Lake Como Minneapolis for Engagement Photography close to the Cities

The next step for Sam, after he made Ben a surprise proposal, was their engagement session in the twin cities: getting trained to face a camera before the ceremony day is always important, not to say a necessity. Indeed, even trained professional models need time to warm up and to adjust to each personality they work with. So do a bride and groom.

In this article, I will not only introduce to you Sam and Ben’s session, but also present to you this well-known recreation area and what you should consider if you plan to have pictures taken there.

A symbolic backdrop for Sam and Ben

Sam is the artist; she studied art at university and in France (of course), while Ben is the ingenious engineer who works in technology and communication systems. It’s pretty improbable that they met thanks to their professional careers. While I was trying to take some pictures with my camera, hiding across some pine trees, they were laughing, remembering that it was the place they first met, collecting trash. Yes, you read it right. It’s with gloves and plastic bags, collecting litter and garbage for a voluntary association (which takes care of the parkland), that they met.

What an unusual way of meeting people! But it’s the truth and romantic story behind this lovely couple! The lesson of this story: If you manage to seduce someone in dirty clothes, with your hands covered by rubbish, then you might consider that the other one appreciates you for who you really are.

 

The perfect scenery for couples’ engagement sessions

Despite its title, this location has nothing to do with the authentic lake with the same name located in Northern Italy’s Lombardy, which is a mountainous region. Its creation is linked to Saint Paul and Minneapolis history and the industrial development of the twentieth century. Some rich owner decided to transform a simple body of water into a fancy recreational area. They made a deal with the St. Paul train company to connect the recreation area to the city railway system. In exchange for having the railway cross the land, the company built a bridge (Lexington Parkway Bridge) and the Lakeside Pavilion. The city also built a streetcar station. The construction of the McNeely Conservatory finished in 1925 attracted a lot of rich people who built mansions and other prestigious houses in the neighborhood.

The past century’s economy has since changed some part of the neighborhood. But during the last thirty years, investments have been made to develop and promote the area. As a result, it attracts again the wealthy people and the less wealthy who are looking for a quiet place to buy a home.

Activities

The Lakeside Pavilion

The Lakeside Pavilion is an authentic century neoclassical building (a mix between a Greek temple and a modern building). It features a large arched porch with high antique-style columns that welcome numerous musicians and festivals. Inside the building, you can today find the Spring café (which can turn into a wedding venue).

Sports

In photography, I always encourage couples to share an activity in order to produce candid and natural images. Of course, some sports would produce more photogenic photos than others! But here is the list of all the sports you can do on or near the water.

• Fishing dock: Could be fun if you like to fish
• Trails: We will use them a lot
• Pedal boats: Can be pretty funny for 5 minutes
• Kayaks, canoes: It’s great for 10 minutes of photos
• Stand-up paddleboards: I have personally never tried this, and I don’t really understand this sport. But I have to admit it looks at the same time weird (in a good way) and fun.
• Surrey bikes: Those can be used for 5 minutes for pictures
• Athletics events held on McMurray Field: Clearly, except if you are a truly accomplished athlete, we won’t use this field.
• 18-hole golf: Can be a great background for pictures, and you may be happy to hear that Cozy’s Pub welcomes wedding celebrations.
• Mini golf: It can be the opportunity for a pretty fun moment if you have a playful sense of derision.

The lake vicinity

As you will see, there are a lot of options that can be used in photography.

Greenery

The park features a lot of different species of plants, trees, and flowers. I’m especially a big fan of pine trees because they can be used all year. The landscape looks completely artificial and sculpted by a human mind in comparison with other regional parks.

Greenhouses and Zoo, Famous and Romantic for Weddings

As a professional wedding photographer working in Minneapolis and capturing ceremonies in the adjacent cities, I have used my camera a lot in this recreational area and its zoo. The conservatory features five large greenhouses, and one (the Sunken) can be rented for wedding rituals. The zoo can also turn some part of the zoo into a wedding venue. Of course, don’t expect to have gorillas jumping in the middle of the room. They are separated from the animals. Nevertheless, some rooms are connected with the McNeely Conservatory and the Japanese Garden.

Hamm Memorial Waterfalls

At approximately 30 feet high, the Hamm Memorial Waterfall can’t be compared to the Minnehaha Falls. It’s an artificial waterfall built on the side of the hill, and they are shut down during the winter (so they don’t freeze, in opposition to the Minnehaha Falls that can be completely frozen some years).

The Historic Street Car Station

Built by the city more than a century ago, it was a necessity for the wealthy residents of the city to drive there. Today it’s used as the parkland’s office, and its stone-made walls are ideal for the background of pictures.

The Pond and its Frog Statue

Located just in front of the McNeely entrance, the pond features the statue of a little frog. This pond is pretty photogenic. One side of the pond is overhung by a circular antique-style gazebo (with no roof) that is used by families and couples who do selfies.

What you should consider having your portraits taken there

• 759 acres and miles of hiking trails: We will probably walk a lot, so make sure to have comfortable shoes.
• Zoo and animals: Lots of people imagine that having pictures taken with animals is amazing. That’s true when animals are free, not in a cage. With the cage or the glass windows, the result can actually be the opposite. So unless you personally know a board administrator and can give us access to the inside of the enclosure, forget pictures with the animals and instead focus on the fair part full of colors.
• Crowded in summer and during weekends: You don’t want tourists in the background of your images. Be aware that this place can be full of visitors during summer and weekends. Focus on early hours and prefer weekdays if you can.
• Parking can be difficult: A direct consequence of the previous point mentioned is the difficulty to find a parking place during weekends. So if you plan to stop with your bridal party for a quick 15-minute group picture, that’s maybe not the best idea. Indeed, you might lose your time trying to park.
• Not as natural as Elm Creek Park Reserve or the Clifton E. French Regional Park: Contrary to many of the natural centers in Minnesota, this place looks completely made by landscapers.
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5 alternatives in Minnesota for great portraits

The park and the zoo are legendary, not to say the most established park of the city. Nevertheless, it’s not the only one. There are many other popular alternatives for engagement photos in the North Star State.

Stone Arch Bridge

It’s the most iconic construction of the city. You can even find it on the MSP airport walls! At the time of its construction, it was a prodigious piece of engineering to cross the Mississippi River. Built by the megalomania of railroad magnate James J. Hill, who wanted to create a bigger rail station on the left side of the city to transport passengers. Unfortunately for him, the Depot in Saint Paul was actually more used, and the arched bridge ended up disaffected. Today it’s a tourist attraction loved for surprise proposals and Minneapolis engagement sessions.

The Arboretum

Fan of the Como Botanical Garden? Another spot where photographers love to take lovers’ portraits is the landscape arboretum, in Chaska, MN. Whereas you can find lots of nature centers in the 10,000 lakes state (such as Springbrook Nature Center) which don’t offer anything special, the Arboretum is a land that has been completely transformed by gardeners and the university. Such large botanical areas are pretty rare in the United States! In other words, that’s a place for people who love flowers and all kinds of plants: from the simple meadow to the exotic ones. So if you like the Botanical Garden, you would love having your Minneapolis engagement session taken at the Arboretum. What’s more, it also welcomes wedding celebrations.

Stillwater

If today it’s a charming little city located alongside the St. Croix River and facing Wisconsin, the town used to be the first city of the state (the birthplace of the North Star State). As the heritage of the industrial time and the lumbering industry, the town is covered by lovely brick buildings (like the courthouse) and enchanting old constructions loved by photographers, not to mention its famous bridge. In other words, that city concentrates a huge potential for photography in a small area, which guarantees you a different experience than a Minneapolis engagement session.

Taylor Falls

Located 30 minutes north of the city, this scenery offers an amazing landscape to take pictures: rocky mountains, pines, and other evergreen trees that guarantee you good pictures all year long.

Northern Duluth

If you are ready to take your car for a ride, the northern part of the state is actually pretty gorgeous and offers numerous options for good photos!

Two complementary options for more memories

The longer your session lasts, the more at ease you might feel in front of the camera. What’s more, having different backgrounds offers you a larger variety of images.

Frozen Lake in Edina

If you like a picture on a frozen lake for winter pictures, the Centennial lakes (Edina, MN), it offers a larger variety of options. Indeed, the Centennial concentrates a lot of tiny but cute and efficient photo spots.

Post-Industrial Style

Photographers love post-industrial buildings, such as the Nicollet Island Pavilion,, which is also a wedding venue (but not only). It’s located on the west part of Minneapolis, right on the Mississippi. The Pavilion, surrounded by greenery, is made with red brick, and so are the buildings of the Saint Anthony Theater on Main Street. Harriet Island (located in St. Paul, MN) is also ideal to have a portrait taken. It offers a stunning view of the skyscrapers and usually perfect light.