Marysa & Shay Engagment & Family Session at Normandale japaneseGardens
Japanese Garden Family + Couples Session | Minnesota Portrait Photographer
There is something so peaceful and romantic about photographing at the Japanese Garden. Between the soft greenery, glowing light, red bridge, and dreamy reflections, this location gives such a beautiful mix of family portraits, couples photos, and detail shots.
For this session, we kept the feeling warm, natural, and connected. I love when a location gives variety without needing to walk too far, especially for families with little ones. The shade from the trees created soft light for the family photos, while the golden sun coming through the leaves added that dreamy glow I love so much.
The family portraits were sweet, simple, and full of real connection. With young kids, I always like to keep things moving naturally instead of forcing everyone to sit perfectly the whole time. A mix of looking at the camera, cuddles, little breaks, and natural moments usually gives the best gallery.
We also took time for couple photos, and the red bridge made the perfect backdrop. It added such a bold pop of color while still keeping the photos soft and romantic. The warm light, greenery, and layered background made the images feel timeless with golden tones.
One of my favorite parts of this session was the ring detail photo. Detail shots are such a beautiful way to add variety to a gallery, especially during engagement, maternity, anniversary, or family sessions. They help tell more of the story and bring in those little pieces that matter.
The Japanese Garden is a gorgeous option for portraits if you want something peaceful, green, and romantic. It works beautifully for families, maternity, couples, engagements, and milestone sessions. The best time for this location is usually closer to golden hour when the light is softer and the garden has that warm, dreamy glow.
If you’re looking for a Minnesota family or couples photographer, I’d love to help plan a session that feels natural, relaxed, and true to you.
Erin Carrie Photography LLC
