10 Beautiful outdoor photo locations in Minneapolis. In the list below, you’ll find stunning, local, lesser-known parks that skip the modern playgrounds & the heavy foot traffic so you can enjoy a fun photography experince without onlookers.
One thing is for sure: when the sun is shining and the air is warm, it’s time to head outdoors to refresh your family photos in Minneapolis. During the colder months, I love working with families to welcome their newborns and capture their memories indoors, oftentimes at their home. But when the call of the spring or summer season is upon us, I look forward to helping families head out of doors. Family photography in MN during the warmer months means spending time exploring beautiful surroundings. It means letting the little ones run through the paths in local parks and stopping to smell the flowers along the way.
There are several local parks I frequent with families to capture these joyful moments when the sun is high and life’s little moments feel euphoric. Keep reading for my list of 10 stunning outdoor photo locations in Minneapolis. In this list, you’ll find well-loved favorites and tucked-away hidden gems. Towards the end, I’ve included details on how you can schedule your next set of family photos in Minneapolis – yes, even if the little ones are in the adventurous stage of life!
1. Arneson Acres Park
Without a doubt, Arneson Acres Park comes alive during spring. The vibrant spring flowers are on full display with bright, cheerful colors filling the frame. Arneson Acres also features an exquisite stone fountain and a wooden gazebo. Both of which create picturesque backdrops, no matter the occasion. It is important to note that Arneson Acres Park hosts weddings during the summer months. Meaning we will need to be mindful when working together on family photography in MN during this time. However, there are plenty of tucked-away hidden spaces that we can still explore should this happen to be the case.
Location | 4711 W 70th St, Edina, MN 55424
2. Lyndale Park Gardens
Want to fill the images of your family photos in MN with whimsy and enchantment? Lyndale Park Gardens lives up to its name with expansive gardens in full bloom. Featuring a pergola garden, a rose garden, and a bird sanctuary, Lyndale Park Gardens offers countless backdrops for unforgettable photos. If you’re concerned about foot traffic and park goers, I highly recommend checking out Lyndale Park Gardens in the early mornings. This will allow you to avoid the crowds. Additionally, there are plenty of areas throughout the park that are ‘off the beaten path’. These spaces will easily give you the freedom needed to create a memorable photography experience while enjoying the blooms.
Location | 1300 W 42nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55409
3. Crosby Farm Regional Park
Located in St. Paul, but a short distance from Minneapolis, Crosby Farm Regional Park is filled with endless paths built for exploration. The park is best known for its trails and attracts hikers and bikers alike. However, there are picturesque spaces that feature river views and breathtaking forests. All in all, providing you with a family photography experience in MN, which curates a variety of settings for frame-worthy photos.
Crosby Farm Regional Park website
Location | 2595 Crosby Farm Rd, St Paul, MN 55116
4. Wood Lake Nature Center
A location filled with paths that encourage visitors to search for local birds, Wood Lake Nature Center is 150 acres of marsh, a floating boardwalk, and a limestone walking trail. What I love about capturing family photos at Wood Lake Nature Center is the inescapable joy on the faces of the little ones when they spot the wildlife peaking through the brush. This location is for the curious at heart. Offering a charming space for a photography experience, paired with the enjoyment of an outdoor adventure.
Wood Lake Nature Center MN website
Location | 6710 Lake Shore Dr S, Richfield, MN 55423
5. Longfellow Gardens
A local favorite, Longfellow Gardens is stunning and idyllic. There is something to be said for a pristine garden with well-manicured blooms and vast topiaries. With as much beauty as it contains, Longfellow Gardens also provides a feeling of tranquility. When it comes to outdoor photo locations in Minneapolis, Longfellow Gardens adds an overall sense of relaxation to your photo session.
Location | 3933 E Minnehaha Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55417
6. Hyland Lake Park Reserve
The quiet back trails and grassy knolls at Hyland Lake Park Reserve offer a break from the everyday foot traffic. In the warmer months, these locations of the reserve are my go-to spaces for working with children and families on a memorable photography experience. One thing I always maintain about family photography in MN is that little ones need the space and encouragement to explore. It’s about creating a fun environment where they can play and enjoy time without their family, all without coaxing or being prompted to ‘smile’ or sit still. Which is what makes finding outdoor photo locations in Minneapolis such an important part of the overall experience.
Hyland Lake Park Reserve website
Location | 10145 Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438
7. Minnehaha Creek Trail
Searching for even more stunning outdoor photo locations in Minneapolis? Minnehaha Creek Trail is located in Southwest Minneapolis and offers plenty of ‘hidden gem’ photo opportunities along the trail. In total, the trail is 1.5 miles and connects Minnehaha Regional Park and Fort Snelling State Park. The trail features a waterfall and peaceful views, with every opportunity to make your photoshoot a ‘fun day out’ with the family.
8. French Regional Park
A swimming beach, a fishing pier, and so much more, it really does seem as though French Regional Park offers a bit of everything outdoorsy and fun. Located in Plymouth, French Regional Park is an easily accessible location, offering the ability to take stunning photos outdoors with family members of all ages. We can explore the wooded trails or locations off the beaten path while capturing noteworthy photos of your family to look back on for a lifetime.
Location | 12605 Rockford Rd, Plymouth, MN 55441
9. Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Part of the Dakota County park system, Lebanon Hills Regional Park covers nearly 2,000 acres. In this massive landscape, you’ll find trails, lake views, and even a bit of environmental education. The prairie and forest within the park feature countless varieties of trees and blooms, ensuring the backdrop for your family photography experience in MN provides you with a backdrop overflowing with natural beauty and plenty of charm.
Lebanon Hills Regional Park website
Location | 860 Cliff Rd, Eagan, MN 55123
10. Centennial Lakes Park Edina
The final park on this list of outdoor photo locations in Minneapolis is Centennial Lakes Park Edina. If you close your eyes and imagine a setting reminiscent of Paris in the springtime, you might be surprised to know that Centennial Lakes Park vividly fits the same description. Colorful flowers are in bloom throughout the warmer seasons, while seemingly limitless, vibrant grass fields surround every corner. There is plenty of space to stretch out and imagine a fun family photo experience that feels like an afternoon picnic.
Location | 7499 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55435
Family Photos Minneapolis
Those 10 outdoor photo locations throughout Minneapolis and beyond are just some of my favorite spots to work with children and families. However, if you have a specific location in mind for family photos in Minneapolis, I’m always open to hearing how we can best capture your family’s cherished moments together. I offer a variety of photography packages that will provide you with beautiful portraits, no matter what season of life you are currently in. You can find more details on working with me for your family photos in Minneapolis at this link.
