Form submitted successfully, thank you.

Error submitting form, please try again.

Welcome to Mary Hanson Photography

Welcome to the blog site of the premier children's photographer in the Minneapolis & St. Paul metro area. I look forward to working with you to create beautiful custom portraits of your children or family. I specialize in capturing documentary lifestyle photos that will provide you with lasting memories of your little ones, that you will enjoy as art in your home for years to come. Take a look around and then email or call to schedule your portrait session. 

Note to past clients: this new updated multi-purpose site takes the place of my former website and separate blog. All the info you need will be here in one handy spot! Use the links above for navigation, or scroll down to read the latest blog posts, and to see some sneak peeks from my recent sessions.

If you have questions or comments, drop me an email at: info @ maryhphoto.com or call me at 612.991.8113. I do my best to return all calls & emails within 48 hours.

I look forward to working with you!

~Mary

ps, You can click "refresh" on your browser to see a different bio-pic of me... pretty funny!


twitter / maryhphoto

MHP Valentine Cutie Contest | {Contest for Free Photography Session in Minneapolis metro area!}

Mary Hanson Photography Valentine Cutie Contest for Free Photography Session!

In honor of Valentine’s Day next week, and in honor of my own little Valentine turning 10 on that same day; I’m now accepting entries for a fun contest to win a free photo session for one lucky little girl or boy in the Minneapolis metro area.

Enter your child (ages 0-10) to win a free photo session and one free 8×10 print (over $400 value!) for the Mary Hanson Photography Valentine Cutie Contest! The winner will be announced right here on my blog-site on the morning of Valentine’s Day.

Here is how to enter; please read all the steps carefully!

1. Subscribe to my blog updates by entering your email in the subscribe box above (just below the rotating photo banner)  You will get an email from feedburner to confirm your subscription, please follow directions in that email. This will allow you to get an email when new posts/sneak peeks/contests are posted, and an email when the contest winner is announced on Valentine’s Day!

2. Take a photo snapshot of your child wearing something red, could be all red or just a little red, but the photo must have red and your child must have a sign saying in the photo saying “Pick me Mary Hanson Photography!” so I know you are not using an old photo. :) Upload this photo of your Valentine Cutie to Flickr or some other publicly viewable website, and post the photo link by leaving a comment after this post.

3. Make sure you put your email address in the comment so I can contact the winner!

Contest begins when I push “post” (ie, on Feb 8, 2010 around 11:30 am) and ends at 11:59 pm on Saturday February 13th. Only one entry per person and this prize cannot be transferred or exchanged for cash, and is only valid for the posted winner. The winner must use the prize by March 14th, 2010 or it will expire. Children aged 0-10 yrs old who reside in the Twin Cities metro area can be entered by their  parent or legal guardian.

I will make a collage of various creative entries  to show some of the Valentine cuties (from the links to uploaded photos) but only one child will win the MHP Valentine Cutie contest, so enter quickly!

Mary


drupal statistics module


Winter is flying by…| Minneapolis photographer

I haven’t had much time to post, but thought I’d get an update here, along with some recent news and photos. So, what have I been up to recently? I’ve just put up a gorgeous huge canvas display at Amma Maternity’s fresh new location in Edina. I’ve been doing some fun ongoing work for an orthodontist office in Richfield. Some headshots for some professionals, some newborns, more work for Margaret Anderson Kelliher for her gubernatorial bid, and some new headshots for the beautiful Darya for a movie audition. Hope everyone is enjoying the winter and Go Vikings!

~Mary

The holiday rush is just about over…

Just five more orders to get back from the lab, packed and out this weekend or Monday and then I’m done for the year! :)

It has been a really busy fall, which I’m so grateful for in this recession. I’ve had lots of new clients, lots of returning clients and I’ve also been doing some work for our MN Speaker of the House, Margaret Anderson Kelliher, who is running for Governor. She is an amazing person, a great public servant and also, I believe, the best person for the job to be our next Governor of Minnesota and turn this state around. I hope everyone, especially those who intend to caucus on Feb. 2nd, will take the time to learn more about Margaret at her website, here. You can also follow Margaret on Twitter here, or check her out on Facebook here. Doesn’t Governor Anderson Kelliher have such a great sound to it? :)

MAKcrop300dpi

MHP_4205

On the photography front, I hope to put together a little year in review slideshow if I have time. You can check back soon to see it, or, did you know that you can subscribe to my blogsite and you will get an email when new content is posted? It is the easiest way to keep up to date with news and sneak peeks from Mary Hanson Photography. To sign up, just click here and then enter your email. There might be some nifty contests coming up that you wouldn’t want to miss, and the best way to hear about them is to subscribe… hint hint.

And last, but certainly not least, here are a few of the many sneak peeks from fall/winter sessions that I never got a chance to share. Happy Holidays to everyone!

Mary

MHP_3821MHP_3925bwMHP_3874bwMHP_3850bwMHP_3889MHP_4024bwMHP_3970bwMHP_4006

MHP_4395

Holiday Craft Sale Open House & Fundraiser

MHP_4038

I’m having an open house next Saturday  at my home, where I will be selling beautiful handmade upcycled jewelry from The Dorcas Widows.  (more info here) The jewelry sales are a fundraiser to support both the Dorcas Widows and to support the Reach for the Stars organization (more info here) that sends Minneapolis kids to Space Camp. Two of my children will be attending Space Camp this coming Spring and this beautiful jewelry that we are selling will help to send 50 Minneapolis kids to Space Camp and would also make wonderful and affordable holiday gifts!

MHP_4041The prices for the jewelry range from only  $7 to $25, and 50% of the sales price goes to the Dorcas Widows, while 50% goes to Space Camp. The jewelry is handmade from recycled advertisements by women in Uganda who are supporting themselves with the proceeds from sales, as well as caring for many AIDS orphans.  There will also be Blue Sky guides and Peace Coffee for sale to benefit Space Campers, and I will also have some of the new frames I’m offering clients this year for sale.

MHP_2376These gorgeous wood photo frames are from Wood from the Hood,”Reclaiming Wood from your Neighborhood” a local company that makes beautiful recycled wood products from trees taken down due to damage or disease. Even the photo frame glass is recycled!

MHP_2364

There will be other local handicrafts for sale as well, so stop by and get a jump start on your holiday shopping  while supporting great causes!

The sale will be held at my home, 5608 14th Ave. S, Mpls, 55417, near Lake Nokomis, on Saturday Nov. 21st from 9:00am-2:00pm. If you have questions or need more information, please email Mary at info@maryhphoto.com Pass this info on to a few friends please, to help get the word out! Thanks so much, and look forward to seeing you next Saturday!

~Mary

Another handsome senior guy…|Eagan, MN senior high photographer

I seem to get all the nice and nice looking seniors to photograph, who are fun to talk to as well as easy to take photos of! Here is another one from recently… Zach, it was great to meet you!

~MaryMHP_3479MHP_3486 copyMHP_3528 copyMHP_3534 copyMHP_3490 copyMHP_3481MHP_3545 copyMHP_3513 copy

Season of Seniors…| Minneapolis Senior High Photographer

MHP_3615I’ve been really busy with lots of seniors who need “last minute” senior photos these past two weeks. Most of them I haven’t had a chance to put up sneak peeks, but thought I’d share a few now and more tomorrow if I have time. Hunter is a senior in Minneapolis and had one of the best natural smiles I’ve seen in a while… which made it really easy to photograph him~ fun to talk to and easy to work with too! He seems like such a great guy- full of potential. Thanks again!

Here are a few I liked…

Mary

MHP_3572bwMHP_3592MHP_3596MHP_3578bwMHP_3602MHP_3597bwMHP_3571

Beautiful little one…|Minneapolis studio photography

These photos of this beautiful little girl were taken with Grandma ,Grandpa and her Auntie as a surprise for her Mom & Dad… we did the session at The Cottage and we had lots of fun playing on the tire swing, in my studio and feeding my chickens! One of my favorite little girls to photograph~ she is such a little chatterbox now! :) I had so much fun!

MHP_3240 copy

MHP_3171 copyMHP_3216 copyMHP_3248 copyMHP_3230 copyMHP_3238 copyMHP_3185 copyMHP_3200 copy

Beautiful and beloved baby Ainsley…| Lakeville newborn photographer

Meet Ainsley, a much adored and smiley little baby I was lucky enough to photograph last week.

MHP_3012

She had the sweetest little sleep smiles! A few sneak peeks for Mom & Dad until I have your gallery completed~

MHP_3059

MHP_3150

MHP_2994

MHP_3046MHP_3075

Loved seeing her little tiny hand in Grandma’s hand:

MHP_3095

Bye Bye! I’ll show you some more as soon as possible!

MHP_3031

~Mary

Sneak peek of the lovely Freesia…| Minneapolis senior photos photography

A quick sneak peek of a few so you won’t have to wait for the whole gallery… it was great meeting you today and the camera obviously ♥’s you! Any other South High Seniors who still need last minute photos before the yearbook deadline, I have a few spots left to squeeze you in! :)

MHP_3360

MHP_3341

MHP_3361

MHP_3376MHP_3344

Thanks!

Mary

Let it Snow…. (?) Holiday Card Sale! | Minneapolis family photographer

The Cottage Studio in an Early October snowstorm...

In honor of our wintry weather, (snow in early October??) I’m offering a very limited time offer on Press Printed Pearl Holiday Cards!

mhp_2788

I have never had these on sale before, so get your Holiday Cards done early and save! Every client who has ordered these has been thrilled with the gorgeous quality. I’ve sent these out as my personal Christmas cards the past two years as well, and get so many compliments. No one wants to throw them away~ they are that luxuriously beautiful.

trifold

Here are the details: any order of Custom Press Printed flat or folded cards placed between now and Wednesday October 28th will receive 15% off! Orders must be completed and approved before 10/28/09 to get this generous discount, which means any revisions or edits must be done before this date. You can see custom card pricing in my Gallery store by clicking here, then clicking on either press printed flat,  press printed folded, or Press Printed Tri-Fold  cards. Additional sets are already discounted after the initial purchase of 50 cards, but you can also take the 15% discount off additional sets too! Use code PP15%Sale for this discount, which is only valid on Press Printed Cards until 10/28. To purchase the cards, please complete the transaction separately from any other prints or canvas in your order to take advantage of this discount. Thanks!

closeup

Press Printed Pearl Cards are printed by my professional photo lab using a pearlescent cardstock~they look so much nicer than even purchased greeting cards from hallmark, etc, and are fully customizable, with your choice of colors, patterns, sayings, fonts, photos from your session, etc. They are amazing and you will be thrilled with them! Call Mary @ 612-991-8113 or email if you have questions.

~Mary