Detroit Institute of the Arts Engagement Photos

The Detroit Institute of the Arts (DIA) has been a cultural landmark for over a century.  What better place to show your love for Detroit and your fiance than on the historical steps of the DIA?  The Italian-Renaissance style building features gorgeous white marble and tall black doors with intricate ironwork.  It is the perfect cosmopolitan backdrop for a modern Michigan couple.  This bride wore a red cocktail dress, but you could easily dress it up in a ballgown or dress it down in a sundress.  Have you considered taking your photos at the DIA?

Detroit's Fox Theatre Engagement Session

There is nothing like a beautiful fall day in Downtown Detroit.  The crisp autumn air, the charming old buildings, and of course, a couple in love.  This engagement session took place at the Fox Theatre, where those intricate gold doors took center state.  The bride and groom-to-be kept things casual in jeans and sweaters, which was perfect for the sunny afternoon.

The Fox Theatre is a historic gem in Detroit, where only 6 couples get married a year.  If you are lucky enough to have this as your venue, you will have access to the gorgeous Grand Staircase and can even exchange I Dos on the iconic stage.  Packages start around $150 per person.  Interested? Then check out this stunning wedding I stumbled upon by Jess + Nate Studios.

That wedding looks like something out of a story book.  Be sure to visit Jess + Nate to see other magical moments from the wedding.

Today's post shows how we are constantly blown away by what Detroit has to offer.  Whether you are looking for a space to shoot your engagement photos or a location for your reception, there are breathtaking venues and backdrops everywhere.

How to Incorporate Your Dog into Your Engagement Session

Our puppy, Jake, is such a huge part of our lives.  We knew he had to be in our engagement photos.  Our photos with Jake turned out to be our absolute favorite.  He is just so photogenic!  Kate Saler Photography did such a wonderful job capturing sweet moments between the three of us.  Below are a few of my favorites along with some tips on how to successfully incorporate your puppy into your engagement session.

Tips for Incorporating Your Puppy:

Bring a puppy sitter - Phil and I brought my sister to take care of Jake and help make sure he looked at the camera.  This made it easier for us to capture couple shots as well as family shots.

Groom Your Puppy - Jake probably could have used a hair cut, but I thought of this only a few days before our engagement session.  Plan in advance and get your dogs hair cut a few weeks in advance, so it has time to even out.  

Bring Treats & Toys - Keep your puppy happy by giving him treats for being such a good doggie, and lots of toys to keep him focusing on the photographer when he is in the spotlight.

Take Photos with Your Puppy - It's best to take photos with your doggie first, so they don't get bored or cranky.

Lovely Photography from Kate Saler Photography

10 Adorable Summer Engagement Shots

Phil and I have been engaged for 8 months, and in two weeks we will finally be getting our engagement photos taken.  I am so excited to spend the day with my man (and my puppy), getting some adorable pictures of how much we love each other.  Our photographer, Kate Saler, is the sweetest person in the whole wide world and her work is stunning!  She does a great job capturing the more genuine moments.  In preparation for our engagement session, I have compiled 10 of my summer engagement photos as inspiration for our session.

So much to love about this picture!  I love their feet dangling, her laughter, and the reflection in the water.  We are doing our pictures at my parents cottage, so we should be able to do something similar!  

EK Studios

How sweet is this?  I love how this couple is gazes into each others eyes.  They look so in love.

Lauren Michaels Photography

Instead of a sailboat, we will do a row boat or canoe.  Phil and I would do something like this on a summer day and I would like our engagement session to feel as authentic as possible.

Sheena Jibson Photography

Yes!  Definitely need one of these shots.  Such an easy way to be natural and laugh!

Him and Her Photos 

I love how their pepsi bottles match their outfits.  Also, they look great!

Kate Saler Photography

This shot is so romantic.  I would like some variation of this shot.

Tumblr

I would love to have an image of us laying down and him looking into my eyes and brushing back my hair.  So sweet!

Style Me Pretty

They look like they are having so much fun!!

Linnea Liz Photography

I would like something like this without the kiss.  Maybe looking into each others eyes or just closing our eyes and enjoying being near each other.

Indulgy

We are going to go to our local apple orchard.  I know it is not the fall, but I would love to get something like this that captures the scenery and us.  

MyWedding.com

Looking forward to our engagement session.  I'll be sure to post pictures once I have a few, so you can see how they went.  It's a great excuse to go shopping!