Alexis and Dallas’ downtown Detroit engagement photos felt like the sweetest little love letter to the city they used to called home before moving to Grand Rapids, so they made the trip back for their engagement session. They showed me around some of their favorite spots, including a stop for Coney dogs, which felt so them!

We wandered through Detroit, mixed in flash, natural light, and 35mm film, and let the session just happen. It felt a little editorial, cinematic, but still true to them. As a Detroit engagement photographer, these are the kinds of sessions I love most. A little playful and rooted in places that actually mean something to the couple.

Alexis & Dallas’ Downtown Detroit Engagement Photos

One of my favorite parts about downtown Detroit engagement photos is how much variety you can get. Alexis and Dallas wanted their session to feel connected to the city they used to call home. So we wandered through some of their favorite spots, from the Detroit Public Library to The Belt, rooftops, sidewalks, crosswalks, and even little patches of flowers tucked between the buildings.

Detroit is always one of my favorite places to photograph because it has so much character. You can get something cinematic and city-inspired one minute, then something softer and more romantic the next. Their neutral outfits also worked so well with the architecture, brick, city streets, and warm light, which made the whole session feel editorial without losing the fun of who they are together!

A Coney Dog Stop + City Lights Downtown

After wandering through the city, we made a stop at American Coney Island because Alexis and Dallas love getting coney dogs together. I always love when couples include locations or little traditions that feel special to them. It makes the gallery feel more personal, and it helps the photos feel true to their actual relationship.

Your engagement photos don’t have to be overly serious. They can include coney dogs, a little mess, a lot of laughing, and anything that makes the session feel more like a date night. As a Detroit engagement photographer, I’m always down to think outside the box with my couples. After their Coney stop, we wandered around a little longer for a few more downtown Detroit engagement photos as the sky got darker and the city lights started to turn on.

Downtown Detroit Engagement Photos on Film

For Alexis and Dallas’ session, I photographed a mix of digital and film, including Kodak Gold and Ilford XP2 black and white film. I love the balance it brings to a gallery. Digital gives you those crisp images, while film adds that nostalgic lived-in feeling.

Throughout their session, I used natural light, flash, and film to create a gallery that felt true to the energy of the night. Lately, I have been so inspired by light, movement, and the kind of photos that don’t feel too perfect. The ones that feel real and like you were actually there!

Detroit Engagement Photos That Feel Like You

If you’re looking for a Detroit engagement photographer or wedding photographer whose work feels real, true-to-color, documentary driven and a little editorial, I’d love to hear from you! My approach is rooted in connection and storytelling. I want you to feel safe being fully yourselves, while still giving you intentional guidance that creates movement and ease in front of the camera.

My goal is never to make photos that only look good in my portfolio. I want your images to feel like you. Your relationship, your favorite places, your inside jokes, your date nights, and the way this season of life actually felt. Most of my wedding collections include an engagement session, which gives us time to get comfortable together before the wedding day.

You can learn more about me on my about page, reach out through my contact page, or see more couples, weddings, and resources on the blog!

Love From Alexis & Dallas:

“Sheree!! Ahhhh, thank you so much!!! We love love loveee our pics!!!! Seriously, SO obsessed! We keep looking through them and finding new favorites each time 🤍🤍🤍 you are the best and we had such a fun time with you, you made the whole thing feel so easy and natural and captured our love so perfectly, we can’t wait for you to be part of our wedding!!! -A&D :)”

Sheree Danel Photography | Detroit Engagement & Wedding Photographer