Below are the ideas nominated as 2026 Group Shoots for our voting in late 2025, which is now closed. If an entry begins with square brackets, it was part of the voting, and that's the number of votes it received. Otherwise it's an older proposed group shoot that we're still considering. The name in parenthesis at the end is the person who proposed the group shoot.
[7] Tour of Detroit Architecture (John Mattarella)
[7] Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and its Butterfly display, Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 11-5, Adults $22, Seniors $17, Approx 2.5 hours from Sterling Hts. (John Mattarella)
[6] Ohio State Reformatory at 100 Reformatory Rd, Mansfield OH (the Prison featured in the movie The Shawshank Redemption), a 3-hour 5-minute drive, JoAnn Turk has done some research on this. If we go on a public tour, at the time she checked (2023?), the entrance fee is $25 ($23 for seniors). You can stay until closing. No tripods. They are open Thursday-Sunday. The building is unheated. Bathrooms are available.) (Bill Buchanan)
[6] Dow Gardens, May through September, 1809 Eastman Avenue, Midland, MI, They have a canopy walk. (could be combined with Dahlia Hill, Tridge, Chippewa Nature Center) (Thomas Barr)
[2] Midland: 230 miles, 4 hours round trip driving-only time. A day trip to Dahlia Hill, the Tridge, Chippewa Nature Center. The dahlias are most impressive, late August, September. (could be an add-on to a Dow Gardens trip) (Chet Jankowski)
[6] Michigan West Coast Lighthouses, February, can be a one day: St. Joseph & South Haven (395 miles, 6 1/2 hours round trip driving-only time), a long one day, or a two day, including Grand Haven & Holland (450 miles, 7 1/2 hours round trip driving-only time). I (Chet) do it as a two day, to get both sunrise & sunset. This could be a collaboration with Motor City, They go every year. (Chet Jankowski)
[5] Motor City ComicCon: They have two events a year, one in May and one in November. There tons of amazing cosplay to photograph, a very exciting atmosphere, and it's inside and air conditioned. (Pat Reed)
[4] Japanese Cultural Center in Saginaw. Traditional gardens. Should plan for April, this is when Cherry blossoms bloom. Also second Saturday of the month has a traditional tea service. (Tim Griffin)
[4] Curwood Castle, Owosso. Tuesday to Sunday 1-5pm $5 per Adult. Closed the month of January along with a photo walk of downtown Owosso. (Peter Drellick)
[3] Cars 'R' Stars (now held during September) (Lorell Leon)
[3] Group shoot in a historic Cemetery, like Clinton Grove, White Chapel, or Glenwood Flint. (Robert McGarry)
[3] Shiawassee Wildlife Refuge, near Saginaw: Ferguson Bayou Trail with side trip to Saginaw Silo Murals. You drive the trail in the summer time, great place for seeing lots of nature. (Peter Drellick)
[3] Hidden Lake Gardens, 6214 W Monroe Road (Hwy M-50), Tipton, MI (about 2 hours drive), Tue-Sun 9-5, photography encouraged, but no tripods or reflectors etc. Sky Canopy Walk, Hiking Trails, Conservatory, Bonasi Collection, Hosta Hillside, Gazebo Garden, Harper Collection of Dwarf and Rare Conifers, Visitor Center (Diane Kaluza)
[3] Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary and Zoological Gardens, 1698 M-66, Athens, MI (south of Battle Creek), 2.5 hour drive, daily 11-4, $14 admission with guided tours included, Not a large place, but with approximately 200 creatures there's a lot to see: alligators of all sizes and stages of life, a greenhouse with plants and animals, tortoises that 'roam the plains of the sanctuary', a gazebo and upper level observation deck. See their facebook site. (Diane Kaluza)
[2] Night time shoot, Star trails or just a starry night. We would need to find a location with a good background like a Bridge, Lighthouse, Barn, Moon. Very weather permitting. (Tom Vezina)
[2] Oakland County Air Show, at the Oakland County International Airport in Waterford. (John Brown)
[2] National Museum of the Great Lakes, in Toledo . They have a 2 ships that can be toured. 1903 Tug and 1911 lake freighter. Would need to find out photo policy if we want to to this. (Tim Griffin)
[2] Toledo, Ohio: 140 miles, 2 1/2 hours round trip driving-only time. Toledo Zoo, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, Vistula Historic District, Woodlawn Cemetery, Anthony Wayne Bridge, BP Oil Refinery. As a possible add on: The Butterfly House, in Whitehouse, about 20 miles s/o Toledo. Although not set in stone, I (Chet) normally go in September or October, for fall color, on a Wednesday Senior Day. Staying for the bridge and the refinery, at sunset and/or nightime makes for a long day. Just the zoo, the cathedral, and the historic district make the outing worth it. (Chet Jankowski)
[1] In Toledo area. Sidecut Metro park has 3 canal locks from old canal off the Maumee river. I think this looks best in the winter so there is Ice and snow with the water flow. From there we could go to Lakeside Marblehead lighthouse. About 1 hour drive between locations. (Tim Griffin)
[2] Michigan Thumb Lighthouses: 300 miles, 6 hours round trip driving-only time. Starting at the Blue Water Bridge, Fort Gratiot, Port Sanilac, Harbor Beach, Pointe Aux Barques, Port Austin. Although not a dramatic as the west coast lighthouses in winter, it makes for an interesting day trip up the coast. Winter, spring, summer or fall. (Chet Jankowski)
[1] Legasea Aquarium and Reptarium, 45550 Van Dyke Ave, Utica, MI, daily 11-7, Admission $25, Reptiles, amphibians, some mammals (capybara, two-toes sloth, binturong), several daily "shows", multiple huge aquariums with both fresh and saltwater inhabitants: sharks, stingrays, lion fish, fresh-water predator fish, lobsters, puffer fish, etc. (Diane Kaluza)
[1] Richmond Area Heritage Festival, was the last weekend in June during 2025. Featured, Antique Tractor Show, Anqique Car Show, Saw Mill, Antique buildings and other demonstrations. (Robert McGarry)
[0] Detroit Fireworks Show, Late June (Bill Buchanan)
Sweetest Heart of Mary Catholic Church, an ornate catholic church near I-75 and Warren Ave.
Monroe MI. There is a lot of Michigan history down there with the 1789 Navarre Anderson Trading Post (oldest building in Michigan outside Mackinaw Island), the River Raisin Battlefield site War of 1812, and one time home of Civil War General George Custer. Also by the DTE plant near the River Raisin is a supposedly big time eagle nesting area and hot spot! (Kurt Roman)
