The number one request I get for family photos is help with deciding which outdoor location in West Michigan would be best. Finding a great spot for family photos shouldn’t feel like a scavenger hunt or require a permission slip. I’ve rounded up my favorite places across the region where families can show up, explore a little, and get beautiful photos without trekking through trails or navigating crowds. These are the places where kids can run freely, parents can breathe a little deeper, and everyone can just enjoy being together — which is what makes memorable photos anyway.
Here are my go-to spots for West Michigan outdoor locations for family sessions that don’t require photography permits, cliffside climbs, traffic stress, or a wilderness survival guide.
Before we dive in, here is a quick note about “secret” locations. When photographers keep certain spots quiet, it is not about excluding anyone. It is about protecting spaces that are beautiful but delicate. The more traffic a location gets, the faster it wears down. Trails erode, plants get trampled, parking becomes crowded, and sometimes trash and damage follow. When that happens, parks and cities start adding photography permits or restrictions, and occasionally the locations become unavailable altogether.
So if you see me keeping a few favorites unpublished, it is simply because I want them to stay gorgeous, accessible, and usable for the families who trust me with their memories. You deserve places that feel cared for, and sometimes the best way to protect them is to share thoughtfully instead of broadcasting them everywhere.
Millennium Park & Secchia Meadows – Grand Rapids
This is my go-to when families want a wide-open space to simply move and be together. Millennium Park has winding paved pathways, tall grasses, and huge fields that photograph beautifully whether we’re running, snuggling, or playing tag. Secchia Meadows sits right beside it and gives us golden, dreamy light at sunset. It feels serene and natural without needing to trek far from the car, which is perfect for toddlers who suddenly refuse shoes. I’ve taken probably a hundred sessions here over the last decade, and every time it surprises me with something new.
Prairie Wolf Park – Kentwood
Prairie Wolf Park is a gentle, uncluttered backdrop that works well for calmer family sessions. With open space, soft grasses, and a few tucked-away corners, it lets your family shine without visual distractions. My favorite spot is the one with the small apple orchard with the neat rows of trees. Kids can wander while still staying close, and photos here tend to feel clean, airy, and very “you.” If you want simple and not too “styled by nature,” this is a winner.
Grand Ravines North & South – Jenison
One of the most popular West Michigan spots for family photos because it gives us options. The North side has a scenic river views, enclosed woods, and a covered wood bridge. The South side brings open meadows, a red barn, and wildflower pockets during the right seasons. The best part? We can switch looks quickly from woodsy, field, to water without packing hiking boots.
Grand River Park – Comstock Park
Grand River Park feels slow and peaceful. You get river overlooks, open grassy areas (trimmed and more urban vs long meadow grass), and paved paths perfect for letting little ones lead the adventure. Evening light glows here in a way that makes every family look like a magazine spread without asking anyone to pose perfectly. My favorite part about this location? The stunning weeping willows, which by the way, are next to the playgrounds.
Provin Trails – Grand Rapids
Provin Trails is a fairytale forest without the long hike. Tall pines stretch overhead, sandy paths wind between the trees, and the soft light filtering through the canopy makes everything feel cozy and intimate. Barefoot kids? Totally allowed. Tree climbing? Encouraged. I love this location because we don’t have to wander far from the parking lot at all. It’s a perfect spot for wintery sessions because we can take warm-car-breaks without stealing too much time.
Fallasburg Park – Lowell
This park has an effortless sense of nostalgia. Riverside spots, open fields, and the iconic covered bridge all sit within a short walking distance from the parking area. Whether your session is playful or sentimental, this location layers texture and character into every frame.
Felt Mansion Grounds – Saugatuck
Felt Mansion offers estate vibes without the permit hassle. The sweeping lawn, brick architecture, and perfectly kept landscaping make this feel slightly elevated without expecting anyone to behave fancy. It’s ideal if you want an elevated West Michigan location for family portraits without driving far, yet still getting a variety of looks for your final gallery.
PJ Hoffmaster State Park – Norton Shores
This is the beach-lover’s dream. Hoffmaster gives us dune grass, sandy trails, shoreline, and a lake backdrop all in one place. We stay close to the entrance or the parking lot to avoid long dune climbs, and let the natural colors do the heavy lifting. Sunset here hits different.
North Beach Park – Spring Lake
A quieter shoreline option than Grand Haven State Park, North Beach Park has all the charm with fewer crowds (outside of summer holiday weekends). Families can dig, splash, walk the shore, or sit wrapped in blankets and every option photographs beautifully. Ideal for playful kids and parents who want relaxed, candid images and need a good playground bribe (located near parking) once photos are done.
Overlook – Grand Rapids
This location gives us skyline magic without requiring a hike, but I keep the exact angle tucked away as my inside tip. If your family wants a little “city sparkle” without stepping into busy streets, this is the place. It does get crowded for sunset viewing in the summers, so I only recommend this location for fall and winter.
Park – Ada
Paved trails, tall grasses, and tons of room to wander make this location a crowd favorite. It’s calm, natural, and has a little bit of everything in a compact footprint. I love it here in the summer into early fall where we can find nooks of wildflowers!
Holland (also low-key secret)
Neutral tones, sandy textures, and a surprising “out-west” feel make this spot a quiet stunner. It looks rugged without being rough, cinematic without requiring effort. Message me because this one has to stay semi-secret.
A Few More Quiet Favorites
Neighborhoods, grandma’s property, a familiar trail you already walk with your kids, your first house, you name it.
Sometimes simplicity photographs best
Want Something Fun & Different?
Mention one of these ideas in your inquiry form for $200 OFF:
- Homemade pizza night at home
- Rooftop sunset session in downtown Grand Rapids
- Scootering + fast food with teens or college kids
- Mommy-and-me paint session
- Studio “awkward JCPenney throwback” — intentionally chaotic and hilarious
Your location matters, but you matter more.
Whether we’re on a trail, at a park, or in your living room, your family’s connection is the thing that brings every photo to life.
