Hidden Lake Gardens | Outdoor Photography
My wife and I took a day trip to Hidden Lake Gardens in Tipton, MI, a 755-acre arboretum & botanical garden operated by Michigan State University. It was a beautiful location with many unique areas to take photos with creative angles, colors, and compositions. If you’re looking for a beautiful setting to take graduation photos, engagement photos, family photos, or photos just for fun, it’s worth the drive.
Photography Polices
When visiting a location like Hidden Lake Gardens, it’s important to check their photography, videography, and drone policy first. In this location, photography is permitted (within guidelines), but drone use is not allowed. If you’re visiting for professional or commercial photography, you must schedule in advance and apply for a photo session permit. We checked the policy when we visited in 2025 and again in September 2026 when writing this blog post, but if you’re considering visiting, make sure to check again to see if they’ve made any updates. We didn’t end up needing a permit because we weren’t taking any professional or commercial photos, but would have applied if needed.
Photography Equipment
At Hidden Lake Gardens, photography equipment (like tripods, light reflectors, etc.) is not allowed in the buildings or on the Sky Walk. We worked within these equipment guidelines, working with handheld Sony FX30 and Sony a6600 cameras. It’s important to respect guidelines like these because equipment can disrupt other location visitors.
Nature Photography - Plants, Berries, and Flowers
I loved taking photos of the beautiful plant life inside the Conservatory. Hidden Lake Gardens Conservatory has three biomes - tropical, arid, and temperate. They were all incredible to explore and I noticed intricate and unique patterns in the plants, berries, and flowers. I’ve been using these photos as my computer wallpapers and as backgrounds on my website because they turned out so pretty! It was relaxing to walk through the biomes and enjoy a little escape from the world.
Natural Settings for Photography
If you’re looking for a beautiful outdoor setting for photography, I’d recommend checking out Hidden Lake Gardens! Even if you’re not planning a photoshoot, it’s a great place to visit on a summer or fall day in Michigan. We loved our experience and will definitely be coming back again.
And if you’re looking for a photographer in southeast Michigan (including the Lansing area), reach out today. We’d love to work with you to bring your vision to life!
