Detroit and the Metro Area
Weddings in
Detroit doesn't do one kind of wedding. One weekend we're chasing golden hour off a rooftop downtown, the next we're deep in the marble and stained glass of a museum gallery, or out on the green at a historic country club. That range is exactly why I love working here. The city has this gritty, honest energy with old brick, big windows, murals, skylines that all photograph like nowhere else. And twenty minutes outside downtown, Metro Detroit turns into farmland, lakefronts, and small towns that feel like a different world entirely.
If you're the kind of couple who's excited by that range, who wants to actually use it, not just pick a pretty backdrop and stand still, we're going to get along great!
I've photographed weddings at the Country Club of Detroit, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Athletic Club, Pine Knob Mansion, and Shinola Hotel, and smaller backyard ceremonies scattered across the whole state of Michigan. Each one calls for something different. A private club or a museum gallery means working fast and clean with strict rules, tight indoor light, and architectural detail that deserves more than a snapshot. A barn wedding out in the country means open fields at sunset and a totally different eye. I've done enough of both to know what a venue needs before your day even starts, including how to work within the logistics that come with a place like DAC or the DIA.
Here's the thing about a venue like that: it deserves real time. Not five rushed minutes between the ceremony and the toasts. Actual space in your timeline to explore the building and surroundings, chase the light, and get the shots that make people stop scrolling. If you're planning to build that time in, I'm the photographer who's going to make the most of it. Up for the rooftop detour, the staircase you noticed on the tour, the weird hallway with the best light in the building? So am I.
If you're planning a Detroit wedding, we'd love to talk through your venue, your timeline, and what you're picturing for the day. Every couple we work with gets a plan built around their actual wedding, not a one-size-fits-all package.
If you love detroit as much as I do...
Engagement Sessions
The Experience
True Love Captured Forever
From the moment you book, you're not just getting someone to show up with a camera on your wedding day. You're getting a partner who's genuinely invested in making sure your day runs smoothly and feels right, and who's going to push for the shots that actually mean something, not just the standard list.
I've photographed weddings all across Michigan for 9+ years, and I've learned that great wedding photos start way before the ceremony. That's why I help couples build a timeline that leaves real room for portraits, not a squeezed-in ten minutes, but an actual block of time to slow down, explore your venue, and get creative. Some couples come to me nervous in front of a camera, and if that's you: "we're awkward in photos" is a sentence I hear at almost every consult, and I promise, I've got you. Other couples come to me ready to climb a staircase, wander a rooftop, or take direction on something a little unexpected, and if that's you, even better. Either way, my job is to make you look and feel like yourselves, just the most confident version.
Here's my commitment to you....I only book one wedding per weekend and try to only book a couple weddings a month. Your day gets my full attention. No splitting focus, no rushing off to another event. And I stay in communication with you from booking through delivery and beyond. Need to ask a question at the drop of a hat? Want to talk through your timeline for the third time because you're second-guessing everything? I'm here for it. Expect a few little surprises along the way, too. I want to keep my couples at front of mind and actually part of the experience.
The photos I create become legacy art for your family. But the experience of working together? That matters just as much, if not more!
If you're planning a Michigan wedding and want a photographer who treats your story like it deserves genuine care and attention, let's talk!
"OMG! They're amazing! I'm putting them on our wedding website TODAY. I've already immediately favorited like 34 images! The video is spectacular too! I love it so much."
- Haylee and Dan
Kind Words
"Erika did a wonderful job taking my son’s pictures! You could see him open up because he felt comfortable. Very nice to work with and very accommodating."
- Kayla K
Kind Words
"OMG Erika! These are so beautiful! Thank you so much for everything."
- Peyton and Jeremy
Kind Words
"Hi Erika! I just wanted to reach out and thank you for taking pictures. They turned out absolutely gorgeous, and everyone loves them. You did a great job capturing the essence of our wedding. Thank you again!"
- Shannon and Reed
Kind Words
The Process
2.
Engagement Session
We book your engagement session! Engagement sessions are a fun way to sit back and relax, enjoy each others' company, and to get some beautiful photographs of both of you. This is my favorite time to also get to know you and introduce how I will photograph you for your wedding day.
The Process
3.
Keep in Touch
My biggest thing is keeping communication with you. I want to make sure I am not leaving you hanging when you have questions or if you aren't sure what to do next.
I will check-in with you a few times before your wedding day and then about a month out from your wedding, we will have a quick meeting to go over details and timeline.
I will check in a final time a week before your wedding to finalize things and make sure we are all good to go!
Also, if there are any suggestions you need or help with building your timeline during this time, I want you to reach out to me. If you need vendor suggestions, anything, I'm here to help!
The Process
4.
Wedding Day
It's your wedding day! I will check in the morning of just as a quick wedding day check-in. I tend to show up around 30-40 minutes early to the location because I'm just that kind of person who doesn't like to be late. :) Plus, it's a great time for me to get gear ready and scout out your venue.
We'll all have a great time capturing the love between the two of you AND you and your loved ones!
The Process
5.
Wedding Day
Phew! We had a great time at your wedding! Now is the time to let out that sigh of relief that it all went just perfectly. Though, now, it's time to get to your photos. Within a week of your wedding day, I'll send over a couple sneak peek photos as I start editing your whole gallery.
A weekish after your wedding day, after your honeymoon :), I will contact you to schedule your REVEAL DAY. Your reveal day will be where we review your final gallery IN-PERSON (or on zoom if needed). The session will be scheduled for roughly 90 days after your wedding day.
The Process
6.
Reveal Session
The reveal session is your LIVE viewing party! While you will receive everything that is included in your wedding package that you already purchased, you will also have the opportunity to design and purchase more physical products and upgrade the ones you already got.
The reveal session can be so much fun and full of emotions. I want to make sure this is the best experience you have. So, bring your favorite beverage and a couple friends or parents and we will sit down for you to view the entire wedding gallery together!
The Process
7.
Image and product deliver
After your reveal session, you will receive your online wedding gallery where you will be able to decide which images you would like in your album. I will get started on putting together your album and any other products you purchased including wall and framed art.
The delivery of these products is dependent on the professional photo lab that I use and their processing times, but I will keep you updated on times. I have all products sent to me first for verification and quality checks and then I will either hand-deliver or ship them to you.
Michigan Wedding Pricing
Custom Packages Starting at
$5500
for 6 hours
*Included with all packages
- 2 Photographers
- Engagment session
- Album
- Travel within Michigan
What makes me different? I can tell you that i'll be just like your best friend on your wedding day or that I'll capture all of your day's memories. But, to me, those are just givens on things that anyone should be providing anyways.
It's more than just photo taking on your wedding day. It's all about the experience.
Yes, you'll receive all of the best images from your wedding day in digital format
However, you'll also receive up to 5 fine art, hand edited, portraits
Yes, you'll receive an album with your wedding day package. However, once you see your gallery, you'll also have the option to upgrade your album, order more, or bring your favorites home as fine art prints and wall art.
Yes, you'll receive an engagement session with your wedding day package
However, you'll also receive time with me. We can sit and chat, grab some coffee, get to know each other, and really go over how portraits will go on your wedding day.
Yes, you'll receive a second photographer for your wedding day. However, you'll also get two perspectives on every moment. While I'm with you during portraits, my second photographer is catching your guests, the details, and everything happening across the venue at the same time. At a property like the Detroit Athletic Club or the Detroit Institute of Arts, that means nothing gets missed. Also, you won't get some random person as your second photographer that I've never worked with before. My husband, Stephen, is always my second photographer.
What's Next?
Keep in mind, dates fill up fast so it's best to contact me and book fast. Your date is booked once you sign the contract and pay the retainer payment.
1.
Fill out the contact form below. I will be in touch as soon as possible and we can discuss full pricing details.
2.
Sign the contract, pay the retainer payment. Your date is BOOKED!
3.
Schedule your engagement session.
It's as simple as that!
FAQ
How much does a wedding photographer cost in Metro Detroit?
How far will you travel for a wedding?
Do you bring a second photographer?
Do you offer engagement sessions?
How many photos will I get from my wedding day?
What's your photography style?
Do I get the digital files, and can I print them?
Wedding photography with me starts at $5,500. Every package includes an album, so you're not left with thousands of digital images sitting on a hard drive and nothing to show for it. Plus, you'll get the option to design wall art for your home. Knowing a rough idea of your budget and about how many hours you'll want of coverage (deciding the typical moments you'll want covered) can really help to determine how much you'll really spend. An addition to the typical wedding packages, I will also bring you in for a live viewing of your wedding day images and this is also where you will be able to purchase wall art and upgrades to your album.
I'm based in Armada, Michigan and primarily work all over Metro Detroit. However, travel costs are included in all wedding packages for any wedding anywhere in Michigan. This does not mean we don't travel outside of Michigan. We love to meet new people all over the United States and the world so we're always ready to travel for your wedding day!
Yes! Always. I work closely with my husband, Stephen, as my second photographer. We work well together to tag team your wedding day in order to be able to get all the elements that you want in your wedding photography.
Yes, an engagement session is included with every wedding package. There's a reason why I do this. I truly love engagement sessions because it gives us an opportunity to not only get to know each other, but also it gives you an opportunity to feel more comfortable in front of my camera for your wedding photos.
This is what I tell all couples when it comes to how many photos you'll receive. I cannot possibly gurentee the number of images you'll receive. This is 100% because all weddings are different. Even if you choose the 8 hour package and another couple chooses the 8 hour package as well, it doesn't mean you'll receive the same amount of photos. It's all about the elements you include into your wedding plus, I'll be honest, it also depends on your venue as well. However, you are hiring me to put your faith in me and I can guarantee that all the elements that are important to you will be photographed and will receive enough images to satisfy those needs.
When should I book my wedding photographer?
Popular Michigan venues and peak wedding season dates book up fast, so earlier is almost always safer than later. Keep in mind that peak season in Michigan is typically from June through October. So, these weekend dates will fill up fast. For me, couples typically book Erika Black Photography about a year in advance of their wedding day and after they've already booked their venue and date.
What happens if you're unable to photograph my wedding anymore?
This is 100% a valid concern.I know this is on more couples' minds than it used to be, and it's a fair thing to ask. You deserve a straight answer, not just "don't worry about it". I'll be honest, a situation like this has never happened to me, but I do have policies in place to ensure everyone is protected. First of all, if an emergency happens with myself that I no longer am able to photograph your wedding, I don't want you to panic. My policy in place is the option to refund all money already paid. Then I will work to find you a replacement. I have close ties to the photography community and most likely will be able to find you an equivalent replacement. If you still want to work under my company, and depending on the situation, I am more than happy to find an associate photographer to stand in to photograph your wedding. My focus is quality so no matter what, I will find a replacement that is of equal or higher quality as myself.
I lean natural and authentic over posed and stiff. I'd rather capture your dad's real laugh or the way you actually look at each other than force a pose that feels like it belongs in a catalog. My background is in art and composition, so the images still feel intentional, just not staged and stiff.
Yes, I build printing in how I work with every couple. I make it easier for you at a professional quality. For any printed and physical products, you'll go through me in order to get the best quality for your images. You will receive all the best, edited images in digital format though in an online gallery.
