Bryant Lake Park Engagement Photography | Lauren + Wes

Bryant Lake Regional Park Engagement Photography

I can honestly say I’d never done an outdoor early spring engagement photography session before working with Lauren + Wes. Either the land was too brown and muddy, or they chose a different time of year. So when Lauren + Wes decided on Bryant Lake Regional Park prewedding photography in early April, I had no idea what to expect. Bryant Lake Park is one of the Three Rivers Parks District parks. I live very close to another Three Rivers Park, Silverwood. I have photographed there numerous times and I love it soooooo much. So it was awesome to find that Bryant Lake Park felt pretty similar. I was not disappointed!

Three Rivers Parks District Engagement Photography

From the beautiful sunset, to the loons calling on the lake, we had such an amazing time! The light snow over the winter meant the grasses were still rich, gold, and abundant. Even the lack of leaves on the trees did not disappoint. They made for amazing structure and texture in many of our images. And the sky cooperated as well. A misty sun and touches of blue peeked through textured clouds. Very moody and dramatic light! The park had a very renowned disc golf course, and since Lauren + Wes were avid disc golfers, we even spent some time taking photos of them with one of their favorite pastimes, too.

Thank You!

Thank you so much for choosing to work with me as your Minneapolis engagement photographer, Lauren + Wes! I had so much fun with your Bryant Lake Regional Park engagement photography. I am so happy for you both, and so excited for your big day!

If you are thinking about a Bryant Lake Regional Park engagement photography, contact me to discuss how we could work together!

ETA: Take a look at Lauren + Wes’ beautiful Rum River Barn & Vineyard wedding photos too!

Bryant Lake Regional Park Wedding Photo

Check out the highlight video showing more images from their Bryant Lake Regional Park engagement session:

Como Conservatory Engagement Photos | Dustin + Nicole

By Joanna Carina 1 Comment

Como Conservatory Engagement Photography

Living in Minnesota, I believe we are incredibly lucky to have a place like the Como Conservatory in St Paul. It’s an amazing place to visit during our long, cold Minnesota winters. Spending an hour or two amongst the beautiful trees, plants, flowers and HUMIDITY can really make you feel like you went on a mini tropical vacation. So whenever someone wants to consider photographing during our winter or very early spring, I always advocate paying a visit there. Luckily, when I mentioned it to Dustin and Nicole for their Minneapolis engagement photos, they were excited to try it out!

St Paul Engagement Photography

We visited on a blustery cold day in March. Dustin and Nicole hadn’t visited the Como Conservatory in many years. They were so happy with how beautiful everything was. There are endless photo opportunities – tropical plants, blooming flowers, palm trees, ferns, pools and waterfalls. Dustin and Nicole were happy to go with the flow. We happened to visit at a point when there weren’t quite as many visitors as normal, so we had many of the ideal spots to ourselves. The two of them have so much fun together. It made for an awesome session!

Thank You!

Dustin and Nicole, I am so happy you chose to work with me on your Como Conservatory engagement photography. I cannot wait for your Bohemian Flats wedding in June! Best of luck with your wedding planning!

If you’re thinking of having a Como Conservatory engagement session, contact me soon. I’d love to discuss how we could work together!

Be sure to take a look at some of my other spring Como Conservatory engagement photos, summer Como Conservatory engagement photos, winter Como Conservatory engagement photos and even Como Town engagement photos too!

Minneapolis Engagement Photographer Como Park Conservatory MN Engagement Photo

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Engagement Photography | Sam + Bryan

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Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Engagement Photos

Being that my one of my first photography loves was landscape photography, I was looking forward to the day that someone hired me to create MN Landscape Arboretum engagement photos. My dream was realized last fall with Sam + Bryan’s engagement photos! The biggest challenge of that location is being able to narrow down the areas you want to work. There are acres upon acres of spectacular settings. We ended up spending a couple of hours. I could have easily spent a couple more, except for the fact that Sam + Bryan had reached their modeling limit for the day! lol

MN Landscape Arboretum Engagement Session

Sam + Bryan – thank you so much for hiring me as your Minneapolis engagement photographer. I wish you a lifetime of happiness, smiles, laughter and love together. Best of luck on your big day!

Planning a Minnesota Landscape Arboretum engagement session? Contact me soon to discuss how we could work together!

Take a look at another fall MN Landscape Arboretum engagement session and a summer Minnesota Landscape Arboretum engagement session here too!

MN Landscape Arboretum Engagement Photo

Watch their highlight video for more images from their beautiful session:

Minneapolis Infrared Wedding Photography | Carina Photographics

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Minneapolis Infrared Photography

Today I’d like to highlight something that I’ve been doing for awhile now but haven’t talked about too much on my website. I offer something special to my clients that is really fun and unique – infrared photography. What is infrared photography?

Infrared photography is a special type of photography. A camera must be altered to be sensitive to only the infrared wavelengths of light. In layman’s terms, it means that the images you see are altered color-wise. When you are using infrared photography in natural scenes with a lot of greenery – such as grass, plants and trees – the green shows up as white. This give them images a dreamy, storybook, otherworldly feeling. I process the photos into black and white, but the white grass, plants and trees really makes them pop out and feel unique. My clients often gasp at the sight of them. Once we turn them into a canvas, metal print or framed art, they are truly a sight to behold.

Infrared Photographer

If you would like to work together with me in a natural setting for your wedding or engagement photos, contact me soon to discuss how we could work together!

Minneapolis MN Infrared Wedding Photography

Lebanon Hills Park Engagement Photos | Deb + Bryan

By Joanna Carina 1 Comment

Lebanon Hills Park Engagement Photography

After spending just a couple of hours with Deb and Bryan this past fall on their Lebanon Hills Regional Park engagement photos, my cheeks were sore from so much laughing. They are the cutest couple, full of non-stop jokes, wit and one-liners. Definitely my kind of people!

St Paul Engagement Photography

We spent a beautiful mid-fall afternoon at Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan MN. The beautiful light and spectacular beauty of the natural environment surrounded us. The park had trails and hills, including our “Little House on the Prairie” hill. (The two of them recreated the show intro by running down as fast as they could.) Even though we were nearing the end of peak fall color, we still had some beautiful golds and oranges as well as tall grasses to warm our images. We lucked out with perfect weather on top of it all!

Three Rivers Park Engagement Photography

Deb + Bryan also included some images highlighting the dueling Michigan/Michigan State football rivalry in their household. The two of them also cracked out a pair of toy Star Wars light sabers and held a mock duel on the trail too. I later discovered that was foreshadowing of things to come on their wedding day!

Thank You!

Deb and Bryan, I had so much fun with your Lebanon Hills Regional Park engagement photos. I am so happy for you both and had so much fun as your Minneapolis engagement photographer! Oh, and I have big expectations for your wedding cake too! ;^)

If you’re planning for Lebanon Hills Regional Park engagement or prewedding photography, contact me soon. I would love to discuss how we could work together!

ETA: Take a peek at Deb + Bryan’s beautiful Cedarhurst Mansion wedding photos too!

Lebanon Hills Eagan Minneapolis MN Engagement Photo

Kellermans Event Center Wedding Photos | Alice + Chris

By Joanna Carina 1 Comment

Kellermans Event Center Wedding Photography

Alice + Chris are the kind of people that you meet, and you instantly want to get to know them over a beer. In fact, that was how we spent our first meeting! It was very fitting that they decided on a Big Wood Brewery engagement session too!

Their beautiful Kellermans Event Center wedding photos went off without a hitch. They were married on a crisp, clear, late October day. The sun and rich earth tones inspired the color palette and decor of their beautiful venue.

Kellermans Event Center Wedding

Alice + Chris prepared for their day in the charming Kellermans Event Center prep rooms. They had their first look in the garden nearby, and then headed to Matoska Park for their couple portraits. Afterward, we captured their wedding party and family portraits back in the Kellermans gardens.

The wedding ceremony was framed beautifully by the rustic elegance of Kellermans Event Center. Afterward, their cocktail hour was held at Big Wood Brewery next door. Then, the bridal party headed over to visit a nearby VFW hall for a celebratory cocktail in honor of Alice’s dad. Following dinner were several joyous, tearful toasts. Then Alice + Chris cut their cake. Everyone hit the dance floor once the first dances were finished, and they even had a polka so everyone could join the fun!

Thank You!

Alice + Chris, I am so honored to have been your Minneapolis wedding photographer. I loved creating your beautiful Kellermans Event Center wedding photos. Best wishes to the two of you as you begin your new life together!!

Planning a Kellermans Event Center wedding? Contact me to find out more about how we could work together!

Kellermans Event Center Wedding Minneapolis White Bear Lake MN Photo

Watch the highlight video featuring more photos here:

VENDORS
Venue: Kellermans Event Center
Wedding Dress: Ivy & Aster, Flutter Boutique
Bridal Shoes: Lulu Townsend
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: David’s Bridal
Hair/Makeup: Leigha Yobbie and Madolynn Picknell
Groom/Groomsmen’s Attire: Calvin Klein, Men’s Wearhouse
Flowers: Bride + Bridesmaids
Catering: Lisa’s Catering and Complete Beverage Service
Cake: Grandma’s Bakery
Music: Instant Request and Erin Radtke
Invitations: Ann’s Bridal Bargains

Columbia Manor Wedding Photos | Stacy + Alex

By Joanna Carina 2 Comments

Columbia Manor Wedding Photography

We met in a dark, South Minneapolis wine bar on a bitter, snowy January evening. Stacy, Alex and I spent a long time chatting and laughing up a storm. Naturally I was ecstatic when they called shortly afterward and told me they wanted to hire me as their wedding photographer. I was so excited to work with them on their Columbia Manor wedding photos!

Minneapolis Wedding Photography

From Alex’s easy-going joke-cracking down to their relaxed and open planning, we all had so much fun. Their wedding was on a perfect fall day at Columbia Manor in Minneapolis. They were so easy and fun – other than Stacy’s uncooperative sash, of course!

Stacy and Alex, thank you so much for including me as your Minneapolis wedding photographer in your Columbia Manor wedding photos. I am so honored to have been a part of one of the biggest days of your lives, and I wish you every happiness on your journey together!

If you are planning a Columbia Manor Wedding, contact me soon to discuss how we could work together!

Take a look at their Minneapolis engagement session held at the Lyndale Peace Garden too!

Columbia Manor Minneapolis MN Wedding Photo

Columbia Golf Course Minneapolis MN Wedding Photo

Columbia Manor Minneapolis MN Wedding Photo

VENDORS
Venue: Columbia Manor
Wedding Dress: Watters, Bridal Accents Couture
Bridal Shoes: Kate Spade
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Nordstroms
Hair/Makeup: Onsite Muse and Nasseem Rafiei
Groom/Groomsmen’s Attire: Brooks Brothers
Florist: Red Fox Floral
Catering: Three Sons Catering
Cake: Three Sons Catering
Music: Instant Request
Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas

Day Block Event Center + Mill City Museum Wedding Photos | Anna + Brandon

By Joanna Carina 2 Comments

Day Block Event Center Wedding Photography

The first time I met Anna + Brandon….it wasn’t Anna + Brandon. I met Anna along with her mom, Connie. We enjoyed hot chocolates on a cold January day at the Wilde Roast Cafe. We shared quite a few laughs and stories about our mutual friends! Anna was in town visiting for the week from Seattle, where she and Brandon lived for the past few years. Anna had grown up in Minneapolis, and they were moving back soon, so the two of them were planning for Day Block Event Center wedding photos.

Mill City Museum Wedding Photos

Anna + Brandon’s wedding day was here in the blink of an eye. Everything was as amazing as they had dreamed! A perfectly beautiful mid-September day at the refurbished, vintage/modern Day Block Event Center in Minneapolis. They held their first look and wedding party photos in the historic area around the Mill City Museum. We spent a little time in Gold Medal Park too for good measure.

Thank You!

Anna + Brandon, I am so honored to have shared the day with you as your Minneapolis wedding photographer. I loved working on your Day Block Event Center wedding photos. Thank you so much, and I wish you a beautiful life together!

Planning a Day Block Event Center or Mill City Museum wedding? Contact me soon to discuss how we could work together!

BONUS: Take a look at a beautiful Mill City Museum wedding that I photographed too!

Day Block Event Center Minneapolis MN Wedding Photo

Mill Ruins Park Minneapolis MN Wedding Photo

Mill City Museum Minneapolis MN Wedding

Gold Medal Park Minneapolis MN Wedding Photo

Day Block Event Center Minneapolis MN Wedding Photo

Check out the highlight video to see more images here:

VENDORS
Venue: Day Block Event Center
Event Planner: Ask for the Moon Event Planning
Wedding Dress: Sophia & Camilla, The Wedding Shoppe
Bridesmaids Dresses: a. ell design
Hair: Kari McMurrough
Makeup: Onsite Muse
Florist: Mickey O’Kane
Catering: Chef Royal
Rentals: Apres Party and Tent Rental
Desserts: Sweet Life Desserts
DJ: James Everest

Cottage Winery and Vineyard Wedding Photos | Katie + Bob

By Joanna Carina 1 Comment

Cottage Winery and Vineyard Wedding Photography

When Katie + Bob mentioned that they wanted Cottage Winery and Vineyard wedding photos, I wasn’t totally sure what to expect. Being a wine-lover myself, I had been to many wineries, from Minnesota to Napa Valley and even to the Loire Valley in France. However, I’d never been to a Wisconsin winery before! I was happy to discover it very impressive, with rolling hills, amazing landscaping, even a waterfall. Such a spectacular place! Coupled with a perfectly warm, sunny day and beautiful early fall color, everything was as picturesque as Katie and Bob could have hoped!

We started working together on their Mill City Museum engagement photos, and had so much fun doing a winter engagement session. We started their day at Mill Ruins Park, and quickly froze during the January chill. Luckily, the Mill City Museum was nearby for us to warm up!

Thank You!

Congratulations Katie + Bob, and thank you so much for working with me as your Minneapolis wedding photographer! I loved working on your Cottage Winery and Vineyard wedding photos. I am so happy for you and honored to have been given the opportunity to capture your beautiful day. Best wishes for a life filled with joy and happiness!

Planning a Cottage Winery and Vineyard, or other winery or vineyard, wedding? Contact me soon to learn more about how we could work together!

Minnesota Vineyard Winery Wedding Photo

Take a look at the highlight video for more images here:

VENDORS
Venue: Cottage Winery and Vineyard
Wedding Dress: Jasmine Bridal, Our Shop
Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Bridesmaids Dresses: Bill Levkoff, The Wedding Shoppe
Hair/Makeup: Shaina Rae
Groom/Groomsmen Attire: The Wedding Shoppe
Florist: Tying the Knot Floral Design
Caterer: Mama Maria’s
Dessert: Linda John
Music: Interactive DJ
Invitations: JubeeleeArt (Etsy) + Bride

Barns of Old Glory Wedding Photos | Shane + Mandy

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Barns of Old Glory Wedding Photography

I’ve known Shane for many years, being one of my husband’s good friends. When he and his girlfriend Mandy got engaged, I was SO happy for them! And then, of course, when they asked me to be their Minneapolis wedding photographer I was even happier! I was excited to work with them on their Barns of Old Glory wedding photos.

Barn Wedding Photography

Their wedding ceremony took place at the cabin of Shane’s parents outside of Chatfield, MN. The ceremony was held beside a quaint little stream on an amazing summer’s day. We then headed over to the Barns of Old Glory in St Charles, MN. The venue is a lovingly and impeccably restored farm with several barns including a bridal suite “villa”, a large reception barn, petting zoo, hayrides and more! It was an amazing location for a wedding as there was much to do for everyone. The petting zoo with baby animals were a particular favorite. There was plenty of space for a lot of wedding guests.

Thank You!

Thank you so much, Shane + Mandy, for choosing to work with me on your Barns of Old Glory wedding photos. I am ridiculously happy for you guys, and I wish you the happiest life together!

If you’re planning a barn wedding, contact me soon to find out how we could work together! And don’t forget to read Top 10 Tips for Having a Barn Wedding from Rustic Elegance too!

Take a look at more of my MN farm weddings and MN barn weddings too!

Minneapolis Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Woods Trees River Photo