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Wedding Photos
Recommendations in Minneapolis and St Paul
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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.)
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.
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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.
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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.
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Great wedding photograph
sites in St Paul:
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
The number one criteria to
use when looking for a Minnesota wedding photographer is whether they
have been classically trained.
 When
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.
I interviewed Steve Rouch
of Choice
Photo for this article because his credentials are the
best in the Twin Cities:
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Steve is the
only Master Photographer in the Twin Cities - a degree that
takes most people about 20 years to earn.
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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:
 Dear
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  every
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.
 And
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
Back to the FAQ
See if I'm free on your
date and time!
wedding@mnminister.com
(612) 986-5528
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What
should I look for in a wedding photographer?
