Best Locations for Engagement Photos in Bay City 

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 one of the best wedding photographers in Bay City, I would like to share some of my favorite locations to shoot engagement sessions in downtown Bay City!

Bay City State Park

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

Highly recommended engagement session location for hip, local, indoor photos in 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. You might question the romantic nature of planetariums (weren’t Romeo and Juliet star-crossed lovers?). However, the colorful exterior walls and unique styling of this building make it a whimsical place to snap some photos. With black, white, and orange walls that are perfect for a variety of poses, I love photographing couples with a background that matches a variety of styles. 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 look no further than this classic location on the east side of city.

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 the 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 it is a very convenient place to start 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.

Make it a date night after your engagement session!

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?

So, what do you think? Which location best reflects you as a couple?

I hope you find this post helpful! After you decide on your engagement photo location, it is time to choose your engagement photo outfits! Grab my free style guide HERE.

Have you found your wedding venue yet? If not, don’t forget to check out the list of my TOP 10 Michigan Wedding Venues! 

Chinling Thomas