mqn photography
THE JOURNAL
I photograph motherhood and family life with a style that feels honest, polished, and full of heart. Here, you’ll find recent sessions, planning tips, and stories from the seasons families never want to forget.
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I’m Michele, the artist behind MQN Photography. I photograph growing families with beautiful light and a full-service experience.
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When your baby is little, the days feel long but the milestones come fast—one day you’re helping with tummy time and before you know it, you’ve got a one-year-old gleefully smashing cake in front of you. A baby milestone photo session is the perfect way to pause for a moment and capture those big developmental […]
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be in and out of a holiday photoshoot in less time than it takes to make your coffee, welcome to the magic of studio holiday mini sessions. In 2024, we kept things short, sweet, and full of holiday cheer—no snow boots required. Held on select weekdays in […]
There’s just something magical about fall in Minnesota. The golden leaves, crisp air, cozy sweaters, and the perfect excuse to order a second pumpkin spice latte (or third—I’m not judging). It’s no wonder autumn is the busiest season for family photos. But if the thought of wrangling your wildlings into coordinated outfits and convincing everyone […]
You booked the session. You nailed the outfits (yes, even your toddler kept pants on—huge win). Your gallery arrives and… whoa. You’re obsessed. But now what? If you’re like most families I photograph in North Oaks, St. Paul, Woodbury, White Bear Lake, Edina, or Minnetonka, the real question becomes: what do I do with all […]
Your Go-To Twin Cities Photography Studio Just Got a Little More Magical Let’s be honest—when was the last time you actually read a studio update and thought, Wow, this was worth my time? Well, challenge accepted. If you’re new here—welcome! And if you’re a regular around these parts (hi again!), this is your friendly nudge […]
Welcome to Fall Photo Season in Minnesota Fall in Minnesota is like nature showing off—and honestly, who can blame her? The leaves are doing their thing, Target has gone full pumpkin-palooza, and everyone’s pretending it’s not 80 degrees in September while sipping a “seasonal” latte. You know what that means: it’s officially time to talk […]
There’s an art to styling family portraits. Especially when you’re working with a playful crew, a holiday timeline, and a natural light studio that practically begs for soft neutrals. This family session, photographed in my Northeast Minneapolis studio, had all the right ingredients. Lively kids, laid-back parents, and outfits that made everything look effortlessly polished […]
2025 Mini Session Waitlist Look, I love my cozy studio with its soft light and predictable climate. But even I can admit there’s something magical about Christmas tree farm mini sessions. The crunch of needles underfoot, the fresh pine scent in the air, the way kids light up when they spot the tiniest tree and […]
Book Fall Now Look, I’m not here to romanticize fall. I’m not lighting a cinnamon-scented candle while writing this. Personally? I don’t swoon over brown leaves or chilly mornings. But you know who does love fall? Literally everyone else in the Twin Cities. That’s why fall family photos in the Twin Cities are a thing. […]
More Information on Family Sessions When you run a Christmas tree farm, you don’t exactly get a calm December. Between hauling trees, pouring hot cocoa, and helping families wrangle toddlers in snowsuits, the holidays are full-throttle from sunrise to sunset. So when the owners of the Kavan Family Christmas Tree Farm in Lino Lakes agreed to […]
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