Metro Detroit and Traverse City Family Photographer documenting
deep connections & joyful reflections.

Your story--beautifully told.

Hello, I'm Molly!

I'm a family photographer serving Traverse City and Metro Detroit & Ann Arbor.

I believe the beauty of family isn’t found in perfection — it’s in the in-between moments: the spontaneous hugs, the belly laughs, the wild hair and muddy shoes, and the soft quiet of bedtime routines.

As a mom of four, I know how fleeting these days are. Chaos and love are tangled together. It's messy, and hard, and oh, so very beautiful. My work is rooted in storytelling — honest, emotive, and full of life. I photograph families as they are: vibrant, connected, beautifully imperfect. Your story is composed of the fleeting moments that tell a deeper truth — the way your newborn fits in your arms, the child’s glance that says in you they are home, the joyful chaos that defines these years.

Manning Road Photography sessions are not about posing, they are about being. I want you to feel the warmth, the joy, and the love that fills your days every time you look back at your vibrant timeless images.
Based in South Lyon, I photograph families around Metro Detroit. But the heart of Manning Road Photography was born in Northern Michigan. Near Traverse City the stunning beaches and dunes of Sleeping Bear Lakeshore provide perfect backdrop to an already gorgeous story.

Because your story deserves to be remembered — beautifully told, and utterly real.

For families who find beauty in the chaos, joy in the mess, and love in every fleeting moment.

My love for photography began with the birth of our first child as an attempt to freeze ethereal moments. I wanted to capture the feel of a newborn settled on your chest, the afternoon light dancing across the nursery floor, and the unbridled excitement of childhood. Over the years this has grown into a deeper passion for capturing connection, emotion, and the beauty in everyday chaos.

Having family pictures taken can feel like just another thing on your (way too long) to-do list. Between practices, recitals, work projects, and dinner time, who has the energy to smile for the camera? But I believe your photo session shouldn’t be just another task, it should offer a pause. A breath. A bit of time set aside to connect, laugh, and simply be, while a friend with a camera freezes the wonder of it all.

Bring me your windswept hair, your toddler who insists on wearing a superhero cape, and your skeptical teens. I’ll chase your little ones for those impish smiles, tell a few too many “dad jokes,” and coax out the laughter that tells the real story.

Your story — beautifully told.

Based near Ann Arbor, I offer sessions across Southeast Michigan. But my roots Up North run deep and I cherish any opportunity to photograph families near Traverse City. If beaches, bluffs, and nature are your vibes, let's schedule your Up North session.

Family Maternity& Newborn Photographer
Ann Arbor | Metro Detroit | Traverse City

Because Manning Road

Feels like home.

Marking the southern edge of the Leelanau Peninsula, less than 30 miles from Traverse City, there’s a small gravel road that cuts through Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore toward the bluffs. Along that road sits a historic family farm. This is the place where my family gathers to celebrate holidays, trade stories, and slow down long enough to breathe in the wild beauty of this place.

No matter where life has taken me, turning down Manning Road has always felt like coming home. The golden light through the trees, the sound of laughter bouncing off the bluffs, this is where comfort and belonging live side by side. Because the beauty of this place lives so deeply in my soul, I offer sessions here regularly.

That feeling is what inspired Manning Road Photography. It’s more than a name — it’s what I cultivate in my photography: warmth, connection, and the quiet joy of being home.