Romantic Couples Photos at the Book Tower Building Detroit
Jeannette and Kevin chose to do something a little bit different to celebrate Valentine’s Day - a romantic, classic photoshoot at the Book Tower building in Detroit.
We made it downtown for their session on perhaps the coldest day of the winter season. Despite this, Jeannette and Kevin’s photos are nothing short of dreamy. The overcast skies made for such gorgeous lighting against the city backdrop. Book Tower’s street-level restaurant, Le Suprême, has gorgeous red awnings that paired well with the red accents of their outfits.
Book Tower was chosen for the location of their couples photos because of the temporary floral installation at the tower. The install was perfectly in-line with the Valentine’s Day theme we were looking for. Ultimately, we wanted the photos to feel timeless, intimate and relaxed. The classic architecture and showstopping skylight truly elevated the photos and helped capture those feelings. While the florals are temporary, the Book Tower building in Detroit will forever be an extraordinary location for couples photos and remarkable views.
I spent some time leading up to the shoot chatting about outfits with Jeannette. To multiply the timeless, romantic vibes, I recommended black pea coats with red accents. Her red scarf and the rose bouquet bring together the whole mood and theme of romance. Nothing says Valentine’s more than the color red.
Unexpected Red Theory
The dozen red roses are a main focal point of their session that really stands out to me. The flowers create an attention-grabbing visual point of interest. It’s bold, it’s classic, it’s romantic. There is a theory that explains why red is so good at attracting our attention. It’s called the “unexpected red theory”, coined on Tiktok by Brooklyn-based designer, Taylor Migliazzo Simon. This theory explains that a home design idea (or in this case, an outfit) can be improved overall by adding red accents to a room, more specifically, in a place where it doesn’t seem to belong.
You could implement this theory with a different color, possibly a trending color of 2025 (see list below) but the emotion it creates may be a bit different. Red is surprising. It is a focusing color and demands our attention. If you and your significant other are ones who love expressing yourselves in your attire or are interested in theory, incorporating the unexpected red is a clever way to have fun with your outfits.
2025 Wedding Color Trends:
Pale, pistachio green
Chocolate brown
Champagnes & whites
Rich, dark burgundy
Metallics
When assisting Jeannette with the planning of their session, I had suggested Book Tower for the location because of its character and classic elegance, as well as for what it means for the city of Detroit - revitalization and growth. Having been a professional photographer for 3+ years and a Metro-Detroit local my entire life, I am well versed on the iconic spots and hidden gem photo locations within the area.
Book Tower has been one of the locations on my Locations Guide since its grand reopen in June 2023. All clients receive my in-depth locations guide when booking a session with me! The tower is one of the most beautiful buildings downtown, and BedRock is kind to welcome photography within its lobby. While there is no permit fee required to schedule a session at the Tower, prior approval in writing is required for photoshoots. I would recommend reaching out to Book Tower at least two weeks prior to our session to ensure approval is granted.
It can be challenging to find an indoor location in Detroit that allows photography without a permit fee, which is why this makes Book Tower a perfect option to consider for your couples or engagement session downtown. The timeless architecture and glass skylight paired with art deco-esque decor are nothing short of captivating. It’ll be sure to leave you with photos of you and your partner that are swoon worthy. Don’t just take my word for it - take it from Jeannette and Kevin!
“Alaina did an amazing job capturing our Valentine’s photos❤️ every photo felt natural and real. She made the whole experience easy and fun, giving just enough direction without it feeling forced. We love how the photos turned out and would definitely recommend her to anyone looking to capture their relationship!”
Here’s an idea to leave you with. Make your photo session at Book Tower a whole date night for the two of you. Grab a drink at Bar Rotunda or dinner at Le Suprême afterward to make the day truly special and memorable. (If you go, I would definitely recommend their Fromages et Charcuterie platter!)
I am incredibly thankful to have gotten to photograph Jeannette and Kevin at Book Tower to celebrate Valentine’s Day and would love to photograph you and your love here too!
Your own narrative deserves to be captured with beauty and authenticity. Let’s create timeless photos that feel like you, together. Photos that will become heirlooms to your family. I’d be honored to capture your story.
Pres-er-va-tion-ist (noun)
A supporter or advocate of the preservation of something, especially of [history] and artifacts.
A photographer.
