Spring Photography in Minnesota

Spring holds a grip on human society, and has for as long as we've existed. Every culture around the world has some sort of celebration for the end of winter or the end of the rainy season. So it makes sense that spring photography is both so beloved, and so difficult.

Searching "spring aesthetic" on Pinterest will bring up photos of jeans and overalls stuffed with wildflowers, rich green foliage, ladybugs, and so forth. When it comes to doing our own spring photography, we often aim to capture the first buds on trees, the flowers peeking up through the earth – anything that holds that first burst of energy the world gets as it thaws. The problem comes in when one of two things happens: we suffer what is colloquially known as "fool's spring," or we miss the real spring because it doesn't look like a Pinterest spring.

Getting the Timing Right for your Spring Photography

The biggest issue when capturing the spring sights is actually getting them. Spring is not the slow transition we see with fall. One day you your tree will be sticks, and the next you'll come out to see bright green buds already preparing to open. Sometimes, it'll have already happened.

Nailing the timing for your photo session can feel a lot like throwing a dart at a board blindfolded. You know where to aim, but the specifics are nowhere to be seen.

Here are my biggest tips to making sure you get the timing right for your spring photography:

1. Keep an eye on the weather. It may seem simple, but in spring the weather can shift in a heartbeat. Even if there's a cooldown expected, if you have a few days in the 40's or higher, you can get out and get some great photos.
2. Golden hour is your best friend. In the summer, golden hour is well liked to give that warm feel indicative of the hottest time of year, but the spring needs her too! Especially if it's still rather cold out. To keep more of that spring feeling though, take your photos a little bit past (if taking in the morning) or a little bit before (if taking in the afternoon). Still great light, still great colors, but not as warm as summer.
3. Zoom! Whether with a fancy camera attachment or your iPhone, spring photography is where you want those detail shots. You're going to be stuck in a world of mud, bare trees, and maybe, in some cases, ice. The little bits of green are what we're searching for!
4. Don't get your hopes up. Most people expect green, beautiful spring photos. Well, unless you live in the English countryside, that's going to be a bit tough. Even then, in fact! The world doesn't fully regain its green until mid to late April, at least up here. But that doesn't mean you're out of luck with your spring photography! It just means you need to shift your focus--which is what we'll talk about next.
5. Your energy behind the camera matters. I know it sounds silly, but people can tell if you get discouraged! When you're out for your spring photography session, let yourself focus on the little beautiful things to keep your mood up. Enjoy the way the air smells, or the fact that, with the chill still in the air, you can feel the sun that much more! As much as spring is a season, there's a state of mind that goes with it too.

What to Focus On

As I mentioned, most people expect their spring photography to be full of greenery, full-bloom flowers, and bright golden sunlight. Sadly, what people are likely picturing is early summer! Flowers bloom in spring, but it's the May blooms that get bright and strong and beautiful. But what about March and April? They're spring months too! And whether you think it or not, you can find amazing shots here as well.

Here are some suggestions for you to focus on for your spring photography:

1. Light. Spring has a bright, pale sunlight to it, when you catch it at the right times of day. Embrace that and lean into the light but still warm tones.
2. The contrast of greenery. Everyone wants their spring photos to be rich with greens and flowers, but that's not usually realistic! Instead of trying to saturate your image with greenery, focus on the contrast of it against other tones. Pines and moss against bare deciduous trees are a great place to start!
3. Reflections. Linking with light, if you have access to water, capture the reflections there! A cold chill is still tangible in the shot, but the way the waves sparkle is magical. Even if it's just a puddle!
4. Textures. For some reason, most people associate spring with soft, light fabrics--likely owing to the fact that we can finally start to ditch our parkas. But this can work to your favor in photography too! Look for texture in nature, and when you're editing your photos, drop the contrast to smooth it out. You'll still get the detail but less of the sharp contrast. Do this in sunny shots too--it can help give an ethereal wash to everything.
5. Details. Look for tiny flowers poking up, new shoots of grass, the first mushrooms of the season, and the first buds on bushes and trees. That contrast against a still-dead forest floor or tree or what have you will be a great focal point for your work!

Good Spots for Spring Photography at Campfire Bay Resort

If you're visiting us this spring, first off, you're in for a treat! Not only is spring with us quiet and relaxed, it's a great time to explore the beauty CBR and Fish Trap Lake has to offer as it wakes up. Here are my favorite places to take photos in the spring!

1. The road coming in to the resort. I've found all sorts of mosses and tiny little shoots poking up in the brush!
2. Beneath the trees. Not only can you get beautiful shots of buds as they come in, if you angle it just right you can capture the sun perfectly. Its pale gold light carries just the right amount of energy for spring photography!
3. Our nature path. While there's a good bit of major construction going on while we build a house, there's still a whole swath of untouched nature back there! From woodpeckers to morels, there's tons to see.
4. The lakeshore. As the ice goes out and the water starts to flow again, there are a ton of places to get great photos.
5. Anywhere you want! While we do have some more untouched places than others, our entire resort is beautiful. It's a season that affects the whole of the natural world (well, where it has four seasons), and you can take a "spring" photograph anywhere!

All in all, just remember that you can get good photos no matter your surroundings if you compose them right and edit properly. If you're stumped on how to turn these tips into good photos, check out our Pinterest board on Realistic Early Spring Photography! So have fun! Get out there and explore nature, and see what springy sights she has to offer.