St Olaf College Engagement Photography | Sarah + Ezra

St Olaf College

Sarah + Ezra met several years ago while attending St Olaf College in Northfield MN. They now live half a country apart for jobs and school, and won’t be moving back to Minnesota until next summer. While they were in town visiting family and planning their wedding, they were excited for the opportunity to photograph their engagement session. Naturally, they gravitated toward the alma mater where they met. Luckily, the rainy fall weather held off long enough for us to have their beautiful St Olaf College engagement session!

St Olaf Engagement Session

We headed down to Northfield on a day with patchy rain. Since they were only in town together very rarely, we had to work no matter what the weather. Luckily, we timed it just right and photographed the two of them in some of their favorite spots on campus between rain clouds. We visited the running fields, a quiet bench overlooking a pond, a few of the gorgeous old buildings, the quad between buildings, a few walking paths, gardens and trails, and even on a spot overlooking downtown Northfield. The umbrellas came out at one point during a slight drizzle, but the rain left as soon as it had appeared. Sarah + Ezra loved visiting their old stomping grounds. A perfect fit while they are in the midst of planning for their big day. We had so much fun!

Thank You!

Thank you so much, Sarah + Ezra, for working with me as your engagement photographer! I had so much fun working with you for your beautiful St Olaf engagement photos, and I am so excited for your wedding next year!

If you are considering St Olaf College engagement photos, contact me soon to see if we’d be a good fit together!

BONUS 1: Check out Sarah + Ezra’s gorgeous Semple Mansion wedding photos too!

BONUS 2: Take a look at a beautiful St Olaf College wedding I photographed too!

Take a look at their awesome slide show too!

Mill City Museum Engagement Photography | Danielle + Emmanuel

By Joanna Carina

Beautiful Mill City Museum Engagement Photos

Danielle + Emmanuel wanted a Mill City Museum engagement photography session to capture some beautiful images of the two of them to celebrate their engagement. Their wedding will be held in the Dominican Republic, so it was perfect to have their engagement photos held in Minneapolis, where they live. Being that it was winter, they were hoping for a nice (and warm!) indoor space. They loved the idea of the modern, rustic elegance of the Mill City Museum.

Minneapolis Engagement Session

We visited the Mill City Museum on a quiet weekday afternoon. A few spots in the museum were closed for the winter (such as the beautiful rustic courtyard and train depot), but the rest of the museum was open to us. Danielle + Emmanuel quickly got into the groove of having a photographer direct them around and capture their every move. While the museum is small, there are a ton of nooks, angles and views that make for great photo backdrops. Even though it was winter, the weather was a bit warm that day. We not only got to spend a fair amount of time working throughout the museum, but we also were able to head outdoors to the back side of the museum. Even though it was a little chilly, the two of them were easily able to spend time together without coats.

Thank You!

Thank you so much, Danielle + Emmanuel, for choosing to work with me as your engagement photographer. I had a great time getting to know you and seeing your love for one another. I wish you the best of luck on your amazing Dominican Republic wedding! (And best of luck with finishing school too Danielle!)

BONUS 1: Take a look at Alison + Steve’s Mill City Museum engagement photos, Wittne + Scott’s Mill City + Gold Medal Park engagement photos, and Katie + Bob’s Mill City Museum engagement session too! If you are interested in having a Mill City Museum engagement session, contact me soon to discuss how we could work together!

BONUS 2: Check out a beautiful Mill City Museum wedding with Guthrie Theater portraits that I captured too!

Take a look at more of Danielle + Emmanuel’s beautiful Mill City Museum engagement photos here too!

Engagement Photo Ideas | Minneapolis Photographer Carina Photographics

By Joanna Carina

Awesome Engagement Photo Ideas

One common question I receive from my couples is how to plan their engagement sessions. They are often unsure where to go or what to do. Today I’m going to talk more about engagement photo ideas. I’ve got options that will help spark ideas to plan your own engagement session.

Personalize Your Engagement Session

My biggest piece of advice is to select locations or activities that are meaningful to you. This will almost always result in better images. When considering options, think about how you like to spend time together. Also think about activities and locations you both enjoy. If you select something important to you both, then you are well on your way to creating a memorable experience. Engagement sessions last around 1-2 hours, depending on the location and activity. When outdoors, we generally work in the last two hours before sunset. When indoors, we can work almost any time.

Some location and activity ideas include:
> A favorite park
> A beer brewery or winery
> An art museum
> The college campus where you met
> Riding a rented trolley, canoe or boat
> A fair or carnival with rides
> A destination or public garden
> A picnic in a park or by a river
> A barn
> A bowling alley
> An antique store
> Ice or roller skating
> A playground
> A baseball field

How to Use Your Engagement Photos

An engagement session is your chance to practice in front of a camera. The photos we capture are perfect for Save-the-Date announcements, Guest Books, Engagement Albums or Gift Prints. They are often cherished by couples simply because they showcase the two of you spending time together. You are often enjoying an activity without wedding day formality. Couples can really have fun with their engagement photography!

As an engagement photographer, I am available to give advice for engagement sessions. Contact me if you have any questions, or if you’d like to work together for your engagement session.

Also, read on for more information about working with me for your Engagement Photography.

Stone Arch Bridge Engagement Photography | Lindsey + Bernie

By Joanna Carina

Stone Arch Bridge Engagement Photography

Lindsey + Bernie thought for awhile about having engagement photography. When we discussed ideas, they spoke about how much they loved the Stone Arch Bridge area. I showed them some images from my previous sessions on the Stone Arch Bridge and Father Hennepin Bluff Park, and they loved it! So they decided to have a Father Hennepin Bluff Park engagement session. They were excited for the beautiful views both above and below the Stone Arch Bridge. They were so excited to walk over on bridge and see the grand view of downtown Minneapolis too.

Father Hennepin Bluff Park Engagement Photos

The day of their Minneapolis engagement photography was beautiful. Even the mosquitoes were dwindling in numbers as the summer had been coming to an end. There were so many beautiful areas to choose from. It is always so fun to work there. Complete with river views, Stone Arch Bridge views, quaint wooden bridges, a rustic stone stairway, pathways through the trees and vintage buildings peeking out from above the treetops. I’m not sure which spot is my favorite. I don’t think I could pick just one!

Lindsey + Bernie also loved the look of my infrared photography. I included my infrared camera frequently in their session. I love the unique, dreamy quality that infrared photos have. (It causes all green, natural elements to appear white. So no, that’s not snow, it’s just the way infrared photography looks!)

Thank You!

Lindsey + Bernie, thank you so much for choosing to work with me as your engagement photographer as well as your wedding photographer. I am so happy for you both as you join your lives together! I’m glad that you enjoyed your prewedding photography, and I am so excited for your big day!

If you are planning a Stone Arch Bridge or Father Hennepin Bluff Park engagement session, contact me soon! I’d love to discuss how we could work together.

UPDATE: Take a look at the blog post about Lindsey + Bernie’s beautiful wedding day at theMinneapolis Depot and Basilica!

BONUS: Take a look at other engagement sessions I’ve photographed too, including Stone Arch Bridge engagement photos, Mill Ruins Park engagement photos, Father Hennepin Bluffs engagement photos, another Mill Ruins Park engagement session, a waterfall engagement session, a Rogers Lake Park engagement session, Saint Anthony Main engagement pictures, Stone Arch Bridge engagement photos, another Stone Arch Bridge engagement session, and a Father Hennepin Bluffs engagement session.

If you’re planning for Stone Arch Bridge engagement photography or prewedding photography, contact me soon!

Stone Arch Bridge Engagement Photography | Alyssa + Dave

By Joanna Carina

Stone Arch Bridge Engagement Session

Alyssa + Dave are natives of the Twin Cities. They met at college in southern Minnesota, and lived down there for several years. They were engaged last year and then moved back to the Twin Cities. Once we started working together, they decided to try an engagement photo session. They weren’t too sure about their ideal location. I was happy to help them with ideas. They let me know that they loved nature and interesting architecture. We all agreed Father Hennepin Bluff Park engagement photography was ideal for them. The park is a tranquil oasis hidden in the urban heart of Minneapolis. What more could they ask for in their prewedding photography?

Minneapolis Engagement Photo Location

During the week, the forecast threatened rain. Thankfully the weather during their engagement session was warm, sunny and clear! We wandered through the greenery and vegetation of Father Hennepin Bluff Park. The riverfront below the Stone Arch Bridge was particularly amazing. We also lingered on the adorable wooden bridges scattered throughout the park. Alyssa + Dave braved the early-season mosquitoes and were naturals in front of the camera!

We eventually worked our way closer to the Stone Arch Bridge. The vintage stonework of the area gave us stunning backdrops. We used a mix of vintage buildings, bridges and stonework among the lush greenery of Father Hennepin Bluffs Park. Everything looked so beautiful! And Alyssa + Dave were so happy to be together.

Thank You!

Alyssa + Dave, thank you so much for choosing to work with me as your engagement photographer. I loved your prewedding photography, and I am so excited for your wedding day!

BONUS: Take a look at other engagement sessions I’ve photographed too, including Stone Arch Bridge engagement photos, Mill Ruins Park engagement photos, Father Hennepin Bluffs engagement photos, another Mill Ruins Park engagement session, a waterfall engagement session, a Rogers Lake Park engagement session, Saint Anthony Main engagement pictures, another Stone Arch Bridge engagement session, a Father Hennepin Bluffs engagement session and another Father Hennepin Bluffs Park engagement photo session.

Are you considering a Stone Arch Bridge or Father Hennepin Bluff Park engagement session? Contact me soon to find out if I’d be a great fit for your engagement photos!

Update: Take a look at Alyssa + Dave’s beautiful Minneapolis wedding photography from The Graduate Hotel, Gold Medal Park and Lutheran Church of the Redeemer!

Take a look at their highlight video too:

St Anthony Main + Stone Arch Bridge Engagement Photography | Chantel + Quinn

By Joanna Carina

Stone Arch Bridge Engagement Session

Chantel + Quinn are natives of the Twin Cities area. They grew up here, met here, and fell in love here. But they moved to Kansas City recently for job opportunities. They still wanted to hold their wedding here in the Cities too, and chose to work with me as their engagement photographer too. I’m so glad they did, they are so much fun!

St Anthony Main Engagement Session

Chantel + Quinn wanted to take advantage of a St Anthony Main and Stone Arch Bridge engagement photography session. Because the Minneapolis area is their “homeland”, they decided to have their prewedding photography taken at the quintessential Stone Arch Bridge and St Anthony Main area. We had to plan their session in advance for a weekend they could make the return five hour drive. Low and behold, the weather on their session date in May was absolutely perfect. The sun was shining, the air was warm, and the flowers were in full bloom. It was an ideal spring day!

Father Hennepin Park Engagement Session

We started their engagement photo session among the gorgeous flowering trees of Father Hennepin Bluff Park. We then wandered up and down St Anthony Main, lingering among the architecture of the vintage mills and buildings. They made such a stunning, vintage-urban backdrop. We eventually worked our way back down St Anthony Main, through Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, and out to the Stone Arch Bridge for a sunset view. Chantel + Quinn really wanted those city views from the Bridge, and they were not disappointed. From the city views, to the flowering trees, to the vintage buildings, to the sunset over the river, everything looked so perfect. And the two of them were happy as could be – joy and laughter abound!

Thank You!

Chantel + Quinn, thank you so much for choosing to work with me for your beautiful Stone Arch Bridge engagement photography. I loved your prewedding photography, and I am so excited for your big day!

BONUS: Take a look at other engagement sessions I’ve photographed too, including Stone Arch Bridge engagement photos, Mill Ruins Park engagement photos, another Mill Ruins Park engagement session, Father Hennepin Bluffs engagement photos, a waterfall engagement session, a Rogers Lake Park engagement session, Stone Arch Bridge engagement photos, another Stone Arch Bridge engagement session, a Father Hennepin Bluffs engagement session and another Father Hennepin Bluffs Park engagement photo session.

If you’re planning for Stone Arch Bridge engagement photography or prewedding photography, contact me soon!

ETA: Make sure to check out Chantel + Quinn’s beautiful Paikka and Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church wedding day too!

Take a look at their highlight video too:

Engagement Photography Style Tips | Carina Photographics

By Joanna Carina

Engagement Photo Tips

As an engagement photographer, my couples ask me a lot of questions about their engagement photography and prewedding sessions. Today I thought I would answer some of those questions.