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  • Where are some good sites in the Minneapolis and St Paul area to serve as settings for wedding photographs?

The following wedding photo sites are recommended by Steve Rouch of Choice Photo because of their proximity to many wedding sites, their beauty, and the great variety of settings within each park.

Wonderful wedding photo locations in Minneapolis:  
(Note that Boom Island and Nicollet Island are very close to each other.)

 One of the few sites with hills in the Minneapolis area

Theodore Wirth Parkway 
A few miles west of downtown Minneapolis and north of Hwy 55, Wirth Park has a great view of the skyline of Minneapolis.  Here is a photo-tour of Wirth Park to give you an idea of the variety of the park.

Right on the Mississippi River

Boom Island Park 
Right across the river from downtown Minneapolis, with great views of the skyline, the Stone Arch Bridge, St Anthony Falls, lots of cobblestones and gorgeous old riverfront buildings of Riverplace.  Here is a photo-tour of the area.

South side of Nicollet Island

Nicollet Island
Also right across the river from downtown Minneapolis, this park is right next to St Anthony Main, the Nicollet Island Inn, and carriage rides.  Here is a photo-tour of the St Anthony Main area.

Great wedding photograph sites in St Paul:

Views of the river are 1/2 block away

Irvine Park
An old-time town square in a residential neighborhood of Victorian homes, right next to downtown St Paul.  The park's amazing 1800s fountain is shown here.  Photo-tour of Irvine Park.

In the summer there are a lot more leaves, and in the fall it's amazing

Rice Park
In the heart of downtown St Paul, with a beautiful fountain, Peanuts sculptures, views of Landmark Center, St Paul Hotel, James J Hill Library, and Ordway Center.  Here's a photo-tour of Rice Park.

Both urban and rural wedding photographs can be taken here

Mears Park
A downtown St Paul location that is unique in that it has wonderful landscaping with trees, lots of levels, and a creek running right through the park.  A photo-tour of Mears Park.

Off of University Avenue

Witch's Tower
In Prospect Park, right between St Paul and Minneapolis.  The historic stone water tower is the inspiration for Bob Dylan's song, "All Along The Watchtower". At the top of Tower Hill, the tallest natural point in in Minneapolis, with a panoramic view of downtown. Here's a 1920s photo of the park.

The main criteria in determining where you would like your wedding photos taken is the location of your wedding.  You will be able to make the best use of your time if you get your wedding photos taken at your wedding site or at a location nearby.  The Minneapolis and St Paul area highway infrastructure has not grown with the population in the last decade, so logistics should be an important element in site selection.  

Note that a truly great wedding photographer, one that is classically trained with lots of wedding experience, will make any location literally seem like ten sites because of the many angles they can use, their varying use of backgrounds and other tricks of their trade.  They will make every shot count and make the absolute best out of any location.

  • Steve Rouch, Minnesota wedding photographerWhat should I look for in a wedding photographer?

The number one criteria to use when looking for a Minnesota wedding photographer is whether they have been classically trained.  

"Veiled Lady" from the Minneapolis Institute of ArtsWhen I use the phrase, "classically trained", I mean that the photographer has studied paintings and sculpture and so knows how light and shadow affect the human form in art and can use this knowledge in their photography.  Years of formal classical training and then practice perfects their art, and the results of their training and practice are shown in their images.

A great artist will take 500 photos and 500 of them will be beautiful, whereas someone who is still learning their craft will take 1000 photos and 30 of them will be worth keeping.  There is only a limited amount of time for photos on your wedding day, so it is worth choosing a photographer who is well-schooled, accomplished at their craft, and makes every shot count.

A classically trained and highly experienced wedding photographer will make every photo flattering by accentuating the positive with lighting and posture.  

Photo-journalistic, MTV-like, spontaneous wedding and reception photos may be used to compliment more elegant and classy posed shots.  An educated photographer will take these important improvisational photos, but they should have the skills and experience to make timeless wedding memories, as well. 

  • Recommendations for a Minnesota wedding photographer?

I interviewed Steve Rouch of Choice Photo for this article because his credentials are the best in the Twin Cities:

  • Steve is the only Master Photographer in the Twin Cities - a degree that takes most people about 20 years to earn.

  • The MN State Wedding Album Competition states that Steve Rouch was the best Minnesota wedding photographer working today

Steve's phone number is 651-644-2184.  No matter which photographer you use for your wedding ceremony, I will work directly with them to ensure that they are familiar with all aspects of your wedding ceremony and the wedding site, that they have access to the best shots possible, and that they know that I am always comfortable with flash photography.


Photographer question:

Hello, Pastor Tomkin. Hope you are having a good week. I wanted to ask you if you happen to have any recommendations for a photographer. We were hoping to find someone close by in the St Paul area and we will only need some one for a MAX of 2 hours. Can you let me know if you can recommend anyone?

Thanks!

Answer:

While Steve Rouch of http://www.choicephoto.com/wedchsteve.php usually does larger packages, I'm sure that he'd be able to put together something for your 2-hour package.

Warm regards,

Rev. Tomkin Coleman


Photographer question:

The huge window at the end of the hall can be bright, necessitating a flashDear Reverend Coleman,  We love the scripting you sent us! I cried when I read it!  I have a quick question for you.  We planned with our photographer last night (a friend from back home in New York), and he was wondering if you are okay with flash photography. Most ministers completely forbid flash photography, but with the Minnesota History Center's huge window in back of us, the photographer said that a flash would really help. 

Do you permit that?

Also, our photographer was wondering if there are any good spots near the History Center for outdoor photos?

Answer:

Yes, I am completely comfortable with flash photography in any location! Your photos are the one item that will last forever, and it's your wishes that is the most important element in your wedding ceremony.  If the photographer deems it necessary, I even encourage flash photography, and at The cathedral is just up the hill from the MN History Museumevery wedding ceremony, I make a special point of letting the official photographer know that they have my permission to do what is necessary to take the best photos possible!

In regards to outdoor photos near the MN History Center, the gorgeous St Paul Cathedral is across the street, and makes a great backdrop for photos. 

View for wedding photo - from the St Paul CathedralAnd if you then turn around from that spot, you face down a huge hill that overlooks all of downtown St Paul, which is also a great photo!

Warmly

Rev. Tomkin Coleman

 


 

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(612) 986-5528

 

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Photo by permission of Steve Rouch.  Please do not distribute.
All content Copyright 1999 by Rev. Coleman 
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