playing with their dog during their couples' portraits.

For the Just-Engaged (and Maybe Slightly Overwhelmed)

If you're still figuring out your venue, or just started poking around the world of Michigan wedding vendors - It’s all good! You don’t have to have it all figured out to reach out. I’ve photographed weddings in downtown Ann Arbor theaters, Detroit lofts, Michigan barns, backyard gardens, art museums, libraries, and everywhere in between. If you need help narrowing down engagement session spots or sorting out a timeline, I’m always happy to share tips.

You can also browse through my blog for real wedding stories, general advice, and venue guides to help with the planning process. Check out the tips & tricks section on my blog below.

Wedding & Elopement Tips & Tricks

Blog | Ann Arbor Wedding Photographer | Chelsea Brown Photography
Planning Your Elopement: Because Love Doesn't Need a Guest List
Planning Your Elopement: Because Love Doesn't Need a Guest List
Ann Arbor Wedding Venues: Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Match
Ann Arbor Wedding Venues: Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Match
Should You See Your Partner Before You Walk Down the Aisle? Spoiler Alert: It Depends
Should You See Your Partner Before You Walk Down the Aisle? Spoiler Alert: It Depends
After the Wedding Q & A - University of Michigan League Wedding
After the Wedding Q & A - University of Michigan League Wedding
After The Wedding Q & A - Beaver Island Wedding
After The Wedding Q & A - Beaver Island Wedding
After the Wedding Q & A - Lake Michigan Wedding
After the Wedding Q & A - Lake Michigan Wedding
Couple laughing during their backyard wedding reception.

Serving couples in Ann Arbor, Metro Detroit, and wherever you want to take me!

Based in Ann Arbor, I photograph weddings, engagement sessions, and elopements all across southeast Michigan - and beyond. No matter where your day unfolds, my approach stays the same: relaxed, thoughtful, and true-to-life. I aim to create images that reflect real connection and genuine moments - photos you’ll come back to year after year. Whether you're planning an intimate elopement, a big celebration, or something totally your own, I'll help you feel at ease in front of the camera and capture it all with care.

The heart of my work is documenting connection. I want your photos to feel like a genuine reflection of the people, moments, and energy that made your day yours.

Whether you're celebrating at Frutig Farms, gathering loved ones in downtown Detroit, or planning a weekend up north in Michigan wine country - I’d love to help tell the story.