Some places just feel like summer. Spirit in the Pines in Hackensack, Minnesota is one of them. As Minneapolis wedding photographers, we were thrilled to head north for this one. The camp sits right on the shore of Pleasant Lake, tucked into tall pines. It is about an hour north of Brainerd, deep in true lake country. If you grew up loving camp, this place will feel like coming home.

Spirit in the Pines is owned and run by St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie. The church bought the property in 2001. Since then, it has welcomed campers, families and retreat groups from all over the Twin Cities area. In the summer, kids spend their days swimming, paddling and sitting around the campfire. It is a place built on friendship, faith and fun. Today the camp hosts more than a thousand guests every summer, and many come back year after year.

For a wedding, that camp spirit is the whole point. Guests get wooded paths, peaceful lake views, rustic cabins and a big lodge with warm wood walls. The sunsets over Pleasant Lake are something special. For photos, we love the mix of tall trees, quiet water and cozy timber. Every corner of this property has a story to tell. It is simple, peaceful and full of heart, which is exactly what so many couples want.

Anna and Justin’s Upscale Summer Camp Wedding

Anna and Justin met while working together at Miami University. They became close friends first, then realized there was something more between them. Next came years of long distance, lots of visits and plenty of milestones. They built a home in Cincinnati and adopted two cats, Buoy and Burdie. Later, a new job for Justin took them all the way to Missoula, Montana. Through every move, they kept choosing each other.

Soon after settling into Montana life, Justin proposed, and Anna happily said yes. Justin grew up in Minnesota and Anna is from Kentucky, so a wedding up north felt just right. Their theme was an upscale summer camp, with greens and browns as the colors. It fits a couple who loves camping, hiking, traveling, new breweries and cheering at Griz games. It is easy to see why a lakeside camp in the pines felt like the perfect place to start their next chapter.

Our studio is based in Minneapolis, and we photograph weddings all across Minnesota. Lake country, big cities, small towns, we go wherever the love story is. Every wedding photographer on our team has a soft spot for a setting like this one. We watch for golden light through the pines, real laughs with friends and those quiet hand squeezes. We also love adding video, so you can hear your vows again whenever you want.

Thinking about your own wedding? Take a peek at our wedding photography packages and prices to find a good fit. You can also read reviews from couples who have worked with us. Want more inspiration? Visit our blog for real weddings and simple planning tips.

Original Weddings is a team of Minneapolis wedding photographers and videographers. Please click here to learn more about our Minneapolis photography and videography services. This wedding was edited in our Timeless editing style. We offer three different photography editing styles: Timeless, Airy, and Rustic. Please click here to learn more about our photography styles. You pick the style you love for your photos.

Wedding Photos | Minneapolis Wedding Photographers

Minneapolis Wedding Photographers at Spirit in the Pines

Original Weddings believes the best photos come from real moments. Our photographers keep the mood light, so you can relax and have fun. We give easy direction for portraits, then let your personalities shine. Outdoor settings like this give us so much to work with, from tall trees to shimmering water. We also take time for the details you planned, like flowers, signs and family keepsakes. Our team brings backup gear and a calm, steady attitude to every wedding. You will never feel rushed or awkward with us. We simply want you to enjoy it.

Our home base is Minneapolis, and we travel all over the state for couples. We regularly photograph weddings in St. Paul, Bloomington, St. Cloud, Brainerd and Duluth. Up north weddings are some of our favorites, and the drive is always worth it. Distance never stops us from showing up for a great couple. We help you build a simple timeline, plan for the best light and keep family photos moving quickly. After the wedding, you get a full online gallery edited in the style you love. Original Weddings wants every couple to feel cared for on the day and excited when the photos arrive. That is our promise.

Minneapolis Wedding Videographers at Spirit in the Pines

Original Weddings also creates wedding films that capture the sound and feeling of your day. Our videographers record your vows, toasts and happy tears with clear audio. We plan our shots ahead and stay low key, so guests can enjoy themselves without a camera in their face. We mix wide views of the setting with close, emotional moments, then edit it all with music that fits you. Years from now, you will be so glad you can press play and hear those voices again.

Booking photo and video together keeps planning easy. Our photographers and videographers know each other well and work side by side as one team. We film weddings in Minneapolis and travel to St. Cloud, Brainerd, Duluth and beyond. Many couples tell us their film is the thing they watch most. Just share your plans and we will build coverage that fits. Original Weddings would love to tell your story next.