Unless there’s an area with special significance to you, choosing a location for your portrait session can be daunting. So daunting that you might tell your photographer to choose one for you. But it doesn’t have to be.

Yall, I’m so freaking excited to finally be able to offer portrait session gift cards! I’ve wanted to offer e-gift cards for a while but I hadn’t come across software that made the process easy on both the client and seller. That is, until now!

The first significant snowfall of the season has fallen. It’s sparkly. It’s pretty. And it also means cold weather is officially here!

Because we Minnesotans know that this is only the beginning of winter, I think it’s time to talk about how to stay warm at and during outdoor winter photography sessions.

So grab a blanket, your favorite warm beverage, and maybe a note pad because I’m serving up some goodies:

What are mini sessions? Mini sessions are short photography sessions that typically last between 20 and 30 minutes.  They’re perfect for updated family photos, holiday card photos, baby or child milestones, couple photos, or other announcement photos.

Since these sessions go by quickly, it’s important to make a plan to have a successful session. 

Marie, Stephen and their two dogs met me on a chilly Fall evening for their engagement session. They wanted to do their session at a location with lots of nature that would have similar vibe to their wedding venue. We landed on Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan, MN.

I love this family so much and I was so excited when Erin asked me to photograph her kids for the second time! The weatherman predicted rain so we decided to embrace it and put on our rain boots and raincoats for a fun splish-splashy family photography session…because what kid (and kid-at-heart can resist jumping in puddles?!).

Tyler is one amazing young man. He’s super kind, stylish, and has the biggest smile I’ve ever seen!

One late-August afternoon, I met Tyler and his parents at their home in Forest Lake, MN. After being shown around their BEAUTIFUL house, we decided to go outside and take Tyler’s photo in their backyard. And you can totally see why, right? Their backyard has THE BEST backgrounds! My home and yard envy was pretty serious.

Talori’s St. Anthony Main senior photography session was so magical! We weren’t quite sure if the weather would hold out but thankfully it did and we ended up having a perfect evening!

As a senior at Burnsville High School, Talori is a triple-star athlete. And when I mean she’s a star I mean it! Talori just picked up soccer this year and made the Varsity team. I played soccer back in my youth and believe you me, making Varsity is no small feat (feet? Pun!) 

Kristel and Nick have such an adorable family! Their daughter, Natalie, has the most piercing blue eyes I’ve ever seen and their dog, Cooper, is the sweetest adventurer around.

We met early on a sunny July morning at Hidden Falls Regional Park in St. Paul, MN. I took Kristel and her family to the hidden fall where we snapped several fun photos of them playing together. And yes, the park’s namesake is for this fall…it is so well hidden that I searched for it on 2 separate occasions before our session. Oy!