Minnesota Family Photographer

What does a Minnesota family session cost and include?

Family sessions follow portrait pricing anywhere in Minnesota: $300 for a 30-minute mini or $500 for a full hour, with edited high-resolution images delivered in 2 weeks.

• 30-minute mini, $300: right for one household and one location.
• 1-hour session, $500: room for outfit changes or a bigger group with grandparents and cousins.
• Extended families: plan on 60–75 minutes for groups of 10 or more, covering the full group, each family unit and the kids on their own.
• Travel: included within 40 miles of downtown Minneapolis; beyond that it is billed at cost, with no markup.

When is the best time for family photos in Minnesota?

Late September through mid-October for fall colour, late June for green meadows, and early January for fresh snow. The fall window books up first, roughly 8 weeks out, and earlier for Brainerd and North Shore weekends.

Peak colour arrives at different weeks in different parts of the state; the fall colour timing guide has the dates by region, and what to wear for family photos covers colour palettes and layers.

Where do you photograph families in Minnesota?

Anywhere in the state: city parks, lake cabins, the North Shore or your own home.

• Twin Cities metro — Minneapolis, St. Paul + 60 suburbs
• North Shore — Duluth, Two Harbors, Grand Marais
• Brainerd Lakes — Nisswa, Crosslake, Gull Lake
• Rochester & southern MN
• St. Cloud, Alexandria, Brainerd
• Western WI border — Hudson, Stillwater area
• Cabin & lake-house sessions statewide
• In-home lifestyle anywhere in MN

One thing to know in the Twin Cities: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board parks require a permit for portrait photo shoots ($47 per 1.5 hours, applied for at least 10 days ahead), while Saint Paul exempts personal and family photos except at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. Sources: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, City of Saint Paul.

Frequently Asked Questions