Authentic Wedding Photography for Couples in Southeastern Minnesota
Welcome! If you’re planning your dream wedding in Southeastern Minnesota, you know this region is full of beautiful, hidden gems. From the historic bluffs of the Mississippi and charming barns scattered across the countryside to the modern, elegant venues in Rochester, your perfect backdrop awaits.
My passion is capturing the authentic, joyful, and candid moments of your day with a timeless photography style. I specialize in documentary-style photography paired with a creative and artistic approach, ensuring your wedding photos are as unique as your love story.
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Your Story, Captured Beautifully with An Artistic & Natural Approach
As a French wedding photographer with over 20 years of experience, I bring a European artistic tradition to your Minnesota love story. My style focuses on using beautiful natural light to capture genuine emotions. There are no forced poses or fake smiles, just your real story unfolding organically and beautifully. What I do: capturing happy moments and turning them into Art.
I believe in artistic mixed with documentary photography that captures the fleeting moments you didn’t even see happening. The quiet glance during your vows, a parent’s proud smile, the eruption of laughter among friends. These are the organic candid wedding photography moments that become your most treasured memories.
And for bride and groom photos, I have my way of getting natural-looking images and not weird “smile and say cheese” portrait.
Meet Alex, Your Photographer
Hello, I’m Alex. Originally from Paris, France, I brought my passion for photography and my family to Rochester. My background is in the demanding world of fashion photography, a skill that taught me how to perfectly stage group photos and portraits, making everyone look their best. But my true love is documenting real life and the tiny, authentic details of a wedding day. I am here to be more than just a vendor. I am here to be a trusted partner who helps tell your story with artistry and care.
What Makes My Approach Different
My experience and services are designed to provide a seamless, stress-free experience that sets me apart from other Southeastern Minnesota photographers:
- An Engagement Session to confirm your choice: If, for any reason, you are not satisfied, you have 100% of your deposit back.
- Support: choose the perfect outfit for your session.
- Timeline Expertise: I personally help every couple determine the perfect timeline for their events. Please take a look at our timeline article.
- Photo Booth Included: A fun, interactive photo booth is included in all wedding packages!
- Bad Weather Guarantee: I include a free after-day session if bad weather ruins your outdoor photo plans.
- Unposed techniques: to get a real smile.
- Artistic & Documentary Style: My background ensures creative, one-of-a-kind images.
- Fashion Photography Savoir-Faire: My experience allows for perfect, natural-looking group staging.
- Extra Fast Delivery: You’ll receive your full gallery in just 2-3 weeks.
- Unlimited Photos: You receive an unlimited number of professionally retouched photographs.
- Full HD Online Gallery: Easily download all your high-resolution pictures with full printing rights.
- Complete File Backup: Your files are backed up live on the day and again in the studio.
- Heirloom Quality: I offer top-quality heirloom albums to preserve your memories.
- Heavy planning support: from the choice of your venue to the wedding day.
See My Work | A Portfolio of Minnesota Love Stories
Words can only say so much. The best way to understand my style is to see it. Explore galleries from past weddings and engagement sessions throughout Southeastern Minnesota and see how I capture the emotion and beauty of each unique day.
A Wedding Photographer for Rochester, Winona, Hastings, and Beyond
As a wedding photographer in Rochester, I serve the Minneapolis area and all of Southeastern Minnesota and have a deep knowledge of the best local venues and photo locations. From intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations, I know the perfect spots for incredible photos.
Rochester MN Wedding Photography
Living in Rochester gives me insider knowledge. I’ve photographed beautiful weddings at the Mayowood Stone Barn, J Powers at the Hilton, the Marriott Hotel, and the Kahler Grand Hotel. From historic venues to modern downtown celebrations, I know how to capture Rochester weddings with an elegant and candid style.
My natural light wedding photographer approach works perfectly with Rochester’s diverse venues. Whether you’re planning Mayo Stone Barn wedding photos, at the Garten Marketplatz or an urban downtown celebration, I adapt my style to your setting.
Winona, Red Wing & Hastings Wedding Photography
These scenic river towns offer incredible backdrops for candid wedding photography. I’m a frequent photographer at Red Wing’s historic St. James Hotel and know the best spots along the river.
Hasting as its lot of venues, such as Schaar’s Bluff Gathering Center, the Almquist Farm, the Miesville St. Joseph Catholic Church. I love capturing the beauty of the bluffs and the way the natural light reflects off the water during golden hour.
Serving Owatonna, Albert Lea, Austin, and All of SE Minnesota
My service area covers the entire region. I know the hidden gems in every town, from The Barn at Crocker’s Creek in Faribault to elegant celebrations at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, or The 3 Teen Event Center. Distance is never a problem when it comes to documenting your love story.
Serving the Western Wisconsin Area
Of course, I also cover Wisconsin, which features several fancy venues located just across the Mississippi River. Let’s think of the Villa Bellezza, the Woods & Co Weddings + Events, the Hidden Meadow and Barn, the Maiden Rock Retreat. I also work in Eau Claire, Menomonie, and Chippewa Falls.
Why Southeast Minnesota is Wedding Photography Gold
This region, thanks to its preserved aspect and fresh historical past, offers incredible diversity for wedding photography. Historic Lanesboro provides charming small-town backdrops, especially at venues like Berwood Hill Inn nestled in the bluffs. Spring Valley’s Four Daughters Winery creates romantic vineyard settings against rolling hills.
From Mississippi River towns to prairie farmland, every location tells a different story. The natural beauty here rivals (almost) anywhere I’ve photographed in Europe, minus the castles :D!. Your wedding photos will showcase Minnesota’s unique character alongside your love story.
The Wedding Photography Experience
Working with me is a smooth, joyful, and collaborative process from our first contact to the final album delivery.
- Phase 1: Gather requirements and brainstorm.
- Phase 2: Build MVP and test with users.
- Phase 3: Iterate and polish for launch.
- Phase 4: Monitor metrics and optimize.
Step 1: Connection & Consultation
We’ll start with a virtual coffee meeting. I want to hear your story and understand your vision. This is a genuine conversation about your dreams, not a pushy sales pitch. I also explain in detail my way of working, so everything is crystal clear for you.
Step 2: Southeastern MN Engagement Sessions
Your engagement session is a perfect opportunity for us to get comfortable working together before the big day. I know the best locations, from the natural beauty of Quarry Hill Nature Center to the urban elegance of downtown Rochester.
Step 3: Your Wedding Day Coverage
On your wedding day, I blend into the background while capturing every important moment. My documentary approach means you get to experience your day fully, resulting in photos filled with authentic emotions.
I provide a wedding photo timeline and even a timeline builder to help ensure we capture everything important without feeling rushed. This planning makes your day smoother and your photos better.
Step 4: Fast Gallery Delivery & Heirloom Albums
Your photos are delivered in just 2-3 weeks through a private online gallery. You can download all high-resolution images with full printing rights. I also offer luxury photo books and albums to preserve your memories beautifully.
Inclusive Wedding Photography for All Couples
As a French immigrant, I believe every love story deserves to be celebrated with respect and joy. I proudly welcome couples of all cultures, religions, sexual orientations, and backgrounds. LGBTQ+ weddings are always embraced here.
The only couples I don’t work with are those who promote racism or homophobia. Love is love.
Southeastern Minnesota Wedding Photography Packages
I offer several SE MN wedding photography packages to fit the unique needs of your celebration. All packages include an engagement session, a private online gallery, high-resolution digital files, a print release, the photobooth, and my full commitment to documenting your day. Investment starts at reasonable rates for couples who value authentic, artistic storytelling.
An Engagement Session to Be at Ease in Front of the Camera
As your wedding photographer, I will be close to you for 10 hours or more. It’s important to get to know each other before the big day. That’s why I include an engagement session with all packages. This session lasts one or two hours (depending on your package) and includes several outfits and locations. You will receive all the photos shortly after the session. And if for any reason you are not satisfied, you get your money back. That’s old-fashioned customer service!
Kind Words From Couples
“Alex was a joy to work with and took amazing photos. The quality of his work, etiquette, passion, and devotion are just wow! Everyone was incredibly impressed by Alex and the photos he took! “
Tessa Schrimer
“Words can’t describe how pleased we are/were with Alex and his engagement photos, wedding ceremony photos and reception photos. He truly takes photography to another level and his relentless work ethic to capture the perfect shot is so admirable. He is a gem, and he makes the photo sessions so comfortable, relaxed and his sense of humor puts everyone at ease. It is an honor and privilege to highly recommend Alex for any and all of your photography needs in the future!.”
Tait Kellogg
21 Years of Wedding Photography Excellence
I shot my first wedding in France in 2004. Since 2016, when I moved to Minnesota, I have documented hundreds of love stories across the state and beyond. Two decades of experience mean I know how to handle any situation that comes up on your wedding day. Rain, snow, timeline changes, family drama. I’ve seen it all and can adapt beautifully.
This experience as an artistic documentary wedding photographer allows me to anticipate moments before they happen. I know when the father of the bride will tear up. When the best man cracks a joke during the toasts, this intuition creates better photos for you.
Other photography services
Shooting a wedding requires a lot of skills that can be applied to other domains.
- I put my event expertise at the service of companies for corporate events.
- I photograph products for companies, especially packshot photography.
- I work with family, offering family sessions, headshots, editorial photography
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we book you as our wedding photographer? It’s a simple process. First, we’ll chat to ensure we’re a good fit. Then, a signed contract and a $1000 deposit officially secure your date. The remaining balance is due before the wedding day.
Do you travel outside of Southeastern Minnesota? Absolutely! I frequently photograph weddings throughout Wisconsin and am available for destination celebrations. Travel fees may apply for locations beyond 100 miles from Rochester.
What’s your turnaround time for photos? My standard delivery time is 2-3 weeks. Sometimes it’s even faster if I get particularly excited about your gallery and can’t stop editing!
What happens if it rains on our wedding day? First, we embrace it! We can find covered areas with good light or sneak outside between rain breaks for some dramatic shots. If the weather completely ruins our outdoor photo plans, your investment is protected. I include a free after-day session to ensure you get the beautiful portraits you dreamed of.
Ready to tell your story with authentic, artistic imagery? I would be honored to be your Southeastern Minnesota wedding photographer. Reach out today to check my availability and schedule a chat. Let’s create something beautiful together.
