Sunrise Engagement Photos on Minnesota’s North Shore

Waking up at 4 AM to chase the sunrise might sound a little unhinged, but it was just another adventure for Anna and Ryan. These two high school sweethearts turned lifelong adventure buddies found me on Instagram for their sunrise engagement photos. They immediately liked my documentary style—especially the deep greens and nature tones I love incorporating into my edits.

Originally from the Chicago suburbs, they now live in NE Minneapolis—Ryan’s a mechanical engineer, Anna’s a second-year med student at the U—and somehow, between their wild schedules, they still make time for the things they love: being outside, brewery hopping, and just soaking up life together. Oh, and they have a black cat, Ziggy, who tragically wasn’t available for a guest appearance.

Now, let’s talk about why rolling out of bed at an ungodly hour was so worth it.

Sunrise engagement photos in Minnesota on Lake Superior

Sunrise engagement photos on Minnesota's North Shore

A 4 AM Wake-Up Call

I’m not gonna lie—4 AM wake-ups are brutal. Even when I stayed at my parents’ place to cut down the drive, rolling out of bed that early still felt like a personal attack. But it was worth it.

When I met up with Anna and Ryan at 5:30 AM, the air was crisp (a very Minnesota 50 degrees in July), and the sky was starting to glow. But they didn’t complain. They were down for whatever and fully in the moment. Minnesota’s North Shore delivered, as always, and we had the whole place to ourselves, which kept things nice and intimate.

They walked barefoot across Black Beach near Silver Bay for a bit, bravely attempting to dip their toes into the chilly water. These are the moments I live for—the ones that make the early alarms, chilly temperatures, and slightly numb toes completely worth it.

Dreamy Sunrise Engagement Photos on the North Shore

The North Shore was made for adventurous couples like Anna and Ryan—rugged cliffs, deep green forests in Tettegouche State Park, and beautiful water. This session had everything I love about engagement shoots—golden light, authentic connection, a little adventure, and a couple who fully embraced the moment. Couples like these make me so grateful for what I do. Waking up before the sun, freezing my ass off in the name of a good shot—all of it is worth it when I get to capture love like this.

So, if this is your vibe—if you want a session that feels like you and captures the energy of your relationship—let’s make it happen. Hit me up here, and let’s plan something epic.

See these fall lake engagement photos on Lake Vermilion!