Detroit Area Photography locations requiring Permits
One of the most frustrating parts of what we do is telling people that there are extra expenses and red tape associated with their photo shoot or wedding. Our goal is to keep you happy and we do that by helping you get as much as you can for your budget.
One of those surprising expenses can be a permit to take photos at your favorite place or venue. We don’t include permit costs in our session or wedding fees, so it’s important to make sure you know if you need to obtain one. To help ourselves remember some of the popular places that require a permit locally, and as a resource for you, we’ve put together this list. It doesn’t list every place you need a permit, but it should give you a head start.
Keep in mind that most places will allow you to take a photo yourself without the need for a permit, but once you hire someone to take the photo a permit may be required. We know this can be frustrating. There are many options for locations that do not require permits for a photo session, so if the permit is out of your budget we can find another place.
Belle Isle State Park in Detroit, Michigan
Belle Isle is a popular place for photos. There is a fountain, an aquarium, a conservatory, a casino, bridges, multiple ponds, shoreline, and beautiful views of the Detroit and Windsor skylines. However, in recent years a permit requirement was put into place.
To obtain a permit you can fill out this form and send it to the DNR: https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/Forms/folder2/PR3340-4.pdf?rev=dbcbf3ee0c2b4df3a67833aea72aa765
There are a number of restrictions, and permits are not automatically approved. For example, the permit must be sent 14 days ahead of the session date. A wedding photography permit currently costs $75 and an engagement or family session permit is $50, while senior photos are $25.
Rochester Hills Museum in Rochester Hills, Michigan
The Rochester Hills Museum has a contract your photographer must agree to, and the photographer is held responsible for your actions on the premises—so be on your best behavior! As you can imagine reservations are required and they won’t allow shoots when an event is scheduled.
Wedding photography is charged at $100 per hour, and a daily permit is $50. A couple of downsides to sessions here are that access to the buildings is not permitted, and badges might be required for people participating.
Find our more here: https://www.rochesterhills.org/departments/parks_and_natural_resources/museum/photography.php
The Cranbrook House and Garden
The Cranbrook House and Gardens is beautifully landscaped and a great setting for a photography session. However, they do limit the use of the grounds.
Find out more here: https://housegardens.cranbrook.edu/events/photography/portrait-sessions
The Johnson Nature Center, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
The Johnson Nature Center is a lovely place for family photos or engagement shoots in the spring and summer, however, a day or yearly photography pass is required.
Find out more here: https://www.johnsonnaturecenter.org/visitus/#photography
Meadow Brook Hall
This incredible historical site is stellar for photos, however, it is one of the more expensive places to hold a photo shoot in the area. Prices start at $200 per hour.
Find our more here: https://meadowbrookhall.org/venue/photoshoot-inquiry/
The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan
Only couples hosting their wedding at the museum have access to photo privileges. There are no standalone sessions allowed.
Find out more here: https://www.thehenryford.org/host-an-event/weddings/photo-policy/
Heritage Park in Farmington Hills, Michigan
Permit required for any paid photographer.
Find out more here: https://www.fhgov.com/facilities/heritage-park/
Mill Race Village in Northville, Michigan
Permit and payment required unless the wedding is held at the venue. The one-day fee of $125 is charged to non Northville Historical Society members.
Find out more here: https://www.millracenorthville.org/photography-policy
Wayne County Parks in Michigan
There are many Wayne County Parks which offer beautiful locations for photography.
Michigan State Parks
Commercial photography in a state park requires an application to be submitted to the unit manager for the area.
Find out more here: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/public-land/permission/commercial
National Parks
In January 2025, a new law was passed relating to photography and filming in National Parks. NPS.GOV indicates that:
“In most cases, permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that involves eight or fewer individuals. In order to avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming, still photography, or audio recording must meet all of the following conditions:
—Occurs in areas open to the public;
—Uses hand-carried equipment only;
—Does not require exclusive use of a site;
—Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and
—Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the National Park Service.
“Permits and fees are never required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that is associated with an activity or event that has been authorized under a written instrument (e.g., permit or agreement), such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.
“All filming, still photography, and audio recording is treated the same under the new law. It does not matter whether it is commercial, non-commercial, for content creation, by a student, or conducted by media or for news gathering.”
See more information here: https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/news/film-and-photo-permits.htm
Permits might seem like a pain, but doing the leg work ahead of time will protect your day from unexpected interruptions.
Drones
At this time we do not offer drone photography. This is due to the onerous requirements for commercial drone use. Again, if you were to use a drone yourself the legal requirements are fairly minimal, however once you hire someone to use a drone there are federal license requirements. There are also many local restrictions. Some of those restrictions have involved lengthy court battles, and many municipalities have put restrictions on the use of drones (which may or may not be legal if challenged in court). There are some photographers out there that will illegally use a drone without a license or violate these municipal rules. We do our best to comply with all laws and restrictions, and we prefer to avoid being the inspiration for a made for TV court room Drama.
