Why We've Moved to Duluth, Minnesota and Why I'm So Excited to Start Photographing Here
If you’re new here, you may be wondering how a photographer from Wisconsin ended up moving to Duluth, Minnesota.
The short version is that my husband, had an amazing career opportunity that brought us here. The longer version includes a lot of conversations, practical questions, nerves and excitement.
Moving your family to a new state is a big decision.
There were questions about where we would live, where our kids would go to school, what daily life would look like, and what would happen to the photography business I had spent years building in Wisconsin.
But underneath all of those questions was another feeling…I think Duluth might be exactly where we’re supposed to be next.
Why Duluth felt like the right fit
I’ve always been drawn to places with room to breathe.
Give me a trail, a shoreline, a beautiful view, and a camera, and I’m pretty happy. I love exploring new places, taking road trips, finding quiet corners, and noticing the details that make a location feel like more than just a backdrop.
Duluth and the surrounding areas immediately gave me that feeling.
There’s something about the combination of Lake Superior, the North Shore, wooded trails, rocky shorelines, changing seasons, and the character of the city that makes this area feel incredibly special.
It also happens to offer the kind of variety I love for photography.
A senior session can feel completely different from a family session. An engagement session can be relaxed and outdoorsy, while a maternity session might call for something more peaceful and intimate. Duluth and the surrounding area offer so many possibilities for creating photographs that feel personal instead of repetitive.
I’m still getting to know the area, but I already know I’m excited to photograph here.
What I’m looking forward to as a Duluth photographer
One of the best parts of moving somewhere new is getting to explore it with fresh eyes.
I’m looking forward to finding the locations that work beautifully for:
Duluth senior pictures
Family photography
Maternity and newborn sessions
Engagement photography
Couples sessions
Boudoir photography
Outdoor portraits
Suprise proposals
Seasonal sessions along the North Shore
I’m not just looking for places that are pretty in a photograph. I’m paying attention to the things that matter when planning a real photography session.
Where is the best light?
Which locations offer variety without requiring a lot of walking?
Equally, is there a hidden gem a little farther of a walk for the adventuous?
Where can we create a quiet, intimate feel?
Which places work well for families with young children?
Where can someone wear a long dress comfortably?
What locations are beautiful in fall, but also work in summer, spring, or winter?
Those details make a difference. A location can look beautiful online and still not be the right fit for every client. My goal is to build a thoughtful list of Duluth area photography locations so I can help you choose a place that fits your session, your comfort level, and the kind of photographs you want to create.
I’m new to Duluth, but I’m not new to photography
Moving to a new area means starting over with locations and local connections, but it does not mean starting over with experience.
I’ve been photographing people for more than ten years. During that time, I’ve worked with seniors, families, couples, maternity clients, newborns, and boudoir clients. I’ve photographed people who felt comfortable in front of the camera and people who were convinced they were going to be awkward in every photograph.
You do not need to know how to pose before booking a session with me. You do not need to be naturally photogenic. You do not need to arrive with a Pinterest board full of ideas or know exactly what you want your session to look like.
I’ll help you with that. It’s what I’m know for and a big part of the reason clients love our sessions together.
I guide you through posing and movement, help you choose clothing, talk through location options, and make sure you know what to expect before your session begins.
My goal is for you to feel comfortable enough to stop worrying about the camera and start enjoying the people you’re with or the experience of being photographed for yourself.
That is the part of photography I care about most.
Not just creating beautiful images, but creating an a full experience where you feel seen, supported, and confident.
What you can expect when you work with me
Whether you’re looking for a Duluth family photographer, a senior photographer, a maternity or newborn photographer, or a photographer for a more personal boudoir session or a surprise proposal, the process should feel exciting from the beginning.
When you work with me, I’ll help you with:
Choosing a location that fits your session
Planning outfits and using pieces from my client closet
Understanding what to expect during your session
Posing and movement throughout the experience
Creating a gallery with a mix of guided and natural moments
Making photographs that feel like you, not a generic version of a photo session
I also have a client closet with more than 300 pieces in sizes XS–4X, including options that work well for maternity and postpartum clients. You’re welcome to use pieces from the closet, bring your own outfits, or combine both.
You don’t have to figure everything out alone.
What happens to my Wisconsin photography clients?
Moving to Duluth does not mean I’m closing the door on Wisconsin.
Wisconsin has been home for years, and the people and places there have played a huge role in my photography business. I’m incredibly grateful for that, and I plan to continue returning to the Wausau area for a limited number of photography dates approximately once or twice each year.
I’ll also continue taking select travel sessions outside of Duluth and Minnesota when the timing and location are a good fit.
Duluth is now my home base and my primary service area, but Wisconsin will always be part of my story, and I’m not ready to leave those connections behind.
Building something new in Duluth
Starting over in a new city is exciting, but it also takes time.
I’m getting to know the area, finding the locations I want to recommend, meeting people, and learning what makes Duluth feel like home. I’m not going to pretend I’ve been photographing here for years.
What I can promise is that I’m bringing more than ten years of experience, a genuine love of people and the outdoors, and a commitment to creating a photography experience that feels personal from start to finish.
If you’re looking for a Duluth photographer and want someone who will help you plan your session instead of expecting you to show up and magically know what to do, I’d love to hear from you.
This move is a new chapter for our family and for my business. And it feels really, really good.
I’m excited to meet the people who will become part of this next chapter, and to see what we create together.
