Engagement Session Locations in Bay City, Michigan

If you are looking for photogenic spots for your engagement session in downtown Bay City, you’ve come to the right place! One of the great parts of the Great Lakes Bay region is that you are never far from a romantic backdrop. Whether you like charming urban setting, a rustic farm, a wooded landscape or even a sandy beach, you can find it all. Tucked in this region is Bay City, which can provide a wide range of these shots in a single location. Once a center for the region’s lumber industry, this is a great location to get some romantic couples photos while enjoying a cup of coffee or bite to eat at one of the many locally owned establishments. As the best wedding photographer in Bay City, I would like to share some of my favorite locations to shoot engagement sessions in Bay City!

Bay City State Park Engagement Session

One of the great advantages of living in the Great Lakes Bay Region is convenient access to natural beauty. This is definitely my favorite spot for engagement beach photos! Why? Because within a short drive of the Tri-City area, you can be on a beautiful sandy beach with the Lake Huron stretching out into the distance.

Riverwalk Pier

The Riverwalk is very near Wenonah Park. It offers some great views of the river. Also, a romantic stroll along the river allows you to enjoy the peaceful and relaxing moment during the photoshoot.

Harless and Hugh Coffee Shop

This is the perfect engagement session location for cozy indoor fall engagement photos in downtown Bay City. And bonus points for great coffee!

This locally owned and operated coffee shop is a short walk from the Pere Marquette Depot. In addition to a friendly staff and delicious warm beverages, the outer windows provide more than adequate natural light for some cozy photos of two lovers curled up and enjoying a latte together. The coffee shop has an upscale and modern feel and is often full on weekends so I would recommend planning your visit during a less busy time to ensure that there is a good spot by the window for your photos.

Delta College Planetarium

The most popular spot for wedding photography in Bay City, especially if your wedding venue is the Double Tree Bay City Riverfront.

This is an easy to find landmark on the east side of downtown Bay City. The colorful exterior walls and unique styling of this building make it a whimsical place to snap some photos. Also, from here it is a short walk to the river which is a popular location when the weather is beautiful.

Pere Marquette Depot

For a vintage look with clear ties to Bay City’s history

This historic train depot was beautifully renovated a few years ago and provides some classic charm with definitively updated furnishings. If the building is open, you can snap a few shots on the dark wooden staircase near the front entrance. Otherwise, wander around the trees that surround the park-like exterior. In spring, the blossoms make an excellent backdrop while in the fall the changing colors of the maple leaves are excellent. There is ample parking here so that you can walk through downtown Bay City and find some of the charming urban backdrops throughout the city. There are several ivy clad brick walls that provide great contrast for photos of a loving couple. You can also have your bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, wedding reception or ceremony here! Check out their venue here.

Date Night in Bay City, Michigan

When you are done taking photos, be sure to stroll along the Saginaw River. There are beautiful parks on both sides of the river so you are never far from the water. You will see boaters and fisherman and have the chance to take photos with some natural scenery behind you. If you own a boat, they can make for great locations for photos too. I’m totally down for a dreamy sailboat engagement photos! And I promise it would be a dreamy and magical experience for you.

Finally, I love peeking into the many alleys that offer some charming locations for additional photos. You can find cool-looking stairways, brick walls and antique signs. It is amazing to me how Bay City is filled with great locations for a quick photo. If it is around dinner time, stop by a nearby restaurant for a romantic meal. I always recommend my couples planning a date night right after the photoshoot. You are all dressed up and your hair looks beautiful, so why not make it special night?

I hope you find this blog post helpful! If you are ready to book your engagement session in Bay City, contact us now. We can show you a sample gallery and all things you need to know about planning an engagement session in Bay City!

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