You want more than just a nice photo. You want to see connection, feel the season of life you're in, and remember exactly how small they were—before they suddenly weren’t.
Whether you’re deep in the newborn haze, marking that one-year milestone, or trying to get everyone out the door for a family session without losing your mind, you’re not alone. Around here, sessions are designed to feel doable. Calm. Even enjoyable.
Minnetonka offers a beautiful mix of wooded trails, lakeside views, and cozy neighborhoods—so your session can feel as natural and familiar as the people in it.
From shady trails to sparkling lake views, Minnetonka offers the kind of backdrops that make timeless, relaxed family photos feel effortless.
For outdoor sessions, we might head to Purgatory Park with its wide open fields and woodsy trails, or Big Willow Park for a mix of grassy space and tree-lined quiet. Shady Oak Lake, Lone Lake Park, and Minnetonka Mills Park also offer beautiful light and calm, family-friendly energy—especially in the golden hour.
Some families prefer to keep it close to home. Whether you're in Groveland, Deephaven, or Glen Lake, a front porch session or backyard snuggle can be just as meaningful (and snack-accessible).
Studio sessions happen in my natural light space in Northeast Minneapolis—about 20 minutes from Minnetonka—but we’ll choose the spot that fits your season, your family, and your comfort.
You’ll also receive a detailed location guide to help narrow things down. No scouting or stress required.
Maternity sessions are less about perfectly posed hands on your belly in a field of wildflowers (unless that’s your thing) and more about pausing for a moment to honor what your body is doing and what’s ahead.
Whether we photograph you in my natural light studio or catch the glow near Lake Minnetonka during the evening outdoors, these sessions are calm, connected, and entirely centered on you.
I’ll guide you through every step, including what to wear. With a curated studio wardrobe and expert styling support, you’ll look and feel like the version of yourself you want to remember.
You belong in the frame before everything changes.
The newborn days blur quickly. They’re slow, sleepy, and somehow gone before you even get through the freezer meals. That’s why these sessions are designed to meet you exactly where you are—literally and emotionally.
Newborn photography can happen in my cozy, natural light studio just outside Minnetonka, in your home (think soft blankets, lived-in love, and familiar rhythms), or even outdoors if the weather is kind. I also offer Fresh 48 sessions at local hospitals, including M Health Fairview Ridgedale and Methodist Hospital, for families who want to capture those first hours before the haze really sets in.
Wherever we shoot, the pace is slow and baby-led. There’s time for feeding, cuddling, outfit changes, and quiet moments in between. You’ll have access to a curated wardrobe for baby, plus options for you and your partner—because getting dressed shouldn’t be the hardest part of your day.
This season is fleeting. The photos won’t be.
That first year is a blur of growth, giggles, and questionable sleep schedules. One minute you’re swaddling them like a burrito, and the next they’re grinning with frosting up their nose. Milestone sessions are made to slow it all down. Just enough to catch who they are right now, before they change again.
We’ll document the big ones like sitting, standing, and turning one, but also the sweet in-betweens. The gap-toothed grins. The dimpled elbows. That one scrunchy face they make when they’re proud of themselves.
All sessions include access to the studio wardrobe, so there’s no need to panic about outfits. And if you’re planning a cake smash, we’ll keep it simple, clean, and totally them. Cake is up to you. Cleanup is on me.
Milestone sessions can be booked on their own or as part of a Collective Membership. Either way, you’ll have images that don’t just show how they looked. They’ll remind you exactly who they were becoming.
Family sessions are delightfully unpredictable. Some kids show up ready to model. Others pretend they’ve never smiled in their lives. Either way? We’ll get something real.
You don’t need matching outfits or a plan for how everyone’s going to behave. You just need to show up. I’ll handle the rest—including location help, gentle direction, and making sure you’re actually in the photos for once.
We’ll choose a spot that fits your family’s energy—like the tucked-away trails at Jidana Park, the wide open space near Meadow Park, or a quiet stretch of shoreline along Grays Bay. And if you’d rather keep things low-key and snack-adjacent, we can always do a relaxed session right in your own Minnetonka backyard.
You bring the chaos. I’ll bring the calm(ish) and the camera.
You know what’s worse than trying to take your own family photos? Trying to dress everyone for them. That’s why I make styling easy, so you don’t spend your week panic-scrolling through online returns or arguing over whether your toddler can wear light-up sneakers.
Every session comes with access to my curated studio wardrobe, which includes dresses for moms, outfits for babies and young kids, and clean, classic shirts for dads. If you’d rather wear your own pieces, I send out a monthly Looks Book filled with clickable outfit inspiration that actually works in real life and photographs beautifully.
The goal isn’t to match. It’s to look cohesive, comfortable, and like you made a really excellent decision without lifting a finger. And yes, I’ll tell you if something isn’t working before the session. That’s part of the magic.
You deserve to feel amazing in these photos. And honestly? That starts with what you’re wearing.
Once you’ve reached out, I’ll walk you through the entire process step by step. You’ll receive the invoice for the creative fee along with the session agreement, and then everything you need to start planning. I’ll send over detailed guides that cover what to wear, how to prep, and what to bring.
If your session is in the studio, you’ll choose outfits from the client wardrobe once you arrive. For on-location sessions, you’re welcome to schedule a wardrobe consultation ahead of time so we can plan the details before the day of your session.
Sessions themselves are relaxed and child-led. That means we follow their lead and leave space for snacks, breaks, and the occasional meltdown. I’ll guide you the whole way with calm direction, gentle posing, and a few silly tricks up my sleeve.
Afterward, you’ll receive a curated slideshow of images to view at home. Once you select a collection, you’ll have 30 days to choose your final images and use your print credit toward beautiful products in your gallery store.
It’s a thoughtful, flexible experience built around real family life.
You’re not looking for someone to just take photos. You’re looking for someone who can capture what your family feels like. The moments that happen when your toddler forgets the camera is there. The way your baby fits on your chest right now. The look your partner gives you when no one’s watching—but I am.
I’ve been photographing families for over 15 years, and the one thing I know for sure? No two are the same. That’s why my approach is never one-size-fits-all. We plan ahead, we keep things flexible, and we create space for connection, not perfection.
Whether you’re walking into my studio for the first time or emailing me for our fifth session together, my goal is the same. To help you feel seen, supported, and actually excited to be in front of the camera.
I’m Michele. I’m a photographer, a mom, and someone who understands how quickly it all moves. You don’t need to have it all together. You just need to show up. I’ll take it from there.
If you’re hoping for clean, connected, and beautifully styled portraits that feel like your family, not a performance, I’d love to work with you. Whether you’re welcoming a new baby, documenting that wild first year, or gathering everyone for an updated family photo, I’ll help make the process feel doable and worth it.
Sessions fill quickly, especially in the fall. It is always a good idea to start planning early.
Click below to inquire, ask questions, or say hello. I will guide you through everything from wardrobe to gallery delivery. You do not need to overthink it. Just reach out. I will take it from there.
Not sure where to start? This free guide walks you through exactly how to plan a photo session that feels natural, looks elevated, and actually works for your real life.
Inside, you’ll find tips on what to wear, how to prep your kids (without bribes), session-day do’s and don’ts, and what makes the difference between photos that look nice… and ones that mean something.
Whether you’re planning maternity photos in the studio, a newborn session at Fairview Southdale, or a fall family session in the park, this guide will help you walk in feeling confident and ready.
Grab your copy below and take the first step toward photos that feel like you—only better lit.