Saint Paul Dance Photos | Artistic Ballet & Contemporary Portraits with Carley Jensen

Saint Paul dance photo of a young contemporary dancer leaping into the air, overlooking the Mississippi River and downtown Saint Paul, MN

I had such an amazing time creating these Saint Paul dance photos with the incredibly talented (and wonderfully humble) Carley Jensen. Our dance photography session began at Harriet Island Park, right across the river from downtown Saint Paul, and wrapped up at Indian Mounds Park, where we caught an unforgettable golden-hour sunset.

From start to finish, Carley brought a mix of grace, power, and focus that left me in awe.

A Young Dancer with Big Dreams

Carley is just 11 years old, but her maturity and artistry far exceed her age. She’s been training in ballet and contemporary dance since she was five, studying intensively at Larkin Dance Studio in Maplewood, Minnesota.

Over the years, Carley has earned national titles and recognition as both a NUVO Breakout Artist and an INTRIGUE Apprentice. This year, she’ll be competing at The Dance Awards, and with her dedication, talent, and heart, the sky’s truly the limit for her future.

Her dream? To one day perform on So You Think You Can Dance or World of Dance, and honestly, after photographing her in action, I have no doubt she’ll get there.

Creating Art Through Movement

As a dance photographer, I aim to capture not just movement but emotion, the connection between discipline and expression that defines every great dancer. Carley’s session at Harriet Island Park was full of that spark: flowing lines, quiet moments, and fearless jumps against the city skyline.

As the evening light faded, we finished at Indian Mounds Park, where her graceful poses stood out beautifully against the glowing Saint Paul sunset.

St. Paul Dance Photo Gallery:

 

A young ballerina dancing on the boat docks at Harriet Island

A young ballet dancer leaping into the air on the boat docks at Harriet Island

A young ballerina dancer in a back bend on the boat docks at Harriet Island

Young girl in a contemporary dance pose with the downtown Saint Paul, MN skyline in the background.

Young girl in a contemporary dance pose, hanging onto a green light post, with the downtown Saint Paul, MN skyline in the background.

A young contemporary dancer leaping near a bright green light post, with the downtown Saint Paul, MN skyline in the background.

A young contemporary dancer jumping over the long grasses at Indian Mounds Park, with the downtown Saint Paul, MN skyline and the Mississippi River in the background.

Contemporary dancer jumping and posing in the long grasses of Indian Mounds Park, with the downtown Saint Paul, MN skyline and the Mississippi River in the background.

A young contemporary dancer standing in the long grasses of Indian Mounds Park at sunset, looking out from the beautiful overlook with views of downtown Saint Paul, MN skyline and the Mississippi River in the background.

Close up portrait of dancer Carley Jensen taken during sunset at Indian Mounds Park in Saint Paul, Minnesota

A young contemporary dancer leaping in silhouette at Indian Mounds Park in St. Paul, MN during sunset

Creating Art Through Movement

About A Frame Forward Photography

I’m Jackson Tyler Eddy, an award-winning photographer based in Saint Paul and Minneapolis. While I’m best known for weddings and portraits, I also love photographing dancers, athletes, and creatives who express their art through motion.

If you’re interested in dance photography in Minnesota, I’d love to help create something beautiful and unique for you.
Reach out here to book your session.

 

 

To see more family sessions hop on over to my Family Photography Page.

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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