How to Choose Your Photographer in the Twin Cities: The Questions Every Woman, Couple, or Business Should Ask
By Kjerstin, Owner of Empowered Lotus Photography
If there’s one thing I’ve learned after photographing hundreds of women, couples, families, and brands in Minnesota, it’s this:
Your photographer matters.
Not just their camera.
Not just their style.
But their energy.
The right photographer makes you feel seen, confident, and at ease — even if you’re camera shy, even if it’s your first time, even if you’ve convinced yourself you’re “not photogenic.” (Spoiler: you are.)
Whether you’re booking a wedding, a branding session, or a confidence-boosting portrait experience, your choice of photographer shapes how you’ll remember this chapter of your life.
So before you book, here are the questions I tell every client to ask — even if they don’t end up choosing me. Because you deserve more than pretty pictures. You deserve connection.
Do I Feel Comfortable With This Photographer?
You could love someone’s work — but if you don’t feel comfortable with them, it will show in your photos.
Your photographer should feel like someone you can exhale around. Someone who brings out your genuine smile, not your “camera face.”
When you’re relaxed, the magic happens: natural poses, real laughter, eyes that sparkle.
At Empowered Lotus Photography, my sessions are built around ease, conversation, and confidence — not perfection. I guide you every step of the way so you never feel unsure or awkward.
Do They Understand My Vision (and My Story)?
A great photographer doesn’t just capture what you look like — they capture who you are.
For couples, that means translating your love story into moments that feel effortless and timeless.
For women and entrepreneurs, it’s about aligning your brand and personality with your imagery — making sure your photos look like you in your element.
Ask your photographer how they prepare for your session.
Do they get to know you before the shoot?
Do they offer styling or brand strategy?
Do they listen more than they talk?
My process always begins with connection. I want to know your story, your goals, and what confidence means to you — because that’s where authentic photography starts.
What Is Their Style — and Does It Align With My Aesthetic?
Photographers are artists, and every artist has a distinct style.
Some are light and airy.
Some are bold and moody.
Some lean editorial or documentary.
The key is to find someone whose work matches how you want your photos to feel.
If you love warmth, emotion, and storytelling — the kind of imagery that feels like art and emotion intertwined — that’s what I create at Empowered Lotus Photography.
You should look at your photos and say, “That’s us.”
How Do They Make People Feel Confident in Front of the Camera?
Confidence isn’t something you have to bring with you — it’s something a great photographer helps you find.
Ask how your photographer helps clients feel comfortable.
Do they give direction?
Do they guide posing?
Do they remind you to breathe and be present?
You deserve someone who sees your beauty before you do — and knows how to draw it out naturally.
In my studio, confidence is part of the experience. I’ll coach you gently, cheer you on loudly, and make sure you leave feeling lighter than you came.
What’s Included — and What’s the Experience Like?
Not all photography experiences are created equal.
Some photographers simply show up, shoot, and deliver.
Others — like me — design a personalized experience from start to finish:
- A pre-session consultation
- Wardrobe and location guidance
- Empowering, directed posing
- Professional editing that enhances, not overpowers
- Optional hair and makeup for women’s portrait or branding sessions
When you invest in photography, you’re not just buying photos.
You’re investing in how you feel when you see yourself through someone else’s lens.
Do I Feel Seen?
At the end of the day, this is the question that matters most.
Because you’re not hiring a camera — you’re hiring a connection.
The right photographer won’t just photograph you; they’ll celebrate you.
They’ll make you feel beautiful, powerful, loved, and seen exactly as you are.
That’s what I strive for every single time I pick up my camera.
At Empowered Lotus Photography, I don’t just take photos — I help women, couples, and business owners tell stories of confidence, love, and growth.
Because the right image doesn’t just capture who you are.
It reminds you.
Ready to Find Your Photographer?
If you’re in the Twin Cities and looking for someone who will capture your story with care, creativity, and connection — I’d love to meet you.
Whether it’s your wedding day, your brand launch, or your next chapter of confidence, let’s create something that feels like you.
Visit Empowered Lotus Photography to learn more about sessions and book your consultation.
Because choosing your photographer isn’t just a decision — it’s a partnership.
And when you find the right one, the photos don’t just tell your story.
They become part of it.
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