Named Best Family Photographer in Metro Detroit for 2025 & 2026

Last year I was notified that Elena Polo Photography had been named Best Family Photographer in Detroit for 2025 by Quality Business Awards. It came completely out of the blue, and I wish I knew who nominated me so I could thank them personally!

The other day, I went back curious to check who won the 2026 award… and to my surprise, it was me again.

No email this time — just an accidental discovery while browsing their site.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of photographing hundreds of families and life moments, but recognition like this still feels deeply personal.

Awards are always nice, of course, but what really matters is what they represent. I went through a lot since the end of 2023, having to completely rebuild and reinvent my life and myself, starting from scratch in a new city and community, so this recognition means the world to me. These awards are based largely on client feedback and reputation, which means they reflect the wonderful families who trusted me to photograph their lives.

The beautiful moms who finally stepped in front of the camera with their kids after years of taking everyone else’s photos. The toddlers with big personalities and even bigger curls. The teenagers who “hate” photo sessions and end up laughing and having fun through the whole thing. The grandparents who know exactly how precious and fleeting these moments really are.

Photography, for me, has always been about preserving the people and connections that shape our lives, as well as a bonus confidence and career boost.

If you’ve ever looked through old photos and wished there were more — more of your mom, your grandma, your kids at a certain age — then you already understand why this work matters so much.

I’m grateful to every family who has invited me into their story. And if you’ve been thinking about documenting your own family — whether for a milestone, a yearly tradition, or simply because time moves too quickly and you’d like to seize the day and capture the best of it — I would love to create something meaningful for you.

You can book your session here. Mommy and Me sessions will be held on select dates in April and will be announced shortly.

Thank you again to all the wonderful families who made this recognition possible.