closeIt is so great to be connected to a beautiful big group of artists in Minneapolis. A few years ago, I met the sweet Allison Family. This year, we booked their session in the studio and used the gigantic paper flower wall as our backdrop which fit them beautifully. Cheerful, energetic and full of beauty, I love seeing them every single time!
Because the bulk of my business happens between the months of August and October, fall always seems to pass me by. BUT, I am pretty sure that the Prucha family got one of the best days of the season. Sixty degrees, beautiful color and an almost empty park, we were all able to enjoy a georgeous fall day walking around, skipping stones in the creek and jumping in the leaves. It was perfect!
What do you get when you bring a sweet French bull dog named Russell with a sweet one year old? A beautiful session! Even though it was a bit cold outside, the Arkelin family made the most of it, and it was such a blessing to meet them at Como Park in St. Paul. I loved the tones Leah chose for their session and the textures around Como were a perfect backdrop for their late October day!
It is that time of year already… fall has arrived. I know we still have the oh-so-glorious month of September, but that crispness is in the air, and along with it, preparing for the holidays and family photos! Weather you are a spring or summer go getter and get those photos done before the fall kicks in, or if you wait for the colors of fall to make their appearance, there is always the question of WHERE to do family photos.
SO hallelujah, hallelujah, today I will be sharing with you some of my favorite places, or ideas, on where to do family photos.
Location can make the difference, and most of my clients are in the Minneapolis area, so that’s where I am going to give you a list of suggestions!
If you are still wanting beautiful late summer blooms and greens, booking your session for the first few weeks of September would be my suggestion. Most days are still warm enough for cute dresses without leggings, and you are still able to catch that gorgeous fall light in the evening hours. Some great places I would suggest would be:
Arneson Acres in Edina
Centennial Lakes in Edina
Millennium Gardens in Plymouth (there is a small fee to shoot there around $25)
MN Landscape Arboretum ( a more hefty fee to shoot there… $75)
Como Park in St. Paul, but only after the fair is over!
If you are looking for more fall color, the best time to get that color is generally the last week of September through the second week of October. Typically by MEA weekend (third weekend in October), most of the leaves are blown away and the color is gone. Sometimes we get that extra week, but if you are really wanting that color, I would suggest booking your session during that time! Some locations I have seen with beautiful foliage:
Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove
Minnehaha Falls In Minneapolis
Como Park (near the water) in St. Paul
Local Parks near your home
Northwestern College campus in St. Paul
If you decide that you want more winter photos with snow or evergreens or you missed booking a session with the leaves, the best time to do that would be once the snow has fallen (obviously!) Typically I photograph up to the second week of December with a guarantee that photos will be ready for Holiday cards. I would suggest an urban location or a place that you are able to get warm fast (especially if you have young kids). Some thoughts on where to shoot for later sessions:
Stone Arch Bridge or Father Hennepin Park in Minneapolis
Mill Ruins Park in Minneapolis
Boom Island Park in Minneapolis
Rice Park in St. Paul
Christmas Tree farm (most owners will let you shoot for free on their property up until they open for the season, then there is typically a fee. Check with your local farm for details before going on any property!)
Or if you are a cold person like me, book a studio session!
If you are still in need of family photos, feel free to contact me for more information on availability, I’d love to connect!
Continuing on in this week’s mini series, I am so thrilled to address yet one other question I get asked when I meet with couples in planning their wedding day. When should my wedding party be ready for photos?! As discussed on Tuesday, it is really up to you as the coupe to decide when all this should happen, but in my professional opinion, here are some of the key times when your wedding party will be needed::
Getting Ready photos. Honestly these are some of my very favorite photos and ones I see personalities shine through. If you have robes for your bridesmaids, make sure you are able to get a photo of everyone toasting together. And then, have your attendants in dresses before you put on your dress. These make for gorgeous photos, and honestly some you will want to use in your album.
Wedding Party photos, traditional and non-traditional. These are your best friends, making time to share in the day and have fun with them are a priority to me as I also hope, to you as the couple. These are friends that have watched you grow through the years and those that will keep you going throughout the day. Again, these are some of my very favorite photos.
After Ceremony Photos. Are you deciding on heading to your favorite spot in the city for photos? Bring your friends with you. Travel on your trolley make for great photos, as do photos once arriving at your destination.
Dance photos. As fun as the day is, the reception is where the party comes alive. Photos on the dance floor are some of my favorites. Grab your bridesmaids and dance along with them to get more of your favorite photos!
As for the shot list? Here are some of my go to groupings I do for my couples::
Groom and Groomsmen
Groom and Groomsmen and Ushers
Groom and Ring bearer
Groom and Groomsmen separately
Bride and bridesmaids
Bride and personal attendant
Bride and flower girl
Bride and bridesmaids separately
B&G with flower girl and ring bearer
B&G with wedding party formal and informal
Including siblings in your newborn session… yes or no?
My answer is always yes.
It might feel a little chaotic in the moment, but those are often the images you end up treasuring the most—the real connection, the tiny interactions, the beginning of a new family story.
I’ve loved watching the Luong family grow through all three of their children’s newborn sessions, and those sibling moments are always some of my favorites.
If you’re wondering how it all works (and how we make it easy), I wrote a full blog post about it! Check it out in my stories
#newbornphotography #minnesotaphotographer #familyphotography #siblinglove
NEW WEBSITE. SAME HEART.
After a long time behind the scenes… it’s finally here.
And I want YOU to be one of the first to experience it.
So I made it a little more fun 👇
✨ I’m giving away TWO mini sessions for 2026 ✨
How to enter:
• Visit the new website (link in bio)
• Look around
• Enter the giveaway
That’s it.
If you’ve been thinking about booking photos this is your sign!
Tag a friend who should enter with you below and add to your stories for another entry!! (Make sure to tag me!!)
No one said you had to do newborn photos inside! Taking lifestyle newborn photos outside and making them true to your style makes them even more meaningful and significant!!
Based in the Twin Cities area and available for travel worldwide.
