Detroit Bookstore Engagement | Bella and Jack
A typical date for Bella and Jack includes checking out a bookstore and a local coffee shop, so when we were deciding where to go for their photos, a Detroit bookstore engagement session made perfect sense. Bella and Jack had never been to John King’s Used and Rare Bookstore in Detroit, Michigan, but it was the perfect place to explore together.
Planning Your Date Night Engagement Session
When planning your engagement session, I love to think about it more as if we’re planning a date for the two of you. What do you love to do together? What’s a typical date night like? What places are sentimental to you? With these ideas in mind, then you can start to think about a vision. Do you have a vision for what you want to wear? Sometimes that can help steer us in a certain direction so the outfit and style makes sense in the environment. Do you enjoy being indoors or outdoors? In the city or in the countryside? These are all good questions to ask first, and from there, you can start to think about locations that make sense for you two.
John Kings Bookstore Engagement Photos
I met Bella and Jack at John Kings on a Friday afternoon and we scurried up to the 2nd floor to a more secluded area. Typically, John Kings is super welcoming to photography. I’ve never experienced any issues, fees or even needed permission. But giving them a call before coming in can be a great way to make sure the store isn’t too crowded and that the staff is alright with having you there.
The bookstore has lovely natural light along various rows of bookshelves and each floor is just a bit different. We explored the second and third floors, capturing their time together in a storytelling way. Bella and Jack aren’t super into PDA and said they can be a bit camera-shy, so approaching the session with the goal of telling the story of a date night helped them feel more at ease and themselves throughout.
Classic Architecture of the Fisher Building
Bella also loves classic and historical architecture of Detroit and after thinking through some various landmarks in Detroit, we landed on the Fisher Building. The Fisher is quickly becoming a favorite of mine thanks to its warmth and golden glow. The Fisher Building is also very welcoming to photographers. There’s no reservation or appointment required. However, make sure there are no private events happening if you’re planning to go on a weekend, and double check the theater schedule. If there’s a show at the theater in the evening, some areas of the arcade will be roped off so you lose some of the photo-worthy spots of the first floor.
To gain access to the second floor, you’ll need to contact the Fisher Building to make a reservation along with paying a $250 photo fee. For Bella and Jack’s session, the first floor was more than enough of a playground for us. If you love the Fisher Building too, be sure to check out Hannah and Garret’s or Emily and Romain’s engagement photos there for different inspiration.
Nighttime City Street Engagement Pictures
When we were initially planning their Detroit engagement session, Bella had shared a Pinterest board with me with the style and vision she was going for. On her board, I noticed lots of nighttime, city-lit photos so I suggested we drive down to the DIA and spend a few minutes along Woodward. The DIA doesn’t allow photos inside but the exterior is still beautifully lit at night. This, along with the streetlamps and traffic on Woodward gave us the “city at night” vibes Bella was going for.
We spent only about 5, maybe 10 minutes outside because it was freezing the day of their Detroit engagement session. But they ended up being some of my favorite photos from the evening. We walked around, crossed the street and they got playful with each other trying to keep moving and stay warm. I loved floating between ambient light using the city’s lights and shooting with flash for a more editorial “paparazzi” vibe. It was the perfect way to round out their 2 hour engagement session.
Despite the freezing temperatures, Bella and Jack’s Detroit bookstore engagement session was a highlight of the start to the year. From exploring the bookstore to wandering the streets of downtown Detroit, we told the story of a date night for Bella and Jack. I can’t wait for their large fall wedding later this year at The Brooklyn Detroit! It’s going to be such a fun day, I already know it.
Kind words from Bella & Jack:
“We absolutely love out pictures. Thank you SO MUCH!!! You captured exactly the vibe we were going for! I can’t wait to share them!”
