After hundreds of sessions across the metro, these are the locations we keep coming back to — not because they're famous, but because they consistently produce beautiful, unhurried family photos. For every spot we've noted the best time of day and anything you should know before booking.
One rule of thumb before the list: the "best" location is the one that fits your family. Toddlers do better with playgrounds and short walks; teens photograph beautifully against urban texture; grandparents appreciate parking near the shoot. Tell us who's coming and we'll match the spot to the crew.
South metro favorites (closest to our Savage studio)
Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, Savage — Rolling prairie and oak woods that turn molten gold in late September. Best 60–90 minutes before sunset. Our single most-booked fall location.
The Landing, Shakopee — Preserved 1800s river-town buildings along the Minnesota River. The weathered wood and prairie grass read timeless in photos. Great in any season, including snow.
Antlers Park, Lakeville — Lake Marion beach and big shady lawns. Ideal for summer evening sessions with young kids: water, sand and space to run between poses.
Lakefront Park, Prior Lake — Shoreline, prairie hills and a gazebo in one park. If you want variety without moving the car, this is it.
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Eagan / Apple Valley — Two thousand acres of lakes and pine. Jensen Lake's picnic area gives you woods, water and boardwalk within a five-minute walk.
Minneapolis: for families who want the city in the frame
Minnehaha Regional Park — The falls get the postcards, but the limestone creek walls and pergola garden are where the best family photos happen. Go early on weekends; it fills up fast.
Stone Arch Bridge & Mill Ruins Park — Skyline, river and historic stone in every direction. Best at sunrise before the joggers and wedding parties arrive — kids in golden light on the cobblestones is worth the early alarm.
Chain of Lakes (Bde Maka Ska & Lake of the Isles) — Piers, sailboats and skyline sunsets. A classic for a reason. See our Minneapolis photography page for more city options.
St. Paul: the classic architecture side
Como Park — The outdoor gardens are free to shoot; the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory interior requires a photography permit (worth it in winter — tropical greenery in January is a Minnesota superpower).
Summit Avenue — Victorian mansions and boulevard elms. Best for fall family sessions and anything with a dressed-up feel. More on our St. Paul photography page.
Hidden Falls Regional Park — River sand flats and cottonwoods below the bluffs. Feels like a beach town, ten minutes from downtown.
Timing and permits: the two things that make or break a session
Golden hour is not optional in Minnesota. The hour before sunset (or after sunrise) is dramatically more flattering than midday sun. We schedule nearly all outdoor family sessions in that window and will suggest exact times when you book.
Some venues require permits. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen and the Como Conservatory interior both require photography permits; Three Rivers and regional parks generally don't for small family sessions. We flag any permit needs before you commit to a location.
Common questions
What time of day is best for outdoor family photos?
The last 60–90 minutes before sunset ('golden hour') gives the softest, most flattering light. Early morning works just as well and popular locations are far less crowded.
Do Twin Cities parks require photography permits?
Most city and regional parks don't require a permit for small family sessions. Notable exceptions: the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and the Como Conservatory interior. We confirm permit requirements for your chosen location before the session.
What if it rains on our session day?
We watch the forecast together and reschedule at no charge if the weather doesn't cooperate. Overcast skies, for the record, are actually great for photos — it's rain and wind we avoid.