The 10 Best Maternity Photoshoot Ideas in Minneapolis

With its incredible water views, recreational spaces, and historical structures, Minneapolis is truly an idyllic place to take special occasion pictures. Offering a huge range of settings, from the romantic to the bohemian and cozy-chic, the city boasts an abundance of photo ops for expectant parents. Regardless of the season, Minneapolis is the perfect destination to capture those adorable baby bump pics because it’s so scenic year-round. Commemorate this stage of life with these beautiful maternity photoshoot ideas in Minneapolis.

1. Look pretty in pink at a quaint, bright boutique

What better place to stage your Minneapolis maternity photoshoot than a soothing, flexible event space decorated in the style of a cozy, contemporary salon? Each section of the venue provides different backdrops, and the main seating area in particular would be a perfect place for expectant mamas to set up. The interior features mostly white walls and furniture, with pops of fuchsia and cobalt art and accessories. You could also elect to take advantage of the natural light of the outdoor courtyard, relaxing luxuriantly on the large blue settee. 

2. Mix it up at a versatile creative space

Maternity photographers report that using baby bump-sized accessories for scale is on trend and will continue to be until further notice. Props, props, and more creative props make this roomy garage studio space one of the top maternity photoshoot ideas in Minneapolis. The in-house stylist designs and sets up a selection of surprise rotational vignettes, any one of which would make a fabulous backdrop for mama-to-be. One of the distinct advantages of this photogenic spot is that it’s absolutely saturated with natural light throughout most of the day.

3. Unwind at a Loring Park natural-light studio

Boho Minneapolis moms will dig this chic studio, furnished with unexpected art and accoutrements. Technically a dance studio, the central area is a vast, unadorned parquet floor. Each surrounding wall features a different stylized set ready and waiting for your maternity photoshoot. What really sets this mixed-use space aside are the floor-to-ceiling windows that allow filtered light to pour in from the Loring Park neighborhood outside.

4. Strike a pose in an airy, sleek photo studio

One of the most beautiful maternity photoshoot ideas in Minneapolis is located in the heart of the Northeast Arts District in a 5,000-square-foot studio. The venue is already set up with professional photographers in mind, with all the high-wattage electrical outlets, various lights, and color gels that they might need to make expectant parents’ ideal vision come to life. It also offers literally hundreds of different tabletop props and backgrounds ready for your use. Industrial floors and ceilings deliver a neutral backdrop to complement any aesthetic.

5. Live the good life in a stunning Victorian mansion

This is where your fantasy maternity photos can 100% come true. The Harry F. Legg home, nicknamed “The English Rose,” is a Downtown Minneapolis Victorian mansion, decorated in the maroon and muted gold shades of an autumn sunset. Every imaginable architectural detail — from ornate mantlepiece scrollwork to marble candelabras to inlaid wood flooring to carved hinges — has been attended to in a period-appropriate manner. It might sound over the top, but it’s actually extremely elegant, and without a doubt one of the most memorable maternity photoshoot ideas in Minneapolis. Bonus: you can see the city skyline in the background.

6. Take it easy at a vibrant loft in North Loop

For the sporty, cool mom-to-be, this wide-open loft space offers almost infinite flexibility for any imaginable maternity photoshoot. It’s furnished with various club chairs and iron scrollwork tables. Plus, it has huge windows to let in that natural light, but what really sets this site apart are the game tables. They have a poker table, billiards, and a custom-made shuffleboard table, which will accentuate your playful nature. There’s also a small patio with a neutral couch and a brick wall background, if the mood and sunlight strikes to conduct the photoshoot outdoors.

7. Feel like a kid again with an antique carousel

This option is technically in St. Paul, but it’s close enough to Minneapolis to be included on this list. Could there possibly be a more whimsical location to take your maternity photographs than on and in front of a stunning vintage merry-go-round (once that morning sickness is over, of course)? Located near the center of Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Cafesjian’s Carousel is only a 20-minute drive from downtown Minneapolis.

The beautifully restored 1914 carousel is named after the late Gerard L. Cafesjian, who donated the lion’s share of the money needed to restore the antique and its pavilion shelter. The carousel features 68 hand-carved horses, two chariots, and a number of scenic paintings by volunteer artists from the area.

8. Bask in the beauty of nature with birds, bees, and wildflowers galore

Maternity photoshoots, wildflowers, and songbirds really do go together perfectly. The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, located in Minneapolis’ Theodore Wirth Regional Park, conveniently offers the flowers and birds (and yes, the bees) that will make the mother-to-be look exquisitely feminine and natural. Named after the conservationist and botany teacher who designed the gardens in 1907, this is the oldest public wildflower sanctuary in the United States. Butler’s restored cabin is on the 13-acre preserve, too, along with a duck pond and outdoor arboretum.

9. Step back in time at a gorgeous historic mansion

Minneapolis’ American Swedish Institute is located in the breathtaking Turnblad Mansion, which was completed in 1910. It’s both a museum and cultural center chronicling the area’s important Swedish history, as well as an indoor venue for events like weddings and banquets. The maternity photoshoot wouldn’t necessarily have to take place inside the mansion — although that’s an option. The grounds themselves are a lovely setting for an elegant photography session any time of the year.

10. Enjoy a stroll at Lake Harriet Park

One of the most wholesome family-friendly locations in all of Minneapolis is also one of the 10 best maternity photoshoot ideas in the city. While there are innumerable recreational lakes throughout the area, Lake Harriet is especially scenic — and fun. There are swimming beaches, paddleboats, and a grassy area in front of the pretty bandshell where frequent summer concerts are held. The lake itself is highly photogenic but really any area of the park would provide a great setting for your special photoshoot.

Find unique production venues in Minneapolis on Peerspace