Studio KH Photo Location Guide!
Have I told you yet that I can’t wait to photograph you?
(Hey, I can’t wait to photograph you!)
To help you prep for our shoot, I’ve put together a guide for you that’ll help ensure we get a big batch of framers. Your photos should look and feel like you, and the same goes for our backgrounds.
Maybe you’re outdoorsy? Does that translate more to a manicured city park or hiking in the woods? Does an urban feel resonate more? Does that look more like sleek downtown or a quaint small town?
Location isn’t everything, but the effect a place has on your mood will translate in our final product.
Bonus points: pick a place that’s already meaningful to you to bring out extra comfort and emotion.
01. St Anthony Main, Minneapolis
Best features: The range of options. There’s an opportunity to get a mixture of leafy greens, old town cobblestone feel, and big city skyline all in one.
Things to consider: Can be quite busy, especially on weekend summer evenings. If you’re wanting to grab on a shot on the iconic skyline rock, keep in mind it’s a short but steep walk down to it. Might not be suitable for kids or high heels.
Works best for: PM shoots, especially if you want to take advantage of the skyline in the background
02. Rice Park, St Paul
Best features: Great spot year round, no shortage of options, beautiful old world architecture with both light and bright options plus dark and vibey
Things to consider: Downtown St Paul parking usually isn’t too bad, but could be difficult to snag depending on events at the Xcel Energy Center next door
Works best for: Everyone + anytime! There are spots for any weather + any lighting condition.
03. Whitetail Woods, Farmington
Best features: There’s good variety right from the parking lot. A path through wildflowers, a wooded area, and an overlook onto a peak of the lake below. It’s never crowded which I also love.
Things to consider: It can get buggy in the woods.
Works best for: Morning! One of the rare spots where I prefer the look of AM, although PM has great options too.
04. Como Park, St Paul
Best features: Pink blooming trees in spring, a few good maples in fall, gardens, a lake, lots of space, the Conservatory exterior and surrounding area has a European feel.
Things to consider: You can’t shoot in the Conservatory, Tropical Encounters, or Japanese gardens without a permit. Weekends can get busy.
Works best for: Morning shoots if you want to utilize the lake. For the rest of the park, anytime in blooming months!
05. Harriet Island, St Paul
Best features: White blooming trees in spring, Mississippi River access with a gorgeous wooden dock, St Paul skyline views
Things to consider: The dock can be flooded if we’ve had a lot of rain
Works best for: Adults or older kiddos unless we're staying well away from the lower dock with no railings
06. Secret Spot! Near Stillwater
Best features: It’s never busy! (Hence “secret spot.”) There’s lots of gorgeous nature in all directions: field, trees, wildflowers in the right season, water view, forest view—it’s my favorite.
Things to consider: The blufftop viewpoint can get windy and requires a short climb up a steep trail. Also no dogs are allowed here.
Works best for: Couples or families with older children. Evening golden hour is great and is how I shoot 90% of the time here. Morning shooting restricts us to just using the view out over the water unless it’s overcast.
07. Rice Creek Corridor, Shoreview
Best features: A few different features all close to the parking lot. Those majestic pines plus a field look are both easily accessible.
Things to consider: The iconic path is a walking and bike path frequented by locals. It can be tricky to get a clear and empty shot, especially in the fall. It's gotten more popular in recent years with other photographers.
Works best for: I've shot in both AM and PM golden hours, both of which work well! It's also a rare natural spot that works in all seasons and is dog friendly.
08. Irvine Park, St Paul
Best features: It's a compact park in a historic neighborhood that's the best of St Paul. That gorgeous fountain is the centerpiece, but there's also beautiful nooks especially in May when the pink and white flowers are out, and July when the fountain is ringed by blooming bushes.
Things to consider: Parking can be tricky to come by if there's an event at the Xcel Energy Center nearby. I’d avoid shooting here on weekend afternoons as there may be a wedding happening.
Works best for: Everyone but especially families.
09. Square Lake Park, Stillwater
Best features: A sandy beach and some majestic pines that are easily accessible off the lot.
Things to consider: It’s just a bit outside my included range of shooting and is +$50 to shoot here. So gorgeous though!
Works best for: Evening shooting. May, September, and October are best to have a more secluded beach.
10. Downtown Wayzata
Best Features: The range of options! The lake and docks are the focal points that I love most. Shaver Park brings the green space and Lake Street has lots of diverse walls and backgrounds for a town feel. It's also lovely having a sandy beach option that you can get your feet wet in—great for kids to play.
Things to Consider: Busy in summertime, especially weekends! You'll likely need extra time to secure parking.
Works best for: Evening is best to take advantage of the light over the lake.
11. Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Lake Elmo
Best features: I’ve never seen it busy here! Lots of options for field looks with grassy paths and trees. There’s also a dock that can be used in morning light or with overcast skies.
Things to consider: There’s a parking fee for Washington County. My most current info is $7 for the day.
Works best for: Evening night—that golden hour is gorgeous here.
12. George Latimer Central Library, St Paul
Best features: Right off Rice Park, beautiful options indoors and out.
Things to consider: The library likes you to check in at the front desk and sign an agreement that you understand the rules of shooting inside. If you’re not confident in front of a camera, this might not be the place for you as we have to keep talking and directing to a minimum to not disturb the quiet.
Works best for: Indoors—couples. Outdoors—everyone! Especially if you’re getting a little fancy with it.
13. Stillwater
Best features: Lots of charming old buildings and sidewalks to play with. River access is a bonus—I’ve got a great spot a few minutes down the road!
Things to consider: Weekends can get hectic with traffic and parking, unsurprisingly.
Works best for: Seniors and couples.
13. Mill City Ruins, Minneapolis
Best features: Urban area where you can get both historic backgrounds near the ruins and also a more modern downtown Minneapolis look. This spot also has a small grassy hill by the river to incorporate a field look even in the middle of the city. Also love shooting under the north side of the Stone Arch Bridge.
Things to consider: Parking isn’t the easiest and it can get crowded. It’s worth making sure there are no festivals or events planned.
Works best for: Child free sessions on week days/nights.
14. Landscape Arboretum, Chaska
Best features: It’s all so beautifully done! Great yellow trees in fall, beautiful blooms in spring. A lot of outdoor variety with the gardens, trees, paths, waterfall, and decorative structures.
Things to consider: There is a permit required to shoot here and some backgrounds might require a drive between. It’s also a hair outside of my included driving range and is +$50 to shoot here.
Works best for: Weekdays/weeknights to avoid the crowds.
15. Lebanon Hills, Eagan
Best features: It’s a versatile park with a lot of options off the main parking lot, like fields, flowers, a sandy Minnesotan beach, trees, paths, and even canoe rentals.
Things to consider: It’s $43.25 for a Dakota County permit if we have 5+ people in our party. If there's fewer than that, none applies!
Works best for: Everything! If I had to choose, I’d say PM to utilize the beach in it’s best light.
16. North Loop Minneapolis
Best features: Lots of historic buildings, bricks, and alleyways with plenty of character. I’m always finding new spots here!
Things to consider: It’s very public, and quite busy.
Works best for: Most anyone, anytime! There’s lots of options to work with.
