Ready to start planning the family photoshoot you’ve always dreamed of in Minneapolis?
I’m sure one of the first questions that has already crossed your mind is, “Where should we take our photos?”
I know that there are many different options to choose from – that’s why as your Minneapolis Family Photographer, I’m sharing with you my personal favorite locations to take photos at and I am giving you a close-up look through my lens showing you what each location looks like in different seasons, different angles, different perspectives, and more.
Let’s take a look!
Family Photoshoot Locations in Minneapolis
Harmon Alley behind Café Lurcat
This little spot is straight-up magical for those looking for a more urban feel to their photos. Gritty architectural features juxtapose against gorgeous plantings and other details for a really fun and unique spot.
Bonus – Loring Park is literally just across the street so we can dash over and grab a few more nature-esque shots to round out your gallery with some awesome variety.
The alley is pedestrian-only, and usually very quiet, so there will be lots of space for your kiddos to run/play for some amazing city-feeling captures.
This is a huge advantage for sessions with small children/early bedtimes that might not be able to stay up for a golden hour session at the height of the summer.
Because the alley is totally shaded by buildings, we can often start your session earlier than a spot in full sun.
Lake Harriet Peace Gardens
It’s a rare day that I shoot here without seeing at least a handful of other photographers and for good reason.
The Peace Gardens are simply gorgeous no matter the season and provide a ton of background variety in a small location.
This means I can get lots of different shots while being very efficient – we won’t have to spend a lot of time walking around (unless you want to pop across the street to the Rose Gardens or Lake Harriet’s lakefront – which I’m always up for!).
Fast-paced sessions that still deliver a variety of gorgeous photos = happy kids and happy partners. Let’s be honest….there’s usually at least one person in the couple who’s not exactly elated to be at a photo session…let’s throw them a bone.
This is also a shadier location that can allow us to start your session just a little earlier to work with bedtime.
I do prefer to schedule this location on weeknights when possible to avoid battling lots of other photographers/people enjoying the park.
This spot shines in ALL seasons.
Think blooms, flowers, and luscious greens in the Spring, colorful annuals and landscaping that contrast beautifully against vivid greens in the Summer, and plentiful deciduous trees and shrubbery for rich and bold fall colors in Autumn.
This is a rare Twin Cities location that truly shines in the winter as well. The ample evergreens, colorful perennials, and rock landscaping add lovely color and texture that provide a much-needed pop against an often otherwise drab time of the year. Not to mention there is some wide open space to capture snow scenes if we’ve just had a fresh, powdery fall.
Minnehaha Creek
This is such an ideal spot if you have active kids who thrive on tons of space to run and play!
The section of the creek that is my favorite spot to photograph tends to be very private.
There is a large grassy field, wooded areas, beautiful tall grasses, a bridge overlooking the creek, and a shaded, paved path. Depending upon the water height, creek wading/splashing might even be a possibility if you’re feeling adventurous.
Kids LOVE climbing/exploring the spot with downed trees/logs and discovering the hidden swing!
Coldwater Spring
This spot is an absolute gem that most people don’t even know exists!
It does require a bit more walking than many of my other favorite locations, so I tend not to recommend it for families with very young children. But if you’re the adventurous type, you can totally push a stroller through this national park.
Just keep in mind that our session might not be quite as efficient as other locations, since we’ll be walking a bit to the good spots.
Think tall/grassy fields, a pretty spring with a small waterfall, a stone arch mill, a small bridge, and a grove of oaks. My favorite feature is that there is a spot here that is just PERFECT for a silhouette!
Old Cedar Ave Bridge
Although I would primarily classify this location as more nature-inspired (it is situated on the Minnesota Valley Natural Wildlife Refuge after all), the unique pedestrian bridge provides a fun, urban element that contrasts nicely against the otherwise nature backdrop.
Imagine grassy fields/hills that just might have some amazing wildflowers if we hit it at the right time, wooded paths, stairs, and rock landscaping add some opportunities for posing variety.
The best part is that all the “good stuff” is quite centrally located next to the ample free parking lot. If your kiddos still have the energy to burn after our session, there’s a delightful Nature Play Area just beyond where we will be photographing.
Think of a playground without monkey bars, slides, and or swings. Say what? This spot was designed to allow imagination and creativity to flourish with boulders, logs, and sticks.
Build a creation with nature’s “blocks,” weave an eagle’s nest, craft a lean-to, climb and leap to your heart’s content on downed logs and boulders, and grab a new book from the Free Little Library at the entrance. You can read more about this unique location here.
Final Thoughts of Family Photoshoot Locations in Minneapolis
Your family photoshoot should be fun and all about capturing those special, beautiful moments between you and those you love the most.
My recommendation is to pick your favorite family outdoor hang-out spot, your own home/backyard, a large, open field, or somewhere that’s infused with nature for your photos. With many different options to choose from, I want you to pick the location that feels the most like your family. Remember, these photos are the ones you’re going to appreciate for a lifetime.
Ready to make some magic during your family photoshoot? You can learn more about all of my family photography sessions here or you can head over here to get in touch here and start planning your own perfect session!
