Michigan Photographic Destinations

Eagle Harbor Lighthouse Big Sable Point Lighthouse Marquette Harbor Lighthouse

Let me help you to find a great location in Michigan for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser known destinations, as well as the famous “Icon Locations” for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information,  consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to insure a quality guide to great locations for photography in Michigan.

Interactive Google Map

Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.

 

Michigan Photographic Destinations

Michigan Destinations
Marquette Harbor Lighthouse The first lighthouse was built in the city in 1853. The present lighthouse was constructed in 1866 and a second story added in 1909. The lighthouse is the oldest significant structure in the city and more importantly, the lighthouse is one of the most historic navigation beacons on Lake Superior and critical to the development of the Great Lakes iron ore trade. Until the opening of the major Minnesota mines in the 1890s, Marquette was the premier shipping port for iron ore on the Great Lakes and this Marquette beacon was vital for the safe navigation of ships entering Marquette. This light still shines through for today’s sailors. In 2002, a 30-year lease was signed by the Marquette Maritime Museum, which is responsible for maintenance and control of the facility. As part of their operations, they also make the lighthouse available for scheduled tours. The lighthouse is open and tours are conducted from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. from mid-May through late October. The Marquette Maritime Museum offers guided lighthouse tours of the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse. This is the only way to view this picturesque light. Tours run daily mid-May through mid-October, 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Group tours can also be arranged by calling the Museum. The tour consists of a walk through the Coast Guard grounds where visitors will get a brief history of the Life Saving Station and Coast Guard in Marquette, MI before reaching Lighthouse Point. Once there, visitors are treated to the history of the lighthouse and get to explore the grounds and the living quarters. The tour ends with a majestic walk down the front catwalk. This is the only place to get a photograph of the front of the lighthouse and also see Marquette’s historic shoreline. What to Photograph: The historic lighthouse, the Marquette Maritime Museum, and the town of Marquette with the old lower harbor ore dock. Best Time for Photographers: The only way to access the lighthouse grounds is on a tour, which are run mid-May through mid-October, 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Where it is: The Marquette Harbor Light is located on Lake Superior in Marquette, Michigan, a part of the Upper Peninsula. Address: 300 N Lakeshore Blvd, Marquette, MI 49855 Maps: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Cost: Adults: $7 (Museum or Lighthouse) – $12 (both Lighthouse and Museum) Children 12 & under: $3 (Museum or Light) – $5 (both) Hours: Open Tuesday thru Sunday (closed Mondays) from May 16 to mid – October 11am – 4pm Facilities: The lighthouse is located in the town of Marquette with a population of 21,000, which has all facilities available. Links: Marquette Maritime Museum Location Contact Information: Mailing Address Marquette Maritime Museum P.O. Box 1096 Marquette, Michigan 49855 906-226-2006 Marquette Harbor Lighthouse Photo Gallery Click Here for full page gallery More Photographic Destinations in Michigan: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State    All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...
Eagle Harbor Lighthouse Eagle Harbor Light is an operational lighthouse at Eagle Harbor, in Keweenaw County in the state of Michigan. It sits on the rocky entrance to Eagle Harbor and is one of several light stations that guide mariners on Lake Superior across the northern edge of the Keweenaw Peninsula. The original lighthouse, built in 1851, was replaced in 1871 by the present red brick structure, which is a Michigan State Historic Site and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The octagonal brick light tower is ten feet in diameter, with walls 12 inches thick and it supports a 10-sided cast iron lantern. The Lighthouse was manned by a head keeper and two assistant keepers. In 1999 the Congress of the United States transferred ownership of the Eagle Harbor Light Station to the Keweenaw County Historical Society. The Coast Guard continues to operate the light at the top of the tower. The Keweenaw County Historical Society operates the lighthouse as a museum, and also operates other museums at the site, including the Maritime Museum in the old fog signal building, the Commercial Fishing Museum, the Keweenaw History Museum and an exhibit on the 1926 shipwreck of the City of Bangor.   Where it is: The Eagle Harbor Lighthouse Complex is located on Lighthouse Drive, not far from the swimming beach along M26 in Eagle Harbor Michigan on the Keweenaw Peninsula.   Maps: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. GPS:  N 47 27.582 W 88 09.558, Decimal Degrees: 47.459705, -88.159300 Cost: Admission $8.00. Children and KCHS members free. Hours: The Eagle Harbor Lighthouse and museum complex is open from mid-June to early October. June – Noon to 5 PM July – 10 AM to 5 PM Mon-Sat; Noon to 5 PM Sun August – 10 AM to 5 PM Mon-Sat; Noon to 5 PM Sun September – Noon to 5 PM October – Noon to 5 PM Facilities: Unknown the lighthouse was closed when I visited. Location Contact Information: Keweenaw County Historical Society 670 Lighthouse Road Eagle Harbor Mohawk, MI 49950   EMAIL Eagle Harbor Lighthouse Photo Gallery Click Here for full page gallery   More Photographic Destinations in Michigan Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State    All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...
  Big Sable Point Lighthouse The Big Sable Point Light is a lighthouse on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan near Ludington in Mason County, Michigan, at the Ludington State Park and is an active aid to navigation. On July 28, 1866, Congress appropriated $35,000 for a new lighthouse at Big Sable Point. Approximately 933 acres was deeded from the State of Michigan to the U.S. at no cost and in early 1867 construction began, making it the first light station in the area. Built in 1867, the 112-foot tower was originally made of yellow cream brick. It has a focal plane of 106 feet. The building was made of so-called Cream City Brick. The brick deteriorated and was thereafter covered with boiler plate in 1900. Construction materials were brought up by ships. The first road to the site was not completed until 1933. Because the brick deteriorated from exposure to the elements, a steel plate encasement was installed in 1900 at a cost of $3,225. The yellow brick now encased in steel plate was difficult to see and a daymark was needed. Several changes to the daymark over the years were made. Currently, the tower is painted white with a black watch tower and a black band around the middle of the tower.  It was the last Great Lakes Lighthouse to get electricity and plumbing, which came in the late 1940s. In 1986, the lighthouse station was leased to the Foundation for Behavioral Research. The foundation has worked with the Big Sable Lighthouse Association to preserve the buildings. Ludington State Park is comprised of 5,300 acres of scenic sand dunes, sandy beaches, the iconic Big Sable Point Lighthouse, wetlands, marshlands and forests. It is situated between Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan with several miles of beautiful shoreline along both lakes. Where it is: Access requires a 1.5-mile walk up the beach or hiking trail. Take state highway M-116 north from Ludington to Lakeshore Drive. Proceed north for 6.5-mile to Ludington State Park. A vehicle permit is required and a fee collected. Bus transportation is available on select days. Buses travel from the State Park Rangers House inside the State Park to the lighthouse from 12pm to 5pm. Round trip cost is $5.00 per adult rider and $2.00 for children 12 and under. Maps: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.   GPS: 44°3’27.354″ N 86°30’52.326″ W Cost: The Recreation Passport  is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. Michigan Residents Vehicles: $12 when purchased with your license plate registration renewal through the Secretary of State. Vehicles: $17 when purchased at state parks, *DNR customer service centers (cash or checks only) or at the Secretary of State outside your license plate registration renewal cycle. (Recreation Passport fee + $5 convenience fee = $17) Motorcycles: $6 when purchased with your license plate registration renewal through the Secretary of State.. Motorcycles: $11 ($6 passport fee, plus $5 convenience fee) when purchased at state parks and *DNR customer service centers (cash or checks only) or at the Secretary of State outside your license plate registration renewal cycle. Moped: $6 when purchased at state parks. Commercial daily pass $17 when purchased at state parks (24k+ lbs and/or seating capacity of 16+). Nonresident Annual nonresident: $34 (valid through Dec. 31, 2021) Daily nonresident: $9 Towed motor vehicle (only if it’s being used): $7 at state parks (can only be purchased if towing vehicle has an annual non-resident pass, good for length of stay) Commercial daily pass $17 at state parks (24k+ lbs and/or seating capacity of 16+) The cost to climb the lighthouse is $5.oo Hours: The lighthouse is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May through October. Call (231) 845-7417 to confirm hours.   Facilities: The park is home to three modern campgrounds with a combined total of 360 campsites and three mini cabins. The Cedar Campground includes eight tent-only sites that are located on a separate loop. These tent sites do not have electricity, but are within walking distance of the restrooms and showers. Location Contact Information: Ludington State Park Address 8800 W. M-116 Ludington MI, 49431   Phone 231-843-2423 Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association Address: P.O. Box 673 Ludington, MI 49431 Phone:+231-845-7417 Email:splkadirector@gmail.com Big Sable Point Lighthouse Photo Gallery Click Here for full page gallery   More Photographic Destinations in Michigan Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State    All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...