Brainerd Photographer
Natural, authentic photography for your most meaningful moments
Who is your Brainerd photographer?
Yes, Honey Deww Photography photographs weddings, engagements, couples and portraits in Brainerd and across the Brainerd Lakes area. Emma Ziegler travels up from the Twin Cities; Brainerd is beyond the 40 miles of included travel, so travel is billed at cost, with no markup, and quoted before you book. Portrait sessions are $300 for 30 minutes or $500 for an hour, engagement sessions are $450, and wedding collections run from $3,100 to $5,300. The city straddles the Mississippi, and the Gull Lake resorts, Lum Park on Rice Lake and the Paul Bunyan Trail give lake, river and pine-forest settings within a short drive.
Looking for photographers in Brainerd, MN?
Planning a wedding specifically? Start with my Brainerd wedding photographer page, or compare all four wedding photography collections.
Quick Answer
Who are the best photographers in Brainerd, MN?
Honey Deww Photography, led by Emma Ziegler, covers Brainerd, travelling from the Twin Cities, for weddings, engagements, couples, maternity and family sessions. The studio has photographed 200+ weddings and 500+ sessions since 2018 and holds a 5.0 rating on Google from 49 reviews. Portrait sessions start at $300 and wedding collections at $3,100. Travel within 40 miles of downtown Minneapolis is included; beyond that it is billed at cost, with no markup.
5.0 ★ on Google
49 reviews
Booking since 2018
200+ weddings
Minneapolis-based
Travel up to 40 mi free
Replies in 24 hrs
Mon–Fri
Do you photograph weddings, portraits and families in Brainerd?
Yes. Brainerd sits about 2.3 hours from Minneapolis, out in greater Minnesota. I photograph weddings, portraits and families in Brainerd and plan each day around the venue, the light and the timing that come with the greater Minnesota area.
Brainerd weddings tend to be lake-and-river affairs, with the Mississippi bending right through town; autumn brings the strongest color, and the historic water tower gives downtown portraits a landmark backdrop.
Clients choosing a Brainerd photographer can book the neighboring towns on the same terms — Baxter, Nisswa, Fort Ripley, Crosby, Deerwood, and I travel to all of them. Travel beyond 40 miles of downtown Minneapolis is billed at cost, with no markup, and quoted before you book.
Where do you take portraits in Brainerd?
Local places to plan a Brainerd day around include Lum Park and beach on Rice Lake, Kiwanis Park between the Mississippi River and Boom Lake, Gregory Park, The historic Brainerd Water Tower. Whether you're after something classic or more editorial, I map the day's schedule around the light so you get the best fifteen minutes at each stop — and with the drive built into the timeline rather than bolted on.
Which cities near Brainerd do you cover?
I photograph weddings, engagements, and portraits across greater Minnesota. These are the towns next to Brainerd, plus Minneapolis and St. Paul; the linked ones have their own local guide.
- Baxter
- Nisswa
- Fort Ripley
- Crosby
- Deerwood
- Minneapolis
- St. Paul
Also serving the wider Twin Cities metro — view all Minneapolis–St. Paul locations.
Local details
What licenses, permits and park rules apply in Brainerd?
Brainerd is home to Crow Wing County Land Services, which issues the county's marriage licenses, and the city's park pavilions take reservations from January 1 until around October 10.
- Where do you get a marriage license in Crow Wing County?
- Crow Wing County Land Services issues marriage licenses at 322 Laurel Street, Suite 15, Brainerd, open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can fill in the application online through the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) or at the office, but applicants must appear in person to complete it within 90 days. Source: Crow Wing County marriage licenses
- What does it cost to rent a park pavilion in Brainerd?
- Pavilions at Kiwanis, Gregory, Memorial, Buffalo Hills-Lions and Rotary Riverside parks rent for $50 Monday to Friday and $70 on weekends, while Lum Park Pavilions 1 and 2 and the kitchen pavilions at Gregory and Memorial parks are $65 and $85. Fees are subject to 7.875% sales tax and full payment is required in advance. Reservations begin January 1 and generally run through October 10, weather dependent. Source: City of Brainerd pavilion rental
- What does the Lyman P. White Park amphitheater cost, and what can you set up in Brainerd parks?
- The Lyman P. White Park Amphitheater rents for $150 on any day of the week. Glass containers are not allowed in Brainerd city parks, and small canopies up to 12 by 12 feet are allowed but large tent canopies are not. Source: City of Brainerd pavilion rental
- Can you drive into Gregory Park to unload for an event?
- No. Gregory Park has on-street parking only, and vehicles are not allowed in the park, even for loading or unloading; pavilion, kitchenette and bandstand rentals include a cart for bringing materials from the street. The city recommends Lum Park or Rotary Riverside Park if vehicle access is needed. Source: City of Brainerd, Gregory Park
Checked against each authority’s own page in September 2026. Fees change — confirm before you budget.
Brainerd Photography Portfolio
Where can you hold a wedding in or near Brainerd?
- · Northern Pacific Center (restored railroad estate, Brainerd)
- · Madden's on Gull Lake
- · Cragun's Resort on Gull Lake
- · Grand View Lodge (Nisswa, on Gull Lake)
- · Breezy Point Resort (Breezy Point, on Pelican Lake)
Where are the best photo locations in Brainerd?
- · Lum Park and beach on Rice Lake
- · Gull Lake
- · Paul Bunyan Trail
- · Crow Wing State Park
- · Northland Arboretum (Baxter)
People also ask
Quick answers about photographers in Brainerd
Do you travel to Brainerd?+
Yes — Brainerd is about 2.3 hours from downtown Minneapolis by car, in greater Minnesota. Travel within 40 miles of downtown Minneapolis is included; share your venue address when you inquire so any additional travel costs can be confirmed in your quote.
Brainerd Photography FAQ
How far ahead should we book a Brainerd Lakes wedding?
Most couples book six to twelve months ahead, and prime May–October Saturdays often fill a year out; Honey Deww is booking 2026 through 2028. Secure the venue date first, since the photo timeline is built around it. A 25% retainer holds your photography date, the balance is spread over interest-free monthly payments, and the final payment is due two weeks before the wedding.
Which resorts near Brainerd host weddings?
Madden's and Cragun's both sit on Gull Lake with Brainerd addresses; Madden's says it can host up to 250 guests. Grand View Lodge is on Gull Lake in Nisswa, Breezy Point Resort is on Pelican Lake in Breezy Point, and in town the Northern Pacific Center hosts weddings in restored railroad buildings on a 47-acre estate. Confirm dates and guest limits with each venue directly.
How much does a Brainerd photographer cost?
Portrait sessions in Brainerd are $300 for 30 minutes or $500 for an hour, with every edited image in a private online gallery. Engagement and maternity sessions are $450. Wedding collections run from $3,100 (Emerald, 4 hours, one photographer) to $5,300 (Sapphire, 12 hours, two photographers), and each includes a 1-hour engagement session. Travel within 40 miles of downtown Minneapolis is included; beyond that it is billed at cost, with no markup.
Explore More
Book Your Brainerd Photographer
Ready to capture your story? Let's chat about your vision and create something beautiful together.
By Emma Ziegler