The Detroit Athletic Club has the most cozy, elegant vibes. One minute, it feels like you are in a French Chateau walking up the grand staircase. The next, you are in front of the warm, candle lit fireplace. The windows and furniture in the Reading Room provide the prettiest light and texture for photos, and then you step outside on the terrace and you have all of Detroit in front of you. It’s no secret that my favorite venues are the ones you don’t have to leave- where you can have everything in one place, rain or shine. With the DAC, I never have to worry about a rain plan for my bride + groom’s wedding day portraits. Whatever your vibe is- chic or classic- it can be captured at the DAC. Here are some of my favorite photos from Samantha and Chris’s winter wedding at the DAC.

Alex and Benjy were married in March at Planterra in Michigan. If you are getting married in winter or early spring, I can’t imagine a better venue than Planterra. Planterra gives you summer vibes in the middle of winter with all of it’s greenery and natural light. All photos an be taken on site and you don’t have to go anywhere! It’s seriously a dream in winter when snow and poor road can conditions can make traveling slow. Alex and Benjy planned the most romantic celebration with so many candles that the venue was glowing. Here are some of my favorites from their day!

One of my favorite things to do is walk around downtown Detroit finding new streets, corners, and nooks with my couples to photograph them in. My goal is to find one new little spot or angle every time I shoot to keep myself challenged, work fresh, and make sure my couples have some unique shots in addition to every one’s faves (like Shinola!). I had so much fun walking around with Lexi and Jimmy, and we had the most pleasant November day. We even found a tree with leaves still on for a fall look! You would never know that this was directly next to a large construction zone. Here are a few of my favorites from their session!

Megan and Brad were originally supposed to be married in April 2021, but indoor weddings were still restricted in Michigan at that time, so they decided to postpone until spring of 2022. They ended up with the most gorgeous weather- sunny and no humidity, in the 70s with a light breeze. There were pink and white blooming trees everywhere which really made the portraits look extra beautiful.

They started their day getting ready at the Dearborn Inn and then headed to St. Hugo of the Hills for their ceremony. St. Hugo is such a beautiful cathedral. Then, it was back to the Dearborn Inn for portraits and the reception. I absolutely loved this wedding and how the photos turned out. Here are a few of my favorites!

Clare and Eric were my first wedding of 2022! With the wedding boom that is 2021-2022, I’ve gotten to photograph at many new venues, and it was my first time shooting at the Lafayette Grande in Pontiac, MI! I absolutely loved the architecture inside and out, the brightness of the space, the chandeliers, large staircase window, and the food was excellent, too!

Clare and Eric had a classic style with pops of spring color, and I absolutely loved the florals that Olive’s Bloombox created for their wedding. The bouquets and centerpieces were stunning! A big thank you to my second shooter Amanda for capturing all these beautiful detail shots of the table settings and centerpieces.

From our arrival to the first look, portraits, ceremony and reception, everything went smoothly, which doesn’t always happen in the wedding world! The rain stayed away until portraits were over, and we stayed on time for the entire day.

It was such a pleasure to work with these two recent med school grads, and I wish them luck as they move across the country for their residencies! Congrats Clare and Eric! What a fantastic start to 2022!

Hannah + Martin’s wedding at the Dearborn Inn was one of my favorites of 2021. Hannah’s classic style gave off Kate Middleton vibes, and they scheduled their day so that we had an ample amount of time for photos. We literally got so many bride and groom creative portraits just spending an hour walking the beautiful grounds of the Dearborn Inn. I love the Dearborn Inn because there are so many spots for photos with different backgrounds from gardens to brick archways. You never run into another wedding party and you can have everything in one spot (getting ready and ceremony and reception). It makes things so easy. Also, there are spots for photos if it rains! There is a gorgeous lobby and several covered porches that are beautiful and perfect for photos- rain or no rain! Hannah and Martin were so happy and calm; it made the day a pleasure to photograph!

Detroit Institute of Arts

The DIA is a super popular spot for photos! It’s probably the most requested session location I get for Detroit. It has the most beautiful architecture, so is a great spot for photos in any season. It’s across the street from the Detroit Public Library so both locations are easy accessible during one shoot. This is definitely an elegant look, so dresses and sport jackets look best. Parking is on the street, but Sundays it’s free and not too bad. Expect to wait in line as it’s a popular location not just for engagements, but for weddings, families and seniors. No bathrooms.

Detroit Public Library

This is probably my favorite! It’s grand architecture feels like you are outside of a mansion. There is shade and trees and the building is large so it’s not too hard to find a nook away from others. Street parking that is free on Sundays. No bathrooms. It also has that elegant feel so works better with dressier outfits.

Z-Lot

The Z-Lot has great views of the city and a perfect casual vibe. You do have to pay to park in the structure to shoot on the top, so parking is never an issue but it does cost. No bathrooms. Also, it can be super windy up top! I always love the photos I get shooting at the Z-Lot and it is great in any season except winter.

City Streets

What could be more fun than wandering the streets of a city capturing photos on crosswalks, with street lamps, and that city vibe? This is the perfect location for ALL seasons, since you don’t need to worry about leaves on trees with such gorgeous architecture as your backdrop. Formal and casual both work, but expect to walk a ton. This can be paired with the Z-Lot…park and shoot there first, and then take a walk around the city after. No bathrooms.

Edison Memorial Fountain

The fountain is gorgeous architecturally, and with string lights hanging over, make such pretty light. End here after walking through the city streets for photos. Casual or formal, but wear comfy shoes. No bathrooms.

Belle Isle

Between the Casino and the fountain, you can get so many photos! It can be super crowded so expect to wait for the best spots. Parking isn’t too bad at either, and bonus there are bathrooms at the Casino! There are willows and a pond too, so you get architecture and greenery. Only downside is sometimes the park can’t keep up with the trash. It can get super windy, so I recommend this location in late spring, summer and fall only. The wind makes it very cold being on the water.

As I planned my move from Rhode Island to Michigan in 2016, I began to advertise in the Detroit area. Alyssa was one of the first brides I connected with, and we instantly hit it off. We found out we went to the same graduate school in Boston, and she had lived there about as long as I had. Having just made the move from East Coast to Midwest herself, she counseled me and told me what to expect. She felt like an old friend so much so, that when she hung up from our initial consultation, her now husband Phil asked who she had been talking to because it had sounded like an old friend.

When we finally met in person in Ann Arbor for their engagement shoot, Alyssa introduced me to “crack fries” at Hopcat downtown. She and Phil zipped me around Ann Arbor, showing me where to park and the best places to shoot.

When their wedding finally came, I was so excited. It was my first wedding in downtown Detroit and I was nervous! I had location scouted to select photo locations to help prepare, and Alyssa had arranged transportation for me so that all I had to focus on were the photos. Their wedding at Old St. Mary’s and reception at the Palazzo Grande were stunning. The church was one of the prettiest I have ever shot in and the Palazzo Grande had some of the best food I’ve ever had at a wedding. On top of great food, Alyssa + Phil sat us at a table with guests so that we were able to enjoy the multiple course meal along with their guests. We felt like family!

Thank you, Alyssa + Phil, for trusting me to document your beautiful wedding!

Lauren and Garrett were married on the most beautiful June day at Meadowbrook Hall in Rochester, Michigan. Lauren and Garrett planned a simple stress free day, getting ready at the Royal Park Hotel nearby, and then having both their ceremony and reception all at Meadowbrook so they didn't have to drive anywhere. The grounds of Meadowbrook are stunning, so we took all of the photos on site. Here are some of my favorites that tell the story of the day below. Congrats to Lauren and Garrett!

Madison + Tom were married on the first real spring day of 2018. April had been a doozy with snow storms and ice storms, so I was thrilled for them when the snow stopped and the sun and warmth appeared. The venue was the gorgeous as always Dearborn Inn.

Madison and Tom opted for a first look and to do most of their photos prior to the ceremony. Nothing felt rushed, and the day went perfectly as planned. Congratulations Madison and Tom!!

Mallory and Mike chose to have their engagement photos taken in downtown Plymouth, MI. I had never been before, and it was ADORABLE! Like as in I started looking at housing in the car after the shoot :) . I'm SO happy Mallory and Mike introduced me to Plymouth, and am thrilled with how the photos came out. They were so natural and fun to be around, and I can't wait for their wedding at the Dearborn Inn later this year!

Oksana and Corey held their wedding at the beautiful Cafe Cortina in Farmington HIlls, Michigan. Everything was perfect: the weather, the food, the gorgeous patio for photos, the beautiful bouquets by Twigs and Branches Floral, and all of the DIY details that Oksana and Corey put so much work into, even though they planned the entire wedding in UNDER THREE MONTHS. Can you believe it? I'm not sure how they did it and how they remained so calm and laid back, but they pulled it off, and it was amazing.

Oksana and Corey's wedding was so unique because of the blend of Canadian, Ukrainian and Kazakh traditions that were included. There was vodka, jokes a plenty, traditional dress and song...it was pretty incredible, not to mention fun.

While there are so many great photos from the day, here are a few of my favorites to tell the story:

I've been waiting to shoot my first Detroit engagement session for quite some time now, so I was super excited when Meghan and Andy chose downtown Detroit as their location! I'd heard so much about it, and seen so many awesome photos, I was excited to experience it for myself. Detroit far exceeded my expectations, and I immediately fell in love with the urban vibe of the photos we were able to capture. A big thanks to Meghan and Andy for showing me around the city!

Caitlin Maloney is a wedding and portrait photographer serving both Rhode Island and Michigan, including Detroit, Ann Arbor, East Lansing, Newport, Providence, Jamestown, Narragansett, and the surrounding areas of Chicago, Northern Michigan, Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Boston. 

Like what you see? Get in touch at caitlinmaloneyphotography@gmail.com. Now booking 2017 weddings and portraits.