Moments Like These: A Sunset Park Family Session
Golden hour in a wide open field with three kids under seven. That’s either chaos or magic, and with this crew it was absolutely both. We photographed this sunset park family session at Lake Elmo Park Reserve on one of those late summer evenings where the light just refuses to quit, and every frame felt like it was handing us something good.
When Everyone Forgets the Camera
Our favorite thing about Lake Elmo Park Reserve is how quickly families settle in. There’s no backdrop to fuss over, no tight corners to navigate. Just tall grass, wildflowers, and enough room for kids to sprint in every direction. That openness does something to people. Shoulders drop. Laughter gets louder. And we get to work.
Dad with the baby on the blanket while big brother leans in grinning. Their daughter spinning through the field picking wildflowers like she owned the place. These are the moments we chase. Not the stiff, everyone-look-here frames, but the ones that happen between them. We always tell families to just be themselves, and this group didn’t need to be told twice.
The light at Lake Elmo is something we keep coming back for. No buildings, no dense canopy. Just open prairie catching every last bit of sun. We shot wide to let the landscape do its thing, then pulled in tight for the quieter moments: mom nuzzling the baby, the older kids piled together in the grass. That range is what makes a family gallery feel complete.
If you’re considering family photography in Lake Elmo or anywhere in the Twin Cities area, an evening session at this park reserve is hard to beat. The terrain gives us variety without ever needing to leave, and kids have the freedom to just be kids. That’s when we do our best work. Check out more of our family portrait sessions to see what we mean.
When is the best time for family photos at Lake Elmo Park Reserve?
We recommend booking about an hour and a half before sunset during the summer months. The open prairie at Lake Elmo catches golden hour light beautifully, and the warm tones make skin look natural and the landscape feel alive. Late July through early September is our favorite window for this location.
Does Twig & Olive travel to the Twin Cities for family sessions?
We do. We’re based in Madison, Wisconsin, but we travel regularly for portrait sessions across the Midwest. Reach out and let us know where you’re located, and we’ll work out the details.
