Summer Engagement Session at Oak Summit Golf Course in Rochester, MN
If you’re looking for a spot in Rochester, MN, to capture engagement photos and you love golfing, meet Samantha, Carl, and their family, who chose Oak Summit Golf Course for their summer session.
First, we’ll introduce the couple, and then we’ll explore the golf course.
Table of Contents
Samantha, Carl, and their family
Both Samantha and Carl had been married before and have six children together, so it was a real honor when they asked me to photograph their engagement. Including the kids in this session gave them a fun first experience in front of the camera and helped me capture everyone’s personalities before the wedding day.
Introducing Oak Summit Golf Course
Oak Summit is one of several golf courses in Rochester, MN, and it happens to be where the couple holds their membership.
The course sits just south of town, opposite Rochester International Airport (RST). Spread across 240 acres of rolling hills, this 18-hole public course offers numerous scenic views that work beautifully for photography.
Oak Summit features two small ponds and is bordered on the west by Willow Creek. That creek also lends its name to Willow Creek Golf Course and the nearby reservoir where I’ve shot numerous engagement sessions and family sessions.
Photographers love golf courses for their gentle slopes and majestic oak trees, and Oak Summit’s impressive hills make it a perfect backdrop for photos.
Is Oak Summit Golf Course a wedding venue?
Oak Summit can host events, but it lacks the charm of nearby spots like Riverview Greens in Stewartville, the elegant Rochester Golf & Country Club, or the upscale Somerby Golf Club in Byron.
Therefore, if you’re planning a more luxurious wedding, you might consider other venues first.
A mix of couple and family photos
With the couple, their six children, and me, we were a group of nine, which felt intimate yet lively.
To get around Oak Summit, we borrowed golf carts, which is always one of the funniest parts of these sessions. Thanks to those carts, we rode up and down the hills to find the best spots.
At each location, I captured a few portraits of Samantha and Carl, individual shots of their kids, and group family photos. It was a pleasure meeting them all.
A summer day with hazy light
I usually recommend couples schedule engagement photos in summer for lush greenery and warmer temperatures than a winter lake session. That day, however, recent rain filled the air with haze.
Photographers like Gregory Crewdson and Alex Webb appreciate haze for its mysterious atmosphere, but for engagement sessions, it’s not ideal. Fortunately, we found angles where the haze didn’t compromise the images and where we could still capture that golden-hour light.
Three great reasons to choose Oak Summit for your engagement photos
Here are three reasons why Oak Summit works beautifully for engagement photos.
Rolling hills
Oak Summit’s hills offer open views from the top, and photographers always seek those expansive vistas.
Oak trees and foliage
True to its name, Oak Summit is dotted with oak trees that make striking silhouettes. In autumn, birch and other trees add beautiful color variation.
Uncrowded setting
Taking photos on a busy course can be tricky and even risky if players are around. Having almost the entire course to yourselves is a treat, and introverted couples will appreciate fewer chances to bump into acquaintances.
Conclusion
If you love golf, Oak Summit Golf Course is welcoming, uncrowded, and perfect for photos. If you’d rather stick with a classic park setting, consider Rochester’s three biggest parks—Oxbow, Quarry Hill, and Chester Woods.
And of course, if you need a photographer to cover your photo session… I’m based in Rochester and would be happy to work with you. Contact me today and let’s discuss your next photos.
Oak Summit Golf Course
2400-11th Ave SW
Rochester, MN 55902
Phone: (507) 289-4071
