The Most Photographic Areas of the Nichols Arboretum (aka. The Arb) in Ann Arbor, MI

Nichols Arboretum has so much to offer high school seniors looking for nature-inspired, relaxed, beautiful backdrops for their senior pictures. The foliage, flowers and river provide ways to ensure that your photos stand out as unique and meaningful. Whether you opt for springtime photos amidst peonies bursting with color, or an early autumn assortment with color the results will be special. The Arb allows for some of the most stellar Ann Arbor Photography around and is conducive to obtaining truly great senior photos.

Perfect locations within Nichols Arboretum for your senior pictures:

• Washington Heights entrance brings you right into the amazing Ann Arbor Peony gardens. It includes over 800 colorful peony plant and tree blooms peaking sometime late May through mid-June.
• A short walk from the peony gardens is the Laurel Ridge Trail. It’s filled with azalea and rhododendrons which showcase stunning springtime blooms. The trail offers a variety of background colors to complement outfits and personalities
• Wetland Boardwalk offers up a wooden path leading right through the forest with angles just right for serene photos
• Riverfront Trail runs right along the beautiful Huron River and features benches, a winding split rail fence, a variety of trees and dramatic stone steps perfect for securing senior photos, seen here in Rena’s senior photo session
• A train bridge over the Huron River allows for rustic yet architectural senior shots
• Prairie Trail offers up beautiful 7-8 feet tall grasses and massive Oak trees in the Alex Dow Field. As well as blooming black-eyed Susan, yellow coneflower, sky blue aster and meadow rose in the fall
• Magnolia Glade contains the large leaves of the umbrella tree and a wide array of other magnolia varieties
• The Main Valley lends itself to cool photos with it’s green hills and downed trees.  Full of astonishing autumn color thanks to the trees that surround it
• Centennial Shrub Collection includes lilacs, hydrangeas and viburnum, blooming spring through early summer
• The Amphitheater in the Arb, designed by Landscape Architecture students, is a backdrop just right for a senior musician or actor

It is no wonder that photographers in Ann Arbor and beyond recognize Nichols Arboretum as a gem. It’s a great, open space to bring your favorite pet to join your photo session. It offers the perfect spot to showcase your varsity jacket, your love for cross country or your favorite instrument. The serene, nature feel brings out authentic smiles and poses allowing the experience to be fun and the photo results strong. Mapping out 1610 Washington Heights will take you directly to a U of M lot open to the public after 5 p.m. Be sure to bring a comfy pair of shoes for walking from place to place!

Ready to book your senior session?  Get in touch!