It can be tough to find the perfect location for your Southwestern MN engagement session, but with some guidance, you don’t have to stress!
If you get nothing from this blog post other than this, here is my number 1 tip for choosing a location for your engagement session: Choose a place that is sentimental for you. That can be a bar or restaurant you frequent, a trail you love to hike, the place you got engaged at, where you first met, a tennis court you play at often, etc. Even your own yard can be a great option! If you can take your photos somewhere you love and are comfortable at, you will have memories to cherish for a lifetime!
If you just can’t think of somewhere that is sentimental for your relationship that’s a good location for photos, here are a few to choose from. As a Southwest Minnesota wedding photographer, I have many southwestern Minnesota engagement session locations I use frequently, both near and far.
Southwestern MN Engagement Session Locations Within Included Travel Radius (60 Miles from Comfrey)
Red Rock Falls County Park | Sanborn, MN
This county park has nearly everything you could ask for (its very similar to the more well known Mound Creek County Park just a mile away). There are stunning rock cliffs, lots of tree cover, unpaved trails that provide good shade, a large grassy patch that showcases the sunset perfectly, and a little creek that’s a great backdrop for your session. This is easily one of my favorite locations right in my backyard!
County Road Greenhouse | Windom, MN
This family-owned greenhouse is the perfect location for your session if you love bright colors, something unique, and a weather-proof option! This location is, of course, subject to scheduling with the owners, and is only available when they have plants in stock. I will let the photos speak for themselves on this one!
Camden State Park | Marshall, MN
An absolutely beautiful park with a rocky river, grassy fields, and lots of trails providing a gorgeous canopy cover. In the spring, catch some wildflowers interspersed throughout the park; in the summer, catch the lush greens and summer sunsets; and in the fall, catch the beautiful changing colors!
Entrance Fee: $7, or a MN State Parks sticker
Bashaw Wildlife Management Area | Comfrey, MN
This location is the perfect public access grassy field (with gorgeous wildflowers in the late summer). The parking area is right off a gravel road, and you can literally take 15 steps from your car for stunning photos like these!
Downtown | Anywhere
I love a good city vibes session, and you can make this happen in just about any town (yes even the small ones). You just need a brick building here or an old lamp post there. Here are a few of my favorite city sessions.
Southwestern MN Engagement Session Locations Outside Included Travel Radius (But Still So Worth It!)
Blue Mounds State Park | Luverne, MN
This location is an iconic location just outside of Luverne, MN. While I like to do my sessions here in the basin of the quarry, there are also great spots up on the top side of the quarry. If you’re up for a light hike, you can get to the top edge of the quarry for some gorgeous views of the countryside and city of Luverne.
Hiking/walking required: Very little, but if you would like to go to the top of the quarry, it is a no-elevation hike of about .75 miles one way.
Travel Fee: $64
Entrance Fee: $7 or a MN state park sticker
Palisades State Park | Garretson, SD
Now, I know this one is technically not in MN, but it’s very close and SO WORTH the drive across the state line! I have had countless session here, and love it just as much every time. There are so many nooks and crannies to this park. Every session here is very unique, even though it is so popular! You’ve got your choice of bridges, water, rocks, grassy paths, trees, more water, and so much more!
Hiking/Walking required: Depending on what you want in the park, walking on trails and up/down rock formations and stairs is required. There are several locations where we don’t need to go far from the parking area.
Entrance Fee: $15 for non-residents of SD, or a SD state park pass
Travel Fee: $107
Pick your favorite, or choose somewhere I haven’t been!
Now, as you already know, this is not a list of ALL of the southwestern MN engagement session locations – there are so many more to choose from, so if you know a location you want to take your photos in, by all means go for it!
