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Doing 30 minute photo sessions at Skansie park has become sort of an obsession of mine. I have gotten to know every nook, cranny, and angle to get the best shots during the morning hours when the light there is simply magical. Is there anything more quintessentially Gig Harbor than the Skansie Net Shed? I don't think so. And even if you aren't necessarily from Gig Harbor, there are few places with such ease of access that offer so many stunning PNW backgrounds in one easy place. Blurry sailboat masts? Check. Shabby chic reclaimed wood backgrounds? Check. Sprawling lawn with water in the background? Check. Dock with sparkly water and evergreen trees behind? Check. In 30 minutes, we can do them ALL (that is if kids are cooperating and we move quick). 

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Skansie Park works great for family photos, graduating seniors, headshots, even engagement photos.

Pros: Lots and lots of different backgrounds, including a couple neutral walls which are great for framed photos. Accessible and flat for less abled people. 

Cons: only works on mornings between 9-11:00 (in fall, 8:30am-10am otherwise the sun is in your face). Saturdays are busy there with canoe and kayak practices (lots of people in the background, but I can make it work). Sunday works best, and weekday mornings are even better. 

Skansie works best in 30-40 minutes. Want to make it 60 minutes? Add on Ancich Park or the Russell Foundation. 

To see full galleries taken at this location, click on "client galleries;" each album has the location in the title. 

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A quick word about fall: Skansie Park STUNNING the first two weeks of November when the trees on the shoreline are at their peak! 

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Sehmel Park Gig Harbor Sehmel Park Gig Harbor

Kopachuck State Park has always been my go-to for yummy mossy woods and ferns, but it is closing in June 2024 for a year-long facelift! Luckily, only 5-7 mins away, Sehmel park (pronounced ZAY-mul; I know this because my aunt dated one of the Sehmel brothers back when she was in high school, lol)) has us covered for families and seniors wanting the classic woods that scream "I Live in The Northwest!"

Pros: a fun adventure, stunning backgrounds, a boardwalk, moss, ferns, tall trees, not very crowded, even on weekends. 

Cons: The biggest con is that is a walk, about 1/4 mile to the good stuff taking photos along the way. I do not recommend this location for toddlers. I have done it now three times and all three times it was a bit of a disaster. It is slow going, they insist on walking themselves, and once down, there is something abut a trail that just want to RUN. And is slightly downhill the whole way which makes them trip.

Another con: There are always some walkers to avoid, but it's easy enough to let them pass. Light can be harsh on sunny days, but as long as we can keep it at your back, like in these photos, the final product will be stunning.

Another con: If it is cloudy on your day and the tree cover is still leafy, unlike these top photos, which were taken in March before the trees leafed out, the photos will not look like the ones here (summer examples at bottom of this page). It is still good though! Just maybe not as yummy since not as much light will come through. Examples at bottom of this page. I have yet to do an Oct/Nov session here, but it could be excellent with the yellow maple leaves lining the path in late Oct/early Nov. 

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When it works: This route is perfect for either a 30 or 60 minute sessions. You park along the street. I'll send a map before your session. We will walk down to the boardwalk, about 10 minutes, snapping photos along the way and back) This session was on an April morning at 10:30am, so I would say it works best between 9:00-11am in the summer. It would probably also work well a couple hours before sunset (but I only offer 30 min sessions on weekdays only) 

The following photos were taken in early March on a sunny day (clouds will look a bit different; keep scrolling down for examples of a cloudy day) and edited with my muted modern style (as always clients get to choose their edited style.)

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Sehmel Park Gig Harbor A family walks in the woods at Sehmel Park inGig Harbor

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The following photos were taken in late Aug to early Sept when the trees were still leafy. They also chose my modern style. It was also cloudy: 

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The following photos were taken on a cloudy early Sept morning and edited in my classic natural style: 

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Chambers Bay in University Place Senior Photo

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Pros: want a stunning variety of backgrounds? This is the place for you! It's got a grassy meadow, cool old quarry-related structures, a fantastic architectural bridge, and a long beach with a wide variety of driftwood. 

Cons: Because it gets crowded on weekends, I will only shoot here on weekday evenings. 60 minute sessions only. Accessibility: it is mostly flat, except for the stairs to get to the beach from the bridge. It is quite a bit of walking for those less abled. 

Great for: senior portraits, families, engagement photos.

When it works: weekday late afternoons, 60 minute sessions only. The photos below were all taken at 3pm on a late April day. 

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Every photographer has their own style when it comes to editing their final images, and I have developed two distinct looks I created using the tools in Adobe Lightroom: bright and light and muted modern. They are not filters. A lot of people use that vernacular shorthand mistake....I create each look by hand at each location on route we walked during your session, varying the contrast, shadows, whites, blacks, white balance, and color grading for each spot depending on the lighting conditions that day. Most photographers have one edited style that defines their brand. I have two, and you get to choose yours.

My light and bright style is colorful and happy, and true to what your eye sees, just a little more yummy. It is best used on bright and sunny days, as the muted modern style tends to look odd on bright days (depending on the surroundings). Most of my spring and summer clients end up choosing this style:

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Tacoma Youth Symphony portrait at the Bridge of Glass in Tacoma Senior photo in woods of Gig Harbor

My muted modern style is darker, richer, has more contrast, and really brings out brown tones. Perfect for that out-of-a-glossy-magazine look or a fall vibe. It seems to be all the rage right now with photographers. I love using most of all it in a forested setting because the green melts away and make the subject (you!) the star. It seems to work best on cloudy days. My Oct-March clients choose it overwhelmingly. 

Want to go REALLY dark and moody, and ignore the light and bright option all together? Just let me know and I can have your style preview album have a dark and even darker choice! 

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How does choosing work? Within 48 hours of your session, I send a preview album of a few photos edited both ways and have clients choose the look they love most for their final album. It is HARD to choose! Some look better one way, and some look better the other. I ask that they go with their gut and pick one or the other. 

Below are some images side by side in each style. It's hard to choose, right?! Which do you prefer? Comment below. I am always curious what people think.

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Want to get up and close and personal with Gig Harbor? Then taking your family photos or senior portraits here is a great option! This location works best for 30 minute sessions, or as an add on to a 60 minute session at the Russell Foundation, Ancich Park, or Skansie Park.

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Pros: This small park has a variety of super cool backgrounds including lush green forest, a cool historical building, a small beach, and a rustic log for sitting. It is great in any season, but I love summer and fall because it has tall wildflowers called dara (Queen Anne's Lace), which look like something from a Dr Suess book, both when they are alive and dead. There is even fall color making it the perfect location for fall photos with an evergreen forest background, a Gig Harbor water background, a beach, tall grass and dying foliage AND an rea on the side with gorgeous fall color (see the end of this page for examples of that)

Cons: For those less abled, it's a bit of a walk from the parking spot (2-3 minutes), but not nearly as far as many other locations, and its easy and wheelchair accessible.  There is an option to park closer, right across the street from The Beach Basket, for an easier walk to the beach. When the tide is super low, the beach is mucky and yucky, but we can shoot at the top of the beach where it's "clean."

June maternity session (below):

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This Park REALLY shines Sept-late October! It has the best fall color in Gig Harbor, and golden grass

Here is a shot with my classic edit vs my modern edit

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Here are two full galleries from a 30 minute fall session:
Classic Edit

Modern Edit

Late July (below):   

This is part of Dokey Creek, which joins Austin Park. Let me know if you want to use it, and I can save time to walk there.   DSC_6127-5 DSC_6241

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Looking for an edgy funky location that will make all your friends jealous because it will look like you are straight out of a fashion magazine? Look no further. The Tacoma Tide flats have graffiti, an industrial bridge, old derelict train tracks, and funky alcoves. It even has a functional hidden skate park. I am not going to lie, this is probably my favorite location to shoot senior photos! It is a photographer's paradise! 

When does it work? Weeknights and weekends 90 minutes before sunset (1 hour earlier if it is cloudy)

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Pros: just beyond cool in every way. Plus, it's actually very easy to access all the shooting spots, with your car being right next to all almost all the sites (we would stop 3-4 places; the last stop at the bridge is the only spot we would have to walk 3 mins from your parked car) 

Cons: there is no place to change outfits, so you would need to do so in your car. In the last 6 months, a homeless population has sprung up in some spots, but none that we will use. As of Sept 5, 2022, there are a couple RVs at the bridge site, but they are (sadly) young families. Seniors, if you feel unsafe about this situation, bring both mom and dad. But I have never had a problem there

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How it works: This location works for 60 minute sessions only. It is also easy to add on the Tacoma waterfront afterwards (package 3 for seniors). We would meet at a a dropped pin location and we would follow each other in cars along a 1 mile radius. I have all the best spots pinned on my phone. 

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Is there anything more iconic than the Tacoma Narrows Bridges? I don't think so. 

This location also has some cool driftwood and a swing on the right side of the beach (though I've never used it in a shoot, I have always wanted to!)

When does it work? I like shooting there in the early-ish morning (9-10am), when the sun is at your back. This is the only time to walk down to the bridges and get it in shots up close and personal (60 min shoots only). A lot of photographers like shooting there in the late afternoon, but I find the shadows too dark and the bridge too bright. I need to experiment there more for sure!  

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Pros: the bridges! 

Cons: Not good for young kids since it is a far walk (half a mile). Tides can be a factor, so if you want to book a date, I will need to look at those. It can also be breezy, which is bad for long hair. If it's too strong on our chosen day (I have wind prediction apps) we can reschedule or have a Plan B location. Another con: to get down to the bridges to close up shots, it's a trek, over half a mile, but we will shoot photos in cool spots as we walk. This location doesn't have much to offer besides the bridges, though it does have some lovely driftwood and shaded arching trees. This location technically CAN be used to 30 minute shoots, so we won't be able to walk down to get under the bridges, but we would be able to get the shots below:  
 

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DSC_3348 DSC_0366 Above: woods trail and rose garden

Growing up in Tacoma, this was THE place to go for stunning family photos. My family often went there for picnics and we would have a contest to see who could find the best smelling rose, and now I do that same thing with my girls.

The reason I love it so much as a photographer is because of its versatility. Yes it has roses. But it also has fabulous foliage, ferns, hostas, a wishing well, and the best part: a scenic series of duck ponds and little bridges.) You could also extend your session and add on the nearby Japanese Garden and Owen beach. 

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When it works: The roses bloom mid-June-Sept. Weekdays only (it's sooo crowded on weekends), 2-3 hours before sunset. 

Pros: endless backgrounds. Easy to fill an hour session with lots of variety. An bathroom at the pond at at Owen Beach, easy for changing outfits. 

Cons: it can get a little crowded on weekends, which is why I like to shoot there weekday evenings. This location is only good for 60+ minute sessions (no 30 minute sessions). 

Packages:

Package 2: 60 mins at the rose garden and duck pond

Package 3: 30 minutes at the duck pond or rose garden, and 30 minutes at the woods or beach

Package 4: Two hours, which is usually enough time for the rose garden, pond, woods and beach 

For pricing, click on the Sessions Tab, then the type of session you are interested in. 

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Above: Owen Beach 

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The woodsy trails near the Rhodie garden are amazing year round, especially in the winter! These were taken in December and edited in my muted modern style:

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I'm a proud born-and-raised Tacoman. This is one of my very favorite spots to shoot! The light is fantastic almost any time of day and the city and it's looming structures are just epic. 

Pros: works almost any time of day, but I prefer the fall/winter light from 11-1pm, and also 2-3 hours before sunset. In Summer, I prefer mornings are evenings. 

Cons: Good for 60 minute packages only. Lots of walking, but not difficult. Lack of natural elements, like trees. But we can get water and boats in the background. There isn't anywhere to change outfits except the cafe at the Glass Museum, which isn't always open.  I also strongly prefer this location on week days since there will be fewer people to wait for, walking by (i.e. we will have time for more photos and less waiting)

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Tacoma Photography Bridge of Glass Tacoma Senior Portraits Bridge of Glass

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This location is fabulous with my modern edit on a cloudy day:

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I have traveled the world, and Wright Park in the fall is one of my favorite places on the planet!

What is has: more fall color in one place this side of the East Coast

Pros: stunning beauty, lots of different colors. It has a duck pond and a bridge. It even has am amazing playground if the kids get grumpy and we need some candid shots of them looking happy (bringing a rake and making a big leaf pile is great for the grumps, too!

Cons: it's a lot of walking and good for 60 minute photo sessions only.

Below are some photos taken in my muted modern style, followed by some in my natural style.

Examples of a Spring Session and Conservatory photos are at the end 

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UPDATE: KOPACHUCK PARK IS CLOSED FROM JUNE 3, 2024 UNTIL AT LEAST JUNE 2025

Oh Kopachuck. I could wax poetic about how I love it so. I grew up in Tacoma and only ever went there a handful of times as a kid. But when we moved here from Federal Way 6 years ago, it didn't take long to notice that you can walk there from my front door. 

I know every spot to take the best photos in this park, what the tide has to be doing and at what time of day, which tree has the best moss, which logs are best for sitting.

This location works best for 60 minute sessions, but it can work for 30 minute sessions if we do the forest only.  

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Highlights: as we walk down the trail, there are many spots to stop for idyllic NW forest photos. A mossy tree that looks like a giraffe, picnic tables to lay on with the forest behind, a split rail fence, a spot on a wide trail that looks like a cathedral behind the photo subjects, and a little wooden bridge. And it looks great at any season. 

The beach is equally enchanting. It's a rocky beach a mid to high tide (great for throwing pebbles) and a wide sandy beach at a negative tide. This is my favorite in the summer, since we can take of our shoes and wade along the shore line with the yummy sun behind (between 1-2pm). There are many driftwood logs to climb on at the top of the shoreline, and tree branches that hang low for cool artistic shots. 

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Best time for photos there: 10-2pm. 

Pros: hands down, the best spot for forest AND beach photos in Gig Harbor. This location works great for a 30 minute location if you just want forest shots

Cons: it's hard to get the time of day right with the tide. If it's too early, subjects can be looking right into the sun if they want the water behind them. Summer ideal is 1pm at a very low tide. This location is a lot of walking, so not ideal for those less abled. Starting in late October, it can be very cold at the beach if there is any wind.

Another con is that once small kids are at the beach, they get so into looking at the pebbles on the ground that they often don't look at the camera any more. Kids between 2-4 go more wild here than any other location I shoot at. This is fine as long as you don't mind more candids. As a photographer, it helps if you take charge and tell the kids that after their photos, they can stay awhile and play to their heart's content. 

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Different looks: this is a location that is fun to play with different edited looks. In the fall, I can edit photos to be natural and bright (every photo above) or dark and moody. Examples below:

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Sehmel Park in Gig Harbor is one of my favorite location as a photographer. It just doesn't have a bad angle! It works well at any season and when I edit the photos, I can highlight the season by going light/bright or dark/moody. It's soooo versatile. 

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What it has: tall rolling golden grass July-Sept and green grass Nov-June, a cool split rail fence, a tiny little pond, some yellow fall color, and a boardwalk in the woods (60 minute shoot only) 

When it works best: in the Spring: mornings at 11am. In the Summer and fall: 2.5 hours before sunset. 

Pros: Sehmel Park is just stunning. Works for both 30 (weekend mornings and weekday evenings only) and 60 minute sessions. With 60 minute sessions, there is time for both the field and boardwalk in the woods. There are so many options for capturing natural beauty. 

Cons: it's a 5 minute walk down a gentle hill to my favorite spot. Not the best for those less abled, but not the worst. There is no beach and nothing that screams "this is the Pacific Northwest"

Late August:

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Spring:

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Summer:

(this whole album is dreamy https://www.corareuterphotography.com/p861333323)

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Fall: 

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Photo editing: I can edit your photos with either a light and bright classic look, or dark and moody. As always, I will send a preview gallery with side by side photos of your session to help you decide. Here are some examples: 

All the above are bright and light. Here are some photos edited in my modern style which screams fall: 

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This unique rocky-beach sandspit is the place to go for sunset photos in Gig Harbor. But even better, it's one of the few locations that works best any time of the day, as long as I can put the sun at your back. The best part: the stunning driftwood! It's a photographer's dream land! And the whimsical tall sea grass looks cool at any time of the year. 

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When it works: any time of the day! As long as I can put the sun at your back, which is anytime because of the sandspit formation. We will walk to the end so as not to have as many houses in the background. 

Pros: works almost any time of day, it has fantastic driftwood, great for candids of kids climbing driftwood and throwing pebbles in the water. Works well for both low and high tides. On clear days, it is possible to get Mt Rainier in the background. Works well for both 30 and 60 minute sessions. (30 min sessions, AM times only, or weekday evenings) For 60 minute shoots, we would also have time for some photos in the small woodsy path area. 

Cons: it's a short but steep walk down to the beach, so not easy for those less abled. For senior portraits, there is only a small port-a-potty to change outfits, so we would have to bring blankets to make a make-shift changing area. There is no shade, so getting really good shots can be tricky on super bright sunny days. 

Examples at different times of day: Below are examples of morning clouds, 2-3pm in the sun, and at sunset...

Morning clouds: 

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Sunny Summer morning:

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Beach Sunset Sessions:

Sunsets are fickle things in the great NW! There is constant wind and cloud monitoring to start at the right time, and they usually get rescheduled at least once because of the weather. My record was 5 times, but they are amazing shoots and worth the effort! Sunset shoots usually take 45 minutes, starting 30 mins before the sun sets, and going 15 minutes into "blue hour." Best May-Sept. $500 for 20 edited images. 

These were taken 30 minutes before sunset in late August (they chose a darker modern edit).

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Modern edit, sunset in Sept 
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Looking for photography at a maritime location with a rustic, shabby chic feel? Ancich park in Gig Harbor is the location for you! It's a nice add-on to Skansie Park if you want to do a 60 minute session with 2 locations (a 5-7 minute walk or super quick drive).

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When does it work best? mornings between 9-11am. It does work for a quick PM shoot as well, but if you want the water in the background, the sun will be shining right in your eyes unless we shoot at dusk. 

What it has: a really super cool old net shed with rustic wood, and a view overlooking the water and boats of Gig Harbor. 

Pros: super easy parking. Very accessible for those less abled. Easy as an add-on to Skansie Park.

Cons: There isn't much here for anything longer than 15 minutes.

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Looking for photos at maritime location with a modern flair? And/or fall color in the downtown area? The Russell Foundation in Gig Harbor is the location for you! It's a nice add-on to Skansie Park if you want to do a 60 minute session with 2 locations (a 5 minute walk).

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When does it work best? mornings between 9-11am. 

What it has: a super architecture plaza with cool vanishing points, a rad looooing stone wall, cool boulders for the kids to climb on, wood beams to lean against, and a view overlooking the water and boats of Gig Harbor. BONUS: the only real fall color I've found in downtown Gig Harbor. It's best in mid-Oct-mid-November.

Pros: super easy parking. Very accessible for those less abled. Easy for a 30 minute shoot, or as an add-on to Skansie. With a stand-alone 30 minute shoot, these is time to walk down to Maritime Pier next to the Tides Tavern for shots on the dock. 

Cons: There isn't much here for anything longer than 30 minutes. For light, it only works in the morning between 9-11am.

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Doing 30 minute photo sessions at Skansie park has become sort of an obsession of mine. I have gotten to know every nook, cranny, and angle to get the best shots during the morning hours when the light there is simply magical. Is there anything more quintessentially Gig Harbor than the Skansie Net Shed? I don't think so. And even if you aren't necessarily from Gig Harbor, there are few places with such ease of access that offer so many stunning PNW backgrounds in one easy place. Blurry sailboat masts? Check. Shabby chic reclaimed wood background? Check. Sprawling lawn with water in the background? Check. Dock with sparkly water and evergreen trees behind? Check. In 30 minutes, we can do them ALL (that is if kids are cooperating and we move quick). 

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Skansie Park works great for family photos, graduating seniors, headshots, even engagement photos.

Pros: Lots and lots of different backgrounds, including a couple neutral walls which are great for framed photos. Accessible and flat for less abled people. 

Cons: only works on mornings between 9-11:30 (in fall, 8:30am-10am otherwise the sun is in your face). Saturdays are busy there with canoe and kayak practices (lots of people in the background, but I can make it work). Sunday works best, and weekdays are even better. 

Skansie works best in 30-40 minutes. Want to make it 60 minutes? Add on Ancich Park or the Russell Foundation. 

To see full galleries taken at this location, click on "client galleries;" each album has the location in the title. 

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This Family chose my muted modern edit for their session. More on my two styles here:https://www.corareuterphotography.com/blog/2022/9/photo-editing-bright-and-light-or-muted-modern
 

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My Light and Bright edit works well for bright sunny days:

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