Engagement Session at the Mayo Civic Center

Limitations: Walls & Light

On the downside, the wood-toned walls lean toward orange. While this warmth can feel inviting, the color is very close to human skin tones. This can be problematic for photography, especially with Caucasian and Asian subjects.

Another drawback is the flooring. The first level has shiny white tiles. These are great for photos because they reflect light. However, the second floor is covered in a patterned “hotel carpet.” This carpet is not only unattractive but also hides stains very well, which can be frustrating for your photographer.

Lastly, the hanging artificial lights have a low color temperature (around 4500°K), casting a warm orange glow. In contrast, outdoor light is much cooler (about 6000°K on sunny days and 7000°K when cloudy). When the orange ceiling glow mixes with the cooler outdoor light, it can create unusual or even unflattering color casts. This is the kind of lighting you might expect at a retro dance party, not necessarily ideal for engagement photos. While desaturating the colors is an option, that is not my preferred aesthetic.

An Almost Empty Location When No Events Are Scheduled

If you plan a session, check the Civic Center’s event calendar. If no events are scheduled, it is usually quiet, which is great for intimacy. After all, relaxing in front of a crowd is difficult, if not impossible.

A Wheelchair-Friendly Location

It’s worth mentioning that this venue is designed to be accessible to wheelchairs, which is not always the case with city venues. Likewise, the parking ramp makes rolling a large suitcase of outfit changes much easier.

Connected to the Skyways System

The Skyways can be pretty bright and used for a few pictures. Of course, we would look for skyways that are not crowded. It’s not the best background, but in case of bad weather, it’s covered and has some good lightning.

So, Is the Mayo Civic Center a Good Spot for Indoor Pictures?

See for yourself with Melanie and Christopher’s photos.
I believe the Mayo Civic Center is a decent Free Spot for Indoor photos.

Now, onto the images! The day of their session was snowy. We captured a few shots outdoors but spent the first part of the session staying warm inside. We used the Mayo Civic Center’s second floor and skyway. Since it was around Christmas, we also took advantage of a huge Christmas tree. For poses, I asked them to walk and use the stairs. I also played with reflections on the windows. As you can see, the trade-off for a covered location is the warm-toned background.

What is worth noting is the adjacent Rochester Art Center, which has way better lighting and allows for a photography session, but it would cost you a photography permit.

The Wavy Glass Façade

The mix of white structural elements and the wavy glass wall gives the building a minimalist and modern appearance. This architectural statement fits well with a large, modern city aesthetic. In fact, along with the new Mayo Clinic (Kellen Building), these are probably the two most architecturally bold buildings in the area. Pairing the glass façade with the grey cement floor and young planted trees creates a look often found in European countries like France or the Netherlands.

The River Shore and the Riverfront Plaza

The Zumbro River flows right in front of the building. A walkway with a red railing, shaped like an American flag, runs alongside it. This railing provides a striking contrast with the blue water. The river shore and Riverfront Plaza offer great spots for a few photos.

The Tapered Arch-Shaped Sculpture

At the intersection with 2nd St SE sits the Tapered Arch-Shaped Sculpture by artist Po Shu Wang. This modern piece, echoing Chicago’s “giant jelly bean,” provides a fun backdrop for a shot or two.

The Sunset and the City in the background

Oriented in an east-west direction, the plaza offered a direct view of the city’s 2nd St SE and the Rochester Library illuminated by the sunset. The result is a modern background with flair.

The Rochester Art Center (RAC)

The RAC, attached to the main building, offers a slightly different style of cladding for photos. The first part, called the Tower Block, is a massive four-story rectangle clad in dark brown copper steel. The slightly smaller Art Box Gallery (three stories) is covered in light gray zinc. It cantilevers over the walkway, creating a sheltered spot for pedestrians. Both sections connect via a glass-walled link, providing yet another modern backdrop.

Mayo Park

Mayo Park sits on the east side of the building. It features a giant red brick wall that casts afternoon shade over the grassy area. While the Zumbro River flows just beyond the park’s edge, you won’t see much of it in photos. The park itself is straightforward: flat, grassy, and dotted with tall oak trees. It’s ideal for a few shots but probably too basic for an entire session. It has a similar vibe to Soldier’s Field.