Marjorie McNeely Conservatory Archives

Como Conservatory Engagement Photography | Brittany + Danny

Beautiful Como Conservatory Engagement Session

Brittany + Danny are engaged and planning for their wedding next year. The only tough part about their situation? Danny lives in Minneapolis, while Brittany lives in Seattle! Brittany is planning to move here with Danny this summer. Brittany was in town recently for a few job interviews. So we made time for their engagement photography. Since it was winter, they loved the idea of working at Como Conservatory.

St Paul Engagement Session

We started first thing on a busy weekend morning. The light was pretty cooperative that day. I love diffused clouds and filtered sun. The beautiful water features, flowers and trees under the glass conservatory are so stunning when we have such beautiful light! The gorgeous water, greenery, and wonderfully humid air really makes you feel like you are in the tropics. It seems to be the furthest thing from Minnesota. That makes it even more awesome, especially with our cold winters!

By the time we were finished, the two of them were pros at acting naturally in front of the camera. I know it’s a challenge when starting any photo session. Once they got in their groove, I could have spent all day with them! When we were finished, we had a short turnaround until they came to see their final photos. (Brittany had to leave town to go back home in just a few days.) They decided to order an engagement photo album. I can’t wait to see it in person when it’s delivered from Graphistudio in Italy!

Thank You!

Thank you so much for choosing to work with me as your engagement photographer, Brittany + Danny. I loved getting to work with you both (and Gloria too!) I wish you the best on your wedding – whichever location you decide upon. And congrats on your new job here in Minneapolis, Brittany!

If you are interested in having a Como Conservatory engagement session, contact me soon to discuss how we could work together!

BONUS: Be sure to take a look at some other engagement sessions I photographed at Como Park, including a winter engagement session, a spring engagement session, another winter engagement session, a summer engagement session, another spring engagement session, another summer engagement session, an anniversary portrait session, and even a Como Town Amusement Park engagement session!

Take a look at more of Brittany + Danny’s beautiful Como Park Conservatory engagement photos here too!

Como Park Conservatory Engagement Photography | Carissa + Ryan

By Joanna Carina

Beautiful Como Conservatory Engagement Photos

Carissa + Ryan were planning their James J Hill Center wedding in a few months. They wanted to take advantage of an engagement session when they were visiting town. (They live in Seattle.) While we could have considered outdoor winter photo options, they really loved the idea of trying an indoor tropical garden experience with a Como Conservatory engagement session. They had never been there, but loved the photos I showed, so they were excited to give it a try!

St Paul Engagement Session

The day we arrived was bitterly cold. Being indoors in the gorgeous Como Conservatory oasis is always so amazing! We started working in the beautiful Sunken Garden, filled with pink poinsettias and other beauties of the winter flower show. Carissa + Ryan were such naturals! They had such fun talking and laughing while I photographed them wandering around the beautiful scenery, sitting on the steps or benches, and just enjoying their time together.

From the Sunken Garden, we moved on to the North Garden. There we enjoyed a few glimpses of the gold fish in the fish pond, and wandering down the stone paths. Then lastly we headed over to the Fern Room to wrap up our session.

Final Engagement Photos

When the time came for their Viewing and Ordering Session, they were so happy with their final images. They ended up choosing an engagement guest book. That is an album of all their favorite images laid out with more white space around the images for guests to sign. Can’t wait to get the final book delivered back from Italy!

Carissa + Ryan, thank you so much for working with me for your awesome engagement session! I loved working with you as your engagement photographer, and I cannot wait for your big day!

If you’re planning for Como Conservatory engagement photography or prewedding photography, contact me soon!

BONUS: Be sure to take a look at some other engagement sessions I photographed at Como Park, including a spring engagement session, a winter engagement session, another spring engagement session, a summer engagement session, another spring engagement session, another summer engagement session, an anniversary portrait session, and even a Como Town Amusement Park engagement session!

Take a look at more of Carissa + Ryan’s beautiful Como Park Conservatory engagement photos here too!

Como Conservatory + Nicollet Island Inn Wedding Photography | Tara + Steve

By Joanna Carina

St Paul Wedding Photography

Tara + Steve wanted a small, intimate wedding. Celebrating with their closest family and friends was their ideal. They planned a Como Conservatory wedding. Their mid-winter event was filled with laughter and tears of joy.

Nicollet Island Inn Wedding Photos

We started their wedding day at the Nicollet Island Inn. The L’toile Suite was a gorgeous backdrop for their preparations. Once they were ready to go, we held their First Look in the hotel lobby. They were framed by the vintage doorways, stonework, and spectacular crystal chandalier.

Como Conservatory Sunken Garden Wedding Photography

Next, we headed over to the Como Conservatory. This is a personal favorite venue of mine. My husband and I were married here too! As usual, the Sunken Garden was stunning with its winter floral display. Tara + Steve’s ceremony was full of love and tears of joy! Afterward we captured a few posed groupings. Then we had some time to photograph the two of them in the gorgeous Conservatory. I always love photographing here. It is simply breathtaking!

Nicollet Island Inn Reception

After Tara + Steve’s ceremony, we headed back to Nicollet Island Inn for their reception. They started with their cake-cutting, then champaign toast and cocktail hour. They capped the evening with a private dinner in the fireplace room. Their closest family and friends were celebrating with them. Such a spectacular, intimate wedding day!

Thank You!

Tara + Steve, thank you so much for including me on your beautiful Como Conservatory wedding day. I am so happy for the two of you as you begin your new lives together!

Be sure to take a look at some of my Como Conservatory fall wedding photos and my Como Conservatory summer wedding photos too!

If you are planning a Como Conservatory or Nicollet Island Inn wedding, contact me soon. I would love to discuss working together!

Check out their highlight video for more:

VENDORS
Wedding Venue: Como Conservatory Sunken Garden
Reception Venue: Nicollet Island Inn
Wedding Dress: The Wedding Connection
Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Wedding Rings: Jared Diamond
Officiant: Affordable I Do’s
Florist: Colleen’s Flower Cellar
Wedding Cake: Buttercream
Violinist: Shawn Vougest
Invitations: Shutterfly

Como Conservatory Engagement Photography | Katie + Brett

By Joanna Carina

Como Conservatory Engagement Photography

Katie + Brett were looking forward to having a green engagement photo session. Their wedding was set for the cold, snowy Minnesota winter of next January. As they were considering options, they decided on the Como Conservatory. Como Park had perfect locations both inside and outside the building.

As their day was approaching, we watched the weather forecast closely. It wasn’t looking favorable for us. Rain, cold and wind were on tap for the day. Because Katie + Brett would both be moving separately to different states due to school and work obligations, we had to go forward with their session rain or shine. Luckily the Como Conservatory had awesome locations both indoors AND outdoors. It’s the perfect place in any weather!

St Paul Engagement Photos

The day of their session began rainy, windy and chilly. We started with some time outdoors by the frog pond. Then we decided to warm up and dry out in our cars until the Como Conservatory opened. Just before opening, about 20 school busses arrived with loads of school children for a field trip. We were set for another challenge! However, once we got inside, we worked quickly. We were able to move around to numerous locations that were relatively empty. Before we knew it, we had spent over an hour together and captured tons of amazing portraits. As an added bonus, the rain paused long enough for us to work by the frog pond again before their session was done.

Thank You!

Katie + Brett, thank you so much for working with me for your beautiful Como Conservatory engagement photos. I am so excited for your big day!

If you’re planning for Como Conservatory engagement or prewedding photography, contact me soon!

BONUS: Check out Katie + Brett’s stunning St Stephen’s Catholic Church and Landmark Center wedding photos too!

EXTRA BONUS: Be sure to take a look at some other engagement sessions I photographed at Como Park, including a spring engagement session, a winter engagement session, another winter engagement session, a summer engagement session, another spring engagement session, another summer engagement session, an anniversary portrait session, and even a Como Town Amusement Park engagement session!

Take a look at Katie + Brett’s highlight video here:

Como Park, Boom Island and Ferrari Engagement Photography | Madina + Omkar

By Joanna Carina

Minneapolis Indian Engagement Photography

Madina + Omkar hired me as their wedding photographer for their amazing Indian wedding celebration to happen later this fall. I began working with them as their engagement photographer. They are so sweet, down-to-earth, and happy together. I cannot wait for their amazing celebration! When the weather warmed up this spring, we were finally able to start discussing engagement photos. They had not one, not two, but THREE amazing ideas for their photos. Not only that, but the ideas were so creative. I couldn’t wait!

Como Conservatory Engagement Photography

We started the day with Como Park Conservatory engagement photos. First we started outside, near the frog pond, waterfall and pergola. We then worked inside the beautiful glass pavilion among the gorgeous flowers, stonework and fish pond. The weather was completely gorgeous and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, so the light was amazing! We were able to start early in the morning so the throngs of visitors were not in our way. I always love working with couples at the Como Park Conservatory!

Boom Island Engagement Photography

From there we worked on Boom Island Park engagement photos. They had hired a horse and carriage for this part of the session. Their goal was to capture the two of them with the horse and carriage in a park in front of the Minneapolis city skyline. Everything was so picturesque, it worked perfectly!

Ferrari Engagement Photography

And then last-but-not-least, we headed out to create Ferrari engagement photos. We weren’t allowed to drive the Ferrari since it cost more than an average house! It was a bit challenging to work in an indoor location. But it actually worked really well. A little extra lighting and I think the photos looked amazing.

Thank You!

Thank you so much, Madina + Omkar, for working with me on your spectacular engagement photos. I had such a great time working with you and all these fun ideas. I am so excited for your Indian wedding celebration later this year!

If you’re thinking of having a Como Park Conservatory engagement or prewedding photography session (or want to incorporate a horse and carriage or Ferrari), contact me soon. I’d love to discuss how we could work together!

ETA: Take a look at Madina + Omkar’s spectacular Indian wedding photos too!

Watch Madina + Omkar’s highlight video here:

Como Conservatory Engagement Photography | Dustin + Nicole

By Joanna Carina

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 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 photos. 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!

BONUS: Be sure to take a look at some other engagement sessions I photographed at Como Park, including a spring engagement session, a winter engagement session, another spring engagement session, another winter engagement session, a summer engagement session, another spring engagement session, another summer engagement session, an anniversary portrait session, and even a Como Town Amusement Park engagement session!

Como Conservatory Maternity Photography | Angel + Aaron

By Joanna Carina

Como Conservatory Maternity Photography

I have been sooooo excited for my good friends Angel and Aaron – they are going to be parents soon! I was so excited when they asked me to photograph their Como Conservatory maternity photos. It was March – another cold, gray day in Minnesota. Angel and Aaron were now living in California, and were planning to visit Minnesota for a week. They wanted their session in a place that was greengreengreen. Where could we go? The only place I knew that would be gorgeous this time of year – Como Park Conservatory! I have a special place in my heart for this location since it is also where my husband and I got married years ago. I am so excited to photograph a wedding there soon too!

Minneapolis Maternity Photography

We got there bright and early and jumped into the lush, green, floral grounds. What an awesome place! We were able to spend a full hour photographing in numerous locations throughout the building, and we got tons of beautiful images. Congratulations, Angel and Aaron – I’m so happy you chose to work with me as your maternity photographer, and I can’t wait to meet your sweet little peanut!

If you’re planning for Como Park maternity photography, contact me soon to discuss working together!

Take a look at another of my blog posts featuring a Como Park maternity session here!