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2024

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Best Portrait Photographers in Minneapolis, MN

Our Recommended Top 17

We did the research for you!

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Minneapolis Portrait Photographers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

142Reviewed

92Curated

17Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Saint Paul, MN 55109

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (37)

Why choose this provider?

Beautiful Era Photography is a Saint Paul photography studio that is owned and operated by sisters Brittany Laeger and Christianna Dengerud. The photographers have nearly a decade of photography experience and provide photography services for weddings and engagements, families, high school senior portraits, concerts and events, children, design, and pets. Beautiful Era Photography is involved in community outreach and donates 10% of all session fees and portrait orders to a charity each month.

514 N 3rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55407

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Google
5.0 (15)
Yelp
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Meghan Doll Photography is a studio in Minneapolis, MN, that's been providing tailored visual art services since 1999. In recognition of her artistic abilities, the owner, Meghan Doll, was named a certified professional photographer by the Professional Photographers of America. The business focuses on portrait photographs of newborns, children, and family. By offering custom artwork, Meghan Doll provides families with personalized images that capture important milestones. Clients praise the photographer's personable nature and meticulousness in delivering high-quality images.

514 N 3rd Street N #206, Minneapolis, MN 55401

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Emily Charais is a portrait artist in Minneapolis, who engages in senior portraits, ballerinas and dancers, and headshots. Ms. Charais is a member of Professional Photographers of America, and her regular session fee of $175 does not include the digital files and prints. The company has another location in Washington County's picturesque Marine on St. Croix, and it serves communities, such as Eden Prairie, Lake Elmo, Minnetonka, North St. Paul, Spring Lake Park, and Taylors Falls.

7638 Jorgensen Court South, Cottage Grove, MN 55016

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Review Sources

Facebook
4.7 (72)
Google
5.0 (12)

Why choose this provider?

Kari Layland Photography provides portrait sessions to clients in the Minneapolis area. With over 23 years of experience, Kari Layland specializes in capturing newborn, maternity, senior, family, and high school portraits. She accommodates studio or outdoor photography sessions and is willing to travel 40 miles from Cottage Grove. Her passion and dedication to work keep Layland's newborn portraits in such high demand that clients schedule sessions weeks or months in advance.

Saint Paul, MN 55101

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (18)
Facebook
5.0 (10)

Why choose this provider?

K Solberg Photography is a Saint Paul photography studio that is owned and operated by photographer Kirsten Solberg. Kirsten has been a professional photographer since 2011 and specializes in wedding photography and environmental portraiture. She provides several wedding and engagement photography service packages as well as services for destination weddings and other events. Kirsten also provides portrait and lifestyle photography services for families and high school seniors.

Minneapolis, MN 55407

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Symbolix Photography is a boutique studio in Minneapolis that serves clients throughout the Twin Cities. It offers portrait photography, including headshots, senior portraits, and couple portraits, and utilizes a variety of styles to capture photographs that the client can cherish for a lifetime. Photographer Yann B. Ferlaak uses high-end equipment from brands such as Nikkor and Speedlightto shoot well-lit, dynamic photographs. Other services include real estate, fashion, and boudoir photography.

110 Highway Avenue South, Blooming Prairie, MN 55917

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Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (58)
Google
5.0 (12)

Why choose this provider?

Michelle Krohn is a portrait photographer in Minneapolis specializing in maternity, newborn, and family photography. She offers both indoor and outdoor sessions, with locations such as Andover, Lakeville, and Monticello. Experienced in working with children and infants, Michelle captures lifestyle shots and portraits of young ones with props provided in her studio. She also provides dresses, gowns, or bodysuits for maternity shots and furniture and backdrops for families. Michelle is also experienced in photographing pets and specializes in rescue dogs.

Minneapolis, MN 55413

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Brett Dorian Artistry Studios is a Minneapolis photography studio. Brett founded the studio in 2008 and has worked in media artistry since 2000. She is also trained in media makeup, studio hairstyling, airbrush, and character/light special effects. Brett offers various photography services such as lifestyle photography, business headshots and portraits, marketing collateral photography, and more. She also provides hair and makeup services as well as lessons and workshops.

Rachel Farganis Photography logo

Rachel Farganis Photography

1048 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55104

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (47)
Facebook
5.0 (37)

Why choose this provider?

Rachel Farganis Photography is a photography studio near Minneapolis that specializes in portrait photography, especially for families and newborns. Rachel Farganis, an award-winning photographer, started her business in 2014. The studio has newborn photography sessions, milestone portrait sessions, and family portrait sessions. It also offers Fresh 48 sessions, an on-location service that focuses on newborns two days after their birth. Rachel Farganis Photography has been featured on The Huffington Post, Scary Mommy, Fox News, and LooksLikeFilm, a global community of photographers and creatives.

Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (10)

Why choose this provider?

SMHerrick Photography is an Eden Prairie photography studio that has been in business since 2001. The studio specializes in professional portrait photography for high school seniors, families, children, and business portraits. SMHerrick Photography also provides wedding and engagement photography services as well as architectural and interior design photography. The studio offers various other services and products such as complete portrait printing, custom framing, albums and books, and fine art canvases and murals.

Minneapolis, MN 55413

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (10)

Why choose this provider?

Jessica Smith Photography is a Minneapolis photography studio that specializes in wedding and portrait photography. Jessica uses a photography style with natural lighting and provides photography services for both weddings and engagements. She also provides portrait photography services for newborns, families and children, high school seniors, maternity, and milestones. Jessica offers various products such as prints, canvases, and albums.

Saint Paul, MN 55101

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (12)

Why choose this provider?

Tom Dunn Photography is a Saint Paul photography studio that provides photography services throughout Minneapolis and Saint Paul as well as western Wisconsin. Tom is currently the President of the St. Paul Art Collective. He specializes in photography services for commercial and business product branding, portrait photography services, product images, and photography for interior and exterior architecture. Tom also provides images for websites, brochures, business cards, promotional marketing materials, and social networking.

Saint Paul, MN 55101

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (18)
Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Summer Street Photography is a husband-and-wife photography team based in Saint Paul. With 300+ weddings under their belt, Kendra and Matt have been in business for 10 years and have had the honor of watching couples become a family. Their business started in Boston, MA, where they still travel for photography commissions, and has since expanded all over New England, The Twin Cities, Chicago, and the greater Midwest. Summer Street Photography provides photography services for weddings as well as portrait photography services. It is fiercely dedicated to documenting the unspoken joy of couples' love through natural and timeless photos. Its images are timeless, relaxed, and unique to each individual photography commission.

Saint Paul, MN 55101

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.5 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Alex Carroll Photography is a Saint Paul photography studio that specializes in wedding and event photography. Alex provides all day wedding photography coverage services as well as complimentary engagement photography sessions for all wedding photography service clients. He also provides custom printed DVDs with cases as well as albums for wedding clients. In addition to wedding and event photography services, Alex also provides portrait photography services for families and high school seniors in studio, outdoors, and on location.

Minneapolis, MN 55403

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Why choose this provider?

Kay Michael Photo & Video is a Minneapolis photography studio that has been in business for over 10 years. The studio specializes in wedding photography and videography services including wedding highlight videos and full edits of wedding days. Kay Michael Photo & Video also provides photography services for performances and other events. In addition to wedding and event photography services, the studio offers professional portrait and headshot photography services for families, high school seniors, and more.

Saint Paul, MN 55102

Why choose this provider?

Nancy Hauck is a Saint Paul photographer who has over 30 years of experience in the industry. She has extensive experience working on location, documentary, and street photography in Tokyo, Amsterdam, Moscow, and the Dominican Republic, as well as throughout the United States. Nancy specializes in photography services for portraits, as well as corporate, acting, and modeling headshots on location or in studio.

2303 Kennedy Street Northeast, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Little Monarchs Photography is owned by Rachael Hundley, a Minneapolis-based portrait photographer. She specializes in family, senior, and headshot portrait photography. Rachael can conduct sessions at the firm's very own studio and are equipped to do outdoor shoots as well. Specializing in vibrant and bright imagery, She aim to capture candid and posed moments shared by their clients. Little Monarchs Photography has been in the industry for more than 10 years and has been featured on Minnesota Parent, a well-known parent's magazine.

Compare our Top Portrait Photographers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Beautiful Era Photography
Saint Paul, MN 55109
Meghan Doll Photography
514 N 3rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Emily Charais
514 N 3rd Street N #206, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Kari Layland Photography
7638 Jorgensen Court South, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
K Solberg Photography
Saint Paul, MN 55101
Symbolix Photography
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Michelle Krohn Photography
110 Highway Avenue South, Blooming Prairie, MN 55917
Brett Dorrian Artistry Studios
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Rachel Farganis Photography
1048 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55104
SMHerrick Photography
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Jessica Smith Photography
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Tom Dunn Photography
Saint Paul, MN 55101
Summer Street Photography
Saint Paul, MN 55101
Alex Carroll Photography
Saint Paul, MN 55101
Kay Michael Photo & Video
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Nancy Hauck
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Little Monarchs Photography
2303 Kennedy Street Northeast, Minneapolis, MN 55413

FAQs

  • Introduction

    Portrait photography can be the perfect way to capture special moments for adults, children, couples, and families. It's a popular option for occasions, such as graduations, weddings, birthdays, and various milestones reached throughout childhood. However, you don't need a special reason to get a portrait professionally done, as there are many photographers eager to work with new clients at a reasonable rate.

    Professional portrait photography takes years of practice, and the right photographer can achieve results that go far beyond the typical selfie. A magnificent portrait can bring out the subject's inner qualities, allowing their unique personality to shine through for generations to cherish.
  • What is portrait photography?

    Portrait photography is the art of capturing a sitter's likeness with a camera. While this may sound as simple as snapping a quick shot with your mobile phone, the truth is that a truly good portrait photo is difficult to achieve. The goal of a high-quality photo is to capture the personality and emotions behind the subject.

  • What is the history of portrait photography?

    Since the invention of the first camera in 1839, portraits have been one of the most popular kinds of photos. However, way back when, photos needed an exposure time of 20 minutes or more, meaning you would need to sit completely still for that time or else end up with a blurry image.

  • Where can you learn portrait photography?

    Many art schools across the country offer degrees in photography, and some even have specialized classes in portraiture. This can be a good option for young photographers who want a well-rounded skill set. However, many dedicated portrait photographers are self-taught and rely on their portfolios to serve as their credentials.

  • How do you start a portrait photography business?

    Before starting a portrait studio, it's best to gain experience shooting your friends and family so you have a strong portfolio to show clients. Once you're confident in your work, try making a website where you can direct new businesses interested in having their pictures taken.

  • How to eliminate shadows in portrait photography?

    The secret behind many photographers' success is that photography is 50% editing. If you're working digitally, you can open up your pictures in editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop, and use its digital tools to manipulate shadows and highlights. If you prefer to work analog, the best way to mitigate shadows is proper lighting.

  • What are the four categories of portrait photography?

    The four categories of portrait photography are constructionist, candid, environmental, and creative.

    1. Constructionist photographs involve working with a photographer who will sit you in different poses and lighting to create the perfect shot from the ground up.
    2. Candid photos are taken with minimal setup, trying to capture their subject in the moment.
    3. Environmental photos try to capture subjects in their natural environment.
    4. Creative photography uses a variety of experimental techniques and elements to create an original image.