Beach vs. Forest Sessions in Northern Michigan: Which One Fits Your Family?

Beach vs. Forest Sessions in Northern Michigan: Which One Fits Your Family?

One of the first questions families ask me when we start planning a session is deceptively simple:

Beach or forest?

Northern Michigan gives us both in abundance. Wide-open shorelines. Quiet woods. Two completely different moods — both beautiful, both meaningful — and neither is the “right” answer for everyone.

The truth is, this choice isn’t really about scenery.
It’s about how your family feels most like itself.

Let’s talk through both options in a real, no-pressure way.

Beach Sessions: Open, Airy, and Full of Motion

There’s a reason people are drawn to the water.

Beach sessions tend to feel loose and expansive. There’s room to move. Kids can run. Parents can breathe a little deeper. The lake sets the pace — slow, steady, unbothered.

What Beach Sessions Feel Like

• Light-filled and open
• Playful and energetic
• A little wild in the best way

Kids usually love beach sessions because there’s so much freedom. They can explore without feeling confined. Shoes come off. Expectations soften.

And visually? The lake brings a calm, natural simplicity that lets connection take center stage.

Beach Sessions Are a Great Fit If:

• Your kids need space to move
• Your family is playful and high-energy
• You want photos that feel light, summery, and relaxed
• You love water, wind, and natural movement

Beach Sessions May Include:

• Sand in shoes
• Kids wanting to get wet
• Onlookers

A quick note — beach sessions don’t mean chaos. I guide things gently so we still create beautiful, connected images. They just happen in motion instead of stillness.

Forest Sessions: Cozy, Calm, and Grounded

Forest sessions feel different the moment you step into them.

The light is softer. Sounds are quieter. Everything slows down just a little. These sessions often feel intimate and grounding, like you’re wrapped in the moment instead of surrounded by it.

What Forest Sessions Feel Like

• Calm and contained
• Warm and earthy
• Quietly emotional

Forests naturally bring people closer together. There’s less visual distraction, which means connection becomes the focus. These sessions often lend themselves to softer moments — hand-holding, lingering hugs, gentle laughter.

Forest Sessions Are a Great Fit If:

• Your family feels most at ease in quieter spaces
• You want photos that feel cozy and timeless
• Your kids do better with fewer distractions
• You love earthy tones and filtered light

Forest Sessions May Include:

• Biting bugs
• Humidity
• Dirt and dust

Forest sessions are especially beautiful for families who want something peaceful and reflective — photos that feel like a deep breath.

What Most Families Don’t Realize

Here’s something I tell clients all the time:

The location doesn’t create the emotion — your comfort does.

I’ve photographed loud, joy-filled sessions in the woods and quiet, tender moments on the beach. The magic happens when you’re somewhere that allows you to relax and be present.

That’s why I never choose locations based only on how they photograph. I think about:

• Your kids’ personalities
• How you interact as a family
• Whether you feel energized or overwhelmed by open space
• Whether quiet environments help you settle or make you feel confined

These things matter far more than the background.

You Don’t Have to Decide Alone

If you’re torn between beach and forest, that’s completely normal. Most families are.

When we plan your session, I help guide this decision with intention — not rules. Sometimes the answer is obvious. Sometimes we talk it through. Sometimes we even blend elements of both.

My job isn’t to put you in a “perfect” location.
It’s to put you in the one where you can be yourselves.

Because when that happens, the photos don’t just look good — they feel like home.

If you’re curious about booking a session, I would love to chat and answer any questions you have. The best way to contact me is to hit the inquire button on my website, here.