There's a particular kind of evening in Minnesota that feels like it was made for families. The light goes golden, the air gets soft, and suddenly — even with a one-year-old who's just discovered her legs and a four-year-old with opinions about everything — time slows down just enough.
That's exactly what happened at Excelsior Commons this summer.
Why Excelsior Commons is one of my favorite spots for family photos near Minneapolis
If you haven't spent an evening at Excelsior Commons, add it to your list. Tucked along the shores of Lake Minnetonka, it has that rare combination of open green space, beautiful light, and just enough room for little ones to run. No stiff poses, no awkward backdrops — just real space for real families.
For this session, we arrived in the early evening when the light was still warm but not harsh. The kind of light that makes everyone look like themselves, just softer.
Two kids, two personalities, one very determined walker
Their youngest had just started walking. And she had somewhere to be — she just wasn't sure where yet. Watching her toddle across the grass with total commitment while her big sibling ran circles around her? That's the kind of thing you can't choreograph.
We spent part of the session just following her lead. Some of my favorite images from the whole summer came from those ten minutes.
The four-year-old, meanwhile, had energy for approximately seventeen more hours and was fully prepared to use it. We leaned in. Running photos. Spinning photos. The kind of movement that actually looks like your kid.
Mom with her kids — the photos she'll actually want to keep
One thing I always make time for is getting mom in the frame — not just as a prop, but really with her kids. Nose-to-nose with the baby. Chasing the four-year-old. Just sitting in the grass together while the light does its thing.
These are the images that end up on walls. The ones she looks at ten years from now and feels something.
Book your summer family session near Minneapolis
Summer books fast — especially for golden hour sessions at locations like Excelsior Commons, Lake Harriet, and along the trails in the western suburbs. If you've been thinking about it, now is the time to reach out.
I photograph families across the Minneapolis–St. Paul area, and I'd love to help you hold onto this season before it's gone.
Get in Touch
Ready to book your summer session? I'd love to hear from you.
