Accidental Location Scouting


I was driving around the John's Creek/Alpharetta, GA area running errands one day when I saw a sign that read Autrey Mill Nature Preserve with an arrow. My daughter was asleep and I had time to kill so I decided to follow the signs on a whim and ended up finding the perfect spot for Easter photos. As soon as we drove up I immediately fell in love with the Summerour House located at the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve.

2-year-old girl in white and pink Easter dress holds Jelly Cat bunny for Easter photos at Summerour House

The Autrey Mill Nature Preserve


Autrey Mill Nature Preserve is a nonprofit organization that began as a grassroots effort to save the woodlands from development and halt the demolition of historic buildings. There were walks and hikes and historic buildings and demonstrations and I wanted to immediately get out of the car and explore. Unfortunately, my daughter was still asleep.


Photos at Summerour House


Since I wasn't able to get out and explore the area, I immediately emailed for permission to photograph there in front of the Summerour House the week before Easter instead. My daughter and her cousin had matching Easter dresses that my mom had bought them and my sister and I had already decided they needed photos together - an easy feat considering I specialize in children's photography. In order to take advantage of the small fee I had paid for the photo permit, my sister also dressed my nephews in their Easter outfits so that we could get some cute photos of all the kids.

3 siblings - 2 older brothers ages 8 and 4 with their little sister, age 2, in their Easter outfits at Summerour House

Easter at Summerour House


The photos turned out just as dreamy as I had imagined them and I wish I could do a session at the Autry Mill Nature Preserve every week! I'm so glad I followed the signs on a whim and found this hidden gem in Johns Creek, GA. I'm a firm believer that a beautiful photo an be taken anywhere but the Summerour House definitely makes it easy. I can't wait to go back!

Do you want photos at Summerhour House?


I am regularly in the Johns Creek area visiting family and would love to be your photographer while I'm here. Fill out this form for more information on a photo session with Christian Michelle Photography.

At the time of this post, the permit fee is $25. The fee will be checked prior to your session if there have been any changes.

2-year-old girl in pink and white Easter dress holds white egg at Summerour House in Johns Creek
4-year-old boy in bow tie holds white egg with an open mouth for Easter photos in Johns Creek GA
2-year-old cousins in matching Easter dresses hold an Easter basket full of white speckled eggs at Summerour House
2-year-old cousins in matching Easter dresses at Summerour House at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve
2-year-old cousins in matching Easter dresses inspect an Easter basket at Summerour House at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve
Toddler cousins play ring-around-the-rosie with a stuffed bunny in matching Easter dresses
Toddler cousins play in matching Easter dresses at the Summerour House in the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve
Two young girl cousins hold hands for Easter photos in front of the Summerour House in Johns Creek
Two 2-year-olds hold hands in matching dresses for Easter photo session with Chattanooga photographer
2-year-old cousins hold hands and spin in matching Easter dresses in front of white picket fence with green wreaths
toddler cousins hold hands with stuffed bunny in matching pink dresses in front of white picket fence with green wreaths
2-year-old girl with brown curly hair hugs her stuffed bunny in front of Summerour House
curly, brown haired toddler feeds her stuffed bunny with a stuffed carrot
blonde toddler girl hugs 3 stuffed carrots to her chest for Easter photos
blonde toddler girl smells 3 stuffed carrots hugged to her chest for Easter photos
curly, blonde haired toddler looks at 3 stuffed carrots held in her hands
blonde 2-year-old smells stuffed carrot in her Easter dress while holding a handful of stuffed carrots in other hand
blonde 2-year-old smells stuffed carrot in her Easter dress while holding a handful of stuffed carrots in other hand
blonde 2-year-old smells armful of stuffed carrots for Easter photos with Christian Michelle Photography
blonde 2-year-old smells armful of stuffed carrots for Easter photos with Christian Michelle Photography