The Blog

If you’re struggling to find a beautiful, luxurious wedding venue for your special day in Minnesota- look no further! These are my absolute top 10 favorite luxurious wedding venues in Minnesota!

Stunning Wedding Venues in Minnesota 2025

Italy Destination Wedding

If you’re considering getting married at the Oak Glen Golf Club in Stillwater, look no further! This venue is absolutely beautiful! I had the honor of photographing Jordan and Isabella’s wedding there and I cannot recommend this place enough!

Oak Glen Golf Club Wedding in Stillwater

Beautiful outdoor summer wedding ceremony in Stillwater, Minnesota between two willow trees with a lake in the background

Looking for the best engagement photo locations in Minneapolis? Look no further! I’ve created this guide to show you some of the best spots in and around Minneapolis where I take all my couples who are recently engaged! If that’s you, congratulations on your engagement! What an exciting time! I’m Heidi- A professional wedding and elopement photographer based in Minneapolis! Let’s dive right in!

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

If you’re wondering how to host your very first styled shoot to expand your portfolio and have an extra flow of income, this is the guide for you! Hi, I’m Heidi Straus, a professional wedding and destination photographer based in Minnesota, originally from South Africa! I’m here to help guide you through hosting your very first styled shoot and many more after that! I’ve hosted over 20 styled shoots in the past 3 years and 4 Safari Retreats in South Africa. It is one of my greatest passions and I love networking with others in the industry!

How to Host Your First Styled Shoot

Bridesmaids standing next to the bride in their colorful spring mismatched bridesmaids dresses, holding their colorful spring bouquets next to their sides

If you’re wondering whether or not you should do a first look on your wedding day, this is for you! There’s a reason the first look has become so popular. As a professional wedding photographer who has photographed many different weddings with, and without, first looks – Here’s why I highly recommend adding a first look with your partner!

First Look on Your Wedding Day- Yes or No?

Groom holding his Bride's hand as he reads her private vows from his vow book in a field

If you’re a Bride or future Bride-to-be and you’re wondering what to include in your wedding day timeline, this is the guide for you! Having a wedding day timeline is SO important! I’ve photographed countless weddings in all different seasons and places with so many different timelines. There are some things that just STAND OUT that are worth mentioning! So here are a few tips from a professional wedding photographer that I’d love to give you to help you plan your perfect wedding day timeline!

What to Include in Your Wedding Day Timeline

Modern flat lay wedding details of a beautiful white and green bouquet, white, elegant shoes, perfume and rings laid on top of a veil in the sun