Susan Ditchfield Photography

Serena’s senior session was one for the books. We met on a beautiful September evening at Terraces Flower Farm , just a couple of hours before sunset. The light was perfect—soft and golden—and the whole farm felt peaceful and full of charm. Terraces Flower Farm is a really special place, especially for senior portraits. Flowers are blooming everywhere you look, and there’s a greenhouse on the property that’s kept just for photo sessions. It adds a cozy, rustic vibe to the photos. One of my favorite features? The classic blue Ford truck that’s become a signature part of the farm—it’s fun, a little nostalgic, and photographs so well. But the real highlight of the evening was Serena. She’s wrapping up high school as a homeschooled student and, incredibly, is also finishing her bachelor’s degree at the same time. That’s a huge accomplishment and made this session even more meaningful. Serena is smart, driven, and carries herself with such calm confidence. It was clear how much thought an...

  Capturing Memories: A Family Session at Kensington Metro Park This past weekend, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing a truly remarkable family session at Kensington Metro Park . The Martin family - with fifteen family members coming together—Mom, Dad, their eleven kids, and two daughters-in-law—the session was a celebration of connection, and togetherness. It was an evening filled with laughter and moments that will be remembered. Kensington Metro Park provided the perfect backdrop for this session. Two hours before sunset and the light was perfect. The overcast sky provided beautiful, even lighting that made everyone look their best. The lushness of the park offered a lovely natural setting that helped highlight the family and not detract from them. One of the standout aspects of this session was the family's flawless outfit coordination. They chose a beautiful palette that combined neutral bases with pops of color, creating a harmonious yet vibrant look. The neutra...

Salenia's Dynamic South Lyon Headshot Session: Capturing the Essence of a Life Coach I recently had the pleasure of photographing Salenia, a talented life coach, in a South Lyon headshot session that perfectly captured her vibrant personality and professional demeanor. Despite the short 30-minute session in my garage studio, we achieved a variety of dynamic shots that showcased her versatility and warmth. Salenia chose one outfit but smartly brought two distinct looks by adding a blazer: She chose a beautiful hot pink button-down shirt, which suited her skin tone beautifully and made her pop against the backdrop. The bright color exuded energy and warmth, traits that are essential for a life coach. It created a casual and trusting look, perfect for connecting with her clients on a personal level. By adding a black blazer brought a traditional and professional look to the session. It allowed us to capture images that conveyed her competence and credibility, essential qualiti...

Professional and Inviting: Beate's Headshot Session in South Lyon, Michigan This January, I had the pleasure of working with Beate, a new and dedicated midwife, in a headshot session designed to enhance her online presence. Despite the overcast and chilly weather, my garage “studio” was the perfect space the warmth and professionalism that Beate embodies. The simple garage “studio” provided a controlled environment where we could focus on getting the perfect shots. The overcast sky outside created a soft, diffused light that we used to our advantage, ensuring that Beate's features were beautifully highlighted without any harsh shadows. The chilly weather was no match for as these headshot sessions are no longer than 30 minutes. Beate chose an outfit that she could easily transform into two by using layers.   She started the session with a blue sweater vest over a button-down white blouse.   A very classic and professional look. Then by simply removing the sweater vest fo...

  Capturing Natalie’s Senior Session on Her Gorgeous Property | Ann Arbor, MI Late summer provided the perfect backdrop for Natalie’s senior photo session, held on her own beautiful property. With so many fun and picturesque spots to choose from, we spent a pleasant time exploring and capturing moments that reflect Natalie’s reserved personality and style. The weather was ideal—warm and sunny with plenty of clouds to diffuse the light, creating a soft, natural glow in every shot. Natalie’s property was a photographer’s dream, offering a variety of scenic spots that made the session both dynamic and captivating. From the charming fence line to the serene pond, each location provided a unique backdrop that highlighted Natalie’s beauty and character. The meticulously mowed trail winding through her property added an extra touch of charm, making the session feel like a whimsical adventure. There were two spots stood out as favorites during the session.   The first was the be...

  Jesse and Lydia's Magical Engagement Session at Kensington Metro Park Love was in the air this August at Kensington Metro Park , where I had the pleasure of photographing Jesse and Lydia's engagement session. Despite their busy schedule while visiting family, this newly engaged couple made time for a delightful and memorable photo shoot. The hazy, overcast sky created a dreamy atmosphere, perfectly complementing the love and joy that radiated from Jesse and Lydia. Kensington Metro Park, with its lush greenery and tall grasses provided a stunning backdrop for Jesse and Lydia's engagement session. The hazy, overcast sky softened the light, creating a romantic and ethereal ambiance that was perfect for capturing intimate moments. The natural beauty of the park highlighted the couple’s genuine affection and connection. Lydia's outfit was a highlight of the session. She wore a beautiful, flowy dress that added a touch of elegance and movement to the photos. Her energ...

On a surprisingly warm day at the end of October, I had the privilege of taking Bella’s homeschool senior photos ! I did two different sessions with her, one at Maybury State Park and the other a few months later in  Downtown Howell . It’s always a blast to photograph Bella! I’ve done Modern School Portraits for her and her younger brother for the past two years, and I also did a sibling shoot with all five siblings, which was a Christmas gift for their mom! This time, we took her graduation photos. Bella’s a star! She loves performing in dramas, and she has a beautiful voice. While she’s generally very quiet, it’s like she becomes a different person on stage!  She was Mrs. Potts in a homeschool production of Beauty and the Beast in 2021. In 2020, she even sang in a homeschool honors choir that was supposed to perform at Orchestra Hall in NYC! That year, she was also cast as Mary Poppins in another production. Unfortunately, both the show and choir performance were cancelled ...