Year in Review : Favorite Locations 2015

2015 brought some fantastic opportunities for me with second shooting. I got to photograph the coolest couples and get to shoot alongside the awesome Justin Mark Photography.  With each couple there is a new location I got to shoot at, I thought I would share some venues that became my new favorites! If you get married here I would love to shoot it! 

1) Semple Mansion. Feel : Victorian style with classic details. What I loved: with beautiful wood work, stunning painted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and a grand staircase to knock your guests off their feet, what's not to love?! Everything about this location just had me desiring to come back and shoot there again!

A:100 W Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404

2) St Olaf College. Feel: Traditional with a dash earthy.  What I loved: St. Olaf has a glorious campus with lots of room, near by park with grassy field, stone buildings with a castle feel. On of the back of the stone architecture just reminded me of a complete fairy-tale that had me wanting to be a part of the magic.

A:1520 St Olaf Ave, Northfield, MN 55057

3) Mayowood Stone Barn. Feel: Rustic and comfortable. What I loved: It felt private and intimate, it is convenient for both Ceremony and reception space, the stone barn was different from any other barn I have seen which worked great for photos. The staff  was friendly and the area gives a wide variety of backgrounds.

A:3385 Mayowood Rd SW, Rochester, MN 55902

4)Winehaven Winery.  Feel: Outdoor relaxation What I loved: Rolling hills that are best for outdoor space, cute space for indoor reception and I enjoyed the large getting ready room for the bride; it had lots of natural light.

A:10020 Deer Garden Ln, Chisago City, MN 55013

I added links and addresses if you want to check them out further!  

I know that next year will probably add to my list of places I fall in love with but this year I just fell head over heels for these locations! I hope one day I will find more couples who fall in love with them just as much as I have!

Downtown St. Paul Photography | Favorite Urban Location for Photoshoots

Do you want to be let in on a little secret? All Photographers have a favorite location to shoot. 
It fits their style, the light is stunning, it fits their personality, there can be numerous other things that has people coming back to that location.

As for me, one location I could shoot  for the rest of my photographer days would be Downtown St. Paul. After I finished college, I got my first "grownup" job in the heart of downtown. I am thankful that I am able to be emerged in the experience everyday. St. Paul is my favorite urban spot to shoot as a photographer;It is a place that I am always comfortable in. 
St Paul constantly bustles with people that makes the city come to life.  I have always enjoyed the look of having couples engagement shoots downtown. The light at certain times of the day is just stunning.
A handful of the structures downtown make a beautiful story for an engagement and portrait shoots. Downtown can be so versatile with all the different nooks and crannies, beautiful parks (Mears park,Harriet Island Park, Raspberry Island), fun water fountains (check out some here or here), and delicious restaurants for some date night shoot look in your photos. (Sakura anyone?) I love St. Paul and I want to share that same breathtaking experience with my couples in their urban sessions. 
Here are a couple of my recent session in the great Downtown!

If you do not know what location you want your session, do not be afraid to get some suggestions from your photographer. They can give you multiple locations that will fit your style; Photographers want you to be comfortable wherever you choose for your shoot!  

(Here is a previous post on 3 tips to rock your engagement session if  you want to read more!)

Thompson Park Engagement Photography | Amara & Matt

Amara and Matt are such a delight to shoot! They are high school sweethearts from the St. Croix school in West St. Paul. With a touch of fall, the weather was absolutely perfect to capture their love for each other. So stoked to shoot their upcoming wedding in the summer!