Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Minneapolis Winter Engagement Photography Locations

Now that Christmas has passed us by and New Years Eve is upon us engagement session is in full swing.  However, an engagement photography session smack dab in in middle of the chilly Minnesota winter may be a bit scary for most couples.  We encourage couples to get brave and embrace the winter photo session.  They are fun and they can add some variety to your photos if you have a summer wedding planned.

In Minnesota there are plenty of winter engagement options and in Minneapolis and St. Paul there are spots where you can jump inside to warm up.  Below are a few of our favorite winter engagement photos we have taken over the last year.


We photographed Bobbi and Mitch just after the holidays this past year at Rice Park in St. Paul.  The Holiday lights warm the photo with shades of yellow, red and orange.


For Alysia & Callen we started their session at the Historic Hanover Bridge then we travel to Crow Springs Park near our home in Buffalo.  Crow Springs Park is full of tall mature pine trees that added a touch of green to Alysia and Callen's photos.  Below is a ring detail photo from their session.


Not into the winter weather scene?  The Depot in Minneapolis has some indoor locations that give you an outdoor feel.  Below is a photo from Kate and Karington's session in November taken inside at the Depot.


In St. Paul we take couples to the Bus Depot in lower town in the winter months.  The Depot is full of light via some very large and ornate windows.  However make sure to watch for event at the Depot.  The area can be tough to manage around St. Patrick's Day every year, unless of course you want a mop of green leprechauns running through your photos. 
 

A well known and popular spot, the Guthrie Theater near The Stone Arch Bridge also is a warm, color full spot to duck into during your winter engagement session in Minneapolis.


Just a few pointers for your winter engagement session:

1. Dress in layers.  So you can peel when you go inside.

2.  Wear long underwear under your pants and wool socks to stay warm.

3.  Bring fun winter items like bright colored mittens, earmuffs, boots, scarfs and hats to your session.  Treat the winter session like it's a summer one and bring more than one outfit.  Even if it's two different coats.

4.  Be ready to jump into the snow and bring some winter activities like skating, sledding, and snowshoeing into your photos.

5.  Guys should bring lip balm to keep lips moist.

6.  Bring a hair brush to tame that hat hair between outfit changes.

5.  Be prepared to make a donation or pay a fee at some locations.  Some locations also require a permit that must be acquired in advanced.  Check with your location in advance.


Our $375 winter engagement photography sessions usually run about two hours with unlimited outfits.  With your session you will receive a flash drive of edited images with print release.  So you can create fun Save the Dates, invitations and art work.  For those of you not into DIY we do offer design services for save the dates, guest signature books, custom artwork and prints.

Ready to book your engagement photography session with Mark & Stacy of Phodot Photography; then give us a call at 612-685-2046 or email mark@phodot.com.