Your Senior Photos Should Look Like You — Not Like Everyone Else.
Your Senior Photos
Should Look Like You
— Not Like Everyone Else.
Steffen Studios is minutes from Minnetonka High School in Shorewood, MN. We make senior portraits fast, fun, and genuinely great — no stiff poses, no boring backdrops, no waiting forever for your gallery.
You've spent four years at Minnetonka High School. Played the sports, pulled the all-nighters, survived it all. Senior photos are the one time to actually stop and capture who you are right now — before everything changes. You deserve photos that look like the real you, not a posed version of you. That's exactly what we do.
We're in your backyard.
Literally.
Our studio is at 19905 Highway 7 East in Shorewood — less than 10 minutes from Minnetonka High School. No driving to Minneapolis. No fighting downtown parking. You show up, we shoot, you're home before dinner.
And if you want outdoor shots? Lake Minnetonka, Excelsior, and the trails around Shorewood are right outside our door. Golden hour on the lake, downtown Excelsior's brick-lined streets, wooded paths that actually look stunning in photos — it's all within a few minutes of the studio.
Fast, relaxed, and
actually fun.
Most senior photo sessions run 1–2 hours. We move through locations and outfit changes efficiently so you're never standing around waiting. The whole thing feels more like hanging out than a photo shoot — which is exactly why the photos come out looking natural.
"I photograph terribly." We hear this every single time. It's never true — it just means you haven't worked with the right photographer yet.
We direct every pose. You don't need to figure out what to do with your hands, how to angle your face, or where to look. We handle all of that so you can just exist in front of the camera and let us capture you at your best.
Our Shorewood studio has professional studio lighting that flatters every skin tone — no harsh shadows, no washed-out skin. For Minnetonka seniors who want clean, modern portraits with a polished look, studio shots are always part of the session. Then we head outside for the rest.
The best spots near
Minnetonka are right here.
You don't need to drive an hour to get great senior photo locations. Some of the most beautiful spots in the Twin Cities are minutes from Minnetonka High School — and we know every single one of them.
Lake Minnetonka waterfront — golden hour on the water is unbeatable for senior portraits. Downtown Excelsior — brick storefronts, string lights, and a cozy small-town vibe. Carver Park Reserve — wooded paths, open meadows, great for a natural look. Our Shorewood studio — clean, modern, and all-weather so nothing gets cancelled.
Session locations are planned together before your shoot. You tell us the vibe you're going for — urban, nature, classic studio, lake life — and we build a route that nails it.
Outfits that
photograph well.
We send a full style guide when you book, but here's the short version to get you thinking:
- Solid colors — navy, sage, burgundy, cream
- Layers — denim jackets, cardigans, flannels
- Outfits that feel like you on a good day
- 2–3 changes for variety
- A sentimental piece — jersey, letter jacket
- Bright white or neon — tough under studio light
- Busy patterns or large logos
- Anything uncomfortable — it shows
- Matchy-matchy "photo outfits" that aren't you
A ton of Minnetonka seniors bring their letter jacket or sport uniform for a few shots. It's always a hit — and those are the ones grandparents frame every single time.
When to book for
Class of 2026.
Senior season in Minnesota runs June through October, but the best photographers fill up fast. Here's how the timeline plays out:
Things Minnetonka
seniors ask us.
Let's make your
senior year unforgettable.
Spots fill up fast — especially June and July. Book now and lock in your session before the summer rush hits.
Book your sessionSteffen Studios · 19905 Hwy 7 East, Suite A2, Shorewood MN · Less than 10 min from Minnetonka High School