Bde Maka Ska Engagement Photos | Katie & Matt’s Fun Summer Session in Minneapolis

Artistic Calhoun Square long exposure engagement photo with motion blur in Minneapolis

These Bde Maka Ska engagement photos (formerly Lake Calhoun) capture everything that makes a Minneapolis summer session unforgettable, sunshine, laughter, adventure, and two people completely in their element.

Katie & Matt were an absolute blast to photograph. We kicked off their session by grabbing kayaks and heading out onto the sparkling waters of Bde Maka Ska, one of Minneapolis’ most iconic lakes for engagement photos. After exploring by kayak, we swapped paddles for Nice Ride bikes, circling the lake, stopping often for laughter-filled portraits, and soaking up that perfect evening light.

From there, we made our way to Stella’s Fish Café in Uptown to enjoy the sunset from their rooftop patio before ending the evening at Comedy Sportz, where Katie and Matt first met.

A Comedic Love Story

Katie & Matt’s story is one for the books. They met at Comedy Sportz, where Matt was performing stand-up. Katie had followed his YouTube channel for a while and decided to “accidentally” attend one of his shows to meet him in person. (It clearly worked!)

Matt is a talented comedian and cinematographer, and Katie brings an infectious energy that makes everyone around her smile. Their chemistry was effortless, equal parts goofy and romantic, and it shines through in every image from this session.

The Bloomington Brothers & Bonus Laughs

If you scroll a bit further, you’ll see a second gallery from this same session where they incorporated the hilarious Bloomington Brothers vibe, letter jacket and all.

And yes, if you’re wondering, you can find Matt’s hilarious Nickelback parody video on his YouTube channel. iT’s been viewed over one million times!

Why I Love Engagement Sessions Like This

Sessions like this are a perfect reminder that engagement photography doesn’t have to be overly posed or formal. The best images come when couples bring their personality, laughter, and maybe even a kayak (or comedy routine) along for the ride.

Whether it’s on the water, around Uptown, or in a place that’s meaningful to your story, I love helping couples create photos that feel real and fun.

(Scroll below to view Katie & Matt’s full Bde Maka Ska engagement photo gallery!)

Bde Maka Ska, aka Lake Calhoun, Engagement photo with couple kissing on a colorful kayak

Engaged couple paddling a red kayak out onto the lake, sailboats moored beyond

Engaged couple close together in a red kayak on the water

A red kayak on open water with the far shore and sailboats behind

Lake Calhoun Engagement Session photo of a couple kayaking in silhouette with the sun setting in the background

Engaged couple silhouetted in the shallows at sunset, sailboats on the water

Engaged couple holding each other in a pedestrian tunnel, reflections underfoot

Engaged couple with the sun flaring between them above the lake, Minneapolis

Engaged couple riding Nice Ride bikes along the park path

A Nice Ride bike wheel from low on the path as the couple ride away

Engaged couple kissing astride their Nice Ride bikes under the trees

Portrait of the engaged couple with their Nice Ride bikes behind them

Engaged couple sitting on the grass above the water, sailboats behind

Her engagement ring on her hand resting on his chest

Engaged couple kissing on a rooftop with the Uptown theater sign behind

Engaged couple kissing on a rooftop above the Uptown rooftops, Minneapolis

Engaged couple kissing high above the streets of Uptown, Minneapolis

Below is the goofiness I mentioned previously above. ;-)

He kneels to offer her daisies, she is wearing a vintage letterman jacket

Handing over a bunch of daisies on one knee by the lake

Daisies held between them, the lake behind

Engaged couple kissing over a bunch of daisies, Minneapolis

About the Photographer

I’m Jackson Tyler Eddy of A Frame Forward Photography, an award-winning Minneapolis wedding and engagement photographer. I love creating relaxed, vibrant imagery that captures real emotion and personality.

Whether it’s on the water, in the city, or somewhere totally unique to you, I’d love to help you plan your perfect engagement photo session.
Reach out here to learn more.

If you’d like to see more things weddings hop on over to my full wedding portfolio.

Minneapolis wedding photographer Jackson Tyler Eddy

Jackson Tyler Eddy is a Minneapolis wedding photographer with 17+ years behind the camera, hundreds of weddings photographed, and a place in The Knot Hall of Fame. His landscape work has been featured by National Geographic in its Daily Dozen, and that same artist's eye carries into every wedding he photographs. Available for weddings throughout Minnesota and destinations worldwide.

More about Jackson → See wedding collections →
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