Finding a Location...
Finding a location , next to picking out your outfit, is one of the hardest decisions to make when it comes to your session. Location decides a lot about how your photos turn out. Maybe you want tall pines and a big open field, or a city setting might be more you, or photos near a lake so you can splash around a bit! The location you choose helps create the kind of feel you want your session to portray so it's an important decision. But I'm here to give you my top 5 favorite locations that I love to shoot at! These locations always have me feeling all the feels as I leave a session, hopefully one of them will stand out to you just the same!
#1 mill city ruins
If you live in or near Minneapolis you've most definitely heard of or been to the Mill City Ruins. I had to include it in the top 5 because it is a very beautiful and versatile location for photos! You can get so many looks in such a small area. You can get the beautiful hill with flowers in the summer, the run down rustic city look, and then you can climb up and take a quick stop on the Stone Arch Bridge. I just love this location! There is a lot to unpack and explore at this location.
#2 Hansen tree Farm
Another well known location but SO beautiful! I love the tall pines and the little rows of trees. At sunset this location is so magical. This location is also perfect during any time of the year so it doesn't matter if you want summer photos or snowy winter photos, they will look so great at this location! One thing to note - this location does require renting out a time slot for a fee, just something to keep in mind!
#3 Mississippi West Regional Park
This location is one of those secret gems I stumbled upon once while driving around and it has become one of my favorite locations ever! There are hardly any people there and the park is so big that even if there are people there you wouldn't know! It's perfect for couples who aren't too big on pda and want a more private session. the park has a big open field, lots of tall trees, and you can venture down to the river if you want too!
#4 Henry's Woods
Another hidden gem of mine! I've been taking photos at Henry's Woods since I started photography over 5 years ago. It definitely has become a very popular location during the summertime. This location has the cutest red barn, a little bridge in the woods, and a field that just absolutely glows at sunset! It will always be one of my go to locations.
#5 Montissippi County Park
This location is a little further outside the cities but it is another great choice for a session location! The rows of tall pines make this location stand out. It also has the most perfect golden hour lighting that sets so beautifully behind the pines and large field area. Plus it's usually not too busy with photographers!
These 5 locations are just some of my favorites! I have a whole list compiled of a bunch of different fun locations, but these 5 seem to have me keep coming back again and again! I hope you were able to find a location that spoke to you or maybe gave you an idea of what you want to look for in a session location. Just always remember your session is about you so pick a location that reflects you! Pick a location that makes you feel comfortable and makes you excited about your photos!
Hugs,
Rachel Marie
