Downtown St. Paul Photography | Favorite Urban Location for Photoshoots

Do you want to be let in on a little secret? All Photographers have a favorite location to shoot. 
It fits their style, the light is stunning, it fits their personality, there can be numerous other things that has people coming back to that location.

As for me, one location I could shoot  for the rest of my photographer days would be Downtown St. Paul. After I finished college, I got my first "grownup" job in the heart of downtown. I am thankful that I am able to be emerged in the experience everyday. St. Paul is my favorite urban spot to shoot as a photographer;It is a place that I am always comfortable in. 
St Paul constantly bustles with people that makes the city come to life.  I have always enjoyed the look of having couples engagement shoots downtown. The light at certain times of the day is just stunning.
A handful of the structures downtown make a beautiful story for an engagement and portrait shoots. Downtown can be so versatile with all the different nooks and crannies, beautiful parks (Mears park,Harriet Island Park, Raspberry Island), fun water fountains (check out some here or here), and delicious restaurants for some date night shoot look in your photos. (Sakura anyone?) I love St. Paul and I want to share that same breathtaking experience with my couples in their urban sessions. 
Here are a couple of my recent session in the great Downtown!

If you do not know what location you want your session, do not be afraid to get some suggestions from your photographer. They can give you multiple locations that will fit your style; Photographers want you to be comfortable wherever you choose for your shoot!  

(Here is a previous post on 3 tips to rock your engagement session if  you want to read more!)

3 Tips to ROCK Your Engagement Shoot!

I am going to share with you a recipe that if done correctly your engagement session will go off without a hitch for both you and your photographer.

Be Comfortable : When you are uncomfortable in front of the camera, it shows BEHIND the camera. To help your session be pleasant, here are a couple of things that I promise will help. Choose your location of the E-session. If it is someplace that is familiar it will help you feel right at home. In some cases that may be your home, back yard, park nearby. If you both enjoy that location as a couple it will make it that much more special looking back at your photos. Choose clothing you know won’t make you self-conscious. We all have those pair of jeans that are not as forgiving around the midsection or you are constantly pulling up with every new pose. During your session, the last thing you want to be doing is constantly adjusting to feel more comfortable. On the same thought as clothing, let’s also address shoes. If you love your heels (a common love affair I share) make sure to pack a pair of flats to help walk from spot to spot. Know what works in your location! Heels are horrible in grassy fields, but in pictures you will work it! If you come prepared your feet won’t be killing you be the end of your session.

Be Confident: The best way to be confident is to be yourself. An Engagement session is all about you and your fiance, there is no one that has the same love story  as you two. Know that when worse comes to worse you will have each other! If all else fails have confidence in your love.

Have Fun: Stepping into a session can be a little awkward at first when you’re letting a stranger take over. Take a deep breath and give the reigns over to the photographer. The moment this is done you will be able to fully enjoy your time with your fiancé. For a lifestyle photographer, it is so important to capture a couple’s natural reactions. Another way to achieve a good time is going into your session with a good attitude and determination of having fun as a couple. Now, I know this sounds really obvious, but when you purpose in your heart to have a fun time, you will! This goes for your fiancé too.

One last tip to help your session run more smoothly, arrive on time. Being respecctful of your photographer's time is important and will help you both to start off on the right foot.

I hope that even in a small way this helps you to get ready for your photos! 

5 Traditions I Enjoyed Sharing With My Spouse | Married Life | Personal

My husband and I's one year anniversary is coming up in 2 months! I cannot believe how quickly our first year flew by! Looking back I was so excited to have my husband experience family traditions that I had grown up loving. There are so many more as well by these are my top 5!

1)  Sunday Lunches - My family growing up always has been a huge pasta clan. This being a big influence, my father's post church meal craving is always spaghetti with juicy meatballs drenched in gooey cheese. Marcus enjoys eating, so this tradition he took to with no problem. The only thing he found a little bit odd was our choice of beverage that we paired our meal with. Apparently Milk and spaghetti is not common to most people...

Stillwater Fourth of July Firework Show.

2) Fourth of July - Most of my favorite traditions have something to do with holidays and starting us off is the Fourth of July.This was the first year I took Marcus on a relaxing day on my dad's boat. At the end of the day, we were cuddled up together, rocking with the waves, and enjoying the evening with the only lights being the fireworks breaking in the night sky. Marcus really enjoyed being laid back all day on the St. Croix.

Pinecones at a christmas tree farm in WI.

3) Christmas - Another Holiday, the whole christmas season has always made me nostalgic. It reached its peak in college, when christmas music started playing from my laptop as early as October. Marcus is a firm believer that no christmas music should be played before Black Friday. We are still working out our difference on this particular issue. This family tradition was the one Marcus and I did not fully see eye to eye on.  He grew up opening presents on Christmas Day; I grew up opening presents on Christmas Eve. We compromised with Team Waits opening gifts on Christmas Eve, and our new family, Team Sanchez, opening gifts Christmas morning. With two days of opening presents I had to admit, it was a win win.

Candyland Sign from Downtown St. Paul.

4) Candyland - As a St. Paul native, my father would take us to Candyland almost after ever downtown YMCA visit. Although it was a little counter productive, it was something me and my siblings always looked forward to. I have really enjoyed sharing this tradition with my husband, when  we will go  on dates downtown. We still remained like kids in the candy store every time we go. Our Candy go-to's - Black and Red Raspberries for me and Chocolate Turtles for him. If you have not been, this is a Minnesota Must!

Lazy Sunday at the Como Conservatory in the Sunken Gardens

5) Como Conservatory - This by far is my favorite tradition that I shared with my husband. Every year my family would venture over to Como Zoo and Conservatory. Some days it was because it was too cold to do anything outside and others was just to help us get out of the house on a lazy Sunday. As a family we enjoyed walking through and basking in the plant life and flowers they have there. Marcus and I both enjoy these strolls through the conservatory. And it will always be special to us, because that it where we became husband and wife. <3

Honorable Mention : Minnesota State Fair! - this is such a fun date with my husband. We grabbed a disposable camera and took pictures all day and ate a lot of food! Food favorites: Me - Apple Cider Freezy (Agricultural Building) Hubby: Sweet Martha's Cookies.

What are traditions you guys love to share with your partner??