About Joanna Carina of Carina Photographics

About Joanna Carina

Maternity Studio Photography | Kelly Family

Fine Art Maternity Photography

Raina + Neal contacted me one winter’s day and discussed their upcoming baby (due in late spring) and wanted a studio maternity photoshoot. They loved the look of my previous work, and wanted something fun in a similar way. I was pumped, and couldn’t wait to work with them!

MN Maternity Photography

The day arrived and they were game for it all. We had plenty of time and used a number of my beautiful maternity dresses for their session. Neal was happy to join in for photos and to help as an assistant as needed too.

After their session, they were treated to a slideshow and gallery showing of the “best-of-the-best” from their session. They chose to go with a box of 20 matted fine art prints of their photos – 10 from their maternity session and 10 from their upcoming newborn session once their little man made his appearance. It was tough to narrow down to just 10, but after much hemming and hawing, they finally ended up with a collection they loved.

Thank You!

Thank you, Raina + Neal, for working with me as your maternity photographer. I had so much fun working with you, and I am thrilled that you love your photographs! And of course, I cannot wait to meet your new little peanut in just a few months!

Make sure to take a look at other maternity sessions I have photographed: Kelzer Family, Huntwork Family, Ford Family, and Samolytz-Brossoit Family.

If you’d like to work together for your maternity and/or family photography, whether indoors or out, contact me soon!

Hmong Family Traditional Dress Portraits | Lor Family

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Traditional Family Photography

One day last winter, I received a call from a woman who was looking for a photographer to capture her female family members wearing traditional Hmong dresses. She and her sisters had wanted to gift these portraits to their mother to adorn her home with the beautiful photos of her family in their traditional homeland dress. I was so excited, I couldn’t wait!

MN Family and Child Photography

The day arrived and the whole family came out to my studio – mom with 4 daughters and one grand-daughter. It was so fun! Mom was obviously delighted by such a meaningful portrait to show her children’s love for her and thanking her for working so hard for them all those years. Even their slightly shy toddler was obviously tickled to hang out with grandma for the day (as well as the toy fox I let her play with.) She was just a bundle of giggles!

After their session, the sisters came back to my studio to choose their favorite portraits and wall art to gift their mom. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of their wall art from Graphistudio in Italy – and the look on their faces when they see their stunning new artwork!

Thank You!

Thank you, Lor family, for working with me as your family photographer. I had so much fun working with you, and I am thrilled that you love your photos!

Make sure to take a look at other family sessions I have photographed too: Long Lake Regional Park family photos, MN Landscape Arboretum family photos, and studio family photos.

If you’d like to work together for your family portraiture, contact me soon!

Como Conservatory Engagement Proposal Photos | Sami + Cody

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Como Park Engagement Proposal

Samantha contacted me one day looking for engagement and proposal photos for her and her love, Cody. They were planning for a Como Conservatory engagement proposal and Como Park portraits. I was so excited – it’s one of my favorite venues!

Como Conservatory Engagement Portraits

The day came for their engagement proposal, and it was a bit chilly and rainy. They arrived and we started with a few portraits. Then, when the two of them arrived at the stairway landing, Cody got down on one knee and proposed! Sami was so excited, and had tears of joy! We spent a bit more time around the Conservatory to capture more photos of the two of them. Then the skies cleared up, and we walked down past the Frog Pond and gardens to capture a few more portraits of them together and their happiness. We only had about another half an hour before they were finished and rushed off to announce their engagement to family and friends!

Thank You!

Sami + Cody, thank you so much for working with me for your engagement photography! I had so much fun working with you for your engagement photos. I am also so excited to see your beautiful new engagement photo album in person!

Be sure to take a look at a few other sessions I photographed at Como Park, including a spring Como Conservatory engagement session, a winter Como Conservatory engagement session, another spring Como Conservatory engagement session, another winter Como Conservatory engagement session, and even a Como Town Amusement Park engagement session!

If you are considering Como Park and/or Conservatory proposal/engagement photos, contact me soon!

Como Conservatory Proposal Photos | Jack + Racine

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Como Park Surprise Proposal

Jack sent me a note one early spring day about wanting photos taken of his surprise engagement proposal to his girlfriend Racine in April at the Como Conservatory. It was tough keeping things secret from Racine, but we did the best we could with secret emails and phone calls.

Como Conservatory Engagement Portraits

The day came for their engagement proposal, and Racine was none-the-wiser. Jack and Racine were on their way to a special engagement dinner, and Jack mentioned he had booked a photographer for a few photos at the Como Conservatory on their way to dinner. They arrived during a short spring shower. We started with a few portraits, then they headed over to the main landing in the Conservatory, when Jack got down on one knee and proposed. Racine was in tears of joy as she nodded emphatically “YES!” to his proposal. They were so sweet together! We spent a bit more time around the Conservatory for photos, then walked down past the Frog Pond and gardens to capture a few more as the sun was making an appearance. We only had about half an hour before they rushed off for dinner and announcing their engagement to friends and family!

Thank You!

Jack + Racine, thank you so much for working with me for your engagement photography! I had so much fun working with you for your surprise proposal / engagement photos!

If you are considering Como Park and/or Conservatory proposal +/or engagement photos, contact me soon!

Newborn Photography Minneapolis | Huntwork Family

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Newborn Photographer St Paul MN

I met Maddie several years ago at a wedding we worked together. We became fast friends! I was so excited when I found out that she and William were expecting a new addition to their family in a few short months! And then I was lucky enough to be able to work with them for their maternity photography as well as their newborn photography at my St Paul studio.

Baby Photography MN

Maddie and William brought their sweet toddler Freya as well as their newest bundle of joy, Gannon, to my St Paul photo studio. We worked together for just about an hour, or as long as the kiddos would last. We found some great wraps and wardrobe colors that would work well together. Then we had plenty of time for photos with mommy, daddy AND big sister. Little Mr G was the perfect level of sleepy and content to go along with pretty much anything. We captured photos of the four of them together, each parent with G alone, a few with big sis, and then little Gannon himself.

Thank You!

Thank you, Huntwork family, for working with me as your newborn photographer. I had so much fun working with you, and I am thrilled that you love your photographs!

Make sure to take a look at other newborn sessions I have photographed too! Kelzer Family, Ford Family, Svendsen Family, Troldahl Family, Gangl Family, Ranheim Family

If you’d like to work together for your newborn baby photography, give me a call or send me an email soon!

Family Studio Portrait Photography MN | Goetze Family

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Fine Art Family Photography

Sibyll has been a friend of mine since our kiddos attended pre-school and grade school together. It’s been fun watching her sweet son Sean grow through the years. I was incredibly honored when she purchased my donated gift card at our school’s fundraiser and asked that I would photograph the two of them! How awesome was that?!?!

MN Family and Child Photography

Sibyll and Sean visited my studio one fall day to create their portraits together. They were ready with wardrobe ideas and were ready to have fun! We hung out in my studio, chatted about our latest happenings, found the perfect wardrobe, and got going. We had fun creating photos of them both together and individually. Sean had fun showing me his awesome dance moves, as well as making as many funny faces he could. I also loved capturing photos of them hugging and holding each other, and could just sense their love from across the room!

Once we were finished their session, we narrowed down to a good number of their favorite photos. They decided to craft a beautiful custom album of their session featuring all their favorite photographs. The album is so beautiful – watch for photos in a future blog post!

Thank You!

Thank you, Sibyll + Sean, for working with me as your family and child photographer. I had so much fun working with you, and I am thrilled that you love your album!

Make sure to take a look at other family sessions I have photographed too: Long Lake Regional Park family photos, MN Landscape Arboretum family photos, and studio family photos.

If you’d like to work together for your family and child photography, contact me soon!

Maternity Family Studio Photography | Huntwork Family

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Fine Art Maternity Photography

My friends Maddie + William are expecting their second child in January. I was so happy they paid me a visit for beautiful maternity and family photography. They included their sweet 2-year-old daughter Freya in their maternity photography too! (I photographed them last summer when Freya celebrated her first birthday. Check out their adorable family photoshoot here.) We had so much fun during their session, playing in my studio with wardrobes and fun ideas. I’m so excited to share their photos!

MN Maternity and Family Photography

Maddie arrived first for hair and makeup artistry with the ever-fabulous Onsite Muse. Once she was ready-to-go, we were able to play with some of the beautiful dresses I had on hand. Then, when William and Freya arrived, we were able to focus on their family photos. William was a great assistant during our “flying dress” photos. And Freya was a very cooperative model, also so excited to meet her new little brother in just a few weeks.

Thank You!

Thank you, Maddie, William and Freya, for working with me as your maternity and family photographer. I had so much fun working with you three again, and I am thrilled that you love your photographs! And of course, I cannot wait to meet your new little peanut in just a few months!

Make sure to take a look at other maternity sessions I have photographed: Kelzer Family, Ford Family, and Samolytz-Brossoit Family

If you’d like to work together for your maternity and/or family photography, whether indoors or out, contact me soon!

Southern Theater Wedding | Inspiration Photoshoot

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Southern Theater Wedding Inspiration

The Southern Theater opened in 1910 near the Seven Corners Neighborhood of Minneapolis. It served as a theater for a number of years before going through a few changes, including time spent as a restaurant and even an automotive repair shop. In the 1970’s, the Guthrie Theater leased the space before releasing it again to becoming an independent home for non-traditional and engaging theater and live art.

Theater Wedding Photos

The Southern Theater is now offering their beautiful venue to couples getting married. A team of wedding vendors was assembled to craft a “wedding inspiration” photoshoot. We included numerous vendors and elements that would be included in a traditional wedding day, including floral, decor, wedding cake, invitations, etc. These photos will help couples to envision how their own big day could look. I was so honored to photograph the gorgeous event. It was such an amazing day!

Thank You!

A special thank you to all the members of our wedding photoshoot team. I am honored to be included as your photographer for this stunning photoshoot.

If you are considering a Southern Theater wedding, contact me soon!

VENDORS
Venue & Coordination: Southern Theater Weddings
Décor & Styling: Positively Charmed Boutique Wedding & Event Décor
Florist: Wilderland Floral
Rentals & Rugs: Rudy’s Event Rentals
Wedding Cake: Farina Baking Company
Invitation Suite & Calligraphy: Epitome Papers
Wedding Gown & Accessories: Brides of France
Make Up Artist: Taylor Marie Beauty
Hair Stylist: Karla’s Beauty
Bespoke Tailoring & Men’s Grooming: Carraway Club
Bridal Model: Kelly Nelson
Groom Model: Derek Reed
Officiant Model: Christopher Hernandez
Lighting: Southern Theater

Backyard Lakeside Wedding Photos | Kristen + Jamie

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Backyard Lakeside Wedding

“Something good should come out of this pandemic. Hey – let’s get married!” So began Kristen + Jamie’s wedding planning. They had been together for nine years so they wanted to finally tie the knot, pandemic or not. Luckily, they had some amazing family friends who had a beautiful lakeside backyard, so that was the perfect place to gather for their big day.

Back Yard Lakeside Wedding

Their October wedding day was a bit chilly, but they had some warmed tents and lots of layers at the ready. We started with their first look and portraits at beautiful Lac Lavon park across the street. They were even able to include their sweet doggy Pickerel in their photos! Afterward, we headed back to the lakeside yard, where we had a short pontoon ride around the lake for a few more photos. Even with the chilly cloudy October day, the wind was still and the filtered sunlight through the clouds was stunning.

Back at the private lake property, they held their beautiful wedding ceremony with their closest family and friends. So much laughter and so many tears of joy! Their ceremony was followed with toasts, cake cutting, dinner and a wonderful evening of fun.

Thank You!

Kristen + Jamie, thank you so much for including me as your wedding photographer for your beautiful day. I am so happy for you both as you begin your new lives together!

BONUS: Check out another backyard lakeside wedding I photographed too!

If you are considering a backyard and/or lakeside wedding, contact me soon!

Be sure to take a peek at Kristen + Jamie’s slideshow for more photos too!

VENDORS
Wedding Venue: Private Residence
Wedding Dress: BHLDN
Hair/Makeup: Cole’s Salon
Groom’s Attire: Macy’s
Wedding Rings: Family Heirlooms
Officient: Paul Hillmer
Florist: Lindskoog
Catering: Pizza Luce
Wedding Cake: Gray Duck Bake Shop + Bride’s Grandmother

Mill Ruins Park Engagement Photos | Jordan + Elliot

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Mill Ruins Park Engagement Session

Jordan + Elliot were so excited to have fall engagement photos. Thankfully, even though we were in a full-fledged pandemic, we could still work safely outdoors. They considered a few location options for their session, including beautiful Stillwater MN and Mill Ruins Park. After paying a few visits around town, they opted for Mill Ruins Park. I absolutely love that location! It is filled with old ironwork and stone down by the historic riverfront of Minneapolis. We were so lucky to have a beautifully spectacular day for their fall engagement session!

Mill Ruins Engagement Photos

The day arrived, and Mill Ruins Park was busier than I’ve ever seen! We had plenty of time to wait things out and just hang around and talk, so the time seemed to fly. The two of them had such a great time – joking, laughing and having a blast, almost as if I wasn’t even around. We wandered around the park enjoying the beautiful river scenery while photographing away. The time was up before we even knew it! And Jordan + Elliot loved their photos!

Thank You!

Jordan + Elliot, thank you so much for working with me as your engagement photographer! I had so much fun working with you for your beautiful photos. And I am so excited for your big day next year!

Be sure to take a look at an additional Mill Ruins Park engagement session I photographed too!

If you are considering Mill Ruins Park engagement photos, I would love to work with you! Contact me soon!