When you are thinking about booking a photo session, it helps to know exactly what the experience will feel like from start to finish. My goal is to make this feel easy and enjoyable, whether we are in my Northeast Minneapolis studio, wandering through a gorgeous Twin Cities park, snuggling your new baby at home, or greeting your little one in the hospital for a Fresh 48 session. If you are curious about what it is like to work with me, here is a peek inside the process.
I have photographed families for over 15 years and I truly believe that how you feel in the moment becomes part of the final image. The experience matters just as much as the photos. So let’s walk through it together.
Before Your Photo Session
Once you inquire, you can expect a warm welcome and a clear next step. You will receive everything you need to feel prepared, including planning guides, wardrobe suggestions, and a deeper look into what your session will include. I love helping clients feel confident and comfortable, so you will have access to my full studio wardrobe filled with dresses for moms, clothing for little ones, and options for dads that photograph beautifully. I keep the styling simple and timeless which allows the emotion in your images to shine.
For outdoor sessions we will talk through your preferred location. Some families love open fields in North Oaks or the variety at Tamarack Nature Center. Others want the charm of Cathedral Hill or the cozy corners around Summit Hill in St Paul. If we are planning a maternity or family session in the summer or fall, we will pick a spot that matches your vision and works beautifully with the light.
Newborn families can choose between my Northeast Minneapolis studio, their home in the Twin Cities, or a Fresh Forty Eight session in the hospital. If you prefer to stay cozy at home with your new baby, I will guide you through preparing your space so it photographs softly and naturally. If you choose the studio, I will take care of everything the moment you walk in.
During Your Photo Session
This is where the magic truly starts. My style is relaxed, child led, and rooted in natural connection. I will guide you with gentle prompts and natural posing that never feels stiff or awkward. Kids can be unpredictable and that is honestly part of the fun. I have photographed hundreds of families and I know how to read the room, redirect when necessary, and turn even the busiest toddler moments into genuine expressions.
In the studio we lean into soft light, cozy textures, and a calm pace that works beautifully for newborn sessions. In home newborn sessions feel intimate in the best way and allow your family to settle into your own routines. Outdoor sessions have their own energy with the breeze, the sunshine, and the real laughter that comes when kids explore. No matter the location, my job is to help you feel at ease so you can simply be present with your people.
After Your Photo Session
After we wrap up, you can relax. I handle everything from culling images to creating a cohesive gallery that reflects your story. Your slideshow will be ready within a few weeks. Once you view it, you will choose the collection that fits your needs. From there you will have a full month to select the images you want and spend your complimentary print credit in your gallery store. All the collections I offer have both digital files and print credit so you can walk away with something tangible for your legacy.
I want you to explore heirloom products. Whether it is an album for your coffee table, beautifully framed artwork for your walls, or a matted print box, I want these photographs to become part of your everyday life. Your gallery store makes the process simple so you can focus on choosing what you love most.
What Makes This Photography Experience Different
A few things tend to stand out for families who work with me.
- My studio wardrobe helps everyone look cohesive without hours of shopping.
- My planning guides remove the guesswork from getting ready.
- My child led approach lets your kids be themselves which is usually when they are at their cutest.
- My 15 years of experience means I know how to adjust quickly and keep the energy calm, fun, and natural.
- My flexibility allows you to choose the setting that feels authentic to your family whether that is my Northeast Minneapolis studio, your home in the Twin Cities, a hospital room for a Fresh 48 session, or an outdoor space that your kids love.
Over time, these details add up to an experience that feels thoughtful, welcoming, and genuinely enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you help with outfits
Absolutely. My studio wardrobe is available for moms, babies, and children under five. I also provide styling guidance for everyone else and offer a monthly Looks Book to help you choose. The Looks Book is a guide with clickable links to make shopping easy and fun!
Can we include grandparents or extended family
Yes. Extended family members can be included for a small fee of $25 per person. This is added to your creative fee and planned in advance so I can prepare the session flow. I always share this with honesty; additional adults, even grandparents or nannies, change the dynamic of the session. If we keep the focus on your immediate family, the experience is usually more relaxed and enjoyable for everyone. I also only take on a limited number of extended family sessions each year, so availability is not guaranteed. Please plan in advance.
How far in advance should we book
Most families reach out a couple of months in advance. Newborn sessions are best booked during pregnancy so the timing can be flexible once baby arrives.
Do you travel around the Twin Cities
I photograph families all throughout the metro including North Oaks, St Paul, Cathedral Hill, Summit Hill, Edina, Minnetonka, White Bear Lake, and more.
Are Fresh 48 sessions available
Yes. These sessions take place in the hospital during the first 24-48 hours and focus on the tiny details and emotion of those early moments. Many moms are discharged within 24 hours of giving birth. These sessions must also be planned in advance.
What if my child is shy or very active
I work at their pace which allows me to capture natural expressions without forcing anything. Kids do incredibly well when they feel seen and supported.
A Few Parting Words
When you choose to work with me, you receive more than a session. You receive guidance, support, genuine care, and photographs that reflect real connection. If this feels like the right fit for your family I would love to document your story.
If you have a moment, I would love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below and tell me what part of the process you are most excited about.
Michele is a Twin Cities photographer known for her warm approach, natural posing, and the calm confidence that comes from fifteen years of experience. She photographs families all throughout Minneapolis and St Paul, with a studio based in Northeast Minneapolis and a special love for sessions in Cathedral Hill, Summit Hill, and North Oaks.
Her work blends simplicity with genuine emotion and her sessions are designed to feel relaxed, flexible, and child led. Michele offers a full studio wardrobe, detailed planning guides, and thoughtful support from inquiry to gallery delivery. Whether she is meeting a baby during a Fresh 48 session, documenting the early days at home, or creating joyful family portraits outdoors, she brings a mix of professionalism, wit, and heartfelt connection to every session. Her goal is always the same. To help families feel comfortable, seen, and beautifully photographed.
If you ever meet her in person, you will understand why her clients return year after year. She brings a steady presence, an artistic eye, and a genuinely kind spirit that makes the entire experience feel effortless.
Michele Quattrin of mQn Photography is a Minneapolis family photographer who documents motherhood, babies, and families with a timeless, honest style. With 15 years of experience and a background in photojournalism, she is especially drawn to the real moments that make early newborn sessions so meaningful. Her approach is gentle, polished, and natural, which makes her a great fit for Fresh 48 photography at hospitals like The Mother Baby Center at Children’s Minneapolis. Michele serves families across Minneapolis, Edina, and the Twin Cities, creating images that feel both heartfelt and refined.
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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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