Why Families from Shakopee and Jordan Drive to New Ulm for Newborn Photography
If you’re searching for a newborn photographer near Shakopee, Jordan, Prior Lake, Chaska, or anywhere in the Twin Cities southwest corridor — and you haven’t found exactly what you’re looking for — I want to tell you about a drive that might change everything.
My name is Jennifer Brandes. My studio is located just outside New Ulm, Minnesota — about 45 minutes to an hour from most of the southwest metro. And families from Shakopee, Jordan, Prior Lake, Savage, Chaska, and Glencoe make that drive regularly to bring their newborns here.
Not because there isn’t a photographer closer to home. But because what they find when they arrive is something they couldn’t find anywhere closer.
This post is for the mom who has been scrolling through photographers, looking at portfolios, comparing prices, and still feeling like something is missing. It’s for the family who wants more than a session — who wants an experience that honors the magnitude of what just happened to their family.
For families searching for newborn photography near Shakopee, Jordan, and the southwest Twin Cities, New Ulm is closer than it might seem — and what’s waiting here is worth every mile.
If that’s you, keep reading.
What Makes Families Drive an Hour for a Newborn Session?
It’s a fair question. With a brand-new baby, the last thing most parents want to do is drive farther than necessary.
But here’s what I hear consistently from families who make the trip from the southwest Twin Cities:
“I looked at photographers closer to home and nothing felt right.”
“Your studio was unlike anything I found near us.”
“We drove from Jordan and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
What they’re responding to isn’t just the photography — though I hope that’s part of it. It’s the entire experience. The studio. The preparation. The unhurried pace. The feeling of being genuinely cared for from the moment they reach out to the moment their gallery lands in their inbox.
That experience is what I’ve been building for 16 years. And it’s not something that exists everywhere.
A Studio Built for New Families — Not Converted From Something Else
My studio was my dream for over a decade. I didn’t rent a commercial space or convert a spare room — I built a dedicated, purpose-designed environment for new parents and their babies from the ground up.
Located in a private, rural setting just outside New Ulm, the studio was designed with one question in mind: what does a brand-new parent actually need?
Here’s what they find when they arrive:
For baby:
- A warm studio environment maintained at the temperature newborns need to relax into deep sleep
- An extensive prop collection — wraps, bonnets, headbands, and accessories — all carefully curated and sanitized between sessions
- Complete wardrobe selections for boys and girls from newborn through 24 months
For parents:
- A complimentary coffee, beverage, and snack bar — because you’ve just had a baby and you deserve a warm drink
- A television, ample comfortable seating, and a rocking chair
- A private, cozy restroom stocked with a postpartum basket — pads, nursing pads, and other essentials — that new moms are welcome to help themselves to freely
- Complete privacy — no shared spaces, no foot traffic, no strangers walking through
For the session:
- All products on display so you can touch, feel, and experience them before making any decisions
- A printed product guide for reference
- A photographer who has been doing this since 2010, is safety-trained in newborn posing, and is CPR certified for both adults and infants
Families from Prior Lake and Chaska tell me they’ve never experienced anything like it. Families from Shakopee tell me they wish they’d known about it sooner.
The Experience Begins Before You Arrive
One of the things that consistently surprises families who come from the Twin Cities southwest corridor is how supported they feel before their session even begins.
After booking, every client receives:
- A personalized session consultation — an opportunity to share what you’re hoping for, what you’re nervous about, and any colors or themes you’d like incorporated
- Outfit coordination guidance — text me photos of what you’re thinking and I’ll help you plan setups around your wardrobe
- A complete prep guide covering everything you need to know before your session day
- A personal phone call the week of your session to cover any last-minute details, weather, or questions
By the time you pull into my driveway, you already know exactly what to expect. There are no surprises — except how beautiful your baby is in front of the camera.
Safety First — Always
For families traveling from Shakopee, Jordan, or anywhere in the southwest metro, I want you to know that your baby’s safety is the foundation of everything I do.
I’ve been safety-trained in newborn posing since I began specializing in newborns — and I’m CPR certified for both adults and infants. Every pose in my sessions is approached with your baby’s comfort and safety as the first priority. What looks effortless in a finished photograph is the result of years of training, patience, and genuine care.
When you hand me your baby, you’re not handing them to someone who picked up a camera and figured it out as they went. You’re handing them to someone who has dedicated 16 years to this specific specialty — and who takes the trust that comes with that seriously.
How Far Is the Drive, Really?
Let’s be practical for a moment.
From Shakopee to my New Ulm studio: approximately 50 minutes.
From Jordan: approximately 45 minutes.
From Prior Lake: approximately 55 minutes.
From Chaska: approximately 55 minutes.
From Savage: approximately 50 minutes.
From Glencoe: approximately 35 minutes.
From Hutchinson: approximately 30 minutes.
Most families tell me the drive felt shorter than they expected — and that having a destination to focus on actually helped them feel more prepared and intentional about the session.
And once you arrive — there’s no parking situation to navigate, no lobby to wait in, no other families coming and going. Just a private, peaceful studio that was ready for you before you pulled in.
What Families From the Southwest Metro Are Saying
“Jennifer photographed both of my last 2 babies and did family pictures for our large family of 8. Jennifer is very professional and made the sessions feel very relaxed. The images she captures are stunning! I was confident we would have pictures we would love when we booked with her.”
— Brandy
“Working with Jennifer truly was a dream. She is so remarkably talented and our photos turned out amazing. As a first time mom, things like taking your newborn out can be nerve-racking, but Jennifer made it so relaxed and comfortable. She didn’t make me feel rushed or bad when E didn’t want to go to sleep. She took her time and let E lead the appointment. 100/10 recommend.”
— Lindsay
“Absolutely amazing experience. I wouldn’t have trusted anyone else this much with my newborn. Jennifer made us feel right at home in her studio and I enjoyed watching from behind the scenes. She really is a baby whisperer!”
— Macy
Thinking About the Whole First Year?
If you’re already imagining not just the newborn session but the 6-month smiles and the first birthday cake smash — The First Year Storybook was created for exactly that.
It’s my signature membership for families who want the same trusted photographer at every stage of their baby’s first year. One membership covers all three session fees, and families who choose the Legacy Collection at all three sessions receive a complimentary 12×12 Heirloom Album upon completion — a $1,490 value, included.
Families from Shakopee and Jordan who are already making the drive for their newborn session tell me the First Year Storybook is an easy yes — because the relationship is already established and the drive is already part of their routine.
Learn more about The First Year Storybook →
Ready to Book Your Newborn Session?
If you’ve been searching for newborn photography near Shakopee, Jordan, Prior Lake, Chaska, or anywhere in the Twin Cities southwest corridor — and you’re ready to experience something different — I’d love to hear from you.
I personally respond to every inquiry within 24 hours. Newborn sessions book quickly, especially during peak season — so if you’re in your second or third trimester, now is the time to reach out.
Book Your Newborn Session →
View Newborn Collections & Pricing →
Learn About The First Year Storybook →
Jennifer Brandes is a newborn and family photographer based in New Ulm, MN, specializing in newborn photography near Shakopee, Jordan, Prior Lake, and the Twin Cities southwest corridor. Serving South Central Minnesota since 2010. Safety-trained in newborn posing and CPR certified for both adults and infants.
