Summer Peony Garden Engagement Session | Ann Arbor, Michigan

M & N started their session with M’s dad’s vintage car, and the bestest pup, Tuck. I LOVE when couples incorporate their pets into sessions. It’s a great opportunity for you to get some great portraits with your furry family members, as well as to make your session a bit more unique to you and your partner. We ended up at Nichols Arboretum, with the peony garden in almost peak season.

Spring and summer in Ann Arbor always scream "Nichols Arboretum engagement session!" to me. This park, aka "The Arb," is basically a photographer's playground, especially when the Peony Garden explodes with color in early June. Imagine getting down on one knee surrounded by a sea of peonies and azaleas – swoon! To get the best photos and to avoid the worst crowds, I would suggest having your engagement session on a weekday an hour after sunrise or 2-3 hours before sunset. The peony garden is one of the largest in North America (really!) and can have up to 10k blooms at it’s peak, which means it draws VERY large crowds.

The Arb's beauty goes way beyond flowers. We're talking romantic walks under shady trees, hand-in-hand strolls by the Huron River, and open fields perfect for soaking up the sunshine (and getting some seriously cute candid photos).