Best Engagement Photo Locations In Minneapolis

Engagement couple sitting in a canoe with beautiful florals in the front, at lake of the isles - one of the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis

Looking for the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis? Look no further! I’m Heidi- A professional wedding photographer in Minneapolis ! I’ve created this guide to show you some of the best spots in and around Minneapolis where I love taking all my wedding couples for their engagement session! If that’s you, congratulations on your engagement! What an exciting time! Having your engagement photos taken is such a fun part of the process!

Let’s dive right in to the best photo locations in and around Minneapolis!

A guys proposing to his girlfriend in St Anthony Main with the Minneapolis skyline in the background during sunset- the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis

Engagement Photo Locations in Minneapolis with the City Skyline

Minneapolis has such a gorgeous skyline! Many couples like having their engagement photos taken somewhere with the Minneapolis skyline in the background. Here are the best spots to get exactly that!

Boom Island Park

724 Sibley St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Boom Island Park has the perfect combination of both city and nature vibes! It provides stunning views of the Minneapolis skyline but also has some beautiful trees and long grasses for some nature-inspired engagement photos. You can also walk along the river and get some beautiful photos by the bridge.

Engagement couple standing side by side staring into each other's eyes at Boom Island Park in Minneapolis - one of the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis

Guy giving girl a piggy back ride during golden hour at Boom Island Park in Minneapolis for their engagement photos

Engagement couple walking side by side during sunset at Boom Island Park in- One of the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis

Girl wrapping her arms around her fiancé's neck as they kiss tenderly with the river and Minneapolis skyline in the background

Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis

100 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401

The Stone Arch Bridge is a great place for photos! This Iconic bridge in Downtown Minneapolis was a former railroad crossing and provides gorgeous views of the city! Keep in mind that this spot gets extremely busy in Summer and Fall!

Guy dip kissing his girl on the Stone Arch bridge with the Minneapolis skyline in the background- One of the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis

Mill City Museum

704 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401

The Mill City Museum is located in the historic mill district of Minneapolis. The historic flour mill factory burnt down many years ago and the ruins are still standing. They’ve changed it into a museum! This spot is located just below the Stone Arch Bridge so you could easily visit both for your engagement photos! Many people love getting the iconic “Gold Medal Flour” sign in their photos as well as the unique brick buildings and industrial machinery.

Guy in a grey suit kissing his lady who is leaning against a stone wall dressed in a formal white dress

Guy in a grey suit lifting up his lady in a white dress and red heels as the sun sets behind them in the city

A guy holding his girl from behind in a warm embrace with the city in the background

St Anthony Main

Main St, Minneapolis, MN 55414

St. Anthony Main refers to Main Street across St Anthony Falls. There are many cute cafe’s, restaurants and shops along the Mississippi River with gorgeous views of Downtown Minneapolis! This is such a fun spot to meet up for a coffee/ice cream date and then walk around to some scenic spots nearby for your engagement session photos in Minneapolis!

An engagement couple walking along a pathed brick sidewalk with a beautiful building with blue rimmed windows next to them at St Anthony Main - one of the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis

A guy and girl holding each other close with their cheeks touching and they're smiling cheerfully at the camera.

A guys spinning his girl around with her hair flowing in the wind in front of Aster Cafe- one of the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis

Nicollet Island Park

Minneapolis, MN 55401

Nicollet Island, on the Mississippi River, has a cute small-town vibe! It has some well-kept Victorian houses and waterside paths that offer views of the skyline and St. Anthony Falls Dam. There’s also a Luxury Hotel called the Nicollet Island Inn with beautiful stone masonry walls and vines that make for gorgeous photos and a fun date in the middle of Minneapolis!

Engagement couple looking at each other laughing while standing on a bridge that crosses the Mississippi river in Minneapolis

An engagement couple facing each other standing in front of a building surrounded with green vines and blue accents

Engagement couple in a loving embrace laughing together surrounded by fall colors in Minnesota

Lake of the Isles

Lake of the Isles is a lake in Minneapolis, Minnesota, connected to Cedar Lake and Bde Maka Ska. The lake is part of the city’s Chain of Lakes and has an area of 109 acres, 2.86 miles of shoreline with a little under three miles of paved walking and biking paths, and beautiful beaches. Lake of the isles is a great place to take engagement photos in the spring and summer!

Engagement Photo Locations in Minneapolis for Formal Photos

If you’re looking for engagement photo locations in Minneapolis that are a little more formal, I’ve got news for you – Minneapolis has some of the most stunning infrastructure for formal engagement photos! Here are some of the best spots:

Minnesota State Capitol

The Minnesota State Capitol is technically in St Paul and not in Minneapolis, but I still wanted to include it since it’s right next to Minneapolis and is such a gorgeous building to take your engagement photos at! The Minnesota Capitol is the perfect location for formal engagement photos and you don’t need a permit to get in.

Guy gently dipping his girl backwards as he leans in for a romantic kiss during their engagement photos at the State Capitol of Minnesota

Engagement couple walking hand and hand smiling at each other during their engagement photos at the Minnesota State Capitol - One of the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis

Guy leaning against the wall in front of a large wooden door, admiring his beautiful lady who is dressed in a black dress also leaning against the wall opposite from him

The stunning interior design of the Minnesota State Capitol building and an engagement couple dip kissing in the distance in the middle of the 3 arches

Engagement couple dip kissing in front of the Minnesota State Capitol- One of the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Minneapolis Institute of Art is an arts museum located in Minneapolis. Home to more than 90,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history. It’s one of the largest museums in the US! A stunning backdrop for your engagement photos.

An engagement couple in formal attire sitting on the stairs of the American Institute of Art building while the guys gently grabs his fiancés face to pull her in for a kiss

Engagement couple in formal attire running down the stairs of the American Institute of Art - One of the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis

An engagement couple dip kissing in front of a beautiful church building in Minneapolis

More Formal Engagement Photo Locations in Minneapolis+ St Paul Include:

Best Engagement Photo Locations in Minneapolis with Nature

If you’re looking for more Minneapolis nature inspired locations rather than the city vibes- I got you! Here are some awesome spots in Minneapolis that I recommend!

Lyndale Rose Garden

4124 Roseway Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55409

This beautiful location is a rose garden in a large park on the north side of Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. It’s absolutely beautiful during spring time when all the flowers are blooming! There are many beautiful flowers and plants all over, including a beautiful hidden botanical garden!

A girl sitting in between her partner's lap on the grass as the sun sets behind them at the Lyndale Rose Garden- One of the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis

An engagement couple facing each other standing between rose bushes at the Lyndal Rose Garden in Minneapolis

An engagement couple sitting between a field of white flowers at the Lyndale Rose Garden in Minneapolis

Minnehaha Falls

4801 S Minnehaha Drive, Minneapolis MN 55417

Minnehaha Falls is located in Minnehaha park and is one of the oldest and most popular parks in Minneapolis. It features a beautiful waterfall in an urban setting and overlooks the Mississippi river. There are many gorgeous spots for engagement photos here!

Guy twirling his beautiful fiancé as the sun sets behind them at Minihaha Falls in Minneapolis- One of the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis

Engagement couple dressed in formal attire walking arm in hand down the pathway at Minihaha Falls in Minneapolis

Guy lifting his girl up as the sun shines beautifully behind them

Guy kissing his girl's neck while she laughs looking into the sun at Minihaha Falls - One of the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis

Engagement couple dressed in formal attire walking across a wooden bridge at Minihaha Falls in Minneapolis

Guy and girl kissing standing in front of a river at Minihah Falls in Minneapolis- One of the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis

Lake Nokomis

4955 W Lake Nokomis Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55417

Lake Nakomis is part of the city’s chain of lakes and is a beautiful spot for engagement photos! I’ve done multiple engagement sessions here throughout every season! During Spring, the cherry blossom trees are in full bloom and spread blankets of pink! In the Summer, the sunsets are gorgeous over the lake! During Fall there’s a beautiful variety of different color leaves! In the Winter, there are evergreen trees that are covered in thick snow. I absolutely love when there are evergreen trees in the Winter! Sometimes bare, naked trees can look a little dull!

Engagement couple kissing while standing on the snow next to an evergreen tree during sunset at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis

Engagement couple doing a piggy back ride in the snow next to an evergreen tree as the sun shines behind them at Lake Nakomis Park in Minneapolis

Engagement couple snuggling sitting in the snow next to an evergreen tree as the sun shines behind them

Best Engagement Photo Locations Just Outside Minneapolis

There are a few awesome photo spots I absolutely love just outside of Minneapolis that I think are worth mentioning!

Purgatory Park, Minnetonka

17315 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345

This is a beautiful park for engagement photos, especially if you would like to bring your furry friends since there is an off-leash spot for dogs! I highly recommend this spot for anyone in and around the Minnetonka area! The trees here are absolutely beautiful during fall and in spring there are pretty yellow wildflowers as well!

Engagement couple posing in a field with their dogs at Purgatory Park in Minnetonka. The fall colored trees are bright orange and yellow behind them

Engagement couple walking together in a field with all the trees in the background in fall colors of red, yellow and orange

Engagement couple standing in a field with their dog in the fall season at Purgatory Park in Minnetonka

Wayzata Beach on Lake Minnetonka

Wayzata Beach, 220 Grove Ln. E., Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

Wayzata beach is a beautiful spot to take some gorgeous engagement photos! It’s fun to get some variety by incorporating photos by the docks, on the little bridge and on the beach! Bonus points if you or someone you know has a boat to take some gorgeous engagement photos on Lake Minnetonka!

Engagement couple holding hands walking across a bridge at Wayzata beach as the sun shines through the green leaves of the trees behind them

Guy picking up his girl on a dock at Wayzata beach in Minnesota

Engagement couple running across Wayzata Beach towards the water as the girl looks back over her shoulder

Silverwood Park

2500 County Rd E, St Anthony, MN 55421

Silverwood Park is another park that literally never fails for any type of photo session! It’s a beautiful park only minutes away from downtown Minneapolis. This park offers spectacular views of Silver Lake, restored prairie and mature oak savanna. It’s absolutely unbeatable during fall! Enjoy some photos of me at Silverwood park having the best time doing what I love ;)!

Guy grabbing his girl's face tenderly as he leans in for a kiss

An engagement couple sitting in a canoe kissing during a beautiful sunset at Lake of the isles- One of the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis

Engagement couple slow dancing next to Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis as the sun sets behind them

More About Heidi Straus Photography

A bit about me: Capturing love stories through my lens as a wedding photographer fills my heart with so much joy. I am originally from South Africa where I spent the first 21 years of my life before embarking on a new chapter in Minnesota. That’s where I crossed paths with my wonderful husband!

I absolutely love working out and am also a Crossfit coach! Some things that make my heart happy are: wildflowers, plants & candles in my house, the ocean + mountains, anything and everything sweet!

I hope this guide helped you pick a spot for your engagement session! If you’re still looking for an engagement photographer to capture your special memories – I would absolutely love to connect with you and chat more! To inquire about my engagement and wedding packages, you can learn more by clicking the button below!

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