Best Locations for a Photo Session in Rochester, MN

You are looking for the best place in Rochester, MN to take portraits. As a local wedding and commercial photographer, I have discovered a lot of places I am happy to share with you.
Given I’m specialized in wedding photography, this article might be oriented for engagement session, but I will also try to take in consideration places for other kinds of portraits (family session, events, seniors, maternity). First, let’s see if you need a special location, define what is a perfect place, and why, and then check the list to select your favorite location.

Do you really need a special location?

Can you use your home, your backyard, or your local park for pictures?

If you are lucky owners of a nice home, with a nice backyard, then you might simply use it for pictures. Indeed, it’s a place you are familiar with, that offers a covered option in case of rain.

What’s more, it’s a place where you would fill more confident in front of the camera, so it would be easier to show your true emotion allowing the photographer to capture your relationship.
That applies especially for cozy maternity pictures and newborn pictures. Indeed, it’s better for newborns to be at home.

For instance, if you want your son or daughter portrait, you would prefer to have newborn equipment immediately available, and the option for her/him to take a nape when it’s needed.

Newborn’s pictures are the only case where professional usually brings studio equipment. Nevertheless, if your home doesn’t work, you can still go to a studio specialized in newborn pictures.

Also, if you just want few portraits and family pictures, your backyard, or the closer park, could be an option.

On the contrary, if you want a lot of pictures with different options, then you might prefer to drive to a nice location in Rochester MN. That applies for engagement sessions, maternity photography, and college senior photography. Those are one lifetime event that worth the effort to make good memories. You can then print albums and hang frames on your walls.

What Is a Great Location for a Photo Shoot

Before giving you a list, let me explain how I have selected the greatest place. To make it simple, a good location is a location that must meet 5 criterias:

• it must be easily accessible via the road (you don’t have to climb rocks to get there or drive more than 1 hour)
• it must not be crowded (you don’t you people in the background of your one picture)
• it’s a place you should feel comfortable and secure, so you can reveal your emotion and your relationship
• it’s a place that has some esthetic qualities, such as beautiful natural landscape, or a remarkable urban point of Vue
• Photography must be allowed (which exclude the Mayowood Mansion and the Assisi Heights)

In addition to those primary conditions, you might pay attention to additional criteria regarding your needs and your tastes, such as:

• Conversely, of an empty lawn, it can have some elements allowing the photographer to use in order to create photography effect (such as flowers, shrubs).
• In summer it should present some part in the shade (better light)
• In winter, it should remain joyful despite the dull day
• It must allow dogs (if you want a picture with your pet)
• Last but not the least, it should be covered area in case of rain of very cold weather day

List of the top locations for a photo shoot in Rochester, MN

To make it short, the three outstanding parks in Rochester MN is Chester Woods, Quarry Hills and Oxbow Park. Now, we can go more into detail and see all the options available. I might miss some. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you don’t see your preferred location.

• Chester Woods Park
• Quarry Hills
• Soldier Fields
• Oxbow Park
• Silver Lake Park
• Rochester Downtown
• Parking Rooftop
• The Plummer Building
• The Peace Plaza
• The RAC
• The Rochester Golf & Country Club
• Mayowood Mansion
• The Mayo Stone Barn
• The Plummer House
• Northwoods Orchard
• Sekapp Orchard
• Willow Creek Reservoir
• Gamehaven Reservoir
• Silver Creek Reservoir
• Eastside Wildlife Management Area
• Root River Park
• Oak Summit Golf Course
• Oronoco Prairie Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)

Chester Woods Park

Chester Woods is probably the largest park in town. It’s a county park, and is spreading on several miles, and offers a large diversity of landscapes if you are ready to walk 20 min. Discover the session here.

At the middle, you can find an artificial lake (artificial water damming ) surrounded by hills covered by forest. There are several water decks on the shore, and during summer we can even enjoy a sand beach.

The lake would allow you to take pictures in your boat or do canoes. And in winter, you can walk on the frozen. Actually, the top of some old-oak tree remains emerged, creating a fascinating landscape.

On the west part of the park side, you can find the high grass and meadow, that are perfect for pictures.
When walking south, you would arrive at the top of the bluff with a breathtaking scenery on the forest below. This is an outstanding spot in the afternoon and evening to take advantage of the sunset.

Below, the river flows from the dam. The river is crossed by two wood bridges. Those bucolic area, but the light could be tricky.

If you ride a horse, you might be happy with the horse trails. The very south part of the park (where I never see anyone, which is convenient for privacy during an engagement or a maternity photoshoot) are hills covered by medium high meadows and low trees.

Finally, if you are lucky, you might cross the path of white-tail deer during your photo shoot! But I don’t guarantee we can include them in your pictures.

Chester Woods Park has a camping site, a picnic area, so would be perfect for family pictures. This part is covered by several plum and cherry trees. So, during spring, it offers a show similar to Japanese cherry trees.

The only cons of the Chester Woods Park are the distance that could be pretty long.  As a hacker, I love walking in nature, but if you don’t (or can’t) to walk much, then that’s maybe not the best option.

Suitable for Spring	yes
Suitable for Summer	yes
Suitable for Fall	yes
Suitable for Winter	yes, walking on a frozen lake, but no pine tree
Lake	very large
River	small creek but not useful for pictures
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	yes
Hills	medium ones
Historic Construction	no
Dog Friendly	on-leash
Minutes Driving from Downtown	20 min
Specificity	Lot of nature, frozen lake with the top of the oak tree emerged in winter
Inconvenience	Have to walk, must pay an entrance fee is you don’t have the annual sticker. Eratum : no more entrance fee since 2022!
In one word	For people who love nature.

Quarry Hill Park

Quarry Hill Park is located 10 minutes east of Rochester Downtown. Near the Nature Center,  you can find a “small” lake (the Harry L. Buck pound) with an aluminum water deck. Discover more photos.

If you walk the trails to the north, you first pass through meadows and high grass. Then you cross a little creek which can work for pictures. To pass the creeks use the wood bridges, which also works wonderful for pictures.
Behind the parking, stands a forest part with pines; which ones are always good for winter pictures.

Now, the outstanding part of the park is located on the west side. It’s the limestone bluff. On the top of the hill, you can find two different landscape. The first one is mostly high grass and oak trees, which turn into an amazing background during fall.
The second part, is a large hole on the top of the bluff (resulting of the past quarry activity), surrounded by a ridge. Today, during spring when the snow is melting into water, this hole changed into a temporary pound.
What’s more, one area is pretty much cover by dust/sand, and showcase the natural stone. Which means, it’s a photogenic area.

On the top and the side of the hill, you can find different types of evergreen trees (pines). Those are especially appreciated during Minnesota’s winter. Discover a winter engagement session at Quarry Hill in Rochester, MN.

Suitable for Spring	yes
Suitable for Summer	yes
Suitable for Fall	yes
Suitable for Winter	yes
Lake	small
River	no river, small creek
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	natural limestone
Hills	medium
Historic Construction	The office can be used as background, but not outstanding
Dog Friendly	on leash
Minutes Driving from Downtown	10 min
Specificity	Limestone hill, and pines
Inconvenience	Could be crowded during week-end (not suitable for maternity)
In one word	Top favorite place to go

Oxbow Park

Loved by families, it’s a unique place, ideal for portraits and engagement shoot. It’s especially true during Minnesota’s winter. Indeed, you can find an entire area covered with pine trees. Covered by snow, those a really photogenic. More photos here.

Oxbow Park is located 20 min west from Rochester, downtown (actually on the Byron City), near the Zumbro River. At the middle of the park stand the Oxbow zoo, open all year long, with is a excellent place for kids, and thus for family session.
The oxbow park is surrounded by high hills (I guess we can call them small Mountains). They are covered by forest.

There used to be a century-old house (turned into a museum), but unfortunately they could keep it in good shape.

Suitable for Spring	yes
Suitable for Summer	yes
Suitable for Fall	yes
Suitable for Winter	the best place for winter
Lake	no
River	yes, but no good for pictures
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	no
Hills	high
Historic Construction	not anymore
Dog Friendly	on leash
Minutes Driving from Downtown	20 min
Specificity	Have a zoo in the middle, and a playground for kids
Inconvenience	Could be crowded during weekend
In one word	Top favorite place, especially with snow

Soldiers Field

Soldiers’ Memorial field Park is located just below downtown. It’s a large park, including a memorial, a golf club, a swimming pool, a stadium to run, a large playground for kids.

Except if you are a member, you won’t be allowed to access the golf club to take pictures, with is pretty sad because the landscape is beautiful.
Nevertheless, the rest of the park also works, even if we can deplore the lake of small trees (bush) and the lake of hills.

That being said, there is still some option for a good photographer to compose with.

During summer, the swimming pool could be an unexpected spot for pictures (if not crowded). Indeed, it’s the 1960s style is stunning.

During winter, the city can install an ice-skate rink which can also be an atypical and iconic background for your images.

The main advantage of the Soldiers Field Park is its location near downtown, and it’s a point of view on the city skyline.

Suitable for Spring	yes
Suitable for Summer	yes
Suitable for Fall	not specially
Suitable for Winter	ice skate rink
Lake	No
River	Yes but not usable for pictures
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	No
Hills	No
Historic Construction	No
Dog Friendly	On Leash
Minutes Driving from Downtown	1 min
Specificity	Close to downtown
Inconvenience
In one word	A convenient option for people searching for a greenery landscape close to downtown

Silver Lake Park

Silver Lake is an (artificial) lake located 5 min driving from downtown.

It speeds on a large surface, with the main lawn and high trees. You can find a cute little stone bridge, and some banks facing the lake.
It offers a couple of options for photography (such as the lake in the background), but not much.

That’s said, it had some immediate adjacent location with whom you can compose.
Indeed, on the west side of the dam, you can find the Thompson Mill Race Park, which offers a kind of sand beach when the water level is low.
On the south of the park stand a skate park, that could be a decent background in photography (if you like the style).
And finally, if you like unconventional location, the train track (located in the south), could also be an option for a few pictures.

A good photographer would find angles to compose pictures, but that’s maybe not the easiest place for an engagement shoot.

Suitable for Spring	yes
Suitable for Summer	yes
Suitable for Fall	not especially
Suitable for Winter	no
Lake	yes
River	no
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	no
Hills	no
Historic Construction	no
Dog Friendly	in leash
Minutes Driving from Downtown	5 min
Specificity	close to downtown
Inconvenience	the lake of small treeIn one
word	A convenient location, but must be completed with another spot, such as downtown.

Rochester Downtown

Old fashion downtown is the guarantee of having marvelous memories. That’s the way they are appreciated and also used by photographers for other kinds of portraits than engagement session, such as family, college seniors or maternity photography.

The Med City, like most cities, features post-industrial red brick walls that are photogenic!

What’s more, there are a couple of old historic houses spreads into the town such as the Heritage House, the entrance of the Methodist Hospital (the sick daycare entrance), the Plummer Building doors, the Mitchell Student Center.

The 3rd St SW is maybe the cutest street in downtown. After that, you can find a lot of small back streets, with stairs and textured walls to take pictures.

The major advantage of urban background is that it works for any type of weather, all year long.

Suitable for Spring	yes
Suitable for Summer	yes
Suitable for Fall	yes (but won’t really enjoy the fall’s colors)
Suitable for Winter	yes
Lake	no
River	no
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	no
Hills	no
Historic Construction	yes
Dog Friendly	on leash
Minutes Driving from Downtown	0
Specificity	old red brick and historical edifices
Inconvenience	could be crowded
In one word	to combine downtown pictures and a natural location.

Parking Rooftop

My favorite vice is rooftops. There is a couple of parking rooftop Downtown that gives an exceptional view on the city and its buildings. Each of them has their specificity and would be used regarding the sun and the forecast.
Anyway, rooftop always sounds like liberty and top of the world. That’s why they help to produce stunning pictures.

Suitable for Spring	yes
Suitable for Summer	yes
Suitable for Fall	yes
Suitable for Winter	yes
Lake	no
River	no
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	yes
Hills	no
Historic Construction	no
Dog Friendly	yes
Minutes Driving from Downtown	3
Specificity	rooftop
Inconvenience	Must be used complementary to another location
In one word	A touch of fun and rock&roll

The Peace Plaza

Located downtown, the Peace Plaza is an OK location for whom wants a nice backdrop downtown for one picture. Indeed, it’s located right in the middle of the city. In the middle stands an iconic fountain, and, on the side, the Chateau Theater and its old fashion lights.
Due to the dimension of the place, it’s clearly not the best location for a session but would work for a few pictures.

Suitable for Spring	fair
Suitable for Summer	fair
Suitable for Fall	fair
Suitable for Winter	fair
Lake	no
River	no
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	no
Hills	no
Historic Construction	no
Dog Friendly	no
Minutes Driving from Downtown	0
Specificity	Downtown
Inconvenience	Lot of events take place, very small and crowded place
In one word	great for one picture

The RAC

With its modern architecture, the Rochester Art Center (RAC) can be a decent place to take pictures.
Depending on the exhibition, you might be (or not be able to take a picture inside). Anyways, to be allowing you must book an appointment first, and pay a fee ($55/hour-regular business hours for 12 guests or fewer).
The exterior of the edifice features a glass wall, with the shape of a wave (let’s say a wave). The modernity of the design can inspire some composition, and marry with the adjacent Mayo Park (a simple park with grass and trees).

Finally, despite the fact that it’s located at the intersection of Bear Creek, the Zumbro River (the South Fork Zumbro River), and the beginning of Silver Lake, the location does not offer any good point of view on the river to take pictures.

Suitable for Spring	yes
Suitable for Summer	yes
Suitable for Fall	yes
Suitable for Winter	yes (modern architecture)
Lake	no
River	yes but no nice access
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	no
Hills	no
Historic Construction	no
Dog Friendly	no
Minutes Driving from Downtown	0
Specificity	modern architecture
Inconvenience	$55 fees for 1 hour and reservation must be taken in advance
In one word	Perfect plan B option if authorization to take pictures inside.

The Rochester Golf & Country Club

Golf Club usually made beautiful background for pictures. Given a golf course can be pretty dangerous (you don’t want to receive a ball on your head), you must ask the authorization of the manager. Someone might escort us. Of course, negotiation would be easier if you plan to get married at the club (they do host weddings), or/and, by choosing a time with no player on the field.
If you manage to have a mini-car, it could be funny to use it for some images.

Suitable for Spring	yes
Suitable for Summer	yes
Suitable for Fall	yes
Suitable for Winter	yes (great landscape)
Lake	no
River	no
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	yes
Hills	yes
Historic Construction	no
Dog Friendly	no
Minutes Driving from Downtown	10
Specificity	golf
Inconvenience	need autorization
In one word	golf

The Plummer House

The Plummer House is an authentic old Mansion Located 5 min driving from Rochester Downtown. It’s a Tudor English style, which means medieval architecture made with stone and wood. The interior house itself can’t be used for pictures (or you may negotiate with the manager if you are renting this place to hold your wedding, given it can be rent for weddings).
We will use the 65-acre garden, including pounds and water tower.

The park close pretty early, so don’t expect sunset pictures in summer. That being said, there is some much tree that most of the garden is under the shade.

Suitable for Spring	yes
Suitable for Summer	yes
Suitable for Fall	yes
Suitable for Winter	yes (thanks to the Manor)
Lake	no
River	no
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	no
Hills	no (on the top of the hill)
Historic Construction	yes
Dog Friendly	no
Minutes Driving from Downtown	5
Specificity	Old Tudor Mansion
Inconvenience	Mostly in the shade
In one word	Medieval Style

Northwoods Orchard

Best photographers love Orchards because they offer plenty of colors to be captured on camera. That can be used for seniors, families, maternity, but also for product and packshot photography. For instance, I took my wedding albums pictures in an orchard close to Minneapolis.

But let’s come back to our location. If you are tired of parks, you might want to change for a new experience. Then try the Northwoods Orchard.
Located at 15 min north of downtown, it could be a great place for a picture. It is open most of the years, featuring an old fashion white farm, surrounded by an apple orchard, corn field, a straw mountain (during the fall), and several high-old century trees that can be used in the background.  Moreover they had a small wagon for kids that could be used for a family picture.

And finally, they don’t charge any entrance fee, it’s free.

Suitable for Spring	Yes
Suitable for Summer	Yes
Suitable for Fall	Especially yes (have a pumpkin event for Halloween)
Suitable for Winter	fair
Lake	no
River	no
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	no
Hills	on the top of the hill
Historic Construction	no
Dog Friendly	no
Minutes Driving from Downtown	15 min
Specificity	Orchard
Inconvenience
In one word

Sekapp Orchard

The Sekapp Orchard is located 10 min from downtown, just after Quarry Hill. It’s an apple orchard, featuring two high trees, which leaves turn yellow during the fall. It’s also the period where they feature pumpkins and crisantemo flowers.

The apple alley is a bit wild (less clear than the Northwoods).

From a photographic point of view, I would prefer the Northwoods Orchad which offers more angles and more options. That said, given its location, it could be a good additional location with Quarry Hills (which is probably the best park in town)

Suitable for Spring	fair
Suitable for Summer	yes
Suitable for Fall	yes
Suitable for Winter	no
Lake	no
River	no
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	no
Hills	on a hill
Historic Construction	no
Dog Friendly	no
Minutes Driving from Downtown	15 min
Specificity	Orchard
Inconvenience	Not at lot of angles, and entrance fees (minimum bag)
In one word	fair but not amazing.

Willow Creek Reservoir Park

The Willow Creek Reservoir Park is located in the south park of the city above the airport and on the west side of US63.
It’s a large park of 192.4 acres with at its center, an artificial lake (with an almost island at the center). It has an unpaved 2.3-mile loop trail that would take at least 47 min to complete (without taking photos).
Along the way, we have multiple types of landscape that made it one of my favorite places in Rochester.
Indeed, you will have:

• A dam, offering an overhauled point of view on the lake
• Some area of high grass with nothing in the background
• Some area of high grass with trees in the background
• Some area with the trail covered by trees
• The willow creek that can be used for some pictures
• All kinds of mid-size flowers, to very high grasses and bush
• A deck on the lake

What’s more this location is dog-friendly and there aren’t a lot of people. So it’s a great place to have your pictures taken if you don’t like the crowd.

Suitable for Spring	Yes
Suitable for Summer	Yes
Suitable for Fall	Yes
Suitable for Winter	Yes, can walk on the lake
Lake	Yes
River	Willow Creek
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	Yes
Hills	Yes
Historic Construction	no
Dog Friendly	Yes
Minutes Driving from Downtown	13 min
Specificity	Reservoir
Inconvenience	47 minutes loop
In one word	great place, lot of different landscapes

Gamehaven Reservoir Park

The Gamehaven Reservoir Park is an 80-acre park on the side of an artificial lake with a dam located in the south of Rochester on the east side of US63.
The access to the park requires a little walk, going through some large areas of grassland (with two majestic oak trees). Located behind the big dam, which contrasts with the rest of the park, which is pretty hilly.

On the north side, you have a kind of canyon (probably resulting from quarries), with limestone on each side of the hills. The ground is covered by concrete, which probably means that it was used before. Today it’s left abandoned, making this part a quite interesting location, with a few graffiti. That could be a place to play with smoke bombs for instance.

The trail on the dam gives a nice overlook on the lake and reaches the east side, which is a big hill. This one has an entire area where the vegetation has been removed to create a nice, clean slope.
This slope is well known and well used for mountain biking and for sledding.

Suitable for Spring	Yes
Suitable for Summer	Yes
Suitable for Fall	Yes
Suitable for Winter	Yes, can walk on the lake
Lake	Yes
River	Creek
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	Yes
Hills	Yes
Historic Construction	no
Dog Friendly	Yes
Minutes Driving from Downtown	11 min
Specificity	Reservoir
Inconvenience	Can’t hike all around the lake
In one word	Simple reservoir bordered by trees

Silver Creek Reservoir

The silver creek reservoir is a 98 acres artificial lake built to protect Rochester against flooding. It’s not really a park, and it’s pretty simple with an access to the dam and some areas of grass only on the south-west side.
This silver creek would work perfectly in winter to have fun on the frozen lake.

Suitable for Spring	Yes
Suitable for Summer	No (no shade)
Suitable for Fall	No especially (no trees)
Suitable for Winter	Yes, can walk on the lake
Lake	Yes
River	Creek
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	Yes
Hills	Yes
Historic Construction	no
Dog Friendly	Yes
Minutes Driving from Downtown	9 min
Specificity	Reservoir
Inconvenience	Can’t hike all around the lake
In one word	Simple reservoir with open view on the background

Eastside Wildlife Management Area

The Eastside Wildlife Management Area is a natural lake located on the East Side of the city, near Quarry Hill and next to the Sekapp Orchard. With 118 acres or area the location is mainly used for birdwatching, but it has huge potential if you are looking for a location for a photo session. Instead, the Eastside Wildlife Management Area offer:

• A wood deck with a nice view on the lake
• Some area of pine trees
• Some area of reeds to play with
• Some area of high grass
• Some area with some oak tree
• The railways on the east side of the park.
• In winter the frozen lake is fun to walk on.

All these reasons make this place a good natural to go to have some engagement pictures taken.
Dogs are not allowed.

Suitable for Spring	Yes
Suitable for Summer	Yes
Suitable for Fall	Yes
Suitable for Winter	Yes, can walk on the lake and play with reeds
Lake	Yes
River	No
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	No
Hills	No
Historic Construction	No
Dog Friendly	No
Minutes Driving from Downtown	7 min
Specificity	Reservoir
Inconvenience	Can’t hike all around the lake
In one word	Simple reservoir with open view on the background

Root River Park

The Root River Park is a huge park of 125 acres. It has a 2 miles unpaved loop hiking trail that goes from the parking lot located on the top of the hill, to the river, located at the bottom of the hill.
On the way, you will have an area of high short grass and then it’s mostly some parts into the woods until you reach the bottom of the hill. On the other side, you will have a nice cliff.
There, you have some areas of very luxurious green plants, high grass. You have some trails alongside the Root River. At some point you have a small area of sand (not really a beach, but pretty close). And given the river is not deep (2-3 feet at maximum), you can have fun playing in the water while having your picture taken.

The Root River Park is dog-friendly, and is a great place for people who want quiet places and nature.

Be aware that the sun will go down behind the west hill, so you won’t have a golden hour down there and should plan to arrive soon enough to have some sun rays.

Suitable for Spring	Yes
Suitable for Summer	Yes
Suitable for Fall	Yes
Suitable for Winter	No
Lake	No
River	Yes, Root River
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	Yes
Hills	Yes
Historic Construction	No
Dog Friendly	Yes
Minutes Driving from Downtown	16 min
Specificity	river, beach, cliff, hills
Inconvenience	Long hike to go down
In one word	Great spot for people who love nature

White Oaks Park

The White Oaks Park is a little community park, with a playground, located between the 50th Ave NW and the 55th Street NW, next to the Douglas State Trail.
What is interesting about this park is the retention ponds that are located just behind and which are boarded with some trees on the south side. During the fall season, the leaves of those trees turn vivid red, making them a great location for a quick family photo session.

Suitable for Spring	No
Suitable for Summer	Yes
Suitable for Fall	Yes
Suitable for Winter	No
Lake	Yes
River	No
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	No
Hills	No
Historic Construction	No
Dog Friendly	Yes
Minutes Driving from Downtown	12 min
Specificity	Trees turning red in the fall
Inconvenience	Great just for a few photos
In one word	Simple community park great for fall

Oak Summit Golf Course

In the Golf Course category, the Oak Summit Golf Course is, like most golf courses, a nice golf course to have your pictures taken. Located next to the Rochester Airport, its landscape is pretty hilly, with some beautiful trees (oak, willow, pines), and some areas with reeds.
Of course you need to be a member and will have to barrow a golf cart to drive on the 240 acres of fields.
16min

Suitable for Spring	Yes
Suitable for Summer	Yes
Suitable for Fall	Yes
Suitable for Winter	No
Lake	No
River	Willow Creek
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	Yes
Hills	Yes
Historic Construction	No
Dog Friendly	No
Minutes Driving from Downtown	16 min
Specificity	Golf course
Inconvenience	Need a membership
In one word	A great golf course

Oronoco Prairie Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)

The Oronoco Prairie Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) is 80 acres of high grass with a slightly hilly landscape.
This area itself is pretty simple, with a few trees on the side, but mostly high grass and other rare species of plants that compose the prairie.
It has a little stream crossing. And a trail goes towards the west side, perfect orientation for the early morning, or sunset photos.
Dogs are not allowed.

Suitable for Spring	Yes
Suitable for Summer	Yes
Suitable for Fall	Yes
Suitable for Winter	Yes
Lake	No
River	Creek
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	Yes
Hills	Yes
Historic Construction	No
Dog Friendly	No
Minutes Driving from Downtown	15 min
Specificity	Prairie, High Grass
Inconvenience	only one trail on a east-west direction
In one word	For prairie lovers

Is there any Covered Location in Rochester MN?

There is no nice and free covered location in town for engagement sessions that I am aware. But there are a few options.

You might use the skyways, but those are not very photogenic. We could also use some coffee shop or restaurant, but that’s not the best options.
If you are owners of a nice home, with bright walls, and lots of light, you could consider it as Plan B option.

RAC (Rochester Art Center)

As we mentioned earlier, the RAC ask for reservations and a 55$ fee for 1 hour.

The Gonda Building

I might be wrong, but regarding what can be found on the Mayo photo policy, it seams allowed to take pictures inside the building, in the condition not to expose any patient.

Given the very few option of covered location, and the high number of people working for Mayo (who have access to the building during weekends) I have decided to include it. If you are part of the second half of the city who does not work for mayo then, sorry, stop here and pass to the next location.
The Gonda building is a dreamed location during weekends, when there is (almost) no one in the hall. With its 3 or 4 floor wall glass and its modern architecture, it’s a wonderful spot to take pictures, especially in case of cold and bad weather!

What’s more it’s surrounded by adjacent and old historic edifice. For instance, the massive door of the Plummer Building can be used, or the front of the Mitchell Student Center.

Suitable for Spring	yes
Suitable for Summer	yes
Suitable for Fall	yes
Suitable for Winter	especially yes
Lake	no
River	no
Clear or Breath-taking scenery	no
Hills	no
Historic Construction	no
Dog Friendly	no
Minutes Driving from Downtown	0
Specificity	covered place open
Inconvenience	must be a mayo employee to have access
In one word	a great backup option for mayo employees

Location located at 1 hour driving (or less) in Rochester, MN.

If  none of those locations, fit your  expectations for your one lifetime photo-shoot, and iff you are ready to drive a bit farther, here is a short list of other remarkable locations around Rochester.

• Salem Glen Vineyard & Winery
  Cute Vineyard 20 min from Rochester MN
• The 4 Daughters Winery
  Amazing Vineyard with multiple option, 40 min from Rochester MN. Ask one daughter for the authorization.
• White Waters State Park
  Breath-taking point of scenery, nice like, but must walk a lot. Not a good idea for seniors.
• Steeple Chase Event Center
  Church on the top of a disaffected ski station with pines. Atypical locations
• Lake City
  Cute city on the side of the Mississippi River, great for seniors.
• Kellogg-Weaver Dunes
  Surrealistic Place in Minnesota. Great for engagement, maternity session and for seniors.
• Frontenac State Park
  Large Park, nice high grass and points of view, ideal for maternity images.
• The Farmers park, Lewiston mn
  An old Stone Railway Bridge, a creek and a stream.