You’ve picked the date, signed the contract, and now you need to pick a location! As a Toledo photographer and native, I have a huge list of different locations that I love to share with my clients! One of the best things about living in the midwest is experiencing the seasons. Which is definitely something to consider when choosing! We’ve got sunflowers, skylines, and even a beach nearby! Take a peek at some of my favorite locations for your session!

Gust Brothers Sunflower Field

This is one of my FAVORITE locations! The Gust Brothers Flower & Produce Farm is located right over the line in Michigan near Sylvania and is a hidden gem for photos. They have a sunflower trail that is over 6 acres and a maze with props like their antique truck! Be sure to bring some cash because the trail will cost $5 per person (2 and under are free!). When you’re finished with your session, you can purchase a mason jar and pick your own flowers too! The only con is it can sometimes be muddy or closed because of rain, so just watch the weather! And the flowers are only in bloom around late July – August.

Check out more photos from a session here: Gust Brothers Sunflower Trail

Oak Openings Metropark

Oak Openings Metropark is another great location because of the variety of backgrounds to choose from. This huge park is a Toledo Photographer’s dream and located in nearby Swanton. There are open fields, fall foliage, wooded areas, and even a large pond. A lot of these locations are located within close proximity, so a short drive can result in a variety of photos all within one session! I’ve personally spent hours riding my horse around the trails, so I’ve got a few secret spots here I love! You’re bound to have beautiful photos here!

Check out the second half of this gallery from Taylor & Drew’s engagement session: Oak Openings Engagement Session

Maumee Bay State Park

Yes! We have a beach!! Just a quick drive over the Glass City Bridge into Oregon, Ohio is Maumee Bay State Park. I love this location because of the diversity of photos I’m able to capture. If you’re brave enough to stick your feet in, some splashing around in Lake Erie creates some fun and exciting photos! The state park is large and has a variety of other settings such as Aspen trees, fields of grass, ponds, and even a huge hill that overlooks the lake. It’s definitely worth a little bit of a drive and your photos will be gorgeous!

Check out Sydney & Christian’s beach session here: Sydney & Christian’s Engagement Session

And here’s another Maumee Bay session here: Taylor & Drew at Maumee Bay (first half of the gallery!)

Downtown Toledo

Downtown Toledo has really grown over the last 10 years! There have been several huge upgrades and additions such as a Promenade Park, Hensville, new murals, and the new Glass City Metropark! It’s a Toledo Photographer’s dream! I have lots of my favorite mural locations and secret spots saved in my GPS, which I send directly to clients. Rooftop photos are another favorite too! The only downside can be parking, so be sure to bring some extra cash!

Check out a gorgeous senior session in Downtown Toledo here: Andi Jo’s Downtown Toledo Senior Session

Toledo Museum Of Art

If you want a classic and clean look, the Toledo Museum of Art is definitely the way to go! The white marble and tall pillars create a clean and elegant background for photos for any occasion. I love shooting here because the white marble really makes the subjects pop and creates a beautiful, clean reflector on client’s faces. No crazy color casts! And there are a few other great spots as you walk around the museum so you’ll still end up with variety! Definitely one of my favorite locations as a Toledo photographer!

Check out this stunning engagement session at the museum here: Allie & Austin’s Toledo Museum of Art Engagement Session

Wildwood Metropark

Wildwood Metropark is another great Toledo photography location! The Manor House and the gardens surrounding it make a great backdrop for classic photos. There are lots of options that are just steps away! The Ward Pavillion is also a fun location and has the old schoolhouse nearby. Wildwood definitely provides a variety of options for open fields, lush flowers, and trees with glowy light at sunset!

Check out this small senior session at Wildwood Metropark: Kristin’s Senior Photos at Wildwood

Toledo Botanical Gardens

You can’t go wrong with the Toledo Botanical Gardens! This place is huge and offers a wide variety of flowers, trees, and greenery. There are several gardens on the property and pathways lined with seasonal flowers, although my favorite might be the rose garden! They have a gazebo, bridges, several ponds and a creek. It’s a great locations to get a wide variety of images in one spot! If you’re heading there for family photos, there’s also a “Secret Forest” playground for the kids when they’re done! I use it to bribe my own children!

Toledo offers so many great locations for photos, and there are so many more places I didn’t even touch on! Some other places I love to shoot at are listed below. Let me know if you’re wanting any of these options for your session!

• The Toledo Zoo
• Sidecut Metropark
• The Glass Pavillion
• Downtown Sylvania
• Downtown Perrysburg
• Levis Commons
• Marblehead Lighthouse
• Local Barn With Horses (I know a few!)

Want to schedule your own session in Toledo or somewhere else?!

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