Senior Photos That Feel Like You | Brainerd Lakes Area Photographer, Minnesota
Senior photos centered on connection and authenticity—capturing who you are.
It’s that time of year! Where us Minnesota Photographers are cozied up in little coffee shops (My favorite is Stone House, right here in Nisswa, Minnesota!) working on all the behind the scenes stuff to prepare for the upcoming season. Or if we are being real, writing a journal entry and reflecting when we should probably be doing something else…
Although I have been a photographer for years, this past season marked my third year photographing here in the Brainerd Lakes Area - working with families, seniors. newborns and weddings. I truly love them all. But with my background as a former fashion, adventure and lifestyle photographer in California, I feel my deepest passion, and expertise lives in senior portraits and personal portraiture.
It’s the perfect blend of everything I love: authenticity, connection and art curated to the individual. Capturing the true essence of a human being, through connection, and giving enough space for that to happen.
I don’t often share this part of my story, as it feels like a lifetime ago — and sometimes I wonder if it makes me sound a bit out of touch, but I was in front of the camera for nearly 15 years before stepping behind the camera. That experience shaped me more than I realized at the time. Working alongside incredibly talented photographers and creative directors gave me a deep understanding of direction, posing and how subtle adjustments can completely change how someone feels — and how they see themselves.
When it comes to personal portraits, especially seniors, that perspective comes naturally to me. I know what it feels like to be photographed, to feel unsure and/or guarded. I understand how a shift in direction, guidance or even space can leave room for a person to be themselves.
There is something extra special about connecting with young hearts in one of the most exciting and transitional times of their lives. Senior year is the pinnacle of where adolescence meets adult hood and often some of the largest transitions we have in this life — a time filled with growth, uncertainty, confidence and change. Senior photos aren’t just about marking a milestone, but honoring who someone is in this moment.
I love showcasing an individual’s personality, inner beauty and authenticity in a once in a life time experience. To show who they are, who they once were and maybe even get a glimpse of where they are headed. It’s a challenge in the best of ways, because each and every person is wonderfully unique. It’s a story that needs to be preserved.
Here are a few of my favorite senior photos here in Minnesota.
If you are feeling all the feels, and this resonates with you. Inquire below. 
Extended Family Photoshoots | The Photos that Tell Your Story for Generations | Brainerd Lakes Area
Extended Family Sessions in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
Because Family Stories Deserve to be Treasured
There’s something about an extended family photoshoot that hits a bit different. Maybe it’s the mayhem, maybe it’s the laughter. or maybe it’s the way grandparents soften when the littles run towards them. But mostly, it is the feeling that these are the photos that outlive us and the images that future generations will hold in their hands when they want to know where they came from.
As a Brainerd Lakes Area Photographer, I love capturing this kind of storytelling. The tender, but not so ordinary moments of everyone gathered at the family cabin under the pines,
Extended Family Photos Matter
Life moves so fast. Kids grow, seasons change and suddenly the people who once. lived under the same roof only gather during the holidays and big moments. Even that can and often does change. An extended family session brings everyone back into one frame - grandparents, cousins, siblings and the people that feel like home. These photos become your history, and the only thing we have left to help us hang on to the memories that were made. A timeline of sorts. The proof of how deeply you belong to one another. These are the images your children will treasure someday, long after their and your world has shifted a hundred times.
Photos that Become Legacy
I’ve always loved old photos — the way they instantly transport you back, the way you can almost hear the laughter or imagine the warm summer air. That’s what I hope to create for you. Images that feel honest, nostalgic and full of life.
Not perfectly posed (Although I always hope for an amazing group shot of everyone looking into camera).
Not Forced Smiles.
Just the real, real - the in-between moment and the storytelling that shows connection.
The Brainerd Lakes Area is Perfect for Extended Family Sessions
This is where many of us all gather, each and every summer at resorts and campgrounds that have seen more summers than our great grandparents. The beauty and simplicity of cabin life, a pine-lined backroad or your childhood home, the Brainerd Lakes Area offers a backdrop, that feels both grounded and magical. Minnesota sunsets, tall grasses, quiet water - this place was made for making memories.
These are the photos, that will remind you and the younger generations how it all felt. Being together.
And local matters too. I grew up here, at family owned campground, it took me 15 years to come back to Minnesota, but those old polaroids of catching fish may have had something to do with me coming home.
Planning a multi generational gathering in the Brainerd Lakes Area? I'd love to photograph it.
Grand View Lodge Micro Wedding and Elopement | Nisswa, Minnesota Photography
An Elopement and Micro wedding at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, Minnesota goes Country Western.
Paula and Collin reached out to me this past summer regarding their plans to elope at Grand View Lodge after being together for over 15 years. They were looking for the most intimate of ceremonys to share with each other and their sister and brother-in law. I love a good running love story and their’s is as sweet as it gets.
Initially the couple thought maybe they would say their vows on the dock or outside their cabin. I recommended the chapel at Grand View as it just seemed like it would fit their vibe and may be available for their somewhat, last minute weekday wedding. It was perfect. Even the venues landscaping seemed a bit more country with them as the center piece.
It was an absolute perfect fall day. It is rare that I get emotional while I am working, but these two brought some waterworks as they said their very unique and personal vows rot each other; Talking about their country lifestyle which I just happened to personally love - horses, motorcycles and their dogs.
After their vows were said and Collin kissed his bride, it was time to take some photos of just the two of them around the Grand View Property, before they headed off to dinner at Cru.
More heart strings were pulled as I turned on some music for their final photos by the lake and they danced gracefully to George Strait’s, Amarillo By Morning.
They had and have my heart forever. Their authenticity and love they share is nothing short of inspiring. I am honored to have been able to document and share their special day.
I wish these two a life full of love, joy and more adventures.
Mn Maternity Photos | In Home Session | Brainerd Lakes Area
Candid and Organic In-Home Maternity Session in Minnesota.
When I think of maternity photos I often envision pregnant mama’s outside in a field of flowers or on a dirt road. Perhaps because I see pregnancy in a lot of ways so parallel to nature - constant growth and transformation.
That being said…being a photographer located in MN with these cold Minnesota winters had me thinking of other maternity location ideas. Unless we wanted to rent a studio or brave the sub zero temps what other ways could we document these moments?
I photograph many newborns and families in home, so I figured why not maternity sessions!
So my couple chose an in home session which just might be one of my all time favorite maternity sessions. It’s organic, candid and provided a place for us to capture these last moments of just the two of them as a couple (and the pup), before they welcome their baby.
Their home provided the perfect atmosphere to relax into the magic of what is and what is to come. To simply be themselves as I snapped and casually directed them.
I also love maternity photos outside and in studio but this just hits a bit different. To think this is the very same home that in a months time they will be welcoming their new baby is pretty rad.
Oh! Hey Mama’s and Mama’s to be, take the photos. It’s pretty amazing that there is a little baby growing inside of you! Heck, I barely can remember those little kicks and it’s only been two years.
Xo,
Amanda
Just a few of my favorite photos of this Minnesota Maternity Session. 
Unique Family Photos at the Lake | Family Campfire | Minnesota Photographer
Relaxed Family Photoshoot at the Lake in the Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota
I absolutely love it when families come to me with unique ideas for their family photo session. This wonderful family wanted photos on the lake at their family cabin here in Central Minnesota, but to make it even more special we incorporated one of their favorite family activities into the photoshoot. A family campfire photoshoot.
You can’t tell by the photos but we were surrounded by storms - despite gloomy skies we had an awesome session and somehow their little pocket of lakeshore remained dry. We took lots of family photos by the lake and after they made a campfire.
As the sun started to set, Grandpa started a campfire while the kids snuggled on moms lap and roasted marshmallows. I Everyone was content and simply in the moment.
It was such a fun and unique idea to get candid family photos. I feel we really captured those cabin vibes and that lake life so many of us love here in Minnesota.
It’s another session where I wasn’t exactly sure where to put them in my portfolio, but I wanted to share, so here they are in the blog. I hope it gives you inspiration for your next family photoshoot - I am always down for an adventure or to do something a bit out of the ordinary. Family activity photoshoots are some of my favorite.
Please reach out if you have any ideas and are looking for a photographer in The Brainerd Lakes Area.
Xo,
Amanda
Just a few of my favorite photos of this Minnesota Family Session. 
